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What are the potential consequences of mountain cracking observed before a glacier collapse, like the one in Blatten?

Context This question refers to the events preceding the glacier collapse in Blatten, Switzerland, where cracks were observed on the mountain above the glacier. Understanding the implications of these cracks is crucial for assessing future risks and potential disasters in similar mountainous regions. Simple Answer More rock or ice could fall off the mountain. This could cause landslides or avalanches. The ground around the area might become unstable. Nearby areas could be at risk of flooding. The overall landscape can change a lot. Detailed Answer The cracking observed on the mountain before the Blatten glacier collapse is a significant indicator of ongoing instability within the mountain structure. These cracks represent fractures and weaknesses in the rock mass, often caused by a combination of factors, including freeze-thaw cycles, tectonic stresses, and the erosive effects of water infiltration. The presence of such cracks suggests that the mountain's internal cohesion is compr...
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Will a lunar orbit remain stable forever? Exploring the long-term stability of orbits around the Moon considering atmospheric drag and Earth-Moon interactions.

Context The question explores the long-term stability of orbits around the Moon. It stems from the understanding that Earth orbits decay due to atmospheric drag at high altitudes. The query investigates whether the Moon's near-vacuum environment eliminates this drag, allowing for perpetual orbits. It also considers potential destabilizing effects from the Earth-Moon gravitational interactions. Simple Answer The Moon has almost no air, so there is no drag to slow things down like on Earth. Earth's gravity tugs on things orbiting the Moon. The Moon's gravity is uneven because of its shape and how mass is distributed inside. Small impacts from space dust and tiny rocks can change an orbit over a long time. These combined factors can make some Moon orbits unstable over many years. Detailed Answer The stability of lunar orbits is a complex issue influenced by several factors, making the notion of a truly 'forever' orbit highly improbable. Unlike Earth orbits, the Moon...
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What are some fundamental concepts and common questions in Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science suitable for an 'Ask Anything' forum?

Context This text introduces a weekly 'Ask Anything Wednesday' feature focusing on Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science. It encourages users to submit questions within these topics, regardless of their complexity or speculative nature. The thread aims to provide a platform for open discussion and answers from experts in the field, while maintaining quality and relevance by moderating responses and directing off-topic questions to a sister subreddit. Simple Answer Engineering: How things are built and work. Mathematics: The language of numbers and shapes. Computer Science: How computers solve problems. Ask anything related to these topics, even if it seems simple. Experts will answer and discuss your questions. Detailed Answer Engineering is a broad discipline that applies scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, systems, and processes. It's essentially about problem-solving through innovation and optimization. Com...
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Did Earth exist at a point in time without mountains? Explore Earth's geological history and the evolution of its landforms.

Context The query explores whether Earth's surface was ever completely devoid of mountains, prompting a discussion of tectonic activity, erosion, and other geological processes that shape the planet's landscape. It questions if tectonic plates were once leveled. This requires understanding the formation and destruction of mountains over geological timescales. Simple Answer Earth likely always had some form of elevated terrain, even if not as dramatic as today's mountains. Early Earth had volcanoes and other formations from impacts and early tectonic activity. Erosion constantly works to level land, while tectonic forces build it up. It's difficult to prove Earth was ever completely flat due to the planet's age and constant change. While specific mountain ranges rise and fall, the forces that create them have likely always been present. Detailed Answer The idea of Earth existing without any mountains at any point in its history is unlikely, although defining 'mou...
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How do photons travel at light speed without experiencing time? Exploring the concept of time dilation for photons and its implications on their existence.

Context The query delves into the intriguing concept of time dilation from the perspective of a photon, which travels at the speed of light. It questions how a photon might not experience time and explores the potential implication that all photons could essentially be the same entity existing across the universe simultaneously. Simple Answer Imagine time as a road. The faster you go, the slower the road passes by. Photons move at the fastest speed possible: the speed of light. Because they move so fast, time almost stops for them. This means a photon 'sees' its origin and destination as happening at nearly the same 'time'. It's not that all photons are the same, but their 'experience' of time is drastically different from ours. Detailed Answer The concept of time dilation, a cornerstone of Einstein's theory of special relativity, dictates that time passes differently for objects moving at different speeds relative to an observer. The faster an object mo...
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Do all languages have puns and wordplay? Explore the prevalence of wordplay across different languages and its historical presence.

Context The question investigates the universality of puns and wordplay across languages, focusing on whether this linguistic phenomenon, common in Western languages, exists globally. It also seeks to understand if there's historical evidence supporting the presence of puns in various cultures and time periods. The query touches upon the evolution of wordplay and its potential impact on language development. Simple Answer Puns are jokes that use words in a funny way, playing with their different meanings or sounds. Some languages are naturally better suited for puns than others because of how their words are structured. Puns depend a lot on culture, so what's funny in one language might not make sense in another. We have found evidence of wordplay in ancient writings and stories, showing that people have been making puns for a long time. Even if not every language uses puns in the same way, most languages have some kind of similar word trickery. Detailed Answer Puns, at their c...
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Why do flies land on humans? Understanding fly behavior and their objectives when landing on skin.

Context A user observed a fly landing on their forearm and exploring it for an extended period. The user questions the fly's objective, considering that humans are not typically a food source or a suitable place for egg-laying. They seek to understand what the fly might be looking for that requires such prolonged investigation. Simple Answer Flies are searching for food sources like sweat, salts, or oils on your skin. They use their proboscis (a straw-like mouthpart) to taste and explore potential food. Flies are attracted to moisture, especially in warm environments. They might be resting briefly, as flying consumes a lot of energy. Flies have short lifespans and are constantly seeking resources for survival. Detailed Answer Flies, despite their seemingly random movements, are driven by basic survival instincts. When a fly lands on a human, it's typically in pursuit of essential resources. One of the primary objectives is to find a source of food. Human skin, though not conven...
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How did scientists determine the precise elemental composition and ratios of elements like hydrogen and silicon within the sun's photosphere using spectroscopy?

Context The original question concerns the method scientists employed to quantify the proportional composition of elements in the sun's photosphere. Spectroscopic analysis reveals the presence of various elements through absorption lines, but the query seeks to understand how these spectral data were translated into precise percentage ratios, such as the photosphere being composed of 73.46% hydrogen and 0.07% silicon. It explores the process by which the relative abundance of each element was derived from spectroscopic observations. Simple Answer Scientists use sunlight and special tools called spectrographs. Spectrographs split sunlight into a rainbow of colors with dark lines. These dark lines show which elements are in the sun's atmosphere. The darkness of each line tells how much of that element is present. Scientists use these line darkness levels to calculate the percentage of each element. Detailed Answer The process of determining the Sun's composition using spectro...
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Ask Anything Wednesday: Physics, Astronomy, Earth, and Planetary Science Questions Answered

Context This is the weekly "Ask Anything Wednesday" thread focusing on Physics, Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science. It's a space to ask any science-related question, even those that might be too speculative or not suitable for a typical /r/AskScience post. Experts will be available to answer and discuss your questions within these topics. Simple Answer This is a weekly event for asking any science questions. It focuses on Physics, Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science this week. Anyone can ask a question, no matter how big or small. Experts in the field will answer the questions. Off-topic questions will be removed to keep things organized. Detailed Answer Ask Anything Wednesday is a recurring feature designed to address the community's curiosity regarding specific scientific disciplines. This particular instance is dedicated to the realms of Physics, Astronomy, Earth science, and Planetary science. The intent is to provide a platform where individuals can freely...
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Does global warming rate depend on greenhouse gas levels or emission rate?

Context This question explores the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration, and the rate of global warming. It investigates whether the rate of temperature increase is directly proportional to the amount of excess greenhouse gases already present in the atmosphere or to the rate at which we are currently emitting these gases. The question also considers the scenario where all industrial emissions are halted, examining whether global warming would cease or continue at a constant rate due to the existing concentration of greenhouse gases. Simple Answer Think of greenhouse gases like a blanket around the Earth; the thicker the blanket, the warmer it gets. N is like the thickness of the blanket (amount of greenhouse gases already there). dN/dt is how fast you're adding more layers to the blanket (how quickly you're releasing more gases). dT/dt is how fast the Earth's temperature is rising (how fast it's getting warmer). Global...
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