Experts at the United States Geological Survey expect that about 75 percent of the United States territory will be exposed to devastating earthquakes.
Earthquake Spectra reports that researchers used an updated version of the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) to create a map of places where large earthquakes are likely to occur. Researchers have discovered about 500 new faults that could lead to dangerous seismic activity.
There is a high risk of devastating aftershocks along the central and northeastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, including the cities of Washington, New York, and Boston. There is also the possibility of stronger tremors in seismically active areas in California and Alaska. The new model considers Hawaii an area with high potential for seismic activity due to recent volcanic eruptions.
Researchers point out that during the past 200 years, earthquakes measuring 5.0 have occurred in 37 US states, which confirms the long history of seismic activity throughout the United States.
Japan Scientists document a “conversation” between plants
Using a fluorescent microscope, molecular biologists from Japan's Saitama University were able to document plants releasing volatile organic compounds for protection and communication.
In the experiment, the researchers used plants of the mouse-ear cress, or Arabidopsis thaliana, which they "colored" slightly so they could see the signals. Then they placed them close together, and then deliberately damaged some of them, for example, by placing dangerous caterpillars on their leaves.
It became clear to the researchers from this process that the affected plants began to actively release volatile substances and their neighbors interacted with them, that is, a kind of “conversation” took place between them.
The ScienceAlert website describing the experiment notes that “healthy plants understood well the messages of their affected neighbors, and responded with bursts of calcium signals.”