Astronomers studying a galactic black hole have found similarities between its eruption and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Earth. The cosmic eruption prevents hundreds of millions of new stars from forming by lifting cooler gas upwards.
Researchers from the University of Washington are leading an expedition to study the seafloor and its ecosystems. The team aims to deploy sensors and moorings that will provide real-time data on ocean conditions, enabling scientists to better understand and predict natural phenomena such as hurricanes and tsunamis.
A new study by Oregon State University and the University of California at Davis has found that a mixing of two types of magma is crucial to Mount Hood's eruptions, occurring weeks or months before the eruption. This behavior is distinct from other Cascade Range volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens.
A team from Ascension Island's Conservation Department rediscovered the long-thought-extinct parsley fern, Anogramma ascensionis. The fern was found on a knife-edge ridge and has been successfully relocated to sterile conditions for cultivation.
This issue of Geosphere highlights the geological processes that produce magma pulses and sheets in tabular intrusions. The study reveals a link between shallow igneous intrusions and volcanic activity, demonstrating how intrusive sheeting can destabilize volcano flanks and trigger eruptions.
Associate Professor Huiming Bao has published research in Nature about massive volcanic eruptions and their atmospheric consequences. The study used computer models and geological data to simulate the sulfur gas oxidation chemistry and atmospheric conditions of North America long before human activities impacted air quality.
UK researchers have discovered electrically charged ash in the plume of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The finding contradicts models and adds a new dimension to understanding volcanic plumes' impact on air travel. Detailed measurements reveal self-renewing charge within the plume, which affects particle behavior and growth.
Researchers from UAF and New Mexico Tech have set up a lightning-mapping array near Eyjafjallajokull to study the volcano's electrical conditions. The team has already observed unusual phenomena, such as upward-propagated lightning into the ash plume.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull Volcano ash plume being pushed to the northeast due to a low pressure area. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument onboard Terra made the observation on May 18.
A visible satellite image shows Eyjafjallajokull Volcano's ash plume shifting to an east-southeasterly direction as a cold occlusion brings cold air under warmer aloft air. The interaction between the volcanic plume and occluded front has changed wind direction from southerly to west-northwest.
Researchers from Europe gathered at the European Geosciences Union conference to share experiences and observations about the Icelandic volcanic eruption's ash cloud. The event aimed to compare model predictions with actual cloud movements, potentially leading to a new network for scientists.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals that pollution can significantly alter thunderstorm intensity, leading to changes in local weather patterns and rainfall. The study used lightning patterns as a quantitative measure of the impact of air pollution on cloud development over large areas.
The MODIS instrument on NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of the ash plume from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, drifting south and east over the Northern Atlantic Ocean. The ash plume appeared lighter in color than previous days, indicating a potential decrease in volcanic activity.
The MODIS instrument on NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured daily visible and infrared imagery of the ash plume from Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The ash cloud consisted of fine particles of pulverized rock, posing a rare but potentially catastrophic hazard to aviation.
The MODIS Rapid Response System provided near real-time satellite images of the Earth's landmasses, capturing a visible image of Eyjafjallajökull's ash plume over England and the Netherlands. Air travel has been grounded or diverted due to volcanic ash particles posing a risk to airplane engines.
Yanchao Zhang, an assistant professor at NJIT, has received a $400,000 NSF CAREER Award to support his research project on SC-HSNs and their application in remote environments. The award will advance the state of the art in data management in wireless security networks.
Scientists are using infrasound to monitor volcanoes in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth, for early warning of eruptions that could threaten passenger airlines and cargo ships. The technology aims to discriminate between different eruptive styles, improving alert systems for volcanic ash clouds.
Researchers found a surprising connection between ancient caribou bones and a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed the region with ash 1,000 years ago. The study suggests that changes in local wildlife may have been linked to environmental changes caused by the eruption.
A magnetic study of the Colima volcanic complex in Mexico reveals that faults exhibit distinct magnetic anomalies, which can be used to improve geological interpretations. The findings have significant implications for hazard assessments in densely populated areas around active volcanoes.
New data provides conclusive evidence that a link between the exploration well and the Lusi mud volcano was the trigger for the 2006 eruption. The scientists found five critical drilling errors that led to the disaster, including pulling the drill string out of an unstable hole without verifying a stable mud column.
CU-Boulder is leading a $3.3 million concept study for a lander mission to Venus, aiming to study the planet's surface, climate, and atmosphere. The mission will compare Venus with other terrestrial planets and help understand Earth's fate.
Oceanographers using WHOI-operated ROV Jason discovered the first video and still images of a deep-sea volcano actively erupting molten lava on the seafloor, nearly 4,000 feet below the surface. The high-definition camera system captured the powerful event in detail, providing scientists with a unique up-close view of the eruption.
Researchers have discovered the deepest undersea erupting volcano, West Mata Volcano, located nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption has produced unique boninite lavas and acidic water conditions, providing a rare opportunity to study magma formation and oceanic cycles.
Researchers found that longer dormant periods and thicker magma increase the length of a volcano's 'run-up' before an eruption. This can help scientists estimate when a rumbling volcano might erupt and how long to stay on alert after an eruption starts.
Researchers have imaged Yellowstone's plumbing using seismic waves, revealing a plume of hot rock rising from the northwest at a depth of at least 410 miles. The new findings suggest a larger magma chamber than previously thought, potentially leading to an even more catastrophic eruption.
State agencies and universities nationwide will receive funding to upgrade their volcano monitoring networks, producing high-resolution maps of high-threat volcanoes and analyzing recent eruption data. This investment aims to provide more reliable information for emergency responders and create jobs in the equipment manufacturing sector.
A study published in Geology has used InSAR to detect signs of activity in four volcanoes in Kenya's Rift Valley, showing episodic pulses of magma arriving at the crust. The findings highlight the geothermal potential of the region and pose a challenge for human hazard risk management.
The Casablanca Seamount dive revealed a geologically interesting terrain with vertical descents and massive lava flows. The area hosted various marine life, including sponges, corals, lobsters, and fish species.
Two new studies found evidence of a large volcanic eruption in 1809 that contributed to the coldest decade on record. Researchers analyzed ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, as well as stalagmites in Turkey, to shed light on this event. The findings challenge previous theories on climate change and provide valuable insights into ...
Research by Dr. Beverly Goodman exposed geological evidence of four tsunami events at Caesarea, including one from the Santorini volcano eruption in 1500 BC and others caused by underwater landslides. The findings suggest that local tsunamis could have reached 5 meters high and damaged coastal communities.
This field guide features 33 geological trips in the Pacific Northwest, covering topics such as volcanoes, floods, and vineyard terroir. The guide offers new insights into the region's geologic processes and history, inspiring readers to explore and understand this dynamic corner of the world.
Researchers measured the speed of magma rise during a Plinian eruption, revealing it could ascend from interior to surface within four hours. This rapid ascent raises concerns about the feasibility of timely evacuations and warnings before such eruptions.
A team led by James E. Quick discovered a fossil supervolcano in the Sesia Valley, revealing unprecedented depth of magmatic plumbing. This find advances scientific understanding of active supervolcanoes like Yellowstone and may help predict future eruptions.
Researchers from seven nations installed a new deep-sea observatory in the Norwegian Arctic to study mud volcano eruptions and their effects on the environment. The observatory will provide insights into the dynamics of gas eruptions and their consequences for biological communities on the seafloor.
A team of scientists has deployed a seismic network around Isla Isabela in the Galapagos to study Sierra Negra volcano. The new data will provide the first 3-D pictures of the volcanic plumbing system, helping to clarify its depth and extent.
A team of researchers will survey Kasatochi Island to monitor its recovery from the 2008 volcanic eruption. The interdisciplinary research focuses on the island's ecosystem development, with an emphasis on insect and bird species.
A workshop in Colombia aims to raise awareness and protect communities near the dangerous Galeras volcano through collaboration between scientists, government officials, and local residents. The goal is to develop a consensus on how to mitigate volcanic risks, using existing hazard maps and safety plans with updated research.
Researchers found that most obsidian flakes originated in Kamchatka, suggesting a key role in maintaining social relationships among people living in the isolated Kuril Islands. The study's findings indicate that connections with other communities were essential for survival.
A University of Colorado at Boulder team discovered a large manioc field in the ancient village of Ceren in El Salvador, which was buried under volcanic ash around A.D. 600. The cultivation system is believed to be the first evidence of intensive manioc farming at any New World archaeology site.
A UBC paleontologist has solved the enigma of a massive bonebed in southern California by proposing that it formed over a 700,000 year time-span approximately 15 million years ago. The team found only five shark bite specimens out of over 3,000 bones and teeth analyzed, supporting the deposit-over-time theory.
A previously unknown giant volcanic eruption in China led to global mass extinction 260 million years ago, according to a new study published in Science. The eruption unleashed around half a million cubic kilometres of lava, causing massive cloud formation and acid rain that cooled the planet.
Researchers found that Sulfolobus islandicus populations are more diverse than thought, with variable genomes evolving rapidly and adapting to local environments. The findings suggest a limited genetic reservoir stored in viruses and other elements, contradicting the idea of a universal gene pool.
Scientists discover carbon-based lavas are sourced from the upper mantle through partial melting of typical minerals, producing extremely fluid and low-silica lavas. The study reveals a uniform reservoir of volcanic gases beneath both oceans and continents.
Researchers have identified a specific gene and protein that contribute to the development of deadly arterial plaques. Deleting this gene in mice resulted in smaller, less unstable plaques. The study suggests that therapies targeting cellular stress may be useful in treating heart disease.
Chevron-shaped dunes are not indicative of mega-tsunamis, contrary to popular speculation. Microbial life extends fossil record by 1.5 billion years, while nanoscale cristobalite fibers in volcanic ash hint at adverse health effects. The largest trilobites ever found provide insight into Earth's first animals and fossil evidence.
Recent studies focus on North Sister volcano's glaciated history and the largest radial dike swarm in the Cascades. Sediment waves along submarine channels are also examined in the Espirito Santo Basin, Brazil, while a new study reveals highly explosive eruptions at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i.
A massive earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park was analyzed by SSA researchers, revealing epicenter migration and sudden depth changes. The study suggests that hydrothermal fluids may be responsible for the swarm's source properties.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a connection between the sound produced by volcanic eruptions and jet engines. By analyzing infrasound from Mount St. Helens and Tungurahua volcanoes, they found that the large-amplitude signals are generated in a similar way to smaller-scale man-made jets.
Scientists discovered dynamic microbial communities in deep-sea mud volcanoes and brine pools with harsh conditions, supporting life processes on early Earth, Mars, and moons like Jupiter's Europa. These findings provide new insights into microbial adaptation and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Scientists have re-examined Hawaii's formation, finding the Pacific oceanic plate moved under a drifting hotspot, creating a 50 million-year-old bend in the seamount chain. Mantel circulation models aid understanding of forces on tectonic plates and stress estimation for major earthquakes.
A new study reveals that dust storms and volcanic eruptions have a significant impact on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature. The researchers used satellite data and climate models to find that changes in African dust storm and tropical volcano activity account for about two-thirds of the upward trend in recent decades.
Researchers believe Nyiragongo's unique lava is coming from a pristine deep-mantle source, identical to ancient asteroids. The discovery may indicate the beginning of a new mantle plume, contributing to volcanism and earthquakes in the region.
Rice University researchers found that pockets of ancient water may still exist under Olympus Mons due to the presence of clay sediments. This could provide a habitable environment for thermophilic organisms, which thrive near geothermal vents on Earth.
Researchers detect complex microbial communities in extreme environment, sustaining life on high-altitude, arid soils. Unique bacteria thrive in soil without associated fumaroles, revealing resilience of microbes to harsh conditions.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologists reveals that many common salamander species have plummeted in Central America, contradicting previous attributions to habitat destruction and pesticides. Instead, researchers believe global warming is driving these species to higher elevations where habitats become inhospitable.
A new study uses airborne technology to track changes in Big Island tropical forests, revealing how climate and invasive species affect carbon stocks. The research finds that fast-growing invaders decrease biomass levels, while slower-growing species increase biomass stocks.
A team of volcanologists developed a new program to quickly and accurately predict areas at high risk for lethal hazards from volcanic eruptions. The program uses existing GIS data to create maps that outline potential surge damage, enabling decision-makers to evacuate or put people on high alert.
A team of researchers used seismic waves to create CAT-scan-like images of the Soufriere Hills Volcano's internal structure. The study found an elongated magma chamber that fills with magma, causing it to decompress and resulting in greater eruptions than expected.
Three Alaska volcanoes erupted in midsummer 2008, with Cleveland, Okmok, and Kasatochi volcanoes making significant changes to the landscape. Researchers from the Alaska Volcano Observatory shared their findings on recent eruptions at the American Geophysical Union's fall meeting.
Researchers have captured the first-ever images of three giant planets orbiting the star HR 8799. The planets, each about ten times the mass of Jupiter, have complex atmospheres with dusty clouds that trap and re-radiate heat.