Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [geology]

The science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves.

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Can a "second Chernobyl" happen at the nuclear reactors damaged by the tsunami in Japan?

In the media, you hear predictions that the events in the damaged nuclear power plants could be "the next Chernobyl", but this sounds like hyperbole to me. Are the events at those nuclear reactors comparable to Chernobyl? And what are the most…
James H. Kelly
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Does "fracking" cause earthquakes?

The process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking uses fluid pressure to extract hydrocarbons from rock. There have been media reports in the UK linking a fracking operation to some minor earthquakes. The controversial new drilling operation for…
z7sg Ѫ
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Are Earthquakes on the rise?

This came across my social media feed: U.S. Geological Earthquakes Survey 1973 - 4,539 Earthquakes 1974 — 4,528 Earthquakes 2000 — 19,131 Earthquakes 2010 — 23,040 Earthquakes 2011 — 22,392 Earthquakes 2013 — 89,622 Earthquakes 2014…
Coomie
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Can animals detect earthquakes through low radio-frequencies?

Every time there is a tsunami, we hear about animals fleeing to high ground and avoiding death. I've read some articles that suggest ELF/VLF sensitivity warns the animals, as they can effectively "hear" the earthquake. Any truth to that?
Dogmafrog
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Is radioactive decay the cause of the high temperature of the Earth's core?

I've seen in some sources that the Earth's inner temperature is because of nuclear decay, namely uranium and such. I find it hard to believe since volcanoes aren't know for spewing long half-life materials. I was wondering if this is true or not.
Eric
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How much has Magnetic North shifted in the last few years and would this affect aeronautics?

I was talking to a contractor at a major U.S. airport, a Project Manager who told that they were moving the runways due to the shifting of 'Magnetic North'. I have heard that the poles have shifted even after the Chilean quake that registered at…
Charlie Brown
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Is widespread adoption of the electric car unlikely due to lithium scarcity?

Although lithium is very abundant in sea water, only lithium mineral extraction seems to be economically viable. The world's total reserves in lithium minerals is estimated at 13.5 Mt (not sure whether this refers to the weight of the mineral or its…
wnrph
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Has there been an increase in the frequency of seismic activity?

First it was New Zealand, now Japan -- two major earthquakes in a span of less than 2 months. Cults could use this opportunity to sell their end-day stories. Joking aside, is there any scientific evidence showing that seismic activity has become…
Graviton
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Have we only mined 16 tonnes of platinum in the whole of history?

In this blog explaining how money works as a response to the debate about the USA's proposal to mint a trillion dollar platinum coin, the author quotes two estimates. One is the amount of platinum ever mined; the other is the amount required to make…
matt_black
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Was the cretaceous the last time atmospheric carbon dioxide was significantly higher than it is today?

Dr. Michael E. Mann recounts a story in his recent book (the Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars) about an encounter with Hillary Clinton during a hostile congressional hearing. While he was fending off hostile questions from senators like Senator…
matt_black
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Can drilling for geothermal energy trigger a major earthquake?

I remember reading about this geothermal project being cancelled due to concerns over (relatively) small seismic events caused by the drilling. Have there been any instances of, or reasonable scientific cause to believe a major seismic event might…
mootinator
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Can earthquakes be triggered thousands of miles away?

I read on an Answers Website: "While tectonic plates are independent, some scientists believe that a seismic event thousands of miles away can trigger another seismic event. (So, some believe the Japan quake may have triggered the Chile …
Bogdan Lataianu
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What was the density of prehistoric Earth atmosphere (dinosaurs buoyancy theory)

There is a site by David Esker named Dinosaur Theory: dinosaurtheory.com. David says that dinosaurs was so big because the early (at dinosaurs age) earth atmosphere was very dense and most mass of extinct giant reptilians and other non-avian…
osgx
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Can a combination of wind and ice move a 700 lb (300 kg) rock?

Lately I've been thrilled by the interesting phenomenon of sliding stones (also known as sailing stones). Photo credit: NASA/GSFC/Maggie McAdam Wikipedia explains: The stones move only every two or three years and most tracks develop over three…
isJustMe
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Did Italian seismologists fail to give "adequate warning" about the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake?

From CBS News (October 22, 2012): An Italian court convicted seven scientists and experts of manslaughter on Monday for failing to adequately warn citizens before an earthquake struck central Italy in 2009, killing more than 300 people. The court…
Oliver_C
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