Mysterious Earthquake Lights: Unraveling the Enigma

This story was featured in CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Sign up for free here to receive it directly in your inbox.

In 1999, while residing in Taipei, Taiwan, I personally experienced the extraordinary power released by an earthquake.

The island was struck by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude shortly after I relocated there. I recall my recently bought mirror falling off the wall, though thankfully it remained intact, before I quickly joined my neighbors who had gathered on the street. Although we were located far from the epicenter and escaped unharmed, this incident left me with a profound sense of humility in the face of nature's immense force.

It was a feeling I was reminded of again this week when writing about a mysterious seismic phenomenon witnessed during Moroccos recent devastating earthquake.

Force of nature

The phenomenon of multicolor "earthquake lights" has been reported for centuries, tracing back to ancient Greece. However, it is only in recent times, with the availability of smartphone video and security camera footage, that scientists have been able to conduct more extensive studies on this phenomenon. An example of such footage was captured during a quake in Mexico City in 2017, as shown above.

Researchers are gaining insights into the various manifestations and potential locations of these lights. In a 2014 study, it was discovered that these enigmatic lights could be a consequence of specific rocks experiencing pressure. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of agreement regarding the precise factors triggering these occurrences. Nonetheless, a group of geophysicists views this phenomenon as a potential component of an earthquake early warning system.

Other worlds

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered exciting — if tentative — evidence that a planet in its host stars habitable zone could support water.

The distant exoplanet K2-18b, orbiting a cool dwarf star 120 light-years away from Earth, is approximately 8.6 times more massive than our planet. The analysis of observations from the Webb telescope reveals the presence of abundant methane and carbon dioxide within its atmosphere.

The presence of these carbon-containing compounds, combined with a lack of ammonia, may suggest the presence of a hydrogen-rich atmosphere enveloping a world covered in an ocean. Additionally, the data provides indications of a unique molecule that, on Earth, is exclusively generated by living organisms, as stated by NASA.

Meanwhile, scientists have disclosed that tremors on the moon's surface are being caused by an abandoned lunar lander module from the Apollo mission.

Look up

The first class of women astronauts selected by NASA is shown in 1978 ahead of training: (from left) Rhea Seddon, Anna Fisher, Judy Resnik, Shannon Lucid, Sally Ride and Kathy Sullivan.

NASA

In the 1970s, a NASA report highlighted the limited diversity among astronauts, humorlessly mentioning the inclusion of two spiders named Arabella and Anita along with Miss Baker, a monkey, as the only females to have been sent into space.

However, in 1983, Sally Ride shattered this pattern and entered the annals of history as the first American woman to journey into space. She accomplished this feat by successfully completing a six-day mission aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

However, Ride was not the sole female astronaut considered for this noteworthy achievement. A recently published book recounts the experiences of the six women who were part of the inaugural mixed-gender astronaut group, highlighting the discrimination they encountered while competing for the opportunity to join that groundbreaking space mission.

Over 150 individuals with indigestion, scientifically known as dyspepsia, participated in a study conducted by researchers in Thailand. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of omeprazole, a medication, with turmeric, a spice containing curcumin, in treating indigestion. Furthermore, some participants were given a combination of both treatments.

The results of the study showed that there were no notable differences in symptoms experienced by the various groups over a period of up to 56 days when using different treatments. However, a doctor who was not part of the research advised that additional investigation is necessary and individuals should consult their physicians prior to discontinuing their medications.

A close-up captures a red fire ant, an invasive species that has spread around the world.

According to a report supported by the United Nations, the presence of water hyacinths in Africa, brown tree snakes on Guam, and zebra mussels in North America contribute to a costly global problem amounting to $423 billion annually.

The red fire ant, one of the world's most widespread invasive species, has been discovered in Europe for the first time.

"Finding this species in Italy was a big surprise, but we knew this day would come," said Mattia Menchetti, a researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Spain.

Curiosities

Take in these remarkable stories.

— US astronaut Frank Rubio is on the cusp of becoming the first American to spend more than one calendar year in microgravity.

- A recent analysis reveals that human actions have pushed Earth into the perilous territory across various critical planetary health indicators, although the validity of the model is challenged by certain experts.

- Mosquitoes, known as the world's deadliest creatures due to their role in spreading numerous diseases, pose a question: Is it possible to eradicate them entirely?

An ethereal sight of a nautilus drifting on a fragment of wreckage has earned a place as one of the victorious photographs in the Ocean Photographer of the Year contest. Curious for more? Register here to obtain the forthcoming edition of Wonder Theory directly in your inbox. Brought to you by CNN Space and Science journalists Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt, this newsletter delves into the marvels of planets situated outside our solar system and breakthroughs from the distant past.