Volcanic Vents

Like high-tech prospectors, scientists aboard a Navy submersible have found a large field of volcanic vents spewing 500-degree water into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Oregon. The find 100 miles offshore represents only the fourth area in the world's oceans and the second off the U.S. West Coast where such high-temperature vents have been discovered.

The ski patrol had been at work since first light, inspecting Mammoth Mountain's reopened runs after a week of heavy snow and blustery winds. By midmorning Thursday, seven of them had set to work digging out a nearly buried fence erected to keep skiers away from one of the mountain's dangerous volcanic vents. Suddenly, the snow beneath them gave way. Two of the ski patrollers dropped into a 21-foot maw filled with deadly carbon dioxide fumes and landed on the ground, trapped in a deep hollow.

The ski patrol had been at work since first light, inspecting Mammoth Mountain's reopened runs after a week of heavy snow and blustery winds. By midmorning Thursday, seven of them had set to work digging out a nearly buried fence erected to keep skiers away from one of the mountain's dangerous volcanic vents. Suddenly, the snow beneath them gave way. Two of the ski patrollers dropped into a 21-foot maw filled with deadly carbon dioxide fumes and landed on the ground, trapped in a deep hollow.

The deaths of three ski patrol members at Mammoth Mountain on Thursday highlight the many hazards facing those who live, work and play atop one of the nation's largest active volcanic systems. Earthquake swarms, toxic gases that are deadly when concentrated, the unlikely event of a cataclysmic eruption -- such risks are permanent features of life in the exquisitely scenic area.

The deaths of three ski patrol members at Mammoth Mountain on Thursday highlight the many hazards facing those who live, work and play atop one of the nation's largest active volcanic systems. Earthquake swarms, toxic gases that are deadly when concentrated, the unlikely event of a cataclysmic eruption -- such risks are permanent features of life in the exquisitely scenic area.

Hunched in the darkened cabin of a research boat, geochemist Val Klump and biologist Charles Remsen stare intently at a small television screen. Upon it flicker surreal images of the bottom of North America's largest high-altitude lake, a place no person has ever seen before. "There's a bubbler there," Klump says, watching a picture of tiny gas bubbles emerging from a hole on Yellowstone Lake's floor, almost 200 feet below. "See the water flowing out?" "Look at all these sponges!" Remsen blurts.

Two scientists from UC San Diego say they have debunked the widely accepted idea that primitive life originated in a chemical soup in volcanic hot-water vents on the ocean floor. The researchers have examined the chemical reactions the theory would require and concluded that it just was not possible for life-giving molecules to have been synthesized in the hot temperatures and high pressure of the vent areas.

Morning light brought into focus a stark scene of destruction Saturday along a burned-out stretch of Metro Rail tunnel beneath the Hollywood Freeway. The normally bustling highway stood deserted. On a typical weekday, 210,000 vehicles would pass this point within sight of Union Station, but this weekend there was no traffic.

Three ski patrol members were killed Thursday at Mammoth Mountain ski area when they fell into a geothermal vent that they were working to fence off. Seven other ski patrollers were injured in the incident. The deaths bring the total this year to eight at the popular Eastern Sierra ski resort, which broke its all-time snowfall record Tuesday. This winter season has been a deadly one for California, with at least 13 skiers dying.

Peering into the microscope, Alan Barton thought the baby oysters looked normal, except for one thing: They were dead. Slide after slide, the results were the same. The entire batch of 100 million larvae at the Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery had perished. It took several years for the Oregon oyster breeder and a team of scientists to find the culprit: a radical change in ocean acidity. The acid levels rose so high that the larvae could not form their protective shells, according to a study published this year.

Three ski patrol members were killed Thursday at Mammoth Mountain ski area when they fell into a geothermal vent that they were working to fence off. Seven other ski patrollers were injured in the incident. The deaths bring the total this year to eight at the popular Eastern Sierra ski resort, which broke its all-time snowfall record Tuesday. This winter season has been a deadly one for California, with at least 13 skiers dying.

Hunched in the darkened cabin of a research boat, geochemist Val Klump and biologist Charles Remsen stare intently at a small television screen. Upon it flicker surreal images of the bottom of North America's largest high-altitude lake, a place no person has ever seen before. "There's a bubbler there," Klump says, watching a picture of tiny gas bubbles emerging from a hole on Yellowstone Lake's floor, almost 200 feet below. "See the water flowing out?" "Look at all these sponges!" Remsen blurts.

Morning light brought into focus a stark scene of destruction Saturday along a burned-out stretch of Metro Rail tunnel beneath the Hollywood Freeway. The normally bustling highway stood deserted. On a typical weekday, 210,000 vehicles would pass this point within sight of Union Station, but this weekend there was no traffic.

Like high-tech prospectors, scientists aboard a Navy submersible have found a large field of volcanic vents spewing 500-degree water into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Oregon. The find 100 miles offshore represents only the fourth area in the world's oceans and the second off the U.S. West Coast where such high-temperature vents have been discovered.

Two scientists from UC San Diego say they have debunked the widely accepted idea that primitive life originated in a chemical soup in volcanic hot-water vents on the ocean floor. The researchers have examined the chemical reactions the theory would require and concluded that it just was not possible for life-giving molecules to have been synthesized in the hot temperatures and high pressure of the vent areas.

Trey Crispin enjoys living on a volcano. For one thing, he gets a free spa. It's actually an icy stream called Hot Creek. Where underground volcanic vents meet cold water, swimmers can soak in comfort. "It's just like a hot tub. Cold, then hot, is good for the circulation," said Crispin, 25, a Mammoth Lakes chef. Swimmers, who brave thick green algae and the rotten-egg smell of sulfur, are kept from the hottest spots by barriers and signs warning: "Danger. Scalding Water. Unstable Ground.

Scientists plan to let a northwestern New Mexico power plant be their stand-in for a volcano. Scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory, working on a project to forecast volcanic eruptions and determine effects of volcanoes on global climate, will use emissions from the 1,800-megawatt San Juan Generating Station near Farmington to calibrate remote sensing instruments. Fraser Goff, principal investigator, said some emissions from the Public Service Co.