The geology of Vesta as seen by Dawn appears to contradict the present models for that asteroid’s origin.
The uncertainty of science: The geology of Vesta as seen by Dawn appears to contradict the present models for that asteroid’s origin.
Tag: geology
Geologists have determined that the magma reservoir under Yellowstone is much bigger than previously thought.
The uncertainty of science: Geologists have determined that the magma reservoir under Yellowstone is much bigger than previously thought.
Jamie Farrell, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah, mapped the underlying magma reservoir by analysing data from more than 4,500 earthquakes. Seismic waves travel more slowly through molten rock than through solid rock, and seismometers can detect those changes.
The images show that the reservoir resembles a 4,000-cubic-kilometre underground sponge, with 6–8% of it filled with molten rock. It underlies most of the Yellowstone caldera and extends a little beyond it to the northeast.
The geologists also noted that the threat from a huge volcanic eruption is less of a concern than that of earthquakes.
Scientists believe they have identified the remains of a supervolcano on Mars.
Scientists believe they have identified the remains of a supervolcano on Mars.
This volcano would apparently be bigger than Mars’s four giant volcanoes that are still the biggest known in the solar system.
The strange and alien plant life of Socotra Island.
The strange and alien plant life of Socotra Island.
Data from the 2011 Virginia 5.6 magnitude earthquake suggests that the North American continent had drifted above a mantle hotspot millions of years ago.
Data from the 2011 Virginia 5.6 magnitude earthquake suggests that the North American continent had drifted above a mantle hotspot millions of years ago.
Want to land on an asteroid? Watch out, a gentle touchdown might cause avalanches everywhere!
Want to land on an asteroid? Watch out, a gentle touchdown might cause avalanches everywhere!
“Now I dream of snowboarding down a Martian sand dune on a block of dry ice.”
A new high resolution image from Mars Express illustrates the violent landslides and lava flows off the eastern flank of Olympus Mons, the solar system’s largest volcano.
A new high resolution image from Mars Express illustrates the violent landslides and lava flows off the eastern flank of Olympus Mons, the solar system’s largest volcano.
Asteroid 2012 DA14 might experience seismic activity when it zips pass the Earth tomorrow.
Asteroid 2012 DA14 might experience seismic activity, an asteroid quake, when it zips pass the Earth tomorrow.
[MIT scientist Richard] Binzel imagines what an astronaut floating alongside such an asteroid might see: “The surface could slowly sway or rock by a few centimeters. Other things to look for would be puffs of asteroid-dust rising from the surface and gentle avalanches on the steepest slopes of craters.” In rare cases, “rubble pile” asteroids might break apart during the encounter and then re-form as Earth recedes into the distance.
Curiosity has obtained its first drill sample.
Curiosity has obtained its first drill sample.
Researcher have found that the best way to protect the gothic cathedrals of Europe from air pollution might be to coat them with olive oil.
Researchers have found that the best way to protect the Gothic cathedrals of Europe from air pollution might be to coat them with olive oil.
Want to learn something of the geology of the Grand Canyon?
Want to learn something of the geology of the Grand Canyon? The Geological Society of America has just published a special volume of papers, with the introductory and afterword [pdf] chapters available online.
Those two chapters provide a very good layman’s summary of the geological state-of-the-art of the Grand Canyon. Very worthwhile reading if you plan to hike down in the near future.