Cave Man in the Moon?

In the last few weeks there has been some speculation about the existence of caves (or, more likely, lava tubes) on the Moon and their suitability as good places to live on the satellite. See HERE and HERE.

The data from which the caves were recognised was gathered in 2010 but it is only recently that processing techniques advanced enough for the presence of the caves to be recognised.

The surface of the Moon is not a good place to live for any length of time. There is no atmosphere or magnetic field to protect life from cosmic radiation. But a cave under several tens of metres of rock would be a very good protection.

All this is an indication that man will be returning to the moon in the forseeable future.

Down to Earth Extra August 2024

The August 2024 edition of Down to Earth Extra has bee published. You can download it HERE or you can read it below.

Oxygen - is Sunshine Needed?

Geologists used to think that free oxygen is the result of life, cholesterol and sunshine. But THIS ARTICLE suggests that we will have to change our ideas. The article is based on THIS ACADEMIC PAPER in Nature Geoscience.

The authors discovered an increase of oxygen concentration with depth while studying metallic nodules on the bed of the Pacific. These nodules contain "interesting" (i.e profitable) metallic elements and there is pressure to mine them.

The authors were commisioned to studt the impact that mining would have on the seafloor ecosystem. Part of their study was to look at oxygen levels. They expected to find a decline with depth. They discovered the opposite and that the oxygen was coming from the nodules.

The mechanism of oxgen production is thought to be electrolysis of seawater caused by potential difference between metal ions within the nodules.

This newly discovered source of oxygen may lead to a rethink of biological evolution and the oxygenation of the Earth!

What it does to the prospects of deep sea mining promises to be interesting.

So-called polymetallic nodules are potato-size lumps of oxides of iron and manganese that also contain precious metals like cobalt and rare earth elements. (Image credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration)

What is the Younger Dryas?

I stumbled upon THIS ARTICLE and was impressed by its clarity in describing the Younger Dryas. I knew that the Younger Dryas existed but I must have missed the lecture when it was defined. And I was vaguely aware that there was some controversies associated with it.

The Skeptoid web site specialises in debunking the fake science which proliferates on the internet and is well worth supporting - and you get clear descriptions of the Younger Dryas!

 Heart of Wales Geopark Opening

On 27th July the "Heart of Wales Geopark will open. The details are contained in the poster which you can read below or download HERE.

  Down to Earth Extra July 2024

The July 2024 edition of Down to Earth Extra has been published. You can download it HERE or you can read it below.