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#18188 02/06/01 09:17 PM
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we've had 2 earthquakes in the past 2 months-- both in the 2's (2.5 and 2.9--i think)

2s? Did you feel either of them? Anything less than 4.5 wouldn't even be noticed here, and I know people who have slept through 5s. My Dad was driving around town during our last signifcant shake, 6.4, and when he got home and was asked about the quake, he replied "what quake?"


#18189 02/06/01 09:34 PM
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>My Dad was driving around town during our last significant shake, 6.4, and when he got home and was asked about the quake, he replied "what quake?"

I had a car like that once too, Max.


#18190 11/18/01 12:30 PM
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I've spent the morning viewing clips of lahar on a site below someone posted above, I think; if not, someone posted the link somewhere in a thread related to lahar.

To the point, I searched out some pyroclastic terms that may be of interest to those interested in volcanoes. Many that I found I'll omit in deference to those who won't want an unusually long post:

pyroclast-- Volcanology. an individual particle or fragment of clastic rock material of any size that is formed by volcanic explosion or ejected from a volcanic vent.

http://www.harcourt.com/dictionary/def/8/3/1/4/8314100.html

pyroclastic ground surge Volcanology. the comparatively thin layer of rock of varying thickness found around a volcanic vent.

http://www.harcourt.com/dictionary/def/8/3/1/4/8314400.html

pyrogenesis Geology. 1. the intrusion and extrusion of a magma. 2. the products derived from a magma.the products derived from a magma.

http://www.harcourt.com/dictionary/def/8/3/1/5/8315400.html

pyroschist Petrology. a schist or shale with sufficient carbon to burn with a bright flame or to yield volatile hydrocarbons upon heating.

http://www.harcourt.com/dictionary/def/8/3/1/8/8318600.html

...now if I could just relocate the site that had the eerie photographs of pillow lava...

Oh, and here's the site that has the footage of lahar in action:

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/pinatubo/lahar/

WW


#18191 11/18/01 03:21 PM
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Volcanoes give us aa and pahoehoe

Two Hawaiian words. a'a is pronounced "ah-ah" and pahoehoe is Pah-HOY-hoy ... just in case anyone cares!


#18192 11/21/01 04:09 AM
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a'a allegedly got its name from the sound made when the Hawaiins walked barefoot across an a'a flow. I kid you not.

stales


#18193 11/21/01 04:16 AM
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wwh - there you go - right there - in the subject of this post....

We British Commonwealthers say 'geological'.

This spelling would make sense to Mr Spock (follow me on this one.........)

stales


#18194 11/21/01 04:39 AM
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A couple of my favourites relate to glacial deposits.

Picture if you will, a glacier slowly melting - dumping its load of boulders and bits of rock all along its path, not just at its end (for the geologically inclined - not at its 'terminal morraine'). Occassionally a large boulder will drop where no other large boulders are to be found. Once the glacier has melted one is left with a flat terrain with large boulders scattered here and there. Perhaps the most common technical term used for these is "erratic blocks".

Unfortunately Dr Robin Wass at Sydney Uni in 1978 ruined my geological and political correctness for all time. His pet term was the spooneristic, "erotic blacks". Ever since, I've really had to concentrate in order to use the correct term.

Another term for these isolated boulders (some the size of a house) is "knockers".

Once, when attending a presentation on the geology of Greenland (where knockers are a regular feature), I couldn't help myself. Just had to put up my hand and ask of the presenter, "Dr Ridley - could you comment upon whether there is any cleavage associated with those knockers?"

A rock unit's cleavage (as opposed to a crystal's cleavage) is an important component that assists geologists establish the structural history of the area).

stales


#18195 11/21/01 06:42 AM
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Stales, don't leave us hanging over your cleavage. What was Dr. Ridley's reply?

Bingley


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#18196 11/21/01 03:29 PM
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you could almost feel it.

Anything less than 4.5 wouldn't even be noticed here

Whether one notices an earthquake depends not only on the Richter Scale level but also on the nature of the ground through which the shock waves are travelling. Earthquakes felt through the suspension of an automobile can be mistaken for shock waves from passing trucks.


#18197 11/21/01 07:57 PM
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Stales...You wrote:

A rock unit's cleavage (as opposed to a crystal's cleavage) is an important component that assists geologists establish the structural history of the area).

Crytal's cleavage isn't important to geologists?

And, on geologic and Dr. Spock: Would he prefer biologic, psychologic, anthropologic, and gang?

DubDub


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