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Scientists share ‘comprehensive’ map of volcanoes on Venus — all 85,000 of them

Researchers Paul Byrne and Rebecca Hahn have compiled a global catalog of 85,000 volcanoes on Venus, providing the most comprehensive understanding of the planet's volcanic properties. The dataset includes detailed analyses of volcano distribution, size, and clustering, which will aid in locating future active lava flows.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 29, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Giant volcanic ‘chain’ spills secrets on inner workings of volcanoes

Researchers discovered that as magma production decreased, volcanoes became increasingly complex, with internal magma pockets and reservoirs forming. The study provides insights into volcanic eruption processes and can inform our understanding of active continental hotspot volcanoes globally.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2023

UAF scientist offers evidence that Venus is volcanically active

A new research paper by University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute professor Robert Herrick revealed a nearly 1-square-mile volcanic vent on Venus, changing in shape and growing over eight months. This change is associated with volcanic activity.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience·DateMar 15, 2023

Researchers reveal the disturbances of the Tonga volcanic eruption

Researchers detected significant thermospheric fluctuations with multiple wave modes after the Tonga eruption, affecting global neutral density up to 500 km altitude. The study suggests that gravitational waves, Lamb waves, and tsunami waves may transmit energy upward, influencing thermospheric density.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 15, 2023

A pool at Yellowstone is a thumping thermometer

The study of Doublet Pool reveals that the interval between episodes of thumping reflects the amount of energy heating the pool, while also indicating heat loss through the surface. The researchers found that wind speed over the pools was correlated with silence intervals, suggesting that blowing wind removes heat energy from the water.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 8, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New method helps scientists better predict when volcanos will erupt

Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a way to precisely locate magma storage in volcanoes, offering improved risk assessment for eruptions. By analyzing carbon dioxide-rich fluids trapped within cooled crystals, they can determine the depth of magma storage and scorching reservoirs with unprecedented accuracy.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2023

Looking back at the Tonga eruption

A new analysis of seismic data recorded after the Tonga eruption has revealed two distinct sequences of events, including quasi-periodic explosions and a massive final event. The study used back-projection techniques to tease out details from teleseismic P waves, shedding light on the volcano's internal dynamics.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2023

Malformed seashells, ancient sediment provide clues about Earth’s past

Researchers studied ancient sediment and microfossils to understand the Ocean Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2), a significant environmental disruption that choked oxygen from oceans. The team proposes a new hypothesis for the Plenus Cold Event, which briefly interrupted intense greenhouse temperatures due to ocean acidification.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

Exotic clasts in Chang'e-5 samples indicate unexplored terrane on moon

Researchers identified seven exotic igneous clasts in Chang'e-5 samples, providing critical information about the Moon's lithological diversity and regolith gardening process. The findings indicate that there are still unknown geological units on the moon, which may aid future lunar exploration missions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 28, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

VLA and ALMA study Jupiter and Io

A recent VLA and ALMA study investigated Jupiter's atmosphere and Io's volcanic activity, shedding light on the giant planet's complex dynamics. The research revealed the vertical structure of Jupiter's atmosphere and found high-temperature compounds, including NaCl and KCl, in Io's atmosphere, suggesting differences in subsurface magm...

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2022

Signals from the ionosphere could improve tsunami forecasts

Researchers from the University of Washington analyzed the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption in the South Pacific, discovering that ionosphere signals can help explain why tsunami waves grew larger and traveled faster than predicted. The study validated the use of GPS signals traveling through the atmosphere to track events on the gro...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2022

Giant mantle plume reveals Mars is more active than previously thought

Scientists from the University of Arizona have discovered a giant active mantle plume pushing the surface of Mars upward, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The finding suggests that Mars' deceptively quiet surface may hide a more tumultuous interior than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Monitoring “frothy” magma gases could help evade disaster

A team at the University of Tokyo has discovered that analyzing the ratio of argon-40 to helium-3 in magma gases can indicate the risk of different types of eruption. By monitoring these gas ratios, scientists hope to develop a portable equipment for real-time, on-site measurements, enabling early warning systems and potentially saving...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Magma floods erupt from deeper sources than earlier believed

A new study by University of Helsinki researchers finds that magma floods can form in thick tectonic plates, contradicting the long-held assumption. The research uses geochemical modelling to demonstrate that high-temperature mantle sources can produce magmas with similar trace element compositions as low-pressure conditions.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Petrology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 11, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Chang’E-5 samples reveal how young volcanism occurred on the Moon

Researchers found that mantle melting-point depression due to fusible components could generate young lunar volcanism. The Chang'E-5 samples, returned in 2020, revealed surprisingly young volcanic activity only 2 billion years old, contradicting the long-held assumption that the Moon has been geologically dead since then.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 21, 2022

Tonga volcano eruption stimulates life: rapid, massive bloom of ocean phytoplankton

A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that the Tonga volcano eruption stimulated a rapid and massive bloom of ocean phytoplankton, covering an area nearly 40 times the size of Oahu within just 48 hours. The bloom was triggered by the deposition of volcanic ash, which supplied nutrients for phytoplankton growth.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 10, 2022

Elusive atmospheric wave detected during 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption

Researchers have confirmed the existence of Pekeris waves, a type of atmospheric wave theorized in 1937 but never proven to occur naturally. The waves were detected following the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption using state-of-the-art observational data and computer simulations.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

What killed dinosaurs and other life on earth?

A new study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found a strong temporal connection between flood basalt eruptions and significant climatic events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Risk of volcano catastrophe ‘a roll of the dice’, say experts

Researchers from the University of Cambridge's CSER highlight the need for improved surveillance and public education to mitigate the impact of volcanic eruptions. The risk of a magnitude seven explosion in the next 100 years is one-in-six, with potential consequences including abrupt climate change and collapse of civilizations.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2022

Volcanic super eruptions are millions of years in the making – followed by swift surge, scientists find

Scientists have discovered that volcanic super eruptions occur when huge accumulations of magma deep in the Earth's crust move rapidly to the surface, disrupting pre-existing rock. This process takes place over millions of years, but the magma disrupts the crust and then erupts in just a few decades.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2022

Study: Explosive volcanic eruption produced rare mineral on Mars

Researchers at Rice University propose a new scenario explaining the 2016 discovery of tridymite by NASA's Curiosity rover. They suggest that magma cooled slowly in a chamber below a volcano, producing concentrated silicon-rich ash that was later weathered and sorted by water.

SourceRice University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Volcano’s eruption will help scientists plot weather, climate

Researchers analyzed the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano's eruption to understand its effects on atmospheric waves. The blast provided an unprecedented view of atmospheric waves, allowing scientists to better predict the weather and climate.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·JournalNature·DateJul 6, 2022

Dinosaurs took over amid ice, not warmth, says a new study of ancient mass extinction

A new study suggests that dinosaurs were well adapted to cold temperatures and survived a mass extinction event caused by massive volcanic eruptions. The research found evidence of dinosaur footprints and pebbles in lake sediments at high latitudes, indicating that they thrived in conditions where other reptiles died.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJul 1, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Tonga volcano eruption was among the most powerful ever observed, triggering atmospheric gravity waves that reached the edge of space

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano eruption created the largest recorded volcanic explosion, producing massive gravity and atmospheric waves that reverberated around the earth. The study, published in Nature, highlights the importance of this event for improving weather and climate models.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

Lava ejected during Cumbre Vieja eruption was unusually fluid

Researchers at Mainz University found the Cumbre Vieja lava to be exceptionally low in viscosity, resulting in rapid flow and devastating damage. The study published in Nature Communications revealed that the lava's composition, particularly its silica content, contributed to its fluidity.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2022

Great timing, supercomputer upgrade lead to successful forecast of volcanic eruption

A team of geologists successfully forecasted a Sierra Negra volcano eruption in June 2018 using a supercomputer-powered model. The model predicted an imminent eruption five months before it occurred, highlighting the power of high-performance computing in volcanic forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 3, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

The surprising musical dynamics of a lava lake on Kīlauea volcano

Researchers from the University of Oregon studied a persistent lava lake at Kīlauea's summit, finding that seismic signals encode resonance of magma sloshing in and out of the shallow magma chamber. The study provides new insights into volcanic gas migration and magma temperature, shedding light on the volcano's dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 1, 2022

Hunga volcano eruption provides an explosion of data

A team of scientists from 17 nations studied the Hunga submarine volcano eruption, which created a variety of atmospheric wave types. The research provides insights into the behavior of Lamb waves, which are rare and linked to tsunami and volcanic plume generation.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience·DateMay 12, 2022

Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption confirmed as biggest bang since Krakatoa

The Hunga Tonga volcano's 2022 eruption was the biggest bang since Krakatoa, with a pressure wave traveling around the world four times over six days. The explosion produced a shockwave comparable to the largest nuclear test, yet lasted four times longer.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2022

Eruption’s echoes

Researchers characterized the Hunga volcano's atmospheric waves, providing exceptional resolution of the evolving wavefield compared to historic events. The data revealed Lamb waves, rare and low-frequency pressure waves associated with large eruptions and nuclear detonations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateMay 12, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Failed eruptions are at the origin of copper deposits

Scientists from the University of Geneva discover that copper deposits are formed by mechanisms similar to those causing large volcanic eruptions. The 'porphyry' deposits, containing copper, form when hot fluids release from cooling magmas and develop under the earth's surface.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeNews article·DateMay 9, 2022

Ice-capped volcanoes slower to erupt, study finds

A new volcanic modeling study found that ice-capped volcanoes like Westdahl Peak are delayed in eruption by approximately seven years due to the added pressure from glacial ice. This increase in time may seem insignificant on a geologic scale, but it's significant on the human time scale.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalFrontiers in Earth Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 9, 2022

Researchers home in on Thera volcano eruption date

A team of researchers has confirmed that a volcanic eruption in 1628 B.C. was not Thera but Alaskan volcano Aniakchak II, helping to narrow down the potential dates for the Thera eruption's occurrence between 1611 B.C., 1562-1555 B.C. and 1538 B.C.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Volcanoes at fault if the Earth slips

A study by KyotoU scientists has discovered a significant relationship between volcanic activity and seismic faults. The research team found that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes were triggered by the eruption of Mount Aso, which caused a shift in the fault's movement pattern.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGeochemistry Geophysics Geosystems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2022

Stanford research finds drought alters Mammoth Mountain’s carbon dioxide emissions

Researchers found a persistent 20% reduction in carbon dioxide seeping up from the ground during the spring of 2017, coinciding with intense drought and record-high Sierra Nevada snowpack. The study suggests that changes in Earth's hydrology due to climate change can impact volcanic emissions.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 29, 2022

Tonga eruption

UC Santa Barbara geologists Melissa Scruggs and Frank Spera led an international team in publishing the first holistic account of the Tonga eruption, which devastated the nation on January 15. The eruption triggered massive tsunamis and atmospheric waves globally, with an ash plume reaching over 58 kilometers into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEarthquake Research Advances·DateMar 29, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Ancient ice reveals scores of gigantic volcanic eruptions

Researchers estimate 60,000-year timeline of massive volcanic eruptions, finding 85 large global eruptions and 69 larger than the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption. This new data helps improve climate models by providing insights into Earth's climate sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalClimate of the Past·DateMar 16, 2022

Tonga volcano to have smaller cooling impact on climate change than first thought

A fresh analysis suggests that the global cooling effect of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption will be smaller than expected. However, the researchers warn that a one-time-only event may not be sufficient to overwhelm the longer-term global warming tendency.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 1, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Explosive fossil fruit found buried beneath ancient Indian lava flows

A new plant species was discovered based on the presence of distinctive fruit capsules that likely exploded to disperse their seeds. The fossils were found in India's Deccan Traps, a complex mosaic of basalt rocks leftover from volcanic eruptions that lasted up to 1 million years.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalInternational Journal of Plant Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2022

2020 volcanic eruption leads to hours-long thunderstorm

A 2020 volcanic eruption in the Philippines showed how explosive eruptions can create lightning, shedding light on the eruption's behavior. The study used global lightning detection, satellite images, and social media photos to characterize the eruption.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJan 19, 2022

Earliest human remains in eastern Africa dated to more than 230,000 years ago

The Omo I fossils, found in Ethiopia, have been dated to be at least 230,000 years old, pushing back the known emergence of Homo sapiens by tens of thousands of years. This reevaluation was made possible through advanced geochemical analysis and a new understanding of volcanic ash layers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Volcanic fertilization of the oceans drove severe mass extinction, say scientists

Researchers found that intense volcanic activity led to a surge in phosphorus levels, driving ocean oxygen levels down and triggering a severe mass extinction. The study suggests that natural weathering of volcanic material may have been responsible for the sudden cooling events.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2021

Felsic volcanism in south China drove the end-Permian mass extinction

A study published in Science Advances reveals that felsic volcanism in South China drove the end-Permian mass extinction, with extreme elemental copper enrichment and light isotopic compositions indicating large-scale eruptions near the studied outcrops. This finding strengthens the case against the Siberian Traps as the sole trigger f...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 17, 2021

Scientists identify new force behind past mass extinction event

A team of scientists has identified a new force behind the past mass extinction event, finding that volcano eruptions produced a 'volcanic winter' that drastically lowered earth's temperatures. This change added to the environmental effects resulting from other phenomena at the time.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 17, 2021