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Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
Scientists Just Discovered a New Natural Wonder at Yellowstone National Park—What to Know
A brand-new discovery in a popular national park has 'explosive' beginnings. Geologists in Yellowstone National Park recently discovered a new thermal pool, likely formed by a hydrothermal explosion, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The stunning crater, which has pale blue water and is surrounded by rocks covered in light-gray sandy mud, was discovered during routine maintenance of temperature logging stations in the area. Scientists said the new feature appeared to have formed over the course of multiple small explosions and likely started to develop on Christmas Day 2024 with "further activity" continuing in mid-to-late January and early February. The pool sits at about 13 feet across with the water measured at a steamy 109 degrees Fahrenheit. A new thermal feature in Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. 'The latest new thermal feature in Norris Geyser Basin—perhaps the most dynamic area in Yellowstone National Park—demonstrates the spectrum of ways in which hydrothermal features evolve," according to the USGS. "Some form during brief and violent episodes of change. Others may take shape far more gradually, like the new feature... that seems to have begun taking shape on Christmas 2024." High-resolution satellite images show the development of the new thermal pool starting in December 2024 before growing into a small depression by early January and then finally revealing itself as fully-formed by Feb. 13. 'The rocks and white material (silica mud) surrounding the pool were probably ejected as the feature formed,' the report revealed. Hydrothermal explosions are somewhat common throughout Yellowstone National Park, the USGS noted. In fact, the Biscuit Basin trail head is still closed following an explosion that occurred there in July 2024. The area sits near the popular tourist destination, Old Faithful. This most recent hydrothermal explosion resulted in a new natural wonder, but in some cases, the explosions can be deadly. In El Salvador, an explosion in 1990 resulted in more than 20 combined deaths and injuries, according to a report from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. More than 4.74 million people visited Yellowstone National Park in 2024, according to the National Park Service, a 44% increase compared to the total number of visitors in 2022. There's no one good time to visit the park, but travelers who go in the warmer months (typically from mid-April to the end of October) will find amazing camping and hiking with most of the park's roads open. Travelers who head to the park in the winter will find fewer crowds and plenty of snowy adventures, including the chance to traverse the park on skis, snowshoes, or by snowmobile.
New York Times
5 days ago
- New York Times
The Icelandic Landscape Is Changing, and It's Changing Us
The geology of Iceland has always been on the move. The island sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a long underwater mountain range that is also the boundary between two diverging tectonic plates, and eruptions are common, often leaving behind vast lava fields and ash layers. These changes can be deceiving. You can swim in Viti, a volcanic crater, or visit Lake Askja and feel like you are surrounded by something that is millions of years old, but both are younger than the Brooklyn Bridge. Nature's creativity has meant that the Icelandic language must also be nimble, and for centuries the language and landscape have been in dialogue. Nature makes something new, a mountain, a lava field, even a new island, which requires a name. The habit is often to say what we see — a tendency that can sound quite basic in translation. Eldfell mountain was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1973; its name means fire mountain. Other times we're more poetic, like with Surtsey, a new island formed in 1963, which takes its name from the fire giant Surtur in Norse mythology. Those names, in turn, influence the language. For example, the word 'fuglabjarg,' Icelandic for 'birdcliff,' is both a word and a metaphor. As a word, it is the name for a cliff where sea birds lay their nests. On one cliff you could have hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of seabirds — guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gulls. Seabirds are no songbirds, and the screeching, screaming, yeeking and honking made these places one of the noisiest places in Iceland. That's why in Icelandic, 'fuglabjarg' can also be used to describe a loud gathering of people. As when I go to a large conference and send a text message to my wife: 'This place is like a fuglabjarg.' The trouble with getting used to a landscape that changes so quickly is that you can become blind to a new pace of change — one that is not normal. As the oceans warm and some of the food sources fail, on some of the fuglabjargs the nesting bird population has decreased significantly. And so, of course, have the sound levels. Sometimes I wonder if I will live to witness the moment when fuglabjarg becomes a metaphor for silence. We are entering a new era, where the birds grow quiet, lakes form at the edges of glaciers and valleys start to appear where there used to be glaciers. What do you call a valley that used to be a glacier? The longest bridge in Iceland once arched over a vast plain of sediment formed by glacial meltwater called Skeidararsandur, which translates as boat-river-sand. In 1974 it was our great engineering achievement: about half a mile long and built to withstand substantial glacial flooding from the river that ran in hundreds of veins over a huge stretch of black sand. Even so, it was severely damaged by a massive flood after a volcanic eruption in the '90s. A bridge at Skeidararsandur now extends over much dryer land. The glacier has retreated considerably since 2000; the river found another path and a marvel of engineering stands there awkwardly, as if it has stayed too long at a party. At the same time the black sands of Skeidararsandur are also changing: With the river gone, the sand is not replenished with new glacial sediment, and vegetation is starting to cover the area. What do you call boat-river-sand when the boats and the river are gone and the sand is covered in forest? Skeidararjokull, boat-river-glacier, is a valley glacier in southeast Iceland, flowing from Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, covering about 3000 square miles. I have crossed it myself with friends. It is strange to travel over such a massive and powerful entity, surrounded by ancient ice as far as the eyes can see, in places as thick as a skyscraper under your feet. It is hard for the mind to grasp how something so enormous can be so fragile. The formations are like nothing else I have ever encountered. First it was as if we were walking on the white scales of an ancient dragon; then suddenly we were in a forest of black sand pyramids until we came across something smooth and wide, almost like a highway. Out of habit, I looked both ways before I crossed it. I said the landscape and the language have always been in conversation. But in that moment it was as though the glacier was actually telling me something — that somewhere between the pyramids and the highways, something went wrong. If I looked at the nearby mountains, I could see a clear tideline in the middle where the color changed. The line marked the surface of the glacier up to 1995; since then, according to glaciologists, the glacier has lost mass almost every year. In 2014 the glacier Okjokull was declared dead. Ok was the name of the volcano where the glacier, the jokull, was located. Now it's just a patch of ice on a volcano, known as simply Ok. Anthropologists from Rice University in Texas asked me to write a short text for a plaque to commemorate Ok. Internationally, of course, those letters mean 'O.K.' — ironically — but in Icelandic, Ok means 'yoke,' like the beams that you put on your shoulder to balance a heavy burden. Or the yoke you put on two oxen to plow a field. The final text for the plaque was: Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose it status as a glacier. In the next 200 years all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it. August 2019 415 ppm of CO₂ This year, levels of CO₂ have already exceeded 430 ppm. The glaciers of Iceland cover about 10 percent of the land, but if that ice were spread like icing on a cake, the whole country would be under about 100 feet of ice. The next iconic glacier to go is likely to be Snaefellsjokull — snow-mountain-glacier. In 'Journey to the Center of Earth,' by Jules Verne, Snaefellsjokull is the gateway to a subterranean world. What do you call Snaefellsjokull when it is not a glacier anymore? Just Snaefell? What about when the snow is gone? And when the glaciers are all gone, what do you call an island that used to be Iceland? Just … Land? Andri Snær Magnason is an Icelandic writer and filmmaker. He is the author, most recently, of 'On Time and Water: A History of Our Future.' The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@ Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Threads.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
First video of an earthquake fault cracking has revealed another surprise
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A first-of-its-kind video showing the ground cracking during a major earthquake is even more remarkable than previously thought. It not only captures a ground motion never caught on video before but also shows the crack curving as it moves. This curvy movement has been inferred from the geological record and from "slickenlines" — scrape marks on the sides of faults — but it had never been seen in action, geophysicist Jesse Kearse, a postdoctoral researcher currently at Kyoto University in Japan, said in a statement. "Instead of things moving straight across the video screen, they moved along a curved path that has a convexity downwards, which instantly started bells ringing in my head," Kearse said, "because some of my previous research has been specifically on curvature of fault slip, but from the geological record." The video — captured by a security camera near Thazi, Myanmar — shows the ground rupturing during a magnitude 7.7 quake that hit the region on March 28. It shows the ground shaking, followed by a crack opening up. These ground ruptures are relatively common during big quakes, but they'd never been caught on video. Kearse said he watched the video with chills down his spine shortly after it was uploaded to YouTube. On his fifth or sixth viewing, he noticed that the crack was curvy. He and his colleague at Kyoto University, geophysicist Yoshihiro Kaneko, then analyzed the video more closely. They found that the crack curves sharply at first and then accelerates to a peak velocity of about 10.5 feet per second (3.2 meters per second) of movement, slipping a total of 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in 1.3 seconds. After hitting its top velocity, the crack straightens and slows. The findings suggest that the curvature happens because stresses on the fault right at the ground surface are lower than the stresses on the fault deeper in the Earth. This creates an uneven pattern in how the fault moves. "The curvature holds important information about the dynamics of the rupture," Kearse said in an annotated video of the slip he posted on YouTube. Related: The San Andreas Fault: Facts about the crack in California's crust that could unleash the 'Big One' The differing stresses at the surface push the fault off its course, "and then it catches itself and does what it's supposed to do," Kearse said in the statement. RELATED STORIES —'This is a very big earthquake': The science behind Myanmar's magnitude 7.7 earthquake —20 largest earthquakes in history —Scientists find hidden mechanism that could explain how earthquakes 'ignite' The dynamics of these curvatures depend in part on which way the rupture travels, so an understanding of the curves can reveal clues about how past earthquakes unfolded and help scientists better predict future ground ruptures. The research was published today (July 18) in the journal The Seismic Record. Editor's Note: This article was updated at 8:20 p.m. EDT to note that the new research has now been published in The Seismic Record.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
New blue water spring found at Yellowstone after 'mildly explosive' activity
Geologists discovered a new blue water spring at Yellowstone National Park that likely formed after a series of "mildly explosive events," the United States Geological Survey said. The new pool was found in a subbasin at the Norris Geyser Basin, which is the park's hottest and oldest thermal area. Scientists conducting routine maintenance in the area unearthed the spring in April, according to a July 14 release from USGS. The hole is about 13 feet in diameter and 1 foot below the rim, USGS said. The water in the pool, which is light blue in color, was measured at 109°F. USGS said satellite images indicate the spring formed in a series of events between December 2024 and February 2025. Geologists believe it formed as a result of a hydrothermal explosion, which is when hot water within a volcano flashes to steam, breaking rocks and throwing them into the air. More Yellowstone: Watch pair of baby bison run off the 'zoomies' at the park New Yellowstone spring probably formed in 'mildly explosive events' Yellowstone's new blue water spring "probably formed in a series of mildly explosive events" between late December 2024 and February 2025, USGS said. Geologists discovered the hole in April after visiting the site for the first time since last fall, USGS said. The pool was surrounded by small rocks that were covered in light-gray, sandy mud. The sides of the pool also appeared to have two exposed layers, but one was actually a coating left when the water was at a higher level, USGS said. Both the presence of the rocks and the water layers are evidence of a hydrothermal explosion, according to USGS. Satellite images corroborated the findings that the hole formed over several months. Can you swim in Yellowstone's hot springs? While hot springs are often popular swimming spots for visitors to national parks, it's unlikely the one recently discovered at Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin will allow bathing. According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone has very limited spots for swimming because of extreme water temperatures. The water in the park's hot springs often reaches the boiling point, so swimming in them is prohibited to protect visitors as well as the park's thermal environments, according to NPS. On the other end of the spectrum, the park's high-elevation lakes and rivers typically have cold water that can pose a risk of hypothermia, per NPS. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yellowstone National Park geologists find new blue water spring
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
Atlas Critical Minerals Reports Strong Initial Rare Earth and Titanium Results from Alto do Paranaiba Project
Observed Surface Sample Grades up to 28,870ppm TREO and 23.2% TiO2 5,984 ppm TREO; 1,700 ppm MREO; 14.8% TiO 2 (Sample APPPA00152) (Sample APPPA00152) 4,897 ppm TREO; 1,301 ppm MREO; 13.9% TiO 2 (Sample PCP-000019) (Sample PCP-000019) 4,648 ppm TREO; 1,246 ppm MREO; 17.4% TiO 2 (Sample APPPA00111) 7,091ppm TREO; 2,023 ppm MREO; 11.9% TiO 2 (Sample SPJ-00086) (Sample SPJ-00086) 6,759 ppm TREO; 2,191 ppm MREO; 12.0% TiO 2 (Sample SPJ-00069) (Sample SPJ-00069) 6,405 ppm TREO; 1,643 ppm MREO; 18.6% TiO 2 (Sample SPJ-00008) 28,870 ppm TREO; 7,493 ppm MREO; 16.5% TiO 2 (Sample STG-000014) (Sample STG-000014) 16,152 ppm TREO; 3,915 ppm MREO; 6.1% TiO 2 (Sample ATI-089) (Sample ATI-089) 10,586 ppm TREO; 679 ppm MREO; 12.7% TiO 2 (Sample ATI-025) (Sample ATI-025) 23.2% TiO 2 (Sample SVV-00003) HOLE ID FROM TO LENGTH TREO (ppm) MREO (ppm) TiO 2 (%) DHTI-001 0 21 21 5,139 1,391 13.82 DHTI-001 0 12 12 5,961 1,690 13.27 DHTI-001 0 3 3 7,467 2,452 13.22 DHTI-001 7 12 4 5,825 1,446 16.34 DHTI-002 4 13.8 9.8 6,414 2,091 12.67 DHTI-002 8 13.8 5.8 7,729 2,681 12.45 DHTI-002 11 13 2 8,976 3,396 11.82 DHTI-003 0 7 7 4,067 1,090 11.93 DHTI-004 0 6 6 7,165 1,968 11.51 DHTI-004 0 3 3 9,028 2,393 9.67 DHCA-00001 2 10.3 8.3 3,999 993 14.28 DHCA-00001 6 10.3 4.3 4,706 1,124 15.06 DHCA-00002 3 10 7 3,442 821 15.95 DHCA-00003 2 8 6 3,396 812 11.21 DHPM-00002 4 10 6 3,007 682 14.03 DHPM-00003 1 6 5 3,129 716 13.00 DHLF-00001 3 9 6 3,275 754 13.76 DHTI-001: 12m @ 5,961 ppm TREO; 1,690 ppm MREO; 13.3% TiO 2 DHTI-002: 6m @ 7,729 ppm TREO; 2,680 ppm MREO; 12.5% TiO 2 DHTI-003: 3m @ 4,713 ppm TREO; 1,311 ppm MREO; 12.9% TiO 2 DHCA-00001: 4.3m @ 4,706 ppm TREO; 1,124 ppm MREO; 15.1% TiO 2 DHCA-00002: 7m @ 3,442 ppm TREO; 821 ppm MREO; 15.9% TiO 2 DHCA-00003: 6m @ 3,396 ppm TREO; 812 ppm MREO; 11.2% TiO 2 DHPM-00002: 6m @ 3,007 ppm TREO; 682 ppm MREO; 14.0% TiO 2 DHPM-00003: 5m @ 3,129 ppm TREO; 716 ppm MREO; 13.0% TiO 2 DHLF-00001: 6m @ 3,275 ppm TREO; 754 ppm MREO; 13.8% TiO 2 2 2 [email protected] Belo Horizonte, Brazil - Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2025 - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (OTCQB: JUPGF) ("Atlas Critical Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to report strong initial rare earth and titanium results from its Alto do Paranaíba Project (the "Project"), located in the western part of state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project demonstrates significant potential for near-surface rare earth and titanium mineralization within the "Mata da Corda" Group geological sequence. SGS Canada,Inc. ("SGS") was retained to prepare technical reports under U.S. Regulation S-K 1300. In particular, Marc-Antoine Laporte and Yann Camus from SGS are Qualified Persons for the Project. SGS is well-known as a global leader in testing, inspection and certification of mineral properties and Project comprises mineral rights totaling more than 25,000 hectares, strategically positioned within a major volcano-sedimentary geological sequence. The extensive Project area has been divided into three exploration blocks for ease of exploration activities as shown in Figure 1.- Exploration Blocks of the Alto do Paranaíba ProjectTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:The Mata da Corda Group consists of the sedimentary Capacete Formation crosscut by the volcanic Patos Formation. This geological setting, with its geochemical signature confirmed to be related to Brazilian late Cretaceous Alkaline Provinces, provides outstanding exploration potential for mineralization for both rare earth elements and Company's initial exploration campaign has included 770 surface samples (rock and soil), which demonstrated consistently high grades across all three blocks:- Block 1 Surface Sampling Results Map Indicating Widespread High-Grade TREO Mineralization (>1,500ppm)To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:- Block 2 North Surface Sampling Results Highlighting Multiple High-Grade ZonesTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:- Block 2 South Surface Sampling Results Showing Strong Grades in Specific LocationsTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:- Block 3 North Surface Sampling Results Demonstrating Extensive Mineralization and Results up to 16,152 ppm TREOTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:- Block 3 South Surface Sampling Results Including Highest-Grade InterceptsTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:Initial auger drilling comprised 11 drillholes totaling 144 meters, with 178 core samples analyzed (including 22% QA/QC control samples). The drilling successfully intercepted high-grade, near-surface mineralization:- Significant Drilling Intercepts from the Alto do Paranaíba Project Auger Drilling Campaign- Drill Core Sample DHTI-0004 (0-3.9m) Showing Clay-Hosted Mineralization with 3m @ 9,028 ppm TREO, 2,393 ppm MREO, 9.7% TiOTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:Average TREO grades by block demonstrate consistent mineralization: Block 1 averaged 3,157 ppm TREO; Block 2 averaged 2,312 ppm TREO; and Block 3 averaged 4,906 ppm TREO. Notably, Block 3 showed high Nd+Pr averages up to 1, Project area benefits from intense laterization processes typical of Brazil's tropical climate, which has led to enrichment of titanium and rare earth elements within the weathered profile. The mineralized sequence occurs within extensively oxidized zones of the Mata da Corda Group, with drilling reaching maximum depths of approximately 21 strong positive correlation between rare earth elements and titanium, combined with the sequence's intense magnetism, makes the geological unit highly responsive to geophysical surveys, facilitating future exploration targeting.- Magnetometry Analytic Signal Map Showing Strong Positive Anomalies Associated with Mata da Corda Group MineralizationTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:All samples were analyzed by SGS Geosol, considered to be the premier analytical laboratory in Brazil and used by major mining companies. Quality control samples, such as blanks, duplicates and standards (CRM) were inserted into each analytical batch. For all analysis methods, the average number of QA/QC represented 22% of the analytical TREO means Total Rare Earths Oxides, MREO means Magnetic Rare Earths Oxides, and TiOrepresents titanium dioxide. Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (OTCQB: JUPGF) controls a large portfolio of critical mineral rights in Brazil, encompassing over 575,000 acres, and including projects in rare earths, titanium, and graphite — minerals essential for defense applications and electrification. Additionally, we own a quarry for high-quality quartzite and one of our iron ore projects is expected to start production during W. BernierVice President, Investor Relations+1 (833) 661-7900 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
