Researchers who published findings on a warm oceanic spring called Pythia’s Oasis discovered along the Cascadia subduction zone have clarified misinformation disseminated in tabloid media about their work. It’s not common for this to happen even thought it’s extremely common for non-scientific sources to mischaracterize scientists’ work.
Category: Briefs
Demon or dino print of the Appalachian Trail
A weird impression in a rock along the Appalachian Trail appears to look like a demon or a dinosaur footprint. What is it, really?
The fabled Blue Hole of the Pine Barrens
The fabled blue hole of the New Jersey Pine Barrens is rumored to be bottomless and the home of demons or monsters who will pull swimmers under.
Cookie monster agate
A geode infilled with milky blue quartz/agate bears an uncanny resemblance to Sesame Street’s infamous Cookie Monster.
Fillmore underground fire
A thermal anomaly in Fillmore, California emits gases and heat that can burn the vegetation. A form of spontaneous combustion, the underground fire is difficult to extinguish.
Hexenplatten – the witches’ stone
The pitted surface of this outcrop in Switzerland was a mystery. Local people called it the “witches’ stone” or Hexenplatten because they imagined it was formed from the witches dancing.
Pele’s hair and tears
Volcanic eruption products are attributed to Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Her hair and tears form from lava bubbles in the wind.
River of rock flows in New Zealand
Heavy rainfall led to a rapid flow that entrained rocks of considerable size in New Zealand. The Rakaia River in Canterbury turned into a dangerous river of rock.
Putrid pit of dinosaur corpses
A recent find of a fossilized death assemblage tells a graphic story of mass death. Remains of 46 allosaurs and some 25 other dinosaurs were found clustered together in what was probably a smelling rotting pile before being buried by sediment and fossilized.
Giant dust devils with crystal blades
A researcher observes gypsum mineral blades flying around in a hot tornadic wind in the Atacama desert in Chile.
Dr. Tom Holtz’ talk on paranormal concepts in geology
Dr. Thomas Holtz of the Univ. of Maryland presents at Balticon 50 on May 30, 2016 his talk about paranormal concepts on the nature of our planet.