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Science In Action: Icelandic Volcano

Bardarbunga

21/08/2014

Icelandic Volcano

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Icelandic Volcano

Intense seismic activity leads to increased risk of Bárðarbunga volcano erupting

Icelandic Volcano; Solar Storms, Life Under the Ice; Neanderthal Extinction

Heightened levels of seismic tremors have increased the risk of the Bárðarbunga volcano erupting and producing an ash cloud. The development has seen the Iceland Met Office raising the risk level to the aviation industry to orange, the second-highest level.  Iceland's volcanos are highly active with the most recent eruption in 2010 leading to the European airspace being closed for six days.  Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya, a volcanologist at the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, gives us the latest update on the volcano and explains what has increased its chances of erupting.

Solar Storms
The last major solar super storm was observed in 1859 by Richard Carrington, an English astronomer.  Scientists now believe a super solar storm is now overdue.  Ashley Dale, who is part of the advisory group of scientists for the UK and European Space Agencies, says a solar super storm could knock out satellites and power supplies if it occurs.  Dr Pete Worden from NASA Ames Research Center, also shares his thoughts on solar super storms. 

Life Under the Ice
Researchers have found microorganisms in the sub glacial Lake Whillans under the Antarctic ice sheet.  Professor Martyn Tranter, a bio geochemist from the Bristol Glaciology Centre at the University of Bristol, explains what implication this study could have for the existence of life on other planets.

Neanderthal Extinction
Neanderthals and humans may have interacted for ten times longer than previously thought, according to a study published in the journal Nature this week.  According to the new work, there were thousands of years of crossover between humans and their ancestor with cultures and DNA being swapped.  We speak to Dr William Davies from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Southampton, about the findings of the study. 

(Image: Bárðarbunga - Credit: Oddur Sigurdsson from the Icelandic Met Office)


Presenter: Jack Stewart
Producer:  Ania Lichtarowicz

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