volcanic activity

Twenty hikers, nine of them from Singapore, were reported missing Friday after Mount Dukono on Indonesia's eastern Halmahera island erupted, spewing a smoke cloud some 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) into the air, a rescue official told. "Our team is on its way. Lana Saria, head of the government Geology Agency, said the early-morning eruption was accompanied by a "booming sound" and a thick smoke column rising some 10 km from the summit of Mount Dukono in the North Maluku province.

Scientists are captivated by the Tamu Massif, a colossal underwater structure in the Pacific. Initially believed to be the world's largest single shield volcano, new magnetic data suggests it formed through seafloor spreading and tectonic activity, not a central vent. This massive formation continues to challenge our understanding of giant volcanic systems.

Bermuda's origins are more complex than previously thought, challenging the hotspot theory. Chemical analysis reveals its rocks contain unique elements, suggesting a deep "reservoir" within Earth's transition zone. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the planet's internal structure, revealing a layered system rather than a uniform mass, with recycled ancient materials brought to the surface.

Researchers have discovered geological sponges in fractured volcanic rocks beneath the South Atlantic seafloor, capable of storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide over millions of years. These talus breccias absorb excess CO2 from seawater, suggesting Earth's oceans may hold significantly more carbon than previously calculated, impacting global carbon cycle understanding.

Scientists have confirmed a massive impact crater, Nadir Crater, hidden beneath the Atlantic Ocean off West Africa using advanced 3D seismic technology. Estimated to be 9.2 km wide and formed around 66 million years ago, it offers crucial insights into Earth's ancient history. This discovery highlights the potential for uncovering more hidden geological events with modern imaging.

Canada's ancient Acasta Gneiss, over four billion years old, offers a rare window into Earth's infancy. Microscopic zircon crystals within these rocks reveal crucial chemical data, detailing the planet's early, unstable crust formation. Scientists are deciphering these "polyphase archives" to understand the very beginnings of continental evolution and geological processes.

Ancient rocks in Quebec, dating back 3.77 billion years, may hold the oldest evidence of life. Microscopic tube-like structures and filaments, resembling modern microbes, were found alongside chemical signatures of biological activity. This suggests life emerged rapidly on early Earth, potentially thriving in hydrothermal vents, offering insights into life's origins and possibilities on other planets.

Homeowners facing lawn damage from burrowing animals can identify culprits by examining hole types, locations, and timing. Moles create raised ridges and mounds while hunting insects, whereas voles make shallow surface tracks and eat plant roots. Skunks and raccoons grub for larvae, leaving cone-shaped holes, while larger animals like armadillos and groundhogs dig substantial tunnels.

Beneath the Salton Sea's arid surface lies a vast geothermal basin holding supercritical fluid rich in lithium, dubbed "Lithium Valley." This region is poised to become a hub for clean energy and battery mineral manufacturing, aiming to extract lithium directly from geothermal brines. Engineers are developing innovative electrochemical processes to overcome extraction challenges, potentially securing the U.S.