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☆ A part of Afghanistan not known for seismic activity was struck by an 'unprecedented' number of big earthquakes this week and no one knows when they'll end, an expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Western Afghanistan has been struck by four major earthquakes in just over a week. About 1,300 people were killed by the initial 6.3 magnitude earthquake on October 7. A fourth major earthquake struck the region on October 11. Buildings and infrastructure tend to be vulnerable in regions that aren't prone to earthquakes, Barnhart said. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I've been looking through statistics and I haven't found instances of this except for cases in volcanically active regions or in aftershock sequences of much bigger earthquakes," Barnhart said.

Persons: —, William Barnhart, there's, Barnhart, it's Organizations: US Geological Survey, Service, The New York Times, —, US, Survey, Program, Earthquakes Locations: Afghanistan, Herat City, Herat Province, Herat, Buildings

☆ The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Last year, it accounted for 98% of the global production of gallium and 68% of refined germanium production, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). “Refining technologies and facilities for processing gallium and germanium cannot be built overnight, particularly considering the environmental implications of their extraction and mining,” she wrote in July. Analysts from the think tank said China’s leading position in the aluminum industry has allowed it to establish a dominant share of global gallium production. According to the USGS, Russia, Japan, and Korea produced a combined 1.8% of global gallium in 2022. Last year, the US Defense logistics Agency introduced a program to recycle optical-grade germanium used in weapon systems.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ”, Xiaomeng Lu, Marina Zhang, Zhang, Ewa Manthey, haven’t, Chris Miller, Gregory Allen, Nyrstar, ” Lu, Manthey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, geotechnology, Eurasia Group, China, Geological Survey, University of Technology, “, ING Group, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington, Analysts, Corporation, CNN, Global, Wadhwani Center, AI, Technologies, CSIS, Rostec, Reuters, US Defense, Agency, Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Europe, Japan, University of Technology Sydney, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Korea, Teck, American, Netherlands, Australia, ” Lu, Eurasia, Canada

☆ 20,000-year-old footprints show humans have been in the Americas longer than previously thought, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2021, researchers dated ancient human footprints in New Mexico to at least 20,000 years ago. New data bolsters the evidence for the original date, among the earliest for humans in the Americas. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn White Sands National Park, New Mexico, mingled among tracks of mammoths, ground sloths, and other ancient animals, researchers found human footprints. The footprints — and other recent evidence — push back the date of human arrival by thousands of years. They radiocarbon dated pollen grains from conifer plants in the area.

Persons: —, Kathleen Springer, Sally Reynolds, Jeff Pigati, Bente Philippsen, Loren Davis Organizations: Service, Sands, US Geological Survey, Washington, National Parks Service, Geological Survey, Science, Springer, Oregon State University, NPR Locations: New Mexico, Americas, , New Mexico, White

☆ Scientists say they’ve confirmed evidence that humans arrived in the Americas far earlier than previously thought
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This date dramatically pushed back the timeline of humans’ history in the Americas, the last landmass to be settled by prehistoric people. National Park ServiceHowever, some archaeologists questioned the age of the footprints established by those initial findings. Human footprints infilled with white gypsum sand at White Sands National Park. A trench at the study site with David Bustos, White Sands National Park's resource program manager, in the foreground. Nor, despite advances in genetic evidence, is it clear whether one or many populations of early modern humans made the long journey.

Persons: ”, Kathleen Springer, “, David Bustos, Jeff Pigati, there’s, Bente, Jennifer Raff Organizations: CNN, Service, Science, Sands, Park Service, Geological Survey, White Sands, Norwegian University of Science, Technology, North, University of Kansas Locations: what’s, New Mexico, Americas, Tularosa, White Sands, North America, Asia, New York City, Cincinnati, Des Moines , Iowa, Alaska

☆ Mississippi River forecast: Grim outlook for rain and water levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Water levels on the Mississippi River are nearing historic lows for the second consecutive year, triggering a drinking water emergency in Louisiana as ocean water flows upstream, unimpeded by the river’s uncharacteristically weak flow. Lower Mississippi River water levels are forecast to continue to drop through at least mid-to-late October, according to Dedeaux. A confluence of extremesWater levels on the Mississippi River began to plummet in early September, well ahead of the October drop last year. This outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows how drought is expected to improve in many areas along the Mississippi River which desperately need rain. Sixty percent of the water that flows into the lower Mississippi River comes from the Ohio River, while the other 40 percent comes from the upper Mississippi River, Dedeaux told CNN.

Persons: Katie Dedeaux, “ We’re, Dedeaux, It’s, Cullen Jones, Gerald Herbert, Alexis Highman Organizations: CNN, NOAA, Geological Survey, National Weather Service, Army Corps, New, Louisiana, US Drought Monitor, Forecast Center, Center Locations: Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, Jackson , Mississippi, Memphis, Missouri, Lower Mississippi, New Orleans, Mississippi , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Nebraska , Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota , Wisconsin , Iowa , Mississippi, El, Midwest

☆ Morocco earthquake lights: strange light phenomenon before some quakes is a long standing mystery
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Reports of “earthquake lights,” like the ones seen in videos captured before Friday’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco, go back centuries to ancient Greece. He has coauthored several scientific papers on earthquake lights, or EQL. To better understand earthquake lights, Derr and his colleagues gathered information on 65 American and European earthquakes associated with trustworthy reports of earthquake lights dating back to 1600. Other theories about what causes earthquake lights include static electricity produced by the fracturing of rock and radon emanation, among many others. At present there is no consensus among seismologists on the mechanism that causes earthquake lights, and scientists are still trying to unlock the mysteries of these outbursts.

Persons: there’s, ”, John Derr, Juan Antonio Lira Cacho, Derr, Antonio Lira, Freund, Derr’s, “ Organizations: CNN —, Friday’s, Geological Survey, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, CNN, Geophysics, San Jose University, NASA Ames Research Center Locations: Morocco, Greece, Pisco, Peru, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, China, Sichuan, Earthquakes, Guayaquil, Ecuador

☆ ‘Earthquake lights’ phenomenon is a long-standing scientific mystery. Here’s what experts think is behind them
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: there’s, ”, John Derr, Juan Antonio Lira Cacho, Derr, Antonio Lira, Freund, Derr’s, “ Organizations: CNN —, Friday’s, Geological Survey, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Geophysics, San Jose University, NASA Ames Research Center Locations: Morocco, Greece, Pisco, Peru, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, China, Sichuan, Earthquakes, Guayaquil, Ecuador

☆ Videos show mysterious lights in the sky just before a devastating earthquake hit Morocco. Scientists can't figure out why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Scientists say so-called "earthquake lights" have long been reported when tremors hit. Insider was unable to independently verify the videos, but experts believe they could have recorded an aerial phenomenon known as "earthquake lights." Advertisement Advertisement Watch:No one knows for sure if earthquake lights exist, or what causes them. 'Earthquake lights' were long relegated to old folk talesThere is a smattering of records reporting bursts of light linked to earthquakes that date back centuries. Because of this, earthquake lights had been thought to be a myth.

Persons: Karen Daniels, There's, Friedemann Freund, Daniels, We're Organizations: Service, Reuters, New York Times, North Carolina State University, PBS, Guardian, SETI, Washington, Geological Survey, Times Locations: Wall, Silicon, Morocco, Eastern Morocco, Mexico City, Japan

CNN —Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began erupting again after nearly three months of quiet, with glowing lava flows bursting within one of its craters Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey. The eruption started around 3:15 p.m. local time in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Kilauea’s summit caldera at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, according to USGS. Kīlauea is the youngest and most active volcano on the island, with several summit eruptions since 2020. “The eruption was preceded by a period of strong seismicity and rapid uplift of the summit,” USGS said Sunday night. Sunday’s eruption at Kilauea serves as “a solemn reminder of the sacredness ingrained in this landscape,” Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park said on social media.

Persons: Pele Organizations: CNN, Geological Survey, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, National Park Service Locations: Halemaʻumaʻu, Hawaii

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images People mourn earthquake victims in Moulay Brahim, Morocco, on September 9. Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images A resident navigates through the rubble in Marrakech, Morocco on September 9. Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images A woman looks at the rubble of a building in Marrakech, Morocco on September 9. Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images A damaged vehicle sits in a street in Marrakech, Morocco on September 9. Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters Residents take shelter outside following the earthquake in Marrakech, Morocco on September 9.

Persons: Mohamed Aithadi, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, King Mohammed VI, Fadel Senna, Moulay, Said Echarif, Abdelhak Balhaki, Mosa'ab, Mohammed, ”, Joe English, Al Hoceima Organizations: Marrakech CNN —, Geological Survey, Reuters, Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, Getty, Anadolu Agency, AP, CNN, UN’s, Fund, UNICEF, …, United, World Health Organization Locations: Marrakech, medina, Moroccan, Morocco’s, Marrakech’s, Tafeghaghte, AFP, Moulay Brahim, Morocco, Amizmiz, Al Haouz province, Fatima, Asni, Ouirgane, Moulay, France, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Turkey, Al, Agadir

☆ Live updates: Morocco quake leaves hundreds dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Chris Lau | Seán Federico O'Murchú | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Rescue teams in Morocco are having difficulties reaching the areas most affected by Friday night's earthquake because nearby roads are damaged and blocked, state-run Al Aoula TV has reported. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck shortly after 11 p.m. local time at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.4 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. The epicenter was in the High Atlas mountains located about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a city of some 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination.

Persons: Aoula Organizations: Geological Survey Locations: Morocco, Marrakech

☆ Morocco earthquake: What we know so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —More than 1000 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck the North African country of Morocco on Friday night. When and where did the quake hit? The earthquake struck at around 11:11 p.m. local time. The earthquake is Morocco’s deadliest since 1960 when a quake killed more than 12,000 people. Many world leaders have expressed their commiserations, as well as offered support to Morocco.

Persons: Al Haouz, Fadel Senna, Mohammed, ”, Balhaki, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Narendra Modi, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Earthquakes, Geological Survey, WHO, Getty, Reuters, United Nations, Indian Locations: Morocco, Marrakech, Here’s, Casablanca, Al, Moroccan, Taroudant, AFP, Ouirgane, Turkey, Algeria

☆ What happens to sharks, dolphins, alligators, and other marine life during a hurricane? Experts explain why the storm's aftermath is often more deadly
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Hurricanes affect marine life differently, depending on whether they can move or are stationary. After a hurricane, increased levels of freshwater, bacteria, and debris can also harm marine life. A vast array of marine life lives along the Florida peninsula, the US state where hurricanes make landfall most often. What happens to marine life during a hurricane? For example, alligators on Sanibel Island, which Hurricane Ian hit hard, were affected by the saltier ocean water the storm brought on land.

Persons: Melissa May, Rita, Andrew, Valerie Paul, Hurricane Ian, Ian, Paul, Chris Lechowicz, Rivers, Marco Bello Organizations: Service, Florida Gulf Coast University ., National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Reuters Hurricanes, Geological Survey, Hurricanes, Smithsonian Marine, Healing, Reuters, NASA Locations: Wall, Silicon, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Louisiana, Brevard, Estero Bay

CNN —Rescue crews have located the body of an Oregon climber who went missing earlier this week, according to local officials. After several days of searching by air, rescue crews in Oregon used drone footage Thursday to locate the body of 21-year-old Joel Tranby on North Sister mountain, according to a Facebook post from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Tranby “died after falling several hundred feet down a loose and rocky slope,” says the post. “Joel has gone to be with the Lord.”The sheriff’s office first received a call about Tranby’s fall on Monday, according to the sheriff’s office. “The caller reported that her boyfriend had fallen approximately 300-500ft down the slope and was severely injured,” says the post.

Persons: Joel Tranby, Tranby “, ”, Joel, Tranby, “ Joel, “ Organizations: CNN — Rescue, Facebook, Geological Survey Locations: Oregon, Lane

☆ The sun’s activity is peaking sooner than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Every 11 years or so, the sun experiences periods of low and high solar activity, which is associated with the amount of sunspots on its surface. Over the course of a solar cycle, the sun will transition from a calm to an intense and active period. During the peak of activity, called solar maximum, the sun’s magnetic poles flip. A solar activity spikeThe current solar cycle, known as Solar Cycle 25, has been full of activity, more so than expected. The solar storms generated by the sun can affect electric power grids, GPS and aviation, and satellites in low-Earth orbit.

Persons: ”, Mark Miesch, “, Alex Young, ” Miesch, Scott McIntosh, Robert Leamon, Leamon, Miesch, Young, auroras, Bill Murtagh, ” Murtagh, NASA’s Parker, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Prediction, NASA's Solar Dynamics, NASA, SpaceX, Heliophysics, Goddard Space Flight, GPS, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Goddard Planetary Heliophysics, University of Maryland, College Park, American University, Dynamics, Geological Survey, Probe Locations: Boulder , Colorado, Greenbelt , Maryland, Baltimore County, New Mexico , Missouri, North Carolina, California, United States, England, United Kingdom, Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Scandinavia, Michigan, Upper Midwest, Pacific, Quebec

☆ ‘Forever chemicals’ in water: Nearly half of the tap water in the US is contaminated with PFAS, government study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Almost half of the tap water in the United States is contaminated with chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” according to a study from the US Geological Survey. Experts say it’s important for people to understand their risk of exposure through tap water. Water filters may help somewhat if tap water is contaminated, and there are moves to regulate some PFAS chemicals in US drinking water. This US Geological Survey map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. In August 2023, the EPA said it is conducting the “most comprehensive monitoring effort for PFAS ever” at large and midsize public water systems and hundreds of small water systems.

Persons: Jamie DeWitt, There’s, ”, DeWitt, They’re, Graham Peaslee, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “, Peaslee, ” Peaslee Organizations: CNN, Geological Survey, National Institutes of Health, US Environmental Protection Agency, Survey, Eastern Seaboard, Environmental Health Sciences, Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Utilities, EPA, of Physics, University of Notre Dame, CNN Health Locations: United States, Great, Central, Southern California

☆ China just played a trump card in the chip war. Are more export curbs coming?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Beijing hit back Monday by playing a trump card: It imposed export controls on two strategic raw materials, gallium and germanium, that are critical to the global chipmaking industry. Last October, the Biden administration unveiled a set of export controls banning Chinese companies from buying advanced chips and chip-making equipment without a license. Beyond China, Australian rare earths producers also advanced, as investors expected Beijing might extend export curbs to that group of strategically important minerals. “If this action doesn’t change the US-China dynamics, more rare earth export controls should be expected,” Jefferies analysts said. China cut its rare earths export quota in 2010 amid tensions with the United States.

Persons: ”, Biden, China’s, Janet Yellen, Jefferies, ” Jefferies, CNN’s Hanna Ziady, Xiaofei Xu Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Jefferies, Micron Technology, Micron, China, Geological Survey, Eurasia Group, Group, United, Analysts Locations: Hong Kong, China, United States, Beijing, Washington, Netherlands, Japan, Australian, States, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium

☆ Watch scientists collect samples from an actively erupting volcano in Hawaii
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Soon after, geologists flew down to the crater floor to collect samples of the fresh lava. Watch as the scientists walk within inches of the lava lake as it erupts red-hot lava fountains. USGSBut fountains of red-hot lava and a giant lava lake didn't deter these scientists. Gotta cool down those lava samples before you bring them on an aircraft with you. USGSHere's an even closer look at some of those samples:These lava samples were collected from the crater ridge.

Persons: —, Kīlauea Organizations: Service, Geological Survey Locations: Hawaii

☆ Watch the moment Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted after a 3-month pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Raphael Sanis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Kilauea, the most active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, erupted and began spewing lava on Wednesday after a three-month pause. The US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noticed a glow in a webcam at Kilauea's summit early in the morning before fissures opened up. The observatory said the lava was confined to the crater floor. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea is located, said it was expecting large numbers of people to view the eruption. Scientists at the observatory said that they were monitoring the eruption but that no communities on the island were currently at risk.

Locations: Hawaii, Kilauea

☆ Having more pythons in Florida is actually increasing the rat population because they're killing the other predators, scientists warn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It may be good news for the cotton rats, but it could spell serious danger for humans. But one thing they don't seem to have a taste for is cotton rats. So much so, scientists warn that cotton rats "now dominate the community" in parts of the Florida Everglades where pythons are prevalent, wildlife ecologist Robert McCleery told LiveScience. They found that death rates for cotton rats were about the same in both regions. Let's say a mosquito bites an infected cotton rat and then later feasts on your blood — you could become infected.

Persons: —, Robert McCleery, LiveScience, McCleery, Rhona Wise, It's Organizations: Service, Getty, Geological Survey Locations: Florida, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, they're, Asia

☆ Kilauea volcano erupts on Hawaii's Big Island
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Mitchell Mccluskey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began erupting on Wednesday morning, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor. The activity is confined to Halemaʻumaʻu and the hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses,” the HVO said. The eruption is currently confined within the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The volcano had stopped erupting in December for the first time since September 2021.

Organizations: CNN, “, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Twitter Locations: Halemaʻumaʻu, Hawai’i, Hawaii

☆ We're losing the battle against bird loss. Scientists estimate North America's bird population is down 3 billion and dropping fast in other countries worldwide.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Emily Sohn | Knowable Magazine | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

In North America, more than half of 529 bird species have declined, according to one study. Another study of 378 European bird species estimates numbers fell by as much as 19% from 1980-2017. There are birds on mountains, birds in cities, birds in deserts, birds in oceans, birds on farm fields and birds in parking lots. Bird numbers are falling across a broad range of habitats, as these graphs from Europe and North America show. A recovery program has boosted the species' numbers to more than 500, with several hundred living once more in the wild.

Persons: —, Peter Marra, It's, Alexander Lees, Lees, Christopher Michel, Marra, we're, Lees et, Philip McGowan, Glenn Simmons, McGowan Organizations: Service, Penguins, Earth Commons, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cornell, of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, Survey, US Geological Survey, Environment Canada, European Union, International Union for Conservation, Environment, Resources, Newcastle University, IUCN, California condor, Recovery Initiative Locations: North America, Antarctica, ptarmigan, Everest, Georgetown, England, Canada, United Kingdom, Gould Bay, eBird, United States, Science, Costa, India, Europe, California, Arizona, Brazil

Hong Kong CNN —A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the South Pacific on Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, triggering a tsunami warning for nearby nations including Vanuatu, Fiji and Kiribati. The US National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for coasts located within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of the epicenter which lay between Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Tsunami waves reaching up to 1 meter are possible along some coasts of Vanuatu, according to the US National Tsunami Warning Center, downgrading an earlier assessment that said waves could be 3 meters high. Smaller waves below 0.3 meters could be expected in Fiji, Kiribati and New Zealand’s remote Kermadec Islands, the warning center added. New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency tweeted that it is assessing whether the quake “poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand.”The quake was earlier reported to be at 7.7-magnitude but has since been revised up.

☆ A Parasite May Explain Why Some People Are Driven to Start a Company
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

When wolves in Yellowstone National Park get infected with a cat parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, they become more likely to leave their packs and start new ones. The Yellowstone wolf data hints that it's just the side effect of a protozoan inhabiting our brains in a failed attempt to make more protozoa. So why would any of this make an infected wolf want to start its own pack? That was the suggestion of an influential 2006 paper titled "Can the Common Brain Parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, Influence Human Culture?" Just because Toxo might drive an alpha male to start a company, that doesn't mean it'll be a successful company.

☆ Here's what Pele's hair and the other volcanic terms you're hearing mean
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Zoe Sottile | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Lava: Lava is what scientists call magma that breaks through the Earth’s surface – like during a volcano eruption. Lava flows: Lava flows describe both the moving masses of lava that spew onto the earth’s surface during an eruption and the solidified deposit they leave behind once they cool down. Pele’s hair: This term describes long, thin strands of volcanic glass that form from lava fountains and fast lava flows, the USGS says. Volcanic ash: Volcanic ash isn’t the same as the ash produced after burning a piece of paper. Volcanic ash, a finer form of tephra, consists of tiny, sharp pieces of rock and glass.

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