Q: What are earthquake lights? Are they real?
A: Observations of earthquake lights (EQL), mostly white to bluish flashes or glows lasting several seconds associated with moderate to large earthquakes, have been reported infrequently by observers since ancient times. It wasn't until the phenomenon was captured in photographs, taken during the Matsushiro earthquake swarm in Japan between 1965 and 1967, that the seismological community acknowledged their occurrence. A satisfactory theory to explain EQL, however, has been elusive and is still not agreed upon. Proposed mechanisms include piezoelectricity, frictional heating, exoelectron emissions, sonoluminescence, phosphine gas emissions, and fluid injection (electrokinetics), but the most recent theory suggests that EQL are caused by separation of positive hole charge carriers that turn rocks momentarily into p-type semiconductors (first and second references below).
Earth Changes
Greenhouse gases have so profoundly altered the world's oceans that scientists say "corrosive" acidified water is now surfacing off the west coast of North America.
OSLO - Microbes have been found living at a record depth of 1.6 km (a mile) beneath the Atlantic seabed in a hint that life might also evolve underground on other planets, scientists said on Thursday.
The discovery of prokaryotic microbes in searing hot sediments under the seabed off Newfoundland, Canada, doubles the previous depth record of 842 meters, according to experts in Wales and France writing in the journal Science.
The discovery of prokaryotic microbes in searing hot sediments under the seabed off Newfoundland, Canada, doubles the previous depth record of 842 meters, according to experts in Wales and France writing in the journal Science.
CORRALITOS, Calif. - Gusty winds fanned a wildfire Thursday that burned several homes, forced evacuations and closed schools in the mountains of central California, where rugged terrain frustrated efforts to get a handle on the fast-moving blaze.
Hundreds of people fled as the more than 4-square-mile fire continued to grow despite more than 500 firefighters and a swarm of tanker planes and helicopters dousing the area.
Hundreds of people fled as the more than 4-square-mile fire continued to grow despite more than 500 firefighters and a swarm of tanker planes and helicopters dousing the area.
Meteorologists who keep records for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration say that the United States is having its deadliest tornado season in a decade and that this year may be on pace to set a record for the most tornadoes.
After an evening of a true torrential downpour on Wednesday, the region of Bulgaria's northern town of Pleven was hit by a severe hailstorm.
The worst-hit district was Dolni Dabnik, where the size of the ice pieces were as big as eggs, local citizens said.
The worst-hit district was Dolni Dabnik, where the size of the ice pieces were as big as eggs, local citizens said.
Arizona will be a contradiction of weather terms over the next few days as an unusual weather system passes through the state through Sunday.
Rain was falling in Phoenix, hail fell in the East Valley, a snow advisory has been issued in the north and a wind advisory in the southeast. Tucson and Nogales face hazardous fire conditions.
There is a 30 to 60 percent chance of rain on Friday, said Jaret Rogers, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Rain was falling in Phoenix, hail fell in the East Valley, a snow advisory has been issued in the north and a wind advisory in the southeast. Tucson and Nogales face hazardous fire conditions.
There is a 30 to 60 percent chance of rain on Friday, said Jaret Rogers, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Windsor, Colo. - A large tornado tore through several northern Colorado towns on Thursday, flipping over tractor-trailers, ripping roofs off buildings and killing at least one person.
The Weld County coroner's office confirmed one person was killed in the storm, which struck about 50 miles north of Denver. The office declined to provide details about how or where the person was killed.
The Weld County coroner's office confirmed one person was killed in the storm, which struck about 50 miles north of Denver. The office declined to provide details about how or where the person was killed.
Longtime WCCO-TV meteorologist Mike Fairbourne says that the environmental movement is practicing "squishy science" when it ties human activity to global warming.
Fairbourne's assessment Monday came on the same day that the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine appeared before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., and announced that it has the signatures of more than 31,000 scientists -- including Fairbourne's -- who agree that the human impact on global warming is overblown.
Fairbourne's assessment Monday came on the same day that the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine appeared before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., and announced that it has the signatures of more than 31,000 scientists -- including Fairbourne's -- who agree that the human impact on global warming is overblown.
The death toll from tropical storm "Halong" reached 44 in the Philippines till Thursday morning as it has left the archipelago, the country's national disaster relief agency said.
The damage to property has risen to more than 3.743 billion pesos (87 million U.S. dollars), mostly in infrastructure and agricultural crops, the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said in a report posted on its website.
At least 205,165 families or 1,107,875 persons were affected in1,176 villages in 61 towns and seven cities in five provinces in the north part of the archipelagos.
The damage to property has risen to more than 3.743 billion pesos (87 million U.S. dollars), mostly in infrastructure and agricultural crops, the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said in a report posted on its website.
At least 205,165 families or 1,107,875 persons were affected in1,176 villages in 61 towns and seven cities in five provinces in the north part of the archipelagos.
