Coral reefs, the largest known structures of biological origin on Earth, are also amongst the most beautiful natural structures that exist on the planet as well as being, possibly, the most diverse and valuable ecosystems that exist anywhere on Earth….
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The Earth´s magnetic field (geomagnetic field) is an enormous invisible shield of magnetic field lines surrounding the Earth. The magnetic field protects the Earth from the charged particles (solar wind) coming from the Sun. The magnetic field extends from the…
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Sunspots are spots of cooler temperatures on the sun. They appear darker than the rest of the sun and occur in a region called the photosphere. The photosphere has a temperature of 5,778 kelvin compared to sunspots that have an…
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Anthracite and bituminous coal are two types of coal that are critical to the economy of the United States. Anthracite coal is used in a variety of manufacturing processes, but its primary use is in the formation of steel. Bituminous…
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If we discuss our own size, we can talk about height, weight, frame size, or musculature. We can even combine height and weight measurements into a body mass index, which tries to describe the relationship of height and weight. These…
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Soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity levels are slowly gripping much of the United States. The combination of extreme temperatures and relative humidity pushes heat indexes into triple digits, thus prompting local weather offices to issue heat advisories and warnings. Heat…
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Summer is the chance to get outdoors, hit the beach to get in a tan, play some volleyball or frolic in the lake. But for the elderly and those with respiratory problems, the heat of summer is something to be…
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Both the sun and the earth naturally produce large amounts of radiation. The difference between solar and terrestrial radiation is that all purely terrestrial radiation comes from fission of radioactive elements, while all solar radiation comes from the fusion of…
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Volcanic rocks are useful in many ways, but it can be difficult to tell them apart. Pumice, for instance, is that light-colored rock that’s full of holes and floats on water. Scoria, the geologist’s name for cinder rock, is dark-colored,…
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When summer comes, heat waves follow. Even though this is great for people with pools or who love to go to the beach, it can also be a dangerous time for being overcome by heat exhaustion or heat stroke. By…
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