Posted on 12/17/2008 8:36:40 PM PST by Clint Williams
I assume you were referring to my "what do I know about science" quip. Yep, I'm a lowly computer scientist with a 4.0/4.0 in my master degree.
I appreciate the uncertain benefits of observing new phenomenons, but I was hoping someone could shed light on why this is exciting. How may it benefit our understanding of our world? Could we gain insight into predicting volcanic eruptions on land and under the sea? Could we improve our seismic models to help predict earth quakes, find untapped energy sources...? So far, replies to me seem more interested in correcting my statement about magma cooling vs drying instead of speculating on how this discovery could benefit our knowledge of earth.
I hear they have their own school.
Yes, but I was also referring to your use of the term "drying", which makes your quip more true than you apparently realized. ( See post 38 ) That's pretty horrible, even for a lowly computer scientist. That's Jaywalking material!
I always thought it would be cool to make a mold, capture some hot lava, dump it in the mold, and presto - sculpture.
Haven’t work out the details yet, though.
In the magma chamber, the lava has gases disolved in it. In a lava flow coming out of an eruption, the gases have already escaped into the atmosphere by the time that scientists get close enough to study the lava (like cola that's gone flat).
Studying the lava in the magma chamber, they can see how it is before the eruption, and perhaps get some insight on how eruptions are triggered.
The fizzy gases that cause some volcanoes to blow their tops—like champagne bubbles popping a cork—appear to originate deep beneath the surface, a new study suggests.Scientists have long known that during an eruption, gases fizz out of magma as the molten rock rises to the surface.
But in some types of magma, small bubbles coalesce into larger, gaseous "slugs" that rise upward, causing fiery bursts when they reach the surface.
Better than watching paint dry.
I wanted to see that thing do a gusher. Is that so wrong?
OK, that makes sense. Seeing what Mt. St. Helen wrought when she blew her top, I can appreciate better insight (24 megatons thermal energy produced and destroyed / damaged 4 billion board feet of lumber). As I understand, her sister down the road, Mount Rainier, is next.
Well, since the place didn’t explode, maybe this will give us a clue about how to drill enough holes to decompress the monster Yellowstone magma chamber which is due to blow some time between now and 50,000 years from now, wiping out all human civilization.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.