Arab News - Saudi Arabia based leading English newspaper in the Middle East. Keep up with the latest breaking news, regional news, politics, and business news.

Indonesia to permanently relocate 10000 people after Ruang volcano eruptions

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - Elevated seismicity continues beneath the upper East Rift Zone, as does the inflation in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu that began on April 27th.

Kīlauea Volcano Update for Friday, May 3

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government will permanently relocate almost 10,000 residents after a series of explosive eruptions of the Ruang volcano has raised concerns about the dangers of residing on the island in future, a minister said on Friday.

Bangkok Post - Volcano to permanently displace 10,000 people

After Indonesia’s Mount Ruang volcano erupted, it triggered volcanic lightning, creating a Mordor-like sky. Andrew Chang explains the science behind the lightning and why the eruption is now also sparking fears of a tsunami.

Indonesia eruption: Why this volcano shoots lightning | About That | CBC.ca

Since midnight of April 27, over 1,600 earthquake events have been recorded on Kīlauea on the Big Island.

Volcano Watch: More than 1,600 earthquakes recorded on Kīlauea since late April | Big Island Now

An official website of the United States government · Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States

May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano | U.S. Geological Survey

The Ruang volcano in Indonesia has erupted again, hurling a column of ash and rock into the sky. Thousands of residents are having to be evacuated to safety. There are also warnings of tsunamis.

Thousands flee volcanic eruption in Indonesia

Renewed eruptions from a remote Indonesian volcano have triggered fresh evacuation orders and sparked flight cancellations and airport closures this week with smoke, lava and volcanic gasses spewing out of the fiery mountain.

Mount Ruang: Indonesia volcano eruptions force thousands to evacuate as airlines cancel flights | CNN

Indonesia volcano eruptions force thousands to evacuate as airlines cancel 
flights

The volcano has casually been emitting gold into the atmosphere for decades, scientists say.

Metallic rain: Volcano spews thousands of dollars worth of gold daily - The Weather Network

Volcaino

volcaino

The wait is over! - it’s time to celebrate the champion startups of the world. Shout out to all of the participants in our ! You did a wonderful job showcasing your incredible startups and powering through another year. 2023 Startups of the Year is a community-driven voting platform brought to you by HackerNoon that recognizes and celebrates tech startups changing technology and the world for the better. The award started on May 8th, 2023, where the internet nominated and voted for 30k startups around the world. The voting period remained open until December 31, 2023, and now we are here with the winner announcement after a comprehensive evaluation by the HackerNoon team. Startups of the Year 2023 To see the top 3 startups in each respective city, visit and pick a city. hackernoon.com/startups You’ll get a little surprise 😉 Here are the Startups of the Year Regional Announcements: North America Europe Asia Africa South America Oceania Misc/Remote From all of us at HackerNoon, thank YOU for your excellent campaign perseverance 🥺 This year has been awesome! Startups of the Year 2023 is concluded with 623k+ total votes, up from 215k+ votes in the inaugural startup competition. We look forward to seeing you again in the next campaign (stay tuned 😉)! Without further ado, let us kick off the announcement by celebrating the cities with top votes per region for 2023 🎉 North America (11,697 votes): Winner: Bloomfilter Cleveland, Ohio (8,835 votes) - Winner: SerpApi Austin, Texas , California (5,564 votes) - Winner: Finch San Francisco (4,258 votes) - Winner: RELAYTO SoMa, California - (3339 votes) Winner: Windscribe Toronto, Canada, North America (3304 votes) - Winner: Vouched Seattle (2716 votes) - Winner: Seccuri Palo Alto, CA, North America (2671 votes) - Winner: Salsa Valley Miami, FL, North America (2,613 votes) - Winner: Majhi Group Manhattan, New York (2423 votes) - Winner: Flieber, Inc. New York City, NY, North America See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, North America, here Europe (45,612 votes) - Winner: Algomo London, UK (2,344votes) - Winner: Data Lake Warsaw, Poland (1,955 votes) - Winner: Hoken Tech Bari, Italy (1716 votes) - Winner: Not8 Amsterdam, Netherlands (1657 votes) - Winner: KYVE Frankfurt Am Main, Germany (1566 votes) - Winner: BazaIT Kyiv, Ukraine (1496 votes) - Winner:  Unity Network Tallinn, Estonia (1,478 votes) - Winner: Volcaino Ghent, Belgium (1,288 votes) - Winner: Owl Me Dublin, Ireland (1198 votes) - Winner: Groover Paris, France See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, Europe, here Oceania (3,350 votes) - Winner: Sharepass Melbourne (2,107 votes) - Winner: The Catfisher Project Perth, Australia (220 votes) - Winner: Gemini AI Solutions Auckland, New Zealand, Oceania (213 votes) - Winner: Nexustorage Wellington, New Zealand, Oceania (138 votes) - Winner: Coviu Sydney (124 votes) - Winner: Bopple Brisbane, Australia, Oceania (124 votes) - Winner: Regional CFO New South Wales, Australia, Oceania (106 votes) - Winner: Edit on the Spot Gold Coast, Australia, Oceania (93 votes) - Winner: Knowledge Satnav Canbera, Australia, Oceania , Australia, Oceania (48 votes) - Winner: Peptalk360 North Melbourne, Melbourne See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, Oceania, here Asia (16,345 votes) - Winner: Serenity Shield Singapore (13,588 votes) - Winners: QUIXY Telangana, India (10,168 votes) - Winner: HealthySure Mumbai, India (3,865 votes) - Winner: InterviewBuddy Visakhapatnam, India (3,733 votes) - Winner: Omniflo Bengaluru, India (4589 votes) - Winner: MeNow Tel Aviv (3877 votes) - Winner: ForestVPN Dubai (2478 votes) - Winner: TechGraph Powai, Mumbai, India (1004 votes) - Winner: Reelo Ahmedabad, GJ, India (875 votes) - Winner: Debt Hunter Hong Kong, China See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, Asia, here Africa (8,179 votes) - Winner: GO PLATFORM Algiers, Algeria (767 votes) - Winner: Tudu Accra, Ghana (415 votes) - Winner: Treford Lagos, Nigeria (265 votes) - Winner: Phalconwise Ogbomosho, Nigeria (157 votes) - Winner: AbuErdan Cairo (151 votes) - Winner: Eazipay Lekki (144 votes) - Winner: KaziConnect Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (101 votes) - Winner: faceATT Gauteng, South Africa (79 votes) - Winner: Dimagi Cape Town (71 votes) - Winner: Sabi Addis Ababa See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, Africa, here South America (376 votes ) - Winner: UpGirl Santiago, Chile (217 votes) - Winner: Klever Sao Paulo, Brazil (191 votes) - Winner: Tributo Simple Buenos Aires, Argentina (127 votes) - Winner: Light-it Montevideo, Uruguay (87 votes) -Winner: Thousand Antioquia, Colombia (108 votes) - Winner: GetLavado Lima (101 votes) - Winner: Cogniflow Medellin (73 votes) - Winner: TPAGA Bogota (73 votes) - Winner: Reliv Quito (47 votes) - WInner: Quantex Cordoba See the complete announcement for the . Startups of the Year, South America, here Misc/Remote: Featured Startups (1500 votes) - Winner: CIC Chain Remote, Earth (1193 votes) - Winner: Reship Colony US Misc (146 Votes) - Winner: Partful UK, Misc (116 votes) - Winner: GoMining British Virgin Islands Misc (283 Votes) - Winner: tomorrowSpace Germany Misc (225 votes) - Winner: Dtravel Cayman Islands See the complete announcement for Misc/Remote startups . here Once again, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS and BIG PROPS to all of the top Startups of each region this year! The whole team at HackerNoon would like to thank you for your perseverance in the campaign, and we look forward to seeing you in the next campaign. About HackerNoon’s Startups Of The Year Startups of The Year is HackerNoon’s Flagship community-driven event celebrating startups that survived and thrived in 2023. 30,000 startups across 4200+ cities and six continents participated this year to be crowned the best startup in their city. Visit our page to learn more. FAQ Companies that blog more get 67% more leads - Jumpstart your company’s blogging journey by purchasing our . Business Blogging Package The 2023 Startups Of The Year is sponsored by: . . The winners get a free .Tech Domain, a HackerNoon NFT, and a Tech Company News Page. TECH Domains

Stand Up for the Champion Startups of the Year! 

বছরের চ্যাম্পিয়ন স্টার্টআপের জন্য দাঁড়ান!

Setzen Sie sich für die Champion-Startups des Jahres ein!

¡Defiende a las startups campeonas del año!

Défendez les startups championnes de l’année !

वर्ष के चैंपियन स्टार्टअप के लिए खड़े रहें!

今年のチャンピオンスタートアップのために立ち上がろう!

올해의 챔피언 스타트업을 위해 일어서세요!

Defenda as startups campeãs do ano!

Встаньте на защиту стартапов-чемпионов года!

Yılın Şampiyon Startup'ları için Ayağa Kalkın!

Hãy ủng hộ các công ty khởi nghiệp vô địch của năm!

为年度冠军初创企业挺身而出！

Startups of The Year 2023 Winners: Europe

The HackerNoon Newsletter: El Salvadors President Teases “Rent Your Own Volcano” Bitcoin Mining Plan (12/18/2024)

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has hinted at a “rent your own volcano” program as a way of harnessing geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining. The revelation came after an X user shared that El Salvador has thus far mined 474 Bitcoin, worth about $46 million (at the time of writing), with the assistance of volcanic geothermal power. Bukele responded to the post, saying: “And with 170 volcanoes … A ‘rent your own volcano to mine Bitcoin’ program might actually make sense.” Data published by Spotonchain shows that the Salvadoran government currently holds over 5,900 Bitcoin, which is worth about $581.399 million at the time of writing. On November 1, this figure was about $410 million. In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. Bitcoin ATMs emerged across the country, and the government announced plans to construct a “Bitcoin City.” The city was to be built at the base of the Conchagua volcano in the south-eastern region of La Unión, which Bukele said would include “Residential areas, commercial areas, services, museums, entertainment, bars, restaurants, airport, port, rail – everything devoted to Bitcoin.” However, the project has faced several delays. Bitcoin has also faced limited popularity in the country, where 26.6% of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2022. In 2023, a survey by El Salvador’s Central American University revealed that 71.1% of Salvadorans felt that Bitcoin had done “nothing” to improve families’ financial situations, while a survey published in October 2024 by the San Salvador-based Francisco Gavidia University found that 92% of Salvadorans do not make transactions with Bitcoin. While some view geothermal energy as a sustainable option for Bitcoin mining, others are more skeptical. Álvaro Trigueros, director of the Department of Economic Studies of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), told Deutsche Welle in 2021: “According to the installed energy capacity in El Salvador, national electricity production is in deficit. 19.9 percent of the energy consumed has to be imported.” He added: “Since the country is not self-sufficient, if Bitcoin were mined in El Salvador, it would cause an excessive increase in electricity demand and the country would be forced to import more.” That same year, Ricardo Navarro, the head of environmental NGO Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) told POLITICO: “I am under the impression that Bukele doesn’t really understand what is going on in the energy situation,” explaining that it was unlikely that Bitcoin miners would be able to fulfill their electricity requirements by depending on volcanoes alone. He added that geothermal Bitcoin mining would “certainly” complicate demand. However, Erick Chacon, the president of the Salvadoran Financial Technology Association (ASAFINTECH) told Latin America Reports that the prospect of a “rent your own volcano” scheme “demonstrates a creative and disruptive vision that has characterized El Salvador as a global leader in the adoption of emerging technologies.” Chacon explained that, while such ideas “may initially seem unusual,” they “generate conversation, attract international attention, and position the country as an attractive space for technological investment.” Chacon added that, before this idea can be realized, “technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies must be conducted” in order to ensure that the country’s resources are used “efficiently, sustainably, and in line with national and international regulations.” ASAFINTECH, according to Chacon, is “convinced that debate and constructive analysis are essential for El Salvador to continue leading the region in financial technology and Bitcoin adoption.” Alastair Caithness, a Bitcoin Mining Consultant and host of the Boom! It’s on the Blockchain podcast, explained to Latin America Reports that El Salvador’s use of geothermal energy to mine Bitcoin offers “both advantages and disadvantages.” Caithness stated that “geothermal energy is considered sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly, producing minimal greenhouse gas emissions,” adding: “Unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy is available around the clock, unaffected by weather and climatic changes.” However, Caithness noted: “The use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is geographically limited to regions with accessible geothermal heat, such as volcanic areas or tectonic plate boundaries,” which “restricts its widespread use.” Additionally, he said that the transportation of geothermal energy to remote mining sites can be costly, “limiting large-scale adoption in areas without geothermal resources.” In spite of these challenges, Caithness believes “the growing demand for energy in crypto mining, data centers, and AI presents a significant opportunity for El Salvador’s geothermal energy,” positioning the country “as a key player in the future of Bitcoin mining and the broader crypto energy landscape.” Farbod Esmaeilion, a senior researcher at the K. N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran and co-author of a feasibility study on the production of Bitcoin with geothermal energy, told Latin America Reports that geothermal energy is the “most sustainable” way of mining Bitcoin. However, he noted that there must be “environmental considerations” before such schemes are undertaken. Among these considerations, according to Esmaeilion, is the possibility of water pollution, which can occur during the construction of geothermal wells. He said that there is a risk that “materials and detrite” enter nearby water sources, including drinking water, which governments must manage before commencing large-scale geothermal Bitcoin mining projects. Another challenge posed by geothermal Bitcoin mining is that of identifying sites where geothermal plants can be constructed. Esmaeilion explained that governments must find the “best and most optimal locations” for these undertakings, making sure that any potential sites are at the necessary temperature for Bitcoin mining. He added: “Half of this story is beneath the ground.” Esmaeilion also said that governments must make “economic considerations,” given that a “high amount of investments” are needed before projects such as Bukele’s “rent your own volcano” scheme can become viable, particularly given that geothermal energy is “much more expensive” than wind or solar alternatives. Although Bukele has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to cryptocurrencies, it remains to be seen exactly how much more money his government is willing and able to invest in geothermal Bitcoin mining. However, this could change if the value of the country’s crypto investments continues to rise as it has done over recent months. Elizabeth Bratton, Reporter, Latin America Reports El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has hinted at a “rent your own volcano” program as a way of harnessing geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining. The revelation came after an X user shared that El Salvador has thus far mined 474 Bitcoin , worth about $46 million (at the time of writing), with the assistance of volcanic geothermal power. Bukele responded to the post, saying : “And with 170 volcanoes … A ‘rent your own volcano to mine Bitcoin’ program might actually make sense.” X shared Bitcoin saying Data published by Spotonchain shows that the Salvadoran government currently holds over 5,900 Bitcoin, which is worth about $581.399 million at the time of writing. On November 1, this figure was about $410 million. Spotonchain In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. Bitcoin ATMs emerged across the country, and the government announced plans to construct a “Bitcoin City.” The city was to be built at the base of the Conchagua volcano in the south-eastern region of La Unión, which Bukele said would include “Residential areas, commercial areas, services, museums, entertainment, bars, restaurants, airport, port, rail – everything devoted to Bitcoin.” However, the project has faced several delays. said project Bitcoin has also faced limited popularity in the country, where 26.6% of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2022. In 2023, a survey by El Salvador’s Central American University revealed that 71.1% of Salvadorans felt that Bitcoin had done “nothing” to improve families’ financial situations, while a survey published in October 2024 by the San Salvador-based Francisco Gavidia University found that 92% of Salvadorans do not make transactions with Bitcoin. 26.6% 71.1% 92% While some view geothermal energy as a sustainable option for Bitcoin mining, others are more skeptical. some view Álvaro Trigueros, director of the Department of Economic Studies of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), told Deutsche Welle in 2021: “According to the installed energy capacity in El Salvador, national electricity production is in deficit. 19.9 percent of the energy consumed has to be imported.” He added: “Since the country is not self-sufficient, if Bitcoin were mined in El Salvador, it would cause an excessive increase in electricity demand and the country would be forced to import more.” Deutsche Welle Deutsche Welle That same year, Ricardo Navarro, the head of environmental NGO Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) told POLITICO : “I am under the impression that Bukele doesn’t really understand what is going on in the energy situation,” explaining that it was unlikely that Bitcoin miners would be able to fulfill their electricity requirements by depending on volcanoes alone. He added that geothermal Bitcoin mining would “certainly” complicate demand. POLITICO POLITICO However, Erick Chacon , the president of the Salvadoran Financial Technology Association ( ASAFINTECH ) told Latin America Reports that the prospect of a “rent your own volcano” scheme “demonstrates a creative and disruptive vision that has characterized El Salvador as a global leader in the adoption of emerging technologies.” Chacon explained that, while such ideas “may initially seem unusual,” they “generate conversation, attract international attention, and position the country as an attractive space for technological investment.” Erick Chacon ASAFINTECH Latin America Reports Chacon added that, before this idea can be realized, “technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies must be conducted” in order to ensure that the country’s resources are used “efficiently, sustainably, and in line with national and international regulations.” ASAFINTECH, according to Chacon, is “convinced that debate and constructive analysis are essential for El Salvador to continue leading the region in financial technology and Bitcoin adoption.” Alastair Caithness , a Bitcoin Mining Consultant and host of the Boom! It’s on the Blockchain podcast, explained to Latin America Reports that El Salvador’s use of geothermal energy to mine Bitcoin offers “both advantages and disadvantages.” Caithness stated that “geothermal energy is considered sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly, producing minimal greenhouse gas emissions,” adding: “Unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy is available around the clock, unaffected by weather and climatic changes.” Alastair Caithness Boom! It’s on the Blockchain Latin America Reports However, Caithness noted: “The use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is geographically limited to regions with accessible geothermal heat, such as volcanic areas or tectonic plate boundaries,” which “restricts its widespread use.” Additionally, he said that the transportation of geothermal energy to remote mining sites can be costly, “limiting large-scale adoption in areas without geothermal resources.” In spite of these challenges, Caithness believes “the growing demand for energy in crypto mining, data centers, and AI presents a significant opportunity for El Salvador’s geothermal energy,” positioning the country “as a key player in the future of Bitcoin mining and the broader crypto energy landscape.” Farbod Esmaeilion , a senior researcher at the K. N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran and co-author of a feasibility study on the production of Bitcoin with geothermal energy, told Latin America Reports that geothermal energy is the “most sustainable” way of mining Bitcoin. Farbod Esmaeilion feasibility study Latin America Reports However, he noted that there must be “environmental considerations” before such schemes are undertaken. Among these considerations, according to Esmaeilion, is the possibility of water pollution, which can occur during the construction of geothermal wells. He said that there is a risk that “materials and detrite” enter nearby water sources, including drinking water, which governments must manage before commencing large-scale geothermal Bitcoin mining projects. Another challenge posed by geothermal Bitcoin mining is that of identifying sites where geothermal plants can be constructed. Esmaeilion explained that governments must find the “best and most optimal locations” for these undertakings, making sure that any potential sites are at the necessary temperature for Bitcoin mining. He added: “Half of this story is beneath the ground.” Esmaeilion also said that governments must make “economic considerations,” given that a “high amount of investments” are needed before projects such as Bukele’s “rent your own volcano” scheme can become viable, particularly given that geothermal energy is “much more expensive” than wind or solar alternatives. Although Bukele has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to cryptocurrencies, it remains to be seen exactly how much more money his government is willing and able to invest in geothermal Bitcoin mining. However, this could change if the value of the country’s crypto investments continues to rise as it has done over recent months. Elizabeth Bratton, Reporter, Latin America Reports Elizabeth Bratton , Reporter, Latin America Reports Elizabeth Bratton

El Salvador's President Teases “Rent Your Own Volcano” Bitcoin Mining Plan

Прэзідэнт Сальвадора дражніць план здабычы біткойнаў «Арэнда ўласнага вулкана».

Ο Πρόεδρος του Ελ Σαλβαδόρ πειράζει το σχέδιο εξόρυξης Bitcoin "Rent Your Own Volcano".

El presidente de El Salvador se burla del plan de minería de bitcoins “Alquile su propio volcán”

Predsjednik El Salvadora zadirkuje plan rudarenja Bitcoina “Iznajmite vlastiti vulkan”.

エルサルバドル大統領が「火山を借りる」ビットコイン採掘計画をほのめかす

Salvadoro prezidentas erzina „Nuomokite savo ugnikalnį“ Bitcoin kasybos planą

Președintele El Salvador tachinează „Închiriați-vă propriul vulcan” planul de minerit Bitcoin

එල් සැල්වදෝරයේ ජනාධිපති "ඔබේම ගිනි කන්දක් කුලියට ගන්න" Bitcoin පතල් සැලැස්ම විහිළු කරයි

Mutungamiri weEl Salvador Anoseka "Rent Your Own Volcano" Bitcoin Mining Plan

Presidente wa El Salvador U hlekula Pulani ya Mugodi wa Bitcoin leyi nge “Rhirela Vholkheno ya Wena”.

ایل سلواڈور کے صدر نے بٹ کوائن مائننگ پلان کو "اپنا خود کا آتش فشاں کرایہ پر لے لیا"

Umongameli wase-El Salvador uhlekisa “Ngerente eyakho iVolcano” isiCwangciso seMigodi yeBitcoin

The Story-book of Science by Jean-Henri Fabre, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . CATANIA CHAPTER XLVI. CATANIA “YESTERDAY,” Uncle Paul resumed, “Jules asked me if the lava-streams could not reach towns situated near volcanoes. The following story will answer his question. It is about an eruption of Mount Etna.” “Etna is that volcano in Sicily where the big chestnut tree of a hundred horses is?” asked Claire. “Yes. I must tell you that two hundred years ago there occurred in Sicily one of the most terrible eruptions on record. During the night, after a furious storm, the earth began to tremble so violently that a great many houses fell. Trees swayed like reeds shaken by the wind; people, fleeing distracted into the country to avoid being crushed under the ruins of their buildings, lost their footing on the quaking ground, stumbled, and fell. At that moment Etna burst in a fissure four leagues long, and along this fissure rose a number of volcanic mouths, vomiting, amid the crash of frightful detonations, clouds of black smoke and calcined sand. Soon seven of these mouths united in an abyss that for four months did not cease thundering, glowing, and throwing up cinders and lava. The crater of Etna, at first quite at rest, as if its furnaces had no connection with the new volcanic mouths, woke up a few days after and threw to a prodigious height a column of flames and smoke; then the whole mountain shook, and all the crests that dominated its crater fell into the depths of the volcano. The next day four mountaineers dared to climb to the top of Etna. They found the crater very much enlarged by the falling-in of the day before: its orifice, which before had measured one league, now measured two. “In the meantime, torrents of lava were pouring from all the crevasses of the mountain down upon the plain, destroying houses, forests, and crops. Some leagues from the volcano, on the seacoast, lies Catania, a large town surrounded then by strong walls. Already the liquid fire had devoured several villages, when the stream reached the walls of Catania and spread over the country. There, as if to show its strength to the terrified Catanians, it tore a hill away and transported it some distance; it lifted in one mass a field planted with vines and let it float for some time, until the green was reduced to charcoal and disappeared. Finally, the fiery stream reached a wide and deep valley. The Catanians believed themselves saved: no doubt the volcano would exhaust its strength by the time it covered the vast basin which the lava had just entered. But what an error of judgment! In the short space of six hours, the valley was filled, and the lava, overflowing, advanced straight toward the town in a stream half a league wide and ten meters high. It would have been all over with Catania if, by the luckiest chance, another current, whose direction crossed the first, had not come and struck against the fiery flood and turned it from its course. The stream, thus turned, coasted the ramparts of the town within pistol-shot, and turned toward the sea.” “I was very much afraid for those poor Catanians,” interposed Emile, “when you spoke of that wall of fire, high as a house, going straight toward the town.” “All is not over yet,” his uncle proceeded. “The stream, I told you, was going toward the sea. There was, then, a formidable battle between the water and the fire. The lava presented a perpendicular front of 1500 meters in extent and a dozen meters high. At the touch of that burning wall, which continued plunging further and further into the waves, enormous masses of vapor rose with horrible hissings, darkened the sky with their thick clouds, and fell in a salt rain over all the region. In a few days the lava had made the limits of the shore recede three hundred meters. “In spite of that, Catania was still menaced. The stream, swollen with new tributaries, grew from day to day and approached the town. From the top of the walls the inhabitants followed with terror the implacable progress of the scourge. The lava finally reached the ramparts. The fiery flood rose slowly, but it rose ceaselessly; from hour to hour it was found to have risen a little higher. It touched the top of the walls, whereupon, yielding to the pressure, they were overthrown for the length of forty meters, and the stream of fire penetrated the town.” “My goodness!” cried Claire. “Those poor people are lost?” “No, not the people, for lava runs very slowly, on account of its sticky nature, and one can be warned in time; it was the town itself that ran the greatest risk. The quarters invaded by the lava were the highest; from there the current could spread everywhere. So Catania seemed destined to total destruction, when it was saved by the courage of some men who attempted to battle with the volcano. They bethought themselves to construct stone walls, which, placed across the route of the on-coming stream, would change its direction. This device partly succeeded, but the following was the most efficacious. Lava streams envelop themselves in a kind of solid sheath, embank themselves in a canal formed of blocks coagulated and welded together. Under this covering the melted matter preserves its fluidity and continues its ravaging course. They thought, then, that by breaking these natural dikes at a well-chosen spot, they would open to the lava a new route across country and would thus turn it from the town. Followed by a hundred alert and vigorous men, they attacked the stream, not far from the volcano, with blows of iron bars. The heat was so great that each worker could strike only two or three blows in succession, after which he withdrew to recover his breath. However, they managed to make a breach in the solid sheath, when, as they had foreseen, the lava flowed through this opening. Catania was saved, not without great loss, for already the lava flood had consumed, within the town walls, three hundred houses and some palaces and churches. Outside of Catania, this eruption, so sadly celebrated, covered from five to six square leagues with a bed of lava in some places thirteen meters thick, and destroyed the homes of twenty-seven thousand persons.” “Without those brave men who did not hesitate, at the risk of being burnt alive, to go and open a new passage for the stream of fire, Catania would certainly have been lost,” remarked Jules. “Catania would have been all burnt down, there is no doubt. To-day its calcined ruins would be buried under a bed of cold lava, and there would be nothing left but the name of the large town that had disappeared. Three or four stout-hearted men revive the courage of the terrified population; they hope that heaven will aid them in their devotion, and, ready to sacrifice their lives, they prevent the frightful disaster. Ah! may God give you grace, my dear child, to imitate them in the time of danger; for, you see, if man is great through his intelligence, he is still greater through his heart. In my old age, when I hear you spoken of, I shall be more gladdened by the good you may have done than by the knowledge you may have acquired. Knowledge, my little friend, is only a better means of aiding others. Remember that well, and when you are a man bear yourself in danger as did those of Catania. I ask it of you in return for my love and my stories.” Jules furtively wiped away a tear. His uncle perceived that he had sown his word in good ground. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jean-Henri Fabre (2018). The Story-book of Science. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/56795/pg56795-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html.

Etna is that volcano in Sicily

The Story-book of Science by Jean-Henri Fabre, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . VOLCANOES CHAPTER XLV. VOLCANOES “IT is not late yet, Uncle,” said Jules; “you ought to tell us about those terrible mountains, those volcanoes that the showers of ashes come from.” At the word “volcano,” Emile, who was already asleep, rubbed his eyes and became all attention. He too wanted to hear the great story. As usual, their uncle yielded to their entreaties. “A volcano is a mountain that throws up smoke, calcined dust, red-hot stones, and melted matter called lava. The summit is hollowed out in a great excavation having the shape of a funnel, sometimes several leagues in circumference. That is what we call the crater. The bottom of the crater communicates with a tortuous conduit or chimney too deep to estimate. The principal volcanoes of Europe are: Vesuvius, near Naples; Etna in Sicily; Hecla in Iceland. Most of the time a volcano is either in repose or throwing up a simple plume of smoke; but from time to time, with intervals that may be very long, the mountain grumbles, trembles, and vomits torrents of fiery substances. It is then said to be in eruption. To give you a general idea of the most remarkable phenomena attending volcanic eruption, I will choose Vesuvius, the best known of the European volcanoes. “An eruption is generally announced beforehand by a column of smoke that fills the orifice of the crater and rises vertically, when the air is calm, to nearly a mile in height. At this elevation it spreads out in a sort of blanket that intercepts the sun’s rays. Some days before the eruption the column of smoke sinks down on the volcano, covering it with a big black cloud. Then the earth begins to tremble around Vesuvius; rumbling detonations under the ground are heard, louder and louder each moment, soon exceeding in intensity the most violent claps of thunder. You would think you heard the cannonades of a numerous artillery detonating ceaselessly in the mountain’s sides. “All at once a sheaf of fire bursts from the crater to the height of 2000 or 3000 meters. The cloud that is floating over the volcano is illumined by the redness of the fire; the sky seems inflamed. Millions of sparks dart out like lightning to the top of the blazing sheaf, describe great arcs, leaving on their way dazzling trails, and fall in a shower of fire on the slopes of the volcano. These sparks, so small from a distance, are incandescent masses of stone, sometimes several meters in dimension, and of a sufficient momentum to crush the most solid buildings in their fall. What hand-made machine could throw such masses of rock to such heights? What all our efforts united could not do even once, the volcano does over and over again, as if in play. For whole weeks and months these red blocks are thrown up by Vesuvius, in numbers like the sparks of a display of fireworks.” “It is both terrible and beautiful,” said Jules. “Oh! how I should like to see an eruption, but far off, of course.” “And the people who are on the mountain?” questioned Emile. “They are careful not to go on the mountain at that time; they might lose their lives, suffocated by the smoke or crushed by the shower of red-hot stones. “Meantime, from the depths of the mountain, through the volcanic chimney, ascends a flux of melted mineral substance, or lava, which pours out into the crater and forms a lake of fire as dazzling as the sun. Spectators who, from the plain, anxiously follow the progress of the eruption, are warned of the coming of the lava-flood by the brilliant illumination it throws on the volumes of smoke floating in the upper air. But the crater is full; then the ground suddenly shakes, bursts open with a noise of thunder, and through the crevasses as well as over the edges of the crater the lava flows in streams. The fiery current, formed of dazzling and paste-like matter similar to melted metal, advances slowly; the front of the lava-stream resembles a moving rampart on fire. One can flee before it, but everything stationary is lost. Trees blaze a moment on contact with the lava and sink down, reduced to charcoal; the thickest walls are calcined and fall over; the hardest rocks are vitrified, melted. “The flow of lava comes to an end, sooner or later. Then subterranean vapors, freed from the enormous pressure of the fluid mass, escape with more violence than ever, carrying with them whirlwinds of fine dust that floats in sinister clouds and sinks down on the neighboring plain, or is even carried by the winds to a distance of hundreds of leagues. Finally, the terrible mountain calms down, and peace is restored for an indefinite time.” “If there are towns near the volcanoes, cannot those streams of fire reach them? Cannot those clouds of ashes bury them?” asked Jules. “Unfortunately all that is possible and has happened. I will tell you about it to-morrow, for it is time to go to bed now.” About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jean-Henri Fabre (2018). The Story-book of Science. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/56795/pg56795-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html.

At the word “volcano,”

EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES

In recent years, as the meteoric growth of decentralization continues, one topic won't go away: the environmental cost of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies. Depending on which estimate you believe, the global energy required for mining Bitcoin is between 67 and 121 terawatt-hours a year. For example, the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance (CCAF) estimates that around 110 terawatt-hours per year. Bitcoin consumes That is about half of what all data centers - which help power the internet, cloud computing, and the other 4,500+ cryptocurrencies (plus the entire financial sector) - consume. By comparison, that's around the same amount of energy used by Sweden. However, one of the reasons for the high energy cost of Bitcoin and friends is not due to the blockchain at all. Simply put, if we produced sustainable energy in the first place, energy use wouldn't be such a big deal. "About 80% of the hash rate - the combined computing power for mining and processing Bitcoins - is provided in Asian countries," Olga Vorobyeva (Olga Vox), Founder at Vox Consulting, told me. "And none of those countries generates more than 25% of their electricity from renewable sources. Another 15% of the computing power comes from the US and Russia, and neither of those can claim to be bastions of green energy production." Don't despair just yet. Whether solutions have been created as a result of external pressure, internal reflection, or even as a political experiment, there are a significant number of people working to redress the balance. Some approach the problem through changes in how crypto transactions are mined, and others focus on the energy source that powers that process. Recently, the president of El Salvador - Nayib Bukele - proclaimed that the country had mined 0.00599179 bitcoin (approximately $350 at the time of writing) using power harnessed from a volcano. And the president seems to be going all-in on a massive Bitcoin experiment. Along with the tweet that proudly announced the results of its early experiments in sustainable mining, the president showing government-branded containers full of mining rigs and the geothermal energy production that powers them. posted a teaser video "Using volcanos to mine Bitcoin isn't new," Vorobyeva said. "The second biggest mining farm globally that we know of is in Reykjavik, Iceland. It uses an estimated 90% of the country's geothermal energy production, and almost all of the energy generated in Iceland is renewable. It stands as a great example to all and a pioneer in Bitcoin mining." Energy sources aren't the only way to reduce the footprint associated with Bitcoin. Bitcoin relies on a highly wasteful proof of work algorithm. And while everyone loves to cheer a new price milestone for BTC, any increase in Bitcoin's price results in more significant mining activity, which leads to higher electricity consumption. "There are more efficient ways to maintain the integrity of a cryptocurrency, and not just in terms of energy consumption," Vorobyeva said. "The current alternatives improve transaction speeds, which helps to improve the usability and capability of those cryptocurrencies that avoid proof of work systems." Proof of stake is an alternative to proof of work, and a pioneer in the peer-reviewed blockchain landscape - Cardano - demonstrates just how efficient this method can be. The founder of Cardano claims that the cryptocurrency network only 6 GWh of power. consumes "I've also been impressed with Hedera Hashgraph, which passed the number of completed Ethereum transactions in May this year, making it one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency networks," Vorobyeva said. "In theory, Hedera Hashgraph can process more than 100,000 transactions per second, which would allow it to easily rival Visa, Mastercard, and other mainstream payment systems." Another approach is seen in the Nano cryptocurrency. Nano uses block-lattice technology. It still relies on a proof of work mechanism, but block-lattice creates an account chain for each user. Account-holders vote for a chosen representative, who then work to confirm blocks of transactions securely. User accounts can be updated asynchronously rather than involving an entire linear blockchain, as with Bitcoin. But, despite all of this, there is one fundamental thing to consider when it comes to the energy used to power the world's blockchain projects; the perception of energy against value. "Ultimately, it is up to the blockchain community to produce valuable products and services that improve our lives," Vorobyeva said. "If the industry's perception is that it is full of scammers, Ponzi schemes, and crooks, then the cost of any blockchain project will be seen as 'too high.' The more value we create for humanity, the more the cost of providing that value will be seen as worthwhile. Of course, that doesn't mean the industry should forget about its responsibilities. Still, with so many advancements in improving the wasteful proof of work method Bitcoin uses, I'm confident the future of cryptocurrencies is a green one."

Volcanos and New Proof Methods are great, but Bitcoin's Energy Problem Falls on the Community

ByteDance Bets Big: A Strategic Exit From The Social Media Circus With AI Video?

ባይት ዳንስ ትልቅ፡ ከማህበራዊ ሚዲያ ሰርከስ በ AI ቪዲዮ ስልታዊ መውጣት?

ByteDance залага много: Стратегическо излизане от цирка на социалните медии с AI Video?

ByteDance se kladi na veliko: Strateški izlaz iz cirkusa društvenih medija sa AI videom?

ByteDance apuesta a lo grande: ¿una salida estratégica del circo de las redes sociales con vídeos de inteligencia artificial?

ByteDance mise gros : une sortie stratégique du cirque des médias sociaux avec la vidéo IA ?

ByteDance הימר בגדול: יציאה אסטרטגית מקרקס המדיה החברתית עם וידאו בינה מלאכותית?

ByteDance が大きな賭けに出る: AI ビデオでソーシャル メディア サーカスから戦略的に撤退か?

ByteDance Bets Big: Jalan Keluar Strategik Dari Circus Media Sosial Dengan Video AI?

ByteDance zet hoog in: een strategische uitweg uit het sociale mediacircus met AI-video?

ByteDance Hatun Apuestas: ¿Huk Estratégico Lluqsiy Circo de Medios Socialesmanta AI Videowan?

ByteDance katta tikish: AI video bilan ijtimoiy media sirkidan strategik chiqishmi?

I-ByteDance Ukubheja Okukhulu: Ukuphuma Okuyisu Kusuka Kusekisini Yezokuxhumana Ngevidiyo ye-AI?

Bitcoinized Fossil Fuel

Биткоинизированное выкапнёвае паліва

Combustible fósil bitcoinizado

Combustible fossile bitcoinisé

דלק מאובן שעבר ביטקוין

ビットコイン化された化石燃料

Bahan Api Fosil Bitcoin

Ibicanwa bya Bitcoin

பிட்காயின் செய்யப்பட்ட புதைபடிவ எரிபொருள்

Сӯзишвории истихроҷи биткоинизатсияшуда

เชื้อเพลิงฟอสซิล Bitcoin

I-Bitcoinized Fossil Fuel

Stories, News & Mentions about VOLCAINO

Volcaino’s Stories on HackerNoon

Volcaino's News & Mentions