Volcanic Eruptions Can Be More Predictable - Thanks To Muons!

There is no need for me to elaborate about the damage an active volcano can cause. Scientists have come up with an unique attempt to produce a 3D image of the activity inside a volcano so as to predict the possible occurrence of an eruption and the destruction it can cause. So it will help us get ready for the most lethal of the eruptions. No, this is not another method using X-Rays. The ray used is what makes this method unique. The scientists use cosmic rays for the imaging process. It has garnered much attention. This looks like a different imaging system and can be put to use at other situations too. It is of much help because it is not possible to get an x-ray machine of the size of a volcano made.

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The cosmic rays are radiations of energy entering the atmosphere from the outer space. When they interact with the atoms in the atmosphere they produce muons. They are numerous in number and their passage through any particle will not cause effects and are not harmful but some materials can block the radiations. This is similar to X-Rays and their working principle. The only difference is the size up to which it can be applied.

When it comes to measuring the magnitude of the eruption, a relation can be developed between the magnitude and the size of the throat (The internal tube through which the magma comes out). One can say larger the size of the throat, larger the magnitude will be and vice versa. So the size of the throat can be imaged using the muons. By relative measurement of the outgoing muons at different parts of the rock a crude 3D model of the insides of the volcano can be developed. This technique is being tried out on Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that buried Pompeii and threatens to do the same to Naples.

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