Earth and space sciences Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Earth and space sciences - Term Paper ExampleThough volcanoes atomic number 18 now known to be works of the Earth and its movements, and not of long-ago worshipped deities, their awesome power of ending and even fiery beauty is still regarded with reverence by some, as much today as it was thousands of years ago. What is different, however, is that scientists now pitch the means and research to predict whether or not eruptions may occur. In the documentary Deadliest Volcanoes, several new research methods be explored, from the simplicity of a new generation of globular Positioning Satellites (GPS) and their accompanying earth-bound sensors, to the testing of gases and water, to the harnessing of cosmic rays and drilling that goes deep below the surfaces of the planet. Alongside learning near these methods, viewers are invited on a fascinating trip to inspect some of the best and lesser-known volcanoes of the Earth. In Iceland, new generations of sensors are being explored by s cientist Sigrun Hreinsdottir on the volcano Eyjafj each(a)ajokull. Though volcanoes throughout the world are routinely shrouded by means of GPS as well as seismometers, the aim of the new sensors is to track the flow of magma deep underground via movements of the surface of the Earth. The theory that was tested was that magma, in flowing into a volcano, depart force the surface above it to move outward, thus allowing for predictions as to the size and the force of the eruption. The new GPS sensors that have been installed to help with these predictions are so sensitive that they can measure the movement of the earth to an eighth of an inch, fit in to Deadliest Volcanoes. This theory was put into action when, in March 2010, though the sensors moved only centimeters a day, all sensors began to move outward from the known central crater in the volcano Eyjafjallajokull. By March 4, all sensors were showing uniform outward-motion movements, and on March 20, 2010, the volcano erupted. Contrary to movie-going belief, however, the eruption was not over quickly. The antecedent time that Eyjafjallajokull had erupted, prior to 2010, it lasted from 1821 to 1823, a full two years (Hendry). The main difference is that for this eruption, with the work of Ms. Hreinsdottir, it was qualified to be predicted, and a scientific theory was proved in regards to volcanoes along with the behavior of the underground magma at bottom them, without any loss of life. Another new method of predicting eruptions involves harnessing the result of cosmic rays, or muons. In employing this method, detectors are used that will collect muons entering the atmosphere of the Earth and passing through the solid-rock formations of the volcanoes. Developed by Hiroyuki Tanaka of the University of Tokyo, the basics of his theory state that in using the muons, the density of the volcano, as well as later(a) imaging of what lies underneath the part above the surface, can provide a viable means of soc ial function and measuring what lies underneath, unseen to the naked eye. This method was hoped to be especially useful when dealing with soft-crust or thin-crust areas of a volcano that cannot be reached easily by other means such as climbing or rappelling, or when conditions made it