Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Oh My!

Using maps and graphics, Smithsonian geologist Dr. Liz Cottrell provides an overview of the major earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011—one of the largest ever recorded globally. She explains the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the movement of tectonic plates and subduction, the concept of earthquake magnitude, and the formation of tsunamis. Dr. Cottrell is also director of the Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Eyjafjallajökull's eruption may be a hassle if you had any transatlantic flights planned this summer. For scientists, however, volcanic eruptions are the only way they can obtain samples from deep within the Earth to learn more about our planet, its formation, and its ongoing evolution. How long will this eruption last? How does it compare to other volcanoes around the world and throughout history? Smithsonian Geologist Liz Cottrell helps put this recent eruption into perspective.

Smithsonian geologist Liz Cottrell of the National Museum of Natural History shows us the tools she uses to learn more about what's buried beneath the Earth's crust.

Eyjafjallajökull's eruption may be a hassle if you had any transatlantic flights planned this summer. For scientists, however, volcanic eruptions are the only way they can obtain samples from deep within the Earth to learn more about our planet, its formation, and its ongoing evolution. How long will this eruption last? How does it compare to other volcanoes around the world and throughout history? Smithsonian Geologist Liz Cottrell helps put this recent eruption into perspective.

Dr. Rick Wunderman from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Global Volcanism Program answers your questions about the Icleandic volcano (Eyjafjallajokull) eruption. Could this eruption disrupt the Gulf Stream? Is this eruption caused by human activity? Could it cause global temperatures to rise? Learn more about the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism project and sign up to get regular reports on volcanoes worldwide through RSS: http://www.volcano.si.edu/