on October 3, 2022
What processes produced the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway?
Earth scienceAsked by: Ben Young The origin of Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is shrouded in myth & legend. But how did these interlocking basalt columns really come to exist? The process is called columnar jointing. It happens when a layer of molten lava gradually cools by a loss of heat through its surface. What process
on October 3, 2022
Is climate change a vicious circle?
Earth scienceAsked by: Ben Young What discipline does climate change fall under? Climate Change is studied under the modern discipline of Environmental Science, which is a branch of Earth Sciences or Atmospheric Sciences and crosses many boundaries, incorporating a wide variety of methods and tools. Why are warming temperatures causing a vicious cycle that leads to
on October 3, 2022
Reasons for choosing LES in stead of RANS models?
Earth scienceAsked by: Angela Foster Why LES is better than RANS? Abstract. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) undeniably has the potential to provide more accurate and more reliable results than simulations based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach. However, LES entails a higher simulation complexity and a much higher computational cost. What is the difference between RANS
on October 3, 2022
Why won’t Yellowstone explode?
Earth scienceAsked by: Lacey Moreno The rhyolite magma chamber beneath YellowstoneYellowstoneThe Yellowstone Caldera, sometimes referred to as the Yellowstone Supervolcano, is a volcanic caldera and supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park in the Western United States. The caldera and most of the park are located in the northwest corner of Wyoming. Will the Yellowstone volcano erupt? Unlikely
on October 3, 2022
I just read news that Antarctica had set a new record high temperature, above 18 °C. How can this be the case if it is currently winter there?
Earth scienceAsked by: Lacey Moreno What is the record high temperature in Antarctica? The recent extraordinary heatwave in Antarctica appears to have set a new World Record for the largest temperature excess above normal (+38.5 °C / +69.3 °F) ever measured at an established weather station. It “appears to have set a new World Record for
on October 3, 2022
To what extent has the Earth’s surface been geologically mapped?
Earth scienceAsked by: Twanya Mason What is meant by geological mapping? Definition of geological map A geological map is the representation, about a topographic map, of the different types of rocks that outcrop in the terrestrial area and the types of contacts among them. For distinguishing the rocks colors are used. How do you map an
on October 3, 2022
Can paleomagnetic techniques determine the exact direction of Earth’s magnetic poles in the past, not just their polarity?
Earth scienceAsked by: Twanya Mason What has paleomagnetic data been used for? This record is preserved by many rocks from the time of their formation. The paleomagnetic data have played an instrumental role in deciphering the history of our planet including a decisive evidence for continental drift and global plate tectonics. What does paleomagnetic measure? Paleomagnetism
on October 3, 2022
Why is seawater saline?
Earth scienceAsked by: Becca Brown Ocean salt primarily comes from rocks on land and openings in the seafloor. Salt in the ocean comes from two sources: runoff from the land and openings in the seafloor. Rocks on land are the major source of salts dissolved in seawater. Is sea water saline water? Sea water is composed
on October 3, 2022
Stability correction factor in the Wavewatch III wave model
Earth scienceAsked by: Becca Brown What is Wavewatch III? The wave model chosen as part of developing this modeling system is the WAVEWATCH III wave model. WAVEWATCH III (https://github.com/noaa-emc/ww3) is a community wave modeling framework that includes the latest scientific advancements in the field of wind-wave modeling and dynamics. How do you cite Wavewatch 3? October
on October 3, 2022
Strange circular structures found on a photo from Mars rover Curiosity at Dingo Gap
Earth scienceAsked by: Saul Ruiz Is the Curiosity rover still working? On , a detailed overview of accomplishments by the Curiosity rover for the last ten years was reported. The rover is still operational, and as of , Curiosity has been active on Mars for 3608 sols (3707 total days; 10 years, 55 days) since its