A 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day has killed at least 55 people, reported Reuters. Freezing temperatures were making the efforts of approximately 3,000 rescuers to reach people trapped beneath demolished buildings in isolated coastal areas more difficult. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said access to the secluded northern portion […]
When the UK government imposed a moratorium on fracking in 2019, climate campaigners breathed a sigh of relief. Now, however, there are concerns that the practice might be resurrected in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government said on Thursday that fracking-company Cuadrilla did not yet have to seal and shutter two wells at […]
By Zulfikar Abbany The Pacific Ring of Fire is aptly named. It’s a string of volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean, and the region is prone to earthquakes. In fact, most earthquakes strike within the ring. Here’s five facts. How Big Is the Pacific Ring of Fire? The Ring of Fire dominates the Pacific Ocean. It’s […]
A study published in Science on Thursday found that it’s possible to use fin whale song for imaging the structure of the Earth’s crust beneath the ocean floor. In order to create ocean floor images, scientists typically need to use air guns that shoot sound beneath the waves. The sound waves travel through the crust […]
The Atlantic Ocean is getting wider and, after a uniquely ambitious expedition, scientists finally think they know why. The reason? An upwelling of matter from much deeper below Earth’s crust than is usually observed. “This was completely unexpected,” Dr. Kate Rychert from the University of Southampton said in a press release. “It has broad implications […]
At least 42 people are confirmed dead and more than 600 injured after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi early Friday morning. The earthquake and subsequent aftershocks also damaged more than 300 homes and two hotels, and destroyed a hospital and the regional governor’s office, leaving people trapped under rubble and […]
Kilauea, a large volcano on the Island of Hawai’i (or Big Island) and one of the most active in the world, erupted Sunday night following a series of earthquakes, CNN reported. The eruption sent lava shooting into the air, along with a huge cloud of ash and steam. Hawaiian officials urged residents to stay indoors […]
Thomas H. Goebel The way companies drill for oil and gas and dispose of wastewater can trigger earthquakes, at times in unexpected places. In West Texas, earthquake rates are now 30 times higher than they were in 2013. Studies have also linked earthquakes to oil field operations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Ohio. California was […]
The biggest earthquake in decades rattled New England Sunday morning. The 3.6 magnitude quake was epicentered a few miles off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts, according to NPR. No injuries were reported, but 21 people in New Bedford had to evacuate their homes because of minor structural damage, NBC10 Boston reported. “I’ve never in […]