Articles tagged with Volcanoes
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.
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 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.
The University of Hawai'i computer system uses Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) to detect heat from fires on the ground, providing early warnings for forest services. The system has been tested in Southern California and will soon monitor fires across the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
A new theory proposes that some of the carbon in diamonds originates from supernovae explosions and meteorites, rather than organic materials. This idea is supported by the antiquity of diamonds and similarities in carbon isotopic ratios to those found in meteorites.
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.
A new study reveals that glaciers prompted volcanic eruptions after they retreated north over the past 800,000 years. The research found that volcanoes were subdued when glaciers were present and became active when they retreated, suggesting a possible connection between climate change and volcanic activity.
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.
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.
A University of Cincinnati geologist presents evidence from ancient volcanic ash beds indicating a narrow Iapetus Ocean existed during the Ordovician period. The discovery contradicts previous theories that the ocean disappeared due to landmasses being locked together.
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.
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...
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 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.
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.