Researchers Fake Mini Volcanic Eruptions 41
ananyo writes "Volcanologists detonated explosive charges buried in a meadow in Ashford, New York, blowing 12 small craters in the ground and throwing debris 80 meters in the air. The aim was to recreate, in true-to-life detail, what happens when a volcanic eruption punches through Earth's crust. The work could guide the way that active volcanoes are monitored, and could help safety officials to decide where to restrict public access at volcanoes such as Italy's Stromboli, where dozens of tourists arrive every night to watch spectacular fire fountain displays."
So, let me get this straight. (Score:1, Interesting)
They recreated a volcano eruption that is true to life, but they had no lava, no ash blown in the air, no steam and no intense heat? They basically blew a hole in the ground and called it a volcano? Youd think after all the years mankind has been blowing holes in the ground they would have the info they needed by now.
They tried to recreate something that happens every night in order to see it so they can tell officials how far to restricts civilians?
Im having a real hard time finding any real use for this experiment or justification. It sounds more like they had some extra money in the budget that needed spending, or they are just really bored, or their department was up for review and they needed something quick to put on the books as projects completed.