An aerial view helps avoid the rush New technique makes catastrophic volcanic mudflows easier to anticipate. 31 JAN 2001 Blast from the past We may have volcanoes to thank for the air that we breathe. Meteors come in with a bang Exploding meteors could be mistaken for clandestine nuclear tests. Earth scientists iron out their differences Two groups of geochemists suggest elementary solutions to some mysteries of the Earth's mantle. Solar blow to low cloud could be warming planet Philip Ball finds out where in the atmosphere tiny changes in the Sun could have a big effect on Earth's climate.
Earthquake prediction has the reputation of a black art.
Philip Ball looks at three new studies that are trying to make it a science. The volcanic eruption that toppled the Minoan civilization left its mark as far afield as Sweden, finds Philip Ball. A conspiracy of tectonic plates pushes volcanoes far to the west of central Japan, Philip Ball discovers. Simple computer models of the sea will disappoint surfers and oil rig designers, Helen Gavaghan discovers. Two meteorite impacts 35 million years ago may have triggered a big chill.