Discovery Science: Earth – Fracture Tectonics Due to the movement of its plates, the Earth’s crust is always subject to pressure and shear forces. When the tension in a mass of rock becomes so great that it exceeds the rock’s resistance, breaks occur at the weak points. Fractures in a rock mass that are only … Read more
Discovery Science: Earth – Mountain Ranges No mountain range is the same as any other; each has its own specific evolutionary history and unique characteristics. Nevertheless, in their genesis many follow a more or less standard formation process. The largest mountain ranges were created through the collision of continental plates, which fold sedimentary layers upward. If … Read more
Discovery Science: Earth – Mountains – Mountain Formation Mountains are among the most impressive large landscapes on Earth. Young fold mountains, threatening volcanoes, and momentous fissures are all testaments to the tectonic processes that warped huge sections of the Earth’s crust. The process of mountain formation is called orogeny; the physical mountains themselves are orogens. … Read more
Discovery Science: Earth – Thermal Springs and Geysers Geysers are spectacular and demonstrate the immense energy stored in the interior of the Earth. Similarly, thermal springs, fumaroles, mofettes, and solfataras hint at the dangerous potential of volcanoes. Geysers are typical features of regions where volcanic activity is abating. They occur only on a few places … Read more
Earth Science: Life with Volcanoes Many people live with the daily threat of a volcanic eruption. It has only been in the last few years that scientists have been able to predict volcanic activity with any reliability and offer early warnings to those nearby. Most volcanoes are located on the active borders of continental plates. … Read more
Earth Science: Volcanic Eruptions When the huge pressure that builds beneath a volcano prior to an eruption is finally released, the results can be spectacular. Ash and pyroclastic material may tower 12.5 miles (20 km) into the sky, while molten lava pours down the mountainside. Volcanoes eject the products of their eruptions as gases, liquids, … Read more
Earth Science: Origins and Geology – Volcanoes The active life of the inner Earth is brought to the surface and made apparent by volcanoes and thermal springs. Volcanic activity affects the global climate and can pose great dangers to the nearby population. However, volcanoes are also an important source of soil nutrients, and thermal springs … Read more
Earth Science: EarthQuakes – Prediction and Safety Earthquake prediction is still an inexact science; however, monitoring systems are constantly improving. With adequate preparation the worst consequences can be avoided. Without it, the scale of disaster can be enormous. Many phenomena can precede an earthquake: Rock deformations cause changes in the active plate boundaries of Earth’s … Read more
Earth Science: Origins and Geology – Faults Faults are ruptures or cracks in rock that often extend for miles along the upper layer of the Earth’s crust where two crustal sections are displacing one another. They are usually created by earthquakes. While we normally do not feel it, the Earth’s crust is constantly moving. In … Read more
Earth Science: EarthQuakes – Measurement and Consequences It may not be possible to predict earthquakes, but by studying them scientists hope to find ways of lessening their damage. Early in the 20th century, volcanologist Giuseppe Mercalli created a scale categorizing earthquakes based on damage incurred. This Mercalli intensity scale ranges from Level 1, which is … Read more
