January 31, 2009
by Patricia Phillips
Space News Examiner
Scientists continue to monitor Alaska's volatile Mount Redoubt Volcano, expected to erupt at just about any time. There's been no increase in activity this morning, according to the monitors at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Image: Alaska volcanoes on the ring of fire
Reader Janet Martin Dobler asked:
Am I the only one noticing a pattern of volcanic eruptions around the globe?
That's a topic that invites both scientific research and also less-traditional approaches to "what in the heck is going on around here"? Janet, years ago I tracked links between earthquakes and volcanoes around the world. The synopsis of this very informal look: sometimes if a volcano or earthquake occurred at Point A, then one would occur at Point B on roughly the other side of the globe.
But closer at hand, Alaska's Mount Redoubt and its volcanoes are part of the inter-related Ring of Fire. In its series "Naked Earth," the National Geographic Channel featured the Ring of Fire, saying:
Startling new evidence suggests the chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones surrounding the Pacific Ocean may be getting more dangerous.
The National Geographic's Xpeditions for students, teachers, and anyone interested in learning more explained:
We usually don't think about the inside of the Earth as "fire," but the Earth is actually very hot below its surface. Parts of the Earth's interior are even hot enough to melt solid rock. Most of the time this fiery substance, called magma, stays where we can't see it, but sometimes it makes its presence known in dangerous ways.
Magma plays an important role in two natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanoes. Why? To understand this, you need to know about plate tectonics.
The theory of plate tectonics says the Earth's crust, or top layer, is made up of more than a dozen major plates, or pieces. The plates float on top of rock and magma that is below them. The plates collide, slide against, and move under and on top of other plates. When they move quickly, they can cause earthquakes. The plates' movement also creates the energy that results in the release of magma.
Most of this activity takes place on the edge of the plate that is covered by the Pacific Ocean, an area called the Ring of Fire. Seventy-five percent of the Earth's volcanoes—plus a large number of earthquakes—happen there.
Taking things in another direction, the recent outbreaks of volcanoes and earthquakes have been seen by many as signs of major Earth changes predicted by various prophecies. The popular Coast to Coast show focused on those questions in "Earth Changes," broadcast in 2008:
A group of experts discussed earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and climate change, and shared their predictions as to what we might expect in 2008 and beyond. First, geologist Jim Berkland and author/earthquake 'sensitive' Cal Orey spoke about quakes and weather cycles. Berkland noted that there's a relationship between earthquakes and heavy rain/snow, which can cause loading to the crust.
Offering their predictions, Orey suggested that there'd be flooding in the Tahoe area, a possible quake in Alaska affecting the West Coast, and around a 6.0 quake in or offshore Northern California within a year. Berkland finds it more likely that a 6.0 will hit Southern California this year, with a seismic window particularly strong in the new moon periods of May, June and July. As a sensitive, Orey said she sometimes hears "ear tones" before a quake; Berkland stated that some sensitives get headaches before earthquakes.
In the third hour, volcanologist R.B. Trombley and author Stan Deyo appeared. Deyo warned of extremes in the weather, and severe crop failures in the next 7-10 years. We could be facing extreme heat and fires if the sun's core starts to shrink, he said, citing solar changes as well as biblical and American Indian prophecies.
Trombley reported there've been 21 eruptions so far this year (some began in 2007), including Mount St. Helens. Yellowstone had some "background seismicity" but is rumbling along in normal mode.
This National Geographic channel takes a look at the Ring of Fire and what causes volcanoes.
http://www.examiner.com/x-504-Space-News-Examiner~y2009m1d31-Mount-Redoubt-Volcano-highlights-danger-of-the-Ring-of-Fire