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Italian 'Super Volcano' May Threaten Millions: Scientists plan to drill deep below Romans'...
Newser ^ | Monday, August 06, 2012 | Rob Quinn

Posted on 08/06/2012 7:54:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

A hidden "super volcano" near Pompeii threatens an eruption that could make Vesuvius look like a picnic, scientists warn. The Phlegraean Fields zone of intense seismic activity -- which the ancient Romans believed was the gateway to hell -- could doom millions of people in the Naples area if it erupts, Reuters reports. Scientists plan to drill more than two miles below its surface to monitor any signs of a pending eruption in the huge chamber of molten rock, but some experts fear that the drilling itself could trigger an earthquake or eruption.

Areas like the Phlegraean fields "can give rise to the only eruptions that can have global catastrophic effects comparable to major meteorite impacts" like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, says the chief of the drilling project. The drilling, he says, will increase by up to 10,000 times "our ability to detect small episodes that are precursors of future eruptions." He considers those who fear the drilling "ill-informed," noting that projects seeking sources of thermal energy sent down dozens of less secure probes decades ago without incident.

(Excerpt) Read more at newser.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: archiflegreovolcano; aurignacian; campania; campanianignimbrite; campiflegrei; catastrophism; chatelperronian; geology; godsgravesglyphs; italy; mousterian; naples; paleolithic; phlegraeanfields; pompeii; puluzzian; uluzzian; vesuvius; volcano; volcanoes
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To: SunkenCiv
"Scientists plan to drill more than two miles below its surface to monitor any signs of a pending eruption in the huge chamber of molten rock, but some experts fear that the drilling itself could trigger an earthquake or eruption."


21 posted on 08/06/2012 9:25:05 PM PDT by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
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To: SunkenCiv

drilling has caused eruptions before.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/7699672.stm


22 posted on 08/06/2012 9:30:35 PM PDT by jyro (French-like Democrats wave the white flag of surrender while we are winning)
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To: SunkenCiv

23 posted on 08/06/2012 9:39:44 PM PDT by dfwgator (FUJR (not you, Jim))
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To: Kartographer

"Scientists plan to drill more than two miles below its surface to monitor any signs of a pending eruption in the huge chamber of molten rock, but some experts fear that the drilling itself could trigger an earthquake or eruption."


24 posted on 08/06/2012 9:42:49 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: SunkenCiv

Drilling down into a magma pool? Here, hold mah beer.


25 posted on 08/06/2012 10:17:53 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Obamaid has to go.)
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To: Mike Darancette

Hold-a my wine and-a watch-a dis!


26 posted on 08/06/2012 10:40:08 PM PDT by CtBigPat (Free Republic - The grown-ups table of the internet.)
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To: SunkenCiv
A hidden "super volcano" near Pompeii threatens an eruption that could make Vesuvius look like a picnic

One as impressive as this simile? That's quite a spread. /s

And come on, everyone knows that the threshold of hell is Clark Griswold's house at Christmas.

27 posted on 08/06/2012 10:54:39 PM PDT by Ezekiel (The Obama-nation began with the Inauguration of Desolation.)
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To: Revolting cat!

We’re DOMED!


28 posted on 08/07/2012 8:33:06 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Tagline, tagline. Who's got my tagline?)
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To: Venturer

” noting that projects seeking sources of thermal energy sent down dozens of less secure probes decades ago without incident.”

My Uncle was very involved in that project. It was around Yellowstone.


29 posted on 08/07/2012 8:33:44 AM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Sir Richard and Tom Hanks are ready to go!

30 posted on 08/07/2012 10:10:12 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: Beowulf9; BobL; blam; CtBigPat; Cyber Liberty; colorado tanker; Dr. Bogus Pachysandra; dfwgator; ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DWvufFwdqMzg
http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DVpFITa9eYoQ


31 posted on 08/07/2012 2:58:19 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv
Drilling overheated, under-extreme-pressure magma, in an area prone to explosive and deadly eruptions.....

..... what could POSSIBLY go wrong???!?

32 posted on 08/07/2012 3:01:04 PM PDT by Lazamataz (I love the Universe, and it loves me.)
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To: Lazamataz
Drilling overheated, under-extreme-pressure magma, in an area prone to explosive and deadly eruptions.....

Ya forgot probably H2S or worse present.

33 posted on 08/07/2012 3:50:38 PM PDT by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin......Nuff said.)
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To: Lazamataz
..... what could POSSIBLY go wrong???!?

You are such a nattering nabob of negativism. Now let's pop some corn and watch.

34 posted on 08/07/2012 4:47:40 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Obama considers the Third World morally superior to the United States.)
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To: blam

North American fracking is to blame.


35 posted on 08/07/2012 6:24:53 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Lazamataz; The Cajun; Cyber Liberty

In their favor, they seem to have 4000 years of history of bouncing back.


36 posted on 08/07/2012 6:25:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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