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Article: Fracture formula yields volcanic forecasts. (mathematical expression to help predict when volcanoes will blow)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- April 27, 1991
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Fracture formula yields volcanic forecasts
The equation [Omega]--[infinity][Omega]--A = 0 won't win any awards for easy reading, but it just might save some lives. New research suggests that this mathematical expression can help experts predict when a restless volcano will blow its top.
The equation represents a general law describing how various materials -- ranging from metal to plastic to ice -- fracture under stress. But it also appears to have promise for indicating when an imminent volcanic eruption will occur, report Barry Voight and Reinold R. Cornelius of Penn State University in University Park.
Before volcanoes blow their tops, they ...