Mount Spurr Volcano in Alaska Shows Signs of Possible Eruption
Unusual seismic activity and gas emissions have been reported at Mount Spurr, a stratovolcano located 130 kilometres west of Anchorage, Alaska. Increased earthquake frequency, melting of snow and ice on its slopes, and rising levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions have been observed, suggesting movement of magma beneath the surface. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has indicated that current activity is more likely to result in an eruption, marking a shift from previous assessments that considered both dormancy and eruption as possibilities.
Scientific Observations on Mount Spurr’s Activity
As per reports, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), the current period of unrest is expected to culminate in an explosive eruption. Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), told Live Science that past eruptions in 1953 and 1992 occurred at Crater Peak, a vent located 3.2 kilometres from the main summit. The last known eruption from the summit itself is estimated to have occurred over 5,000 years ago, making it unlikely that magma would break through the solidified rock in that area.
Historical records indicate that Crater Peak’s last eruptions sent ash plumes 15,240 metres into the atmosphere, affecting Anchorage with measurable ashfall. In 1992, one of the explosions resulted in 3.1 millimetres of ash accumulating over the city, while the 1953 eruption led to an ash deposit of 6.4 millimetres.
Indicators of an Impending Eruption
Reports suggest that if magma movement continues, volcanic tremor will be the next major indicator of an imminent eruption. Unlike short seismic events recorded over the past year, volcanic tremor involves continuous shaking lasting from minutes to days. Past eruptions in the region, including Mount Spurr’s 1992 event and Mount Redoubt’s 2009 eruption, were preceded by weeks or months of tremor. Scientists are monitoring the situation closely, with any emergence of tremor likely to signal a further escalation toward eruption.
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Marine mammals rely on oxygen to survive, yet some species stay underwater for long periods without breathing. Scientists at the University of St Andrews wanted to understand how gray seals manage their time underwater without relying on carbon dioxide buildup as a signal. Six adult gray seals were placed in a controlled environment to observe their diving patterns. The seals were only allowed to surface at a designated chamber, where researchers adjusted oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to test their responses.
Research Confirms Oxygen as the Primary Trigger
According to the study published in Science, different air compositions were tested to measure their effect on dive times. The air in the breathing chamber was adjusted across four conditions: normal air, increased oxygen, reduced oxygen, and heightened carbon dioxide levels. When oxygen levels were increased, seals stayed underwater for longer. When oxygen was reduced, they surfaced sooner. Carbon dioxide changes did not alter their behavior, suggesting that oxygen, not carbon dioxide, determines when they come up for air.
Unique Adaptation in Marine Mammals
Researchers says that grey seals have an internal system to track oxygen levels. This allows them to surface before reaching dangerous limits. This ability prevents drowning and may be common among other marine species. Since deep-diving mammals must manage oxygen carefully, similar mechanisms could be present in whales, dolphins and other seals.
Experts Weigh in on the Discovery
Lucy Hawkes from the University of Exeter and Jessica Kendall-Bar from the University of California, San Diego, discussed the study’s impact. They noted that understanding this adaptation sheds light on how marine mammals survive in extreme underwater conditions. Further research could explore how this system works in different species and environments.
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A team of scientists in Japan has developed a new type of “universal memory” technology that could significantly reduce energy consumption while increasing processing speeds in future computing devices. The breakthrough, which centres on an improved form of Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), addresses a critical challenge in current memory technologies by combining the speed of RAM with the ability to retain information without constant power supply.
Overcoming Previous MRAM Limitations
According to the study published in the journal Advanced Science on December 25, 2024, the newly developed MRAM technology overcomes the high energy requirements that have traditionally limited MRAM implementation. While conventional MRAM devices consume minimal power in standby mode, they require substantial electric current to switch magnetisation directions that represent binary values, making them impractical for widespread use.
Innovative Component Design
The research team created what has been described as a “multiferroic heterostructure” that consists of ferromagnetic and piezoelectric materials separated by an ultrathin layer of vanadium. This configuration allows magnetisation to be controlled by an electric field rather than current, significantly reducing power consumption.
Vanadium Layer Provides Stability
Previous MRAM prototypes struggled with structural fluctuations in the ferromagnetic layer. This made it difficult to maintain stable magnetisation directions. The addition of the vanadium layer acts as a buffer between the materials. This in turn helps in enabling the device to maintain its shape and form while preserving the magnetic state even after the electric charge is removed.
Future Impact and Considerations
As per the researchers, their prototype demonstrated the ability to switch magnetisation direction using minimal electric current. However, the study did not address potential degradation in switching efficiency over time. This is a common issue in electrical devices.
This technology could potentially enable more powerful commercial computing with longer device lifespans, as it requires significantly less power than previous solutions and offers greater resilience than current RAM technologies without requiring moving parts.
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