South Napa earthquake revived bone-dry streams
Science News, December 2014The South Napa earthquake that rattled Northern California in August shook roughly a billion liters of groundwater out of nearby hills, new research suggests.
Super typhoon shoved supersized boulder
Science News, December 2014When Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines in November 2013, its waves shoved a boulder weighing more than 25 adult African elephants. The boulder is the most massive known rock shifted by a storm, geoscientist Max Engel of the University of Cologne in Germany reported December 16 at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting.
Alcatraz escapees could have made it safely to shore
Science News, December 2014Three inmates who escaped from Alcatraz in 1962 and set off into the San Francisco Bay on a makeshift raft could have safely reached shore if they timed their escape just right, new research suggests.
Year in review: Tectonics active on Europa
Science News, December 2014A frozen world hundreds of millions of kilometers away is starting to look a bit like home. This year researchers discovered active plate tectonics reshaping the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The finding marks the first evidence of active plate tectonics on another world (SN: 10/4/14, p. 10).
Year in review: Life thrives under Antarctica
Science News, December 2014An unseen ecosystem flourishes in the darkness, entombed beneath 800 meters of ice. In 2014, researchers shed light on this microbial community.
Solar wind probably leaches Mars’ lower atmosphere
Science News, December 2014Particles blasted from the sun probably spring leaks in the lower Martian atmosphere, new research suggests.
Mega volcanism indicted in dinosaur demise
Science News, December 2014New dating of a colossal series of volcanic outpourings bolsters the idea that the Chicxulub asteroid impact had help in wiping out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
California drought worst in at least 1,200 years
Science News, December 2014The ongoing California drought is the driest period in the state’s history since before Charlemagne ruled the Holy Roman Empire, a new study concludes.
Ancient moon’s mega magnetic field explained
Science News, December 2014The powerful magnetic field that surrounded the fledgling moon billions of years ago probably originated from the roiling lunar interior, not asteroid impacts.
War Zone Volcano: Scientists face an uphill battle to reveal Mount Nyiragongo’s fiery past and forecast its future
Science News, December 2014On clear nights a red glow radiates from the top of Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the mountain’s summit the source of the light thrashes and boils: the largest and most active lava lake in the world.
Feature article on scientists uncovering the eruptive history of Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, facing fast-flowing lava, armed bandits, and missile strikes. Story accompanied by slideshow and podcast. Published in both online and print editions. Cover story of special issue on disasters.