Yellowstone Has a 10 inch Bulge

According to a report in National Geographic, the ground above the Yellowstone supervolcano has bulged upward up to 10 inches since 2004. The report says:

But beginning in 2004, scientists saw the ground above the caldera rise upward at rates as high as 2.8 inches (7 centimeters) a year.

The rate slowed between 2007 and 2010 to a centimeter a year or less. Still, since the start of the swelling, ground levels over the volcano have been raised by as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) in places.

"It's an extraordinary uplift, because it covers such a large area and the rates are so high," said the University of Utah's Bob Smith, a longtime expert in Yellowstone's volcanism.

This is bad news for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life such as being alive. I predict the hypersonic magma is only seconds away.

This Day in History

On January 23, 2006 a dream was born.  Some dreams are big but this one was small.  Conceived in the tortured souls of three pasty, cynical,  introverted engineers, this dream grew to change the world.  Lady and gentleman, I bring you The Beginning.

Can a dream that changed the world be summed up by one word?  I think Mr. Spock can.


P.S. Special thanks as always to loyal readers Jackie and Tommy.

Rain City Superheros

So, one of the heroes got a broken nose? The police clearly don't get it.

Justice knows no pain,

hot rain city justice is now.

Criminals beware.

Yoshirap Word of the Day

Sooterkin: A sooterkin is a fabled small creature about the size of a mouse that certain women were believed to have been capable of giving birth to. The origin of this initially jocular fantasy lies in the 18th century, and came to be considered factual by some eminent physicians of the day. It is attributed to a tendency of Dutch women to use stoves under their petticoats to keep warm, hence causing the breeding of these small animals, which when mature would be born.

Wikipedia link.

Anger Management: Vulcan Style

The Truth Laid Bear

Thanks to beloved commenter Tommy for the link.