StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries – Volcanoes, with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Is the super volcano under Yellowstone going to erupt? What’s the difference between lava and magma? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and volcanologist Janine Krippner, PhD, answer fan-submitted questions about volcanoes.

How many active volcanoes are in the world right now? Janine tells us about the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program which keeps tabs on all the active volcanoes in the world. Find out how the Ice Age wiped the volcanic record clean. You’ll learn the difference between magma and lava. Janine tells us what’s really going on with the super volcano underneath Yellowstone National Park. You’ll find out why Janine isn’t a fan of the term “super volcano.”

We take it back to the basics: why do volcanoes explode? We explore why eruptions are important, and, why volcanoes play an important role in our ecosystems. We discuss how volcanoes contribute to climate change – and how they pale in comparison to human activity.

Discover more about the different types of eruptions. We ponder whether proximity to geological activity enhances people’s desire to study it. Janine shares why robots won’t be taking the jobs of volcanologists any time soon. You’ll hear about lava – if it moves so slowly, how is it so destructive? You’ll also learn about “pyroclastic flow.”

Lastly, we investigate how many dormant volcanoes have the potential to cause mass devastation on Earth. Janine shares why there’s uncertainty around predicting eruptions. Is society ready for a massive eruption? All that, plus, Janine tells us what volcanoes can teach us about the inside of our planet.

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About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
"Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/

About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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