A Temple University geologist and his team were visiting Mt. Etna when they received word of an impending eruption, which was predicted to the minute. The team had been working on a sensor that measures gas composition to predict eruptions, and their prediction marked a potential breakthrough in volcanic prediction.
Scientists from University of Wisconsin-Madison propose new model for origin of volcanism in young calderas, suggesting high probability of future catastrophic eruption. Tiny crystals of zircon and quartz harbor geochemical clues to past and future volcanic eruptions, including massive explosions that could disrupt global climate.
Scientists warn that living near active volcanic systems poses a significant risk due to unpredictability. Researchers are working to develop predictive models to mitigate the threat of volcanic eruptions, with some areas like Yellowstone and Long Valley Caldera still considered active systems.
Researchers at Stanford University are working on a permanent worldwide volcano early-warning network, utilizing advances in technology and communication to revolutionize volcanology. Tiny movements on the surface of a volcano often indicate magma build-up below, which can be detected by radar satellites orbiting the Earth.
A team of Stanford geophysicists used satellite radar images to detect rising volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands, a sign that they may erupt soon. The study found four out of six volcanoes on Isabela Island had risen in size over a seven-year period.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found a cyclic contribution to global temperature change that may be masking human effects. The residual factor, which occurs over a 65-70 year period, periodically warms and cools the atmosphere, sometimes counteracting the greenhouse effect.
Researchers from OSU discovered that some Hawaiian sea mounts were influenced by the existence of a mid-ocean ridge subducted under present-day Siberia. The findings provide more evidence on how volcanic hot spots interact with tectonic plates.
Scientists analyze melt inclusions in Hawaiian crystals, finding highly unusual trace-element contents that match a specific rock type. The study confirms a giant recycling process where ancient oceanic crust is melted and re-formed in the Earth's mantle.
The American Geophysical Union has made the Spring Meeting abstracts and session information available online. Reporters can search for papers of interest using parameters such as scientist name, institution, geographic location, and topic. Press conferences are also being organized to cover significant scientific news.
The NASA space shuttle Endeavour will gather information key to the University of Hawaii's research on the aftermath of volcanic eruptions. The mission aims to provide more extensive topographic data on volcanoes, including Mount Pinatubo, using advanced radar interferometry.
UB scientists discovered that soft spots on volcanoes can collapse and trigger devastating mudflows that can travel up to 80 miles. The research highlights the danger of older volcanoes with hydrothermal fluids, which change rock structure and make them more vulnerable to collapse.
Using brittle failure theory, University of Michigan researcher Youxue Zhang can calculate the likelihood of fragmentation for a given magma sample based on composition, water content, and temperature. This calculation may help predict when a volcanic eruption will become deadly.
Researchers will collect snow samples from Illimani and Sajama mountains to understand the impact of El Nino and La Nina on precipitation patterns. The team's goal is to analyze climate conditions over the past two years using sophisticated chemical analyses of snow samples.
A team of scientists, led by Frankie Jackson of Montana State University, has uncovered a vast dinosaur nesting site in Patagonia, containing over 200 eggs and fossilized skin. The discovery provides valuable insights into the behavior, biology, and nesting strategies of long-necked sauropod dinosaurs.
A team of researchers will conduct an exhaustive analysis of rock samples, magnetic characteristics, and isotopic compositions from a depth of 15,000 feet in the Mauna Kea volcano. The project aims to learn more about mantle plumes and their role in producing volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found that Montserrat's volcanic ash contains high concentrations of cristobalite, a mineral linked to lung disease silicosis. The study suggests that living near the volcano poses a health risk, and future studies aim to determine acceptable levels of exposure.
Researchers monitored the Soufriere Hills Volcano's cyclic eruptions to understand mechanisms behind them. They identified cyclical events nearly so well as no one before and made predictions on eruption timing and areas affected, saving lives through evacuation efforts.
Researchers continuously monitored carbon dioxide flux at a 35-acre tree-kill area near Horseshoe Lake, discovering daily cycles that defy temperature explanation. The data suggests barometric pressure oscillations and Earth tides may influence the degassing rate, highlighting the complexity of volcanic gas emission.
Researchers analyzed two cores retrieved from a Bolivian glacier, discovering that the tropics were much cooler during the last glacial stage, with temperatures estimated to be around 5-6 degrees Celsius lower than today. The findings also suggest that the region was wetter and experienced massive lakes forming on the plateau.
Chinese and US researchers have identified the world's oldest flowering plant, a 140-million-year-old fossil found in northeast China. The plant predates the previous oldest-known flower by over 25 million years, shedding light on the origins of flowering plants.
The University of Hawaii has launched the Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center (MarBEC) with a $12.4 million NSF grant, aiming to develop 21st-century marine biotechnology businesses. MarBEC will draw on Hawaii's expertise and natural advantages in collecting and analyzing marine products and organisms to lay the groundwork for future...
Volcanologists at the University at Buffalo have developed a method to analyze satellite data and identify weak spots on a volcano's surface. By interpreting the data, they can determine properties such as water or iron-bearing minerals that contribute to weakening of the volcanic structure.
A team of researchers has predicted that a major industrial town in Mexico could be destroyed by rapid volcanic mudflows within the next decade. The study used a mathematical model developed by the US Geological Survey to calculate the potential risks, finding that even small mudflows would have devastating effects.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism discovered a statistically significant correlation between large magnitude earthquakes (M7.0+) and volcanic eruptions separated by up to 750 km, suggesting potential predictive capabilities for monitoring small deformations in active volcanoes.
Geologist Attila Kilinc proposes a new model to explain the forces behind explosive eruptions on Montserrat, citing the oxidation state of magma. The model suggests that mixing hotter and cooler magma leads to water formation, triggering an eruption. Further development of a detection system is needed to accurately predict eruptions.
A 2,000-year-old climate warming event was discovered in East Africa by analyzing sediment cores from a high-altitude lake. This study suggests that the climate can warm up suddenly without human activity, providing new insights into past climate fluctuations and potentially informing predictions about future climate change.
Researchers estimate a new volcano could erupt in northern California within 400,000 years due to a magma chamber discovered 20 kilometers into the earth's crust. The Lake Pillsbury area, near San Francisco, is identified as a possible location for the eruption.
Scientists are using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to study subtle phenomena such as volcano deformations before eruptions and gradual buildup of stress over years. SAR is also being used to map the flow of ice sheets and glaciers, and gather data on land subsidence issues related to fluid withdrawal.
December 1997 was the coldest month on record in the Earth's lower stratosphere, indicating a cooling trend over the past 15 years. This is consistent with ozone depletion in the lower stratosphere.
Researchers caught Kilauea's erupting volcano in a net by analyzing GPS data, revealing the ground stretching and expanding before the rift opened. The team predicts that future analysis of similar events could enable quick warnings for lava flows, allowing people to evacuate in time.
Scientists model 1883 tsunami impact on English Bay and Homer Spit, predicting energy absorption at Anchor Point and flooding risk at Homer Spit. The model helps emergency planners understand risks and plan for potential landslides and tidal waves.
The discovery of an ancient Peruvian obsidian quarry provides evidence for long-distance trade in the Americas as far back as 2,500 B.C. The quarry, found by University of Wisconsin-Madison geographer Sarah Osgood Brooks, contains nearly 75% of artifacts identified as coming from a single source.
Researchers find parallels between Mount St. Helens' recovery and the Indonesian volcano Krakatau's transformation from a devastated island to a thriving tropical rainforest. Plants establish a stable surface, holding back water and nutrients, allowing for gradual growth and revegetation. This process is key to understanding the renewa...
Researchers have discovered a novel phosphorus compound, DIP, in bacteria Thermotoga maritima that thrive at high temperatures, challenging the previous understanding of its role in archaea. The study suggests that DIP may play a role in osmosis and potentially as a thermoprotectant.
NASA and University of Alabama scientists report the coldest September on record, with a cooling trend in the stratosphere. The data contradicts rising surface temperatures, fueling discussions about global warming.
The discovery provides evidence of a thriving agricultural practice before the village was buried by volcanic ash 1,400 years ago. The remains of the first chili bushes ever discovered at a Mesoamerican archaeological site reveal the villagers used sophisticated techniques and had a high biodiversity of crops.
The $10.3 million, six-year Hawaii Scientific Drilling Program aims to study the formation of volcanoes and the mechanisms within Earth's mantle. Researchers will analyze samples from a 14,500-foot bore hole in Mauna Kea to understand volcanic activity, groundwater movement, and earthquake cycles.
A $1.5 million seismic network around Kilauea Volcano will help scientists make more accurate predictions about when volcanoes will erupt and determine potential hazards in nearby areas. The network, which contains 116 stations, is designed to understand the physical characteristics of earthquakes associated with eruptions.
A graduate student's daily satellite inspection spotted the eruption, providing an early warning system. The discovery also triggered a computerized ash-plume tracking model to forecast the ash cloud's movement and issue alerts to airlines.