| Services |
 |
|
| News |
|
 |
|
| Channels |
| Home & Family |
|
| Leisure |
|
| Technology |
|
| Business |
|
| Science |
 |
|
Site Search  |
 |
|
| Free email |
 |
|
|
 |
Island is growing in size |
| TheallIneed.com/NC&T/BAS |
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) were alerted to satellite data showing a large and fast flowing lava flow that is pouring into the sea like a huge waterfall.
Dr John Smellie, a leading authority on volcanoes from BAS said, 'Red hot lava has formed a molten river 90 metres wide that is moving fast, possibly several metres per second and extending the shoreline on the north side of the island. This event is special because Montagu Island is mostly ice covered and it's very rare that we get to make direct observations of eruptions under ice sheets'.
'My work usually involves studying Antarctic rock formations to find out how past eruptions affected the growth and retreat of ice sheets over the last 30 million years. This opportunity to monitor a live eruption and see how it affects ice cover is priceless'.
Dr Smellie plans to fly over the volcano in the New Year to get more close-up views for his research. 'It will be the highlight of my career' he says.
|
| About the Author |
©2005 All rights reserved
|
|
 |
| Quotes | Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.-William Shakespeare
Giving is the highest expression of our power. - Vivian Greene
Go down to the machine room and tell them to empty the bit bucket,and FAST, before this baby overflows. -- Adrian Colley
|
| Writers | | If you are a writer and want to see your article published at Theallineed.com, just click here to submit. |
|