A Volcano Changes Everything
We focus a lot here on geology (this being a geology blog and all). But the thing I love about science is how you can start with one and end up visiting most of the rest as you explore.
By Dana Hunter
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
We focus a lot here on geology (this being a geology blog and all). But the thing I love about science is how you can start with one and end up visiting most of the rest as you explore. For instance: take the Mount St. Helens eruption. It's a hell of a geology story, one which isn't nearly finished - but that dramatic geologic moment caused a cascade of other events that have scientists of all stripes sitting up and taking notice.
It also has them saying, "Well, that was unexpected."
For a look at why scientists are surprised at how the flora and fauna are recovering in the devastated area, and why insects may be a bigger player in the succession game than we'd considered before now, see Eric Sorensen's fascinating article "A New Land" in Washington State Magazine. For one thing, you'll learn a bit about why these beautiful little flowers are vitally important to forest recovery in a blast zone:
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And why willows change everything. Well, lots of things. Volcanoes going ba-boom change a lot, too.
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