What are seismic hot spots?
By: Blaise Pascal
The Earth's surface is comprised of numerous major and minor plates which are continuously in motion. This movement causes volcanic and seismic activity at the borders of the plates and accounts for the majority of all volcanic activity on the planet. However, there are areas...
How to read the symbols on a weather map
By: Sam Smart
Have you ever wondered what the blue Hs stand for on a traditional weather map? How about those long blue lines that have triangles? Weather maps have many symbols on them, and while it’s understandable that some people get confused about them, they’re...
By: Michael Totten
An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef which has broken the ocean surface and formed a barrier around a small, relatively shallow part of the ocean. The enclosed part of the ocean is known as an atoll lagoon. The atoll may be a string of...
Gigantic volcano Mount Nyiragongo predicted to erupt
By: Amber Celeste
In the beautiful and verdant far eastern section of the Democratic Republic of Congo (“the DRC”), the green mountainous area along the border with Rwanda lies close to a potentially serious geologic threat: towering Mount Nyiragongo remains one of the most active, and...
The chemical composition of rubies
By: Amber Celeste
For centuries, human beings have prized rubies as valuable gems. The brilliant deep red hues of rubies rendered them attractive as jewelry items since ancient times. But the chemical composition of these precious stones might surprise you, however; they are a crystalline form of aluminum...
By: Amber Celeste
Volcanic fumaroles can offer scientists useful insights into events occurring within the Earth. These structures frequently occur in association with volcanic activity. Exploring the “anatomy” of a fumarole may present significant dangers, yet the process often provides a way to monitor important environmental changes...
By: Michael Totten
Increasing the amount of oil drilling and oil shipping will inevitably result in more oil spills. Existing methods of cleaning up oil spills are not adequate to the task. Magnetic nanotechnology could be the solution. Why existing methods of clearing oil spills are limited Existing...
By: Ken Grant
Forecasting hurricanes is a complicated process, but one that holds out hope that many lives could possibly be saved. Like any dangerous situation, the more warning that can be given, the more likely that those in potential harm can reach places of safety in time...
What caused a mysterious orango goo substance to wash up on Alaska shores?
By: Leigh Goessl
In August 2011, residents of a small rural village in Alaska were shocked by a strange surprise that washed up on its shores. Authorities had confirmed a weird orange goo substance appeared in the village of Kivalina and arrived through the town's harbor. At the...
By: Amber Celeste
Many rock collectors prize a special variety of tourmaline called “buergerite.” This mineral remained unidentified for centuries and it possesses an interesting history. Today, “rock hounds” around the globe compete to obtain samples. What makes buergerite so appealing to so many people...

 

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