Melting Glaciers And Volcanic Eruptions | November 14, 2024

Summary

CNN 10’s Thursday episode (November 14) explores various fascinating topics, starting with the impact of climate change on Iceland's volcanoes, where melting glaciers might be triggering more eruptions. The episode also covers the restoration of Rembrandt's iconic 'Night Watch' painting, a new bioluminescent sea slug discovered in the deep ocean, and the birth of an endangered pygmy hippo named Haggus in Scotland. The episode highlights scientific discoveries, environmental concerns, and heartwarming animal stories, all while celebrating global culture and history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iceland, known as the land of 'Fire and Ice', is home to 32 active volcanoes and glaciers, making it a unique natural laboratory for studying the effects of climate change.
• 🌍 Rising global temperatures are causing glaciers in Iceland to melt, which might lead to increased volcanic eruptions due to reduced pressure on the Earth's crust.
• 🌋 Scientists believe that as glaciers shrink, magma and pressurized gas beneath volcanoes move more freely, leading to increased volcanic activity.
• 💥 The pressure under volcanoes like Iceland's ASA volcano has caused the ground to rise by around 80 cm in just 3 years, suggesting increased volcanic activity.
• 🌡️ Preliminary studies show that magma production beneath Iceland in the past three decades has increased by two to three times due to ice loss, possibly creating a 'pressure cooker' scenario.
• 🎨 The Louvre Museum in Paris was originally built as a fortress in 1190 AD to protect Paris, before becoming the world’s largest museum.
• 🖼️ The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is home to the famous 'Night Watch' by Rembrandt, which is undergoing a careful restoration process to uncover the painting’s original state and the artist’s techniques.
• 🔬 A new species of sea slug, nicknamed 'Mystery Mullis', has been discovered by scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. It lives at depths of 1,000 to 4,000 meters, far below the reach of sunlight.
• 🌊 The 'Mystery Mullis' sea slug has unique features, including a gelatinous hood, a flat tail with finger-like projections, and bioluminescence for defense against predators.
• 🐾 A new pygmy hippo calf named Haggus was born at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, boosting the endangered pygmy hippo population, which is critically low at around 2,500 individuals worldwide.
• 🌱 Haggus, the baby pygmy hippo, has quickly become a social media sensation, adding to the growing attention and support for endangered species conservation.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding Iceland's glaciers and volcanic activity?

Scientists are studying whether the melting of Iceland's glaciers, due to rising global temperatures, is causing an increase in volcanic eruptions. The theory suggests that as the weight of the glaciers decreases, pressure builds beneath the volcanoes, potentially triggering eruptions more frequently.

How many active volcanoes does Iceland have, and what percentage of the country is covered by glaciers?

Iceland has 32 active volcanoes, and about 10% of the country is covered by glaciers.

What phenomenon is being studied in Iceland as a result of climate change?

Researchers are studying the connection between melting glaciers and increased volcanic activity in Iceland. The reduction of glacier mass may lead to changes in pressure on the Earth's crust, potentially contributing to more frequent eruptions.

What recent volcanic activity in Iceland prompted further scientific investigation?

The volcanic eruption in the town of Gvic in Southwest Iceland, which caused significant destruction and forced evacuations, prompted increased scientific interest in the possible link between glacier melting and volcanic eruptions.

How much more magma is being produced beneath Iceland compared to the past 30 years?

Preliminary results from a study indicate that in the last three decades, magma beneath Iceland was produced at a rate two to three times higher than it would have been without the loss of ice.

What is the 'Night Watch' restoration project in Amsterdam focused on?

The 'Night Watch' restoration project at the Rijksmuseum involves the careful removal of old varnish from Rembrandt's 1642 masterpiece and the application of new retouchings. This work aims to preserve the painting and uncover more about Rembrandt's techniques and process.

How has the restoration process of 'The Night Watch' been made accessible to the public?

The restoration of 'The Night Watch' is open to the public, with visitors able to watch the team of restorers at work. This public project allows people to see the preservation efforts firsthand and learn about the techniques used.

What is unique about the new sea slug species discovered by researchers at Monterey Bay?

The new sea slug, nicknamed 'mystery mullis,' is the first known species of sea slug to inhabit parts of the ocean that are 1,000 to 4,000 meters below the surface, where no sunlight reaches. It is also bioluminescent, using light to scare off predators.

Where and when was the new sea slug species first discovered?

The new species of sea slug was first spotted in February 2000 during a dive off California's Monterey Bay, using a robotic camera.

Why is the birth of the pygmy hippo calf named Haggis significant?

The birth of Haggis, a pygmy hippo calf at Edinburgh Zoo, is significant as it provides a much-needed boost to the endangered pygmy hippo population, which has dwindled to approximately 2,500 individuals worldwide.