Iceland is well known for its extensive volcanism. Situated amid the northernmost part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the spreading centre is a hub of volcanic activity, from Krafla in the north to the young volcanic island of Surtsey in the south. Hekla is one of the country’s most active volcanoes – both in terms of erupted material and eruption frequency, and lies at the heart of a 40 kilomet ...[Read More]
Imaggeo on Mondays: The name’s Bond. Hydrogen bond.
The O in H2O attracts electrons towards it, a property known as electronegativity. And because oxygen attracts electrons towards it, it is ever so slightly positive. Likewise, the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are ever so slightly negative. The difference in charge across a water molecule is what holds water together as the slightly positive hydrogen atoms are attracted towards the slightly n ...[Read More]
GeoTalk: Will Morgan on podcasts and polluting the internet
This week in GeoTalk, we’re talking to Will Morgan, atmospheric scientist, podcaster and the blogger behind Polluting the Internet… You recently joined the EGU blog network, but you’ve been writing for a while now. What got you blogging? I guess the ultimate reason is that I enjoy talking about science! I’ve been involved with a number of science communication activities for a few years and ...[Read More]
Imaggeo on Mondays: How chloritoid tells a story of colliding continents
Chloritoid is a metamorphic mineral commonly found inside phyllite rocks – which is shale (a type of mudstone containing clays, silts and muds) that has been metamorphosed several times. Confusingly, chloritoid does not actually contain the element chlorine but instead is an iron magnesium manganese alumino-silicate hydroxide. This particular specimen is from Lyon, France: In larger sized specimen ...[Read More]