1993 08 00 OMNI - Earthquakes

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: August 1993
Cover Headline: SHOCKER! SCIENCE SOLVES PAST MURDERS

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated August 1993, presents a diverse range of articles covering scientific mysteries, technological advancements, and health topics. The cover prominently features a dramatic headline about science solving past murders, alongside other compelling topics such as becoming an astronomer, a sky watcher's guide, new technology meeting ancient cultures, wild gadgets, and the progress in the war on cancer.

What Do Earthquakes and UFOs Have in Common?

This section explores the hypothesis that many UFO sightings might be explained by 'earthquake lights.' John Derr, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey, and Michael Pensinger, a professor at Laurentian University, analyzed a database of UFO sightings and correlated them with seismic activity. They found patterns suggesting that phenomena glimpsed in UFO reports could be balls of electricity related to earthquakes. These 'earthquake lights' are described as basketball-sized globes of glowing electricity generated by geological stress or changes in ground-water flow. Derr's statistics indicate that eighty percent of such sightings might be geophysical in origin. The article cites examples from New Mexico in 1951-1952, where UFO sightings occurred near epicenters of earthquakes. While some scientists, like seismologist Jim Mori, acknowledge anecdotal information, they emphasize the need for documentation. The piece also notes that during the June 1992 Los Angeles earthquakes, arcing of electrical transformers was observed, and that in the 1989 San Francisco quake, electromagnetic waves were recorded minutes before the event, suggesting a potential link.

Fanning the Flames in Space

This article addresses the critical issue of fire safety for crews living in spacecraft, particularly concerning the planned Space Station Freedom. NASA researchers are investigating how fire behaves in space. Experiments conducted on Skylab in 1974 showed that fires in orbit spread much slower than on Earth because the lack of gravity prevents hot gases from rising and drawing in fresh oxygen. However, new drop-tower research at NASA Lewis Research Center suggests that even a slight air current, similar to what Freedom's ventilation system might generate, can cause flames to spread as rapidly in space as they do on Earth. This finding surprised researchers, including NASA aerospace engineer Robert Friedman, and highlights the need for further experimentation. The research could influence the design of Freedom, including the carbon-dioxide fire-extinguishing system, as the initial rush of air from discharge pipes might briefly accelerate a blaze due to air velocity's strong influence in low gravity.

Other Articles and Features

While the full content of other articles is not detailed in the provided text, the cover headlines indicate coverage on:

• How to Become an Astronomer! Plus Sky Watcher's Guide: Suggests a guide for aspiring astronomers and celestial observation.
• New Technology Meets Ancient Cultures: Implies a discussion on how modern innovations intersect with or are informed by ancient traditions.
• Gizmos! Wild Gadgets You Gotta Have! A feature likely showcasing innovative and unusual technological gadgets.
• War on Cancer: Is Victory Near? An article likely discussing recent advancements and prospects in cancer research and treatment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue appear to be the intersection of science with unexplained phenomena (UFOs, past murders), the practical challenges and advancements in space exploration (fire safety, astronomy), the impact of technology on society and history, and significant health issues (war on cancer). The editorial stance seems to favor a scientific and investigative approach to understanding mysteries, while also highlighting technological progress and important societal concerns.