The breathtaking northern lights dazzled in the night skies of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia as social media platforms were flooded with mesmerising images.

The breathtaking northern lights dazzled in the night skies of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia as social media platforms were flooded with mesmerising images. A “strong geomagnetic storm watch" was earlier issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for July 29-31. Meanwhile, Australia also witnessed a dazzling display of southern lights in the skies after the powerful geomagnetic storm and more spectacular auroras are expected tonight. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology stated that geomagnetic activity can lead to the sparkling of auroras in the skies of Australia's southern states from July 29 to 31. Also Read: Earth witnessed never-ever-seen 'polar rain' aurora. Here's how this eerie glow was formed “Several coronal mass ejections may impact Earth within the next 24 hours, possibly causing G1 and G2 geomagnetic storming with a slight chance for G3,” stated the agency. “If geomagnetic activity does eventuate, aurora may be visible during local nighttime hours in Tasmania and southern Victoria on July 31," it added. The NOAA said that solar activity peaked on Tuesday (Jul 30) as the Sun released solar flares and coronal mass ejections which hit the Earth and caused the auroras. Because of this, the auroras were visible as far south as Oregon and Illinois in the United States and also created aurora australis in the southern hemisphere. Here's how netizens reacted to the auroras Australian Minister Julie Collins posted a picture of the glowing aurora on X. “Even the aurora australis last night turned out in green and gold for our Olympians!” wrote Collins. Auroras were also seen in the skies of Australia on August 1, said the bureau, but at a “reduced probability”. “Amazing! #Aurora has dropped as far south as Wyoming, USA during this ongoing #solarstorm! This is an auspicious start to the multiple storm train we are expecting over the next few days," said a Space Weather Physicist. Watch: Stuck in space for 52 days, no way home for astronauts; Helium leaks delaying return “Absolutely beautiful," one user wrote. “Wow!! Where in Colorado are you? We’re in Boulder hoping to see them," another user said. “Starting to show here in NorCal too! Mid-lats woohoooo," a user wrote. “Caught this over Lake Ontario in Baker NY with an iPhone 14 Pro, 30sec exposure and a tripod," another user said. Check out the mesmerising aurora borealis which sparkled in the skies Even the Aurora Australis last night turned out in Green and Gold for our Olympians! Can anyone guess where in Franklin this photo was taken? pic.twitter.com/RemU2DUS37 — Julie Collins (@JulieCollinsMP) July 30, 2024 × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gill Dayton/Tasmania/Australia (@tassieapplespice) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Eastwell (@michaeleastwell) × Last night in Northern Cali!! We got freakin Aurora! 🤩🤯 pic.twitter.com/eDo5REEC61 — KRL (@KennethLerose) July 31, 2024 × #Colorado Checking in!!#aurora #auroraborealis #COWX @TamithaSkov @SNHWx @AuroraNotify @TweetAurora pic.twitter.com/NVJe18Bk8w — Sarah Marie (@sarahmarie787) July 30, 2024 × Again 😍😍#Aurora #AuroraAsutralisTasmania pic.twitter.com/uTQ7HM3pRk — cocomo (@SultanM45488238) July 30, 2024 × Quebec getting a good #Aurora show tonight so far - images from the live cam! #northernlights #auroraborealis @TamithaSkov pic.twitter.com/Z6702O9wDc — Steve Luther Night Sky Chaser 📸🌌🌅🌄🌈🪐 (@skyvistaphoto) July 30, 2024 × July 30th - Another set of Aurora Shots from Last nights beautiful G1 KP5 show shortly after midnight in Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Bit of the glow from the minesite behind the hills showing up. #nlwx #nlastro #northernlights #Auroraborealis #aurora… pic.twitter.com/x0HfCyv1Id — Keith Fitzpatrick 📷 (@KeithFitz81) July 30, 2024 × (With inputs from agencies)

Auroras dazzle skies of Australia, US and the UK after powerful solar storms slam Earth

About 74,000 years back, supervolcano Mount Toba in Sumatra erupted, belching out one of the mightiest volcanic eruptions in Earth's history. This explosion potentially shook up the climate worldwide.

About 74,000 years back, supervolcano Mount Toba in Sumatra erupted, belching out one of the mightiest volcanic eruptions in Earth's history. This explosion potentially shook up the climate worldwide. The eruption, according to some scientists was big enough to wipe out most early humans. Contrary to fears of widespread extinction, a recent study suggests early humans might have weathered the storm. An archaeological dig in northwest Ethiopia revealed surprising insights. According to the new research published in the scientific journal Nature, humans were present in that location dubbed as Shinfa-Metema 1. Researchers recovered microscopic fragments of volcanic glass, animal remains, and human-made tools from the site. John Kappelman, lead author of the study, told CNN, “These fragments are less than the diameter of a human hair. Even as tiny as (that) they are still big enough to analyze the chemistry and the trace elements.” How did humans survive the Mount Toba eruptions? Adapting to adversity: At the Shinfa-Metema 1 site, humans showed remarkable resilience, continuing life despite the eruption's aftermath. They adapted to the drier conditions by altering their diets and exploiting local resources. Clever diet shift: Instead of relying solely on land animals for food, humans turned to fish. As the landscape changed, shallow waterholes formed, making fish easier to catch. This flexibility in diet proved crucial for survival. Migration insights: The study challenges traditional theories of human migration out of Africa. Instead of waiting for hospitable "green corridors," humans might have followed "blue highways," navigating seasonal rivers to new territories. Advanced technology: Excavations uncovered evidence of advanced tools, including stone points believed to be arrowheads. This suggests early humans were adept hunters, capable of innovation even in challenging environments. Debates and discoveries related to the Toba eruption While the study offers compelling evidence, experts continue to debate the exact impact of the Toba eruption. Nonetheless, it sheds light on the resourcefulness of early human populations in the face of adversity. Implications for understanding human history By understanding how our ancestors survived cataclysmic events, we gain valuable insights into the evolution and migration of our species, Homo sapiens.

A volcano eruption 74,000 years ago could have wiped out humans, here’s how some survived

The planet Earth is still full of mysteries. The more we deep dive into its formation and composition, the more we are left spellbound and shocked. One such shocking episode in the history of Earth is of the Carnian pluvial period, in which, it is believed that our planet received continuous rain for millions of years.&nbsp;

The non-stop downpour of years always intrigued researchers. This period helped sprout life on Blue Planet, and&nbsp;now the scientists think they know why and how.&nbsp;

<h2>When it rained on Earth for millions of years...</h2>

During the time of Pangea, which was approximately 200-300 million years ago, the Earth was a big supercontinent made up of the entire world’s land mass. Our planet was a completely different place back then.&nbsp;

Scientists believe, during that time, there was a period where it rained for about one to two million years. In the 1970s and 80s, geologists discovered unusual layers deposited in some of the ancient rocks that dated some 232-4 million years back.

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One team of researchers in the eastern Alps studied a layer of siliclastic sedimentation deposited within carbonate formations, while another team in the UK analysed a layer of grey rock embedded within the renowned red stone characteristic of the region.

These two findings, along with other studies from different parts of the world, pointed to a similar conclusion - at one point, the Earth had quite a long dry spell and then it began to rain.

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Geologists were able to conclude that at the beginning of the age of the dinosaurs, there was an unusually wet period. This period has come to be known as the Carnian pluvial event, or Carnian pluvial episode.&nbsp;

This fascinating event in the geological history of the Earth called for a greater understanding of why it started to rain for so long.

<h2>Massive volcanic eruption&nbsp;triggered rains for a prolonged period</h2>

Scientists now believe that the increase in humidity is attributed to a significant surge in moisture levels, possibly triggered by a massive volcanic eruption in the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province. Due to this, it rained for millions of years.&nbsp;

This event likely led to a rise in global temperatures, subsequently warming the oceans and increasing atmospheric moisture content.

A study published in the Journal of the Geological Society suggested that the wet period was advantageous for dinosaurs. This period of increased moisture allowed them to diversify, following a tumultuous era marked by frequent volcanic eruptions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-every-step-counts-study-finds-walking-over-2200-steps-a-day-reduces-risk-of-disease-early-death-697420">Every step counts! Study finds walking over 2,200 steps a day reduces risk of disease, early death</a>

The researchers wrote - “In the wake of wide extinctions of plants and key herbivores on land, the dinosaurs were seemingly the main beneficiaries in the time of recovery.”

"It may have been one of the most important [rapid events] in the history of life in terms of its role in allowing not only the ‘age of dinosaurs’ but also the origins of most key clades that form the modern fauna of terrestrial tetrapods, namely the turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals."

(With inputs from agencies)

The planet Earth is still full of mysteries. The more we deep dive into its formation and composition, the more we are left spellbound and shocked. One such shocking episode in the history of Earth is of the Carnian pluvial period, in which, it is believed that our planet received continuous rain for millions of years.

The planet Earth is still full of mysteries. The more we deep dive into its formation and composition, the more we are left spellbound and shocked. One such shocking episode in the history of Earth is of the Carnian pluvial period, in which, it is believed that our planet received continuous rain for millions of years. The non-stop downpour of years always intrigued researchers. This period helped sprout life on Blue Planet, and now the scientists think they know why and how. When it rained on Earth for millions of years... During the time of Pangea, which was approximately 200-300 million years ago, the Earth was a big supercontinent made up of the entire world’s land mass. Our planet was a completely different place back then. Scientists believe, during that time, there was a period where it rained for about one to two million years. In the 1970s and 80s, geologists discovered unusual layers deposited in some of the ancient rocks that dated some 232-4 million years back. Also Read | Russia, China plan to build joint nuclear power plant on moon by 2035 One team of researchers in the eastern Alps studied a layer of siliclastic sedimentation deposited within carbonate formations, while another team in the UK analysed a layer of grey rock embedded within the renowned red stone characteristic of the region. These two findings, along with other studies from different parts of the world, pointed to a similar conclusion - at one point, the Earth had quite a long dry spell and then it began to rain. Also Read | Arctic Ocean could experience ‘ice-free’ summer days within the next decade, says study Geologists were able to conclude that at the beginning of the age of the dinosaurs, there was an unusually wet period. This period has come to be known as the Carnian pluvial event, or Carnian pluvial episode. This fascinating event in the geological history of the Earth called for a greater understanding of why it started to rain for so long. Massive volcanic eruption triggered rains for a prolonged period Scientists now believe that the increase in humidity is attributed to a significant surge in moisture levels, possibly triggered by a massive volcanic eruption in the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province. Due to this, it rained for millions of years. This event likely led to a rise in global temperatures, subsequently warming the oceans and increasing atmospheric moisture content. A study published in the Journal of the Geological Society suggested that the wet period was advantageous for dinosaurs. This period of increased moisture allowed them to diversify, following a tumultuous era marked by frequent volcanic eruptions. Also Read | Every step counts! Study finds walking over 2,200 steps a day reduces risk of disease, early death The researchers wrote - “In the wake of wide extinctions of plants and key herbivores on land, the dinosaurs were seemingly the main beneficiaries in the time of recovery.” "It may have been one of the most important [rapid events] in the history of life in terms of its role in allowing not only the ‘age of dinosaurs’ but also the origins of most key clades that form the modern fauna of terrestrial tetrapods, namely the turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals." (With inputs from agencies)

It once rained for 2 million years on Earth and then dinosaurs reigned supreme

Scientists in the Antarctic are close to finalising a location to start drilling that could reveal the continuous record of Earth's climate dating back 1.5 million years.&nbsp;

After about 10 years of work, scientists at the Australian Antarctic Division are close to finding a place to drill an ice core as deep as almost 3,000 metres, reports The Guardian.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-antarcticas-decade-long-mystery-solved-306937/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

If the mission succeeds, scientists would able to get a reliable record of the Earth's climate records that could be older than half a million years.

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The location, known as Little Dome C, has an average temperature of -51 degrees C on a daily basis.

The area around Little Dome C is nearly 40 kms far from Dome C, the site of the longest continuous ice core record thus far, going back about 800,000 years.

A Europe-backed effort that has operated closely with the Australian researchers has already suggested a drill site in the Little Dome C region.

Ice cores hold significance the climate scientists to assess what happened to the Blue Planet's climate in the past and what could happen in the future with the rise in greenhouse levels due to burning of the fossil fuels.

Scientists in the Antarctic are close to finalising a location to start drilling that could reveal the continuous record of Earth's climate dating back 1.5 million years.

Scientists in the Antarctic are close to finalising a location to start drilling that could reveal the continuous record of Earth's climate dating back 1.5 million years. After about 10 years of work, scientists at the Australian Antarctic Division are close to finding a place to drill an ice core as deep as almost 3,000 metres, reports The Guardian. Watch | If the mission succeeds, scientists would able to get a reliable record of the Earth's climate records that could be older than half a million years. Also read | International lawyers propose 'ecocide' to criminalise environmental destruction The location, known as Little Dome C, has an average temperature of -51 degrees C on a daily basis. The area around Little Dome C is nearly 40 kms far from Dome C, the site of the longest continuous ice core record thus far, going back about 800,000 years. A Europe-backed effort that has operated closely with the Australian researchers has already suggested a drill site in the Little Dome C region. Ice cores hold significance the climate scientists to assess what happened to the Blue Planet's climate in the past and what could happen in the future with the rise in greenhouse levels due to burning of the fossil fuels.

Researchers close in to find drilling spot of Antarctic ice core 1.5 mn years old