Slashdot Mirror
Tremors Mean Antarctic Volcanism May Be Heating Up
The L.A. Times reports on the discovery of seismic events (nearly 1400 tremors were recorded by researchers in 2010-2011) which seem to indicate the presence of volcanic activity 15 to 20 miles beneath the surface of western Antarctica. According to the article, "The area of activity lies close to the youngest in a chain of volcanoes that formed over several million years, and the characteristics and depth of the seismic events are consistent with those found in volcanic areas of Alaska’a Aleutian Islands, the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, the study concludes." Volcanism isn't a new discovery (Mt. Waesche, a volcanic mountain, is the believed origin of some ash mentioned in the article), but the newly detected seismic activity may be a harbinger for local melting from below of the Antarctic ice sheet, and possibly have long-term effects on the flow patterns of the overlying ice.
I would not be surprised if the loss of the weight of the ice that has already melted is itself contributing to the emergence of the volcanoes. Less weight pressing down might make it easier for them to come to the surface.
Disclaimer: I am not a geologist.
Congratulations, you win today's prize for gratuitous mention of the ACA.
/. today.
Really, it's just a random drawing of the 34,547 posts by twits on
Yes, and if we wait long enough with our heads in the sand it'll be too late to do anything anyway...think of the money we could save!
Seriously, we know CO2 emissions are causing significant climate change, there may be other factors but waiting around until we have perfect knowledge of the entire universe is ignorant at best and criminally negligent at worst.Also I assume that you don't think volcanoes in Antarctica aren't causing melting in the Artic as well, that's a pretty big clue that they're not the main cause.
null
Can we please just discuss volcanoes instead of having a pissing contest over who is the biggest sociopath?
To be somewhat blunt, I really don't care if part of NYC is under water as it is all over priced land owned by rich fat cats who can more than afford putting up a retaining wall or losing a piece of property.
Have you ever been to NYC? Yes, there are some insanely rich people living there. There are also a hell of a lot more poor. Contrary to what you seem to think, the streets are not paved with gold. In fact, they are closer to the surface of the moon.
Pedantically you may be correct.
In my defense, I was trying to be funny (I hardly expected to be modded insightful though I suppose I do have my moments here and there). :)