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First Evidence Of Under-Ice Volcanoes In Antarctica

Posted by Zonk on from the a-touch-extreme dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The first evidence of a volcanic eruption from beneath Antarctica's ice sheet has been discovered by members of the British Antarctic Survey. The volcano on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet began erupting some 2,000 years ago and remains active to this day. Using airborne ice-sounding radar, scientists discovered a layer of ash produced by a 'subglacial' volcano. It extends across an area larger than Wales."

17 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. And here by AndGodSed · · Score: 5, Funny

    everyone was blaming global warming for the melting of the icecaps...

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    Seven Days with Ubuntu Unity

    1. Re:And here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "For every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction"

      God you science people don't even apply your own science.

  2. Larger than a whale? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then that really is a mighty volcano! What next, a volcano with an area larger than 100 elephants?

    1. Re:Larger than a whale? by 0a100b · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm not familiar with the Imperial system. Can somebody tell me how many Kazakhstans this volcano measures?

    2. Re:Larger than a whale? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm pretty sure there are 15 Millihelens per Kazakhstan. Also, 2 Whales per Rosie O'Donnell.

      Remember, when working with imperial units, it's important to keep this distinction in mind: a keg of beer is half a barrel, but not just any barrel.

    3. Re:Larger than a whale? by stereoroid · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh, like we didn't see that one coming... still, it's got some way to go before it's as big as Wales' head - Prince Charles of Wales, that is.

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  3. Volcanos elsewhere... by psychicsword · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are thousands of volcanoes elsewhere on the globe I don't see why antarctic would be any different. I understand before we never had any proof and that is why it is news but I wouldn't say it is Earth shaking news.

    1. Re:Volcanos elsewhere... by sqldr · · Score: 1, Funny

      I thought the primary cause of earth tremors was hoards of stampeding apple fans heading down to the apple shop to see the latest ipod/iphone/macbook.

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  4. Wales are not fish! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    My little sister is so stupid she thinks Wales are fish. Duh, Wales are mammals.

    1. Re:Wales are not fish! by Sockatume · · Score: 4, Funny

      Actually, whales are mammals. Wales is a rugged, Klingon-speaking country in the United Kingdom.

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      No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  5. Re:How long? by jaxtherat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, Monday January 21, @08:20PM according to the first post...

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    http://www.zombieapocalypse.tv/
  6. Area conversion... by Bazman · · Score: 4, Funny

    For those on the other side of the pond, the area of Wales is about that of New Jersey.

    Actually, given that they've located an area of possibly steaming ash and dust, maybe they just found New Jersey by accident.

    1. Re:Area conversion... by moosesocks · · Score: 2, Funny

      Do you mean to say that this volcano is spewing sheep?

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      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
  7. Re:It's more than a possibility. by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Lakes Found Under Antarctic Ice Using Space Lasers" http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/19/1319228&from=rss
    Wow. I knew we've sent monkeys and dogs into space, but...sharks in the space program? Isn't that dangerous? What if they bite the astronauts?
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    Ezekiel 23:20
  8. then it's time for the danish to stop by circletimessquare · · Score: 2, Funny

    considering themselves scandinavian, and start considering themselves dutch

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  9. Re:You missed a part of TA. by pnewhook · · Score: 2, Funny

    Extolling the virtues of 21th century technology has got to be up there as one of the most retarded things ever said on Slashdot.

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    Tesla was a genius. Edison however was a overrated hack who liked to torture puppies.
  10. 21th by Dr.+Cody · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wuth wong with "21th," you inthenthitiff clod!?