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In the land of death, scientists witness the birth of a new ocean
2006 11 04
In Ethiopia's arid Afar region eruptions and earthquakes have created an open-air laboratory.
The nomads were terrified.
For a week the ground had shuddered violently. Cracks opened up in the soil swallowing goats and camels.
Sulphur-laced smoke rose out of the dark slits. After retreating to the hills, the nomads saw chunks of obsidian rock burst through the Earth's crust "like huge black birds" and fly 30 metres into the air. A mushroom cloud of ash dimmed the sun for three days.
At night the new crater breathed flashes of fire. Read more
Posted: 2:40:05 PM
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