on October 4, 2022
What geological events could cause a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) level 9 eruption?
Earth scienceAsked by: Aaron Howell Is a VEI 9 eruption possible? It is possible that evidence for a VEI 9 eruption exists and is buried in the geologic record. Eruptions that large would be very rare events, but it is impossible to say that eruptions that large have never occurred. What is VEI what were the
on October 4, 2022
Why the “Mission to Earth’s core” proposal suggests using liquid iron instead of lead?
Earth scienceAsked by: Aaron Howell Why do scientists think the Earth’s core is liquid? Two kinds of waves created by earthquakes are compressional (P) waves and shear (S) waves. Both of these waves can travel through solids, but S waves cannot travel through liquids. Scientists figured out that the outer core must be liquid because S
on October 4, 2022
Eruptive fissures in Hawaii associated with Kilauea; what are they? What is really happening?
Earth scienceAsked by: Haydee Broomfield What happened during the eruption of Kīlauea? The eruption began on January 3, 1983, as the first of several fissures broke out on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone. By June 1983, the eruption became focused at a single vent, and over the next 3 years, a series of 44 lava fountains built
on October 4, 2022
Sedimentology (Particle size distribution parameters)
Earth scienceAsked by: Haydee Broomfield How do you determine particle size distribution? Particle size distribution and size averages are determined by particle counting in a Coulter counter (e.g., Multisizer 3). It provides number, volume, mass, and surface area size distributions in one measurement, with an overall sizing range of 0.4 μm to 1,200 μm. What is
on October 4, 2022
What would happen if you hypothetically happened to touch an aurora
Earth scienceAsked by: Robert Larjin What would happen if you touched an Aurora? The aurora is emitted between 90 and 150 km in altitude (i.e. mostly above the ‘official’ boundary of space, 100 km), so ungloving your hand inside an aurora would likely be fatal (unless a fellow astronaut immediately reattaches your glove and repressurizes your
on October 4, 2022
How is a weather forecast really done?
Earth scienceAsked by: Robert Larjin Polar orbiting satellites provide the information most useful for long-term weather forecasting. These satellites use instruments to measure energy, called radiation, emitted by the Earth and atmosphere. This information is incorporated into weather models, which in turn leads to more accurate weather forecasts. How is weather forecasting done short answer? Weather
on October 4, 2022
What’s the contribution of different types of river sources?
Earth scienceAsked by: Joseph Pratt Why is a river source important? Rivers are absolutely vital: for fresh drinking water, for people’s livelihoods and for nature. Unfortunately, they’re still threatened. We must commit to recovering freshwater biodiversity, restoring natural river flows and cleaning up polluted water for people and nature to thrive. What are the sources of
on October 4, 2022
Why is colored seismic inversion called ‘colored’?
Earth scienceAsked by: Joseph Pratt The earth’s reflectivity can be considered fractal, and the resulting amplitude spectrum favors high frequencies (spectral blueing). If there was no preferred frequency, then you would have a “white spectrum”, but as there are some frequencies with more energy, then it is called “colored”. What is Coloured inversion? Coloured Inversion is
on October 4, 2022
Migration Routes for Animals from Asia to America
Earth scienceAsked by: Jennifer Franklin What animal evolved in North America and moved to Asia? Most — about 75 per cent — originated in Europe or Asia, he says. But some animals, such as camels and horses, evolved in North America first and then travelled to Asia, he says. Where is the largest migration of animals
on October 4, 2022
Why are most minerals so rare?
Earth scienceAsked by: Jennifer Franklin Most minerals are rare because of two reasons: They are not rare, but they inaccessible, or they require very unusual conditions to form. Will we ever run out of minerals? What are minerals? How big is our planet’s supply? So it’s unlikely that Earth will ever run out of minerals. What