Some Things You May Not Know About Planet Earth: Part 2: Lakes Can Explode!

The world's largest earthquake was in Chile.

Originating approximately 100 miles off the coast of southern  of Chile on May 22, 1960, the earthquake hit at 3:11 PM and lasted about 10 minutes.

It was the largest earthquake recorded in the 20th century.

The earthquake caused substantial damage and loss of life both in that country and, as a result of the tsunamis that it generate, in distant Pacific coastal areas.

1,000–7,000 people lost their lives.

Lakes can explode.

In Cameroon and on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo there are Nyos, Monoun and Kivu.

All three are crater lakes that sit above volcanic earth. 

Magma below the surface releases carbon dioxide into the lakes, resulting in a deep, carbon dioxide-rich layer right above the lakebed. 

That carbon dioxide can be released in an explosion, asphyxiating any passersby.

The Earth is losing it's freshwater.
As the climate changes, glaciers are retreating and contributing to rising sea levels.

The Canadian Arctic glacier range lost a volume equivalent to 75 percent of Lake Erie between 2004 and 2009.

Earth use to be purple.

A NASA-supported study indicates that there is a possibility that life on early Earth may have been just as purple as it is green today, thanks to a purple-tinged molecule known as ‘retinal’.

Ancient microbes might have used a molecule other than chlorophyll to harness the sun's rays, one that gave the organisms a violet hue.

The Earth is electric.

Earth has a natural direct current electric field or potential gradient from the ground upwards to the ionosphere.

Speaking of electricity..

A single stroke of lightning can heat the air to around 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit, causing the air to expand rapidly. 

That ballooning air creates a shock wave and ultimately a boom,  known as thunder.

Humans have only explored about 5 percent of the world's oceans, meaning 95 percent of the planet's seas have never been seen.

There is treasure in the seas.

These vast seas are rich, holding more than 20 million tons of gold. Each liter of seawater contains, on average, about 13 billionths of a gram of gold. 

Undissolved gold is also tucked away in rocks on the seafloor.

Cosmic dust..
On a daily basis, about 100 tons of interplanetary material drifts down to the Earth's surface. 

Particles are released by comets as their ices vaporize near the sun. 

Some Things You May Not Know About Planet Earth: Part 1: We Have Two Moons?

Did you know that the Earth is not a perfect sphere?
It's kinda squished and bumpy.

The Earth bulges slightly at the equator and pushes in slightly at the poles.

Uneven mass means slightly uneven gravity.

Because our globe isn't a perfect sphere, its mass is distributed unevenly. 

You would weigh less at the equator than you would at the North or South Pole.

You could be spinning through space at just over 1,000 miles per hour. 

People on the equator move the fastest, while someone standing on the North or South pole would be perfectly still. 

The Earth moves around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour.

Earth is about 4.54 billion years old.
Researchers calculate the age of the Earth by dating both the oldest rocks on the planet and meteorites that have been discovered on Earth.
What may be the oldest known rocks on Earth are called the Nuvvuagittuq Belt on the coast of the Hudson Bay in Northern Quebec.

They are estimated to date back to 4.28 billion years ago.

The hottest spot on Earth is in Libya.

El Azizia, Libya is where temperature records from weather stations reveal it hit 136 degrees Fahrenheit on Sept. 13, 1922, according to NASA Earth Observatory. 

The magnetic pole is moving.

Earth has a magnetic field because of the ocean of hot, liquid metal that sloshes around its solid iron core.

This flow of liquid creates electric currents, which, in turn, generate the magnetic field. 

Since the early 19th century, the magnetic north pole has been creeping northward by more than 600 miles.

The rate of movement has increased, with the pole migrating northward at about 40 miles per year, compared with the 10 miles per year estimated in the 20th century.

The magnetic field also varies in strength, and it was found to be weakening.

Earth doesn't have a tallest mountain, it has  two.

The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, extending some 29,029 feet high.

When measured from its true base to summit, Mauna Kea measures a length of about 56,000 feet.

The Earth use to have two moons.

A second moon, spanning about 750 miles wide, may have orbited Earth before it catastrophically slammed into the other one. 

This titanic clash may explain why the two sides of the surviving lunar satellite are so different from each other.

Some scientists claim Earth still has two moons.

According to researchers reporting in the Dec. 20, 2011, issue of the planetary science journal ICARUS, a space rock at least 3.3-meter wide orbits Earth at any given time. They're an ever-changing cast of "temporary moons." 

Our planet's gravity captures asteroids as they pass near us on their way around the sun and when one of these space rocks gets drawn in, it typically makes three irregularly shaped swings around Earth, staying with us for about nine months before hurtling on its way.

A U.S. Military Veteran Murdered

Michael Guy Johnston

He was 32 years old at the time he went missing from Brigham City, Utah on July 22, 1981.

He met a lady named Debbie Griffiths, on July 21st, at night at a bar.

Rudy Matthew Rebeterano was also at the bar and was jealous because she was paying attention to Michael. 

He and Griffiths had divorced in 1979 but remained friendly with each other. 

Rebeterano had a history of being violently jealous of any man who approached Griffiths.

Several months before, had tried to run over a man who was helping Griffiths move some furniture.

At 5:30 a.m. on July 22, Michael and Griffiths went to her apartment and she asked him to escort her inside because she was afraid Reberterano might be there. 

Reberterano was there and he shouted at Michael.

Griffiths quickly left the apartment, leaving the two men behind.

As she  was leaving she heard scuffling noises and a loud groan.

She ran outside and under a bridge across the street. 

She then watched Reberterano leave her apartment carrying a large white bundle, which he placed in the trunk of Michael's 1972 Ford Torino. 

He drove the vehicle away, down Main Street.

Griffiths called the police, who arrived at her apartment at 6:08 a.m..

The police found fresh blood spattered all over. 

The blood was Type A, which is Michael's type.

A white sheet had been removed from Griffiths's bed and several kitchen knives were missing.

Later that day, Michael's vehicle was located. 

There was Type A blood on the rear bumper and a large puddle of Type A blood soaked into the trunk mat.

A Zippo lighter and two Pall Mall cigarettes, items Michael normally carried in his shirt pocket, were inside the trunk.

On August 6, a maintenance worker found a knife on the roof of the motel where Griffiths lived. 

She identified it as one of knives that had disappeared from her apartment the night of Michael's disappearance.
The knife had a spot of blood on the handle, which authorities were unable to determine what type.

Late in August, Reberterano took a polygraph in Michael's case. The exam indicated he was being deceptive when he claimed he hadn't cut or stabbed Michael.
Rebeterano was subsequently charged with Michael's murder. 

He claimed he was innocent and Michael was alive. 

At the trial, his defense attorney said that Rebeterano had simply bloodied Michael's nose and then left.
He was convicted of second-degree felony homicide and sentenced to prison. 

Rebeterano was released in 1995.

Michael's remains have never been found, but authorities are continuing to search for them.

At the time he went missing Michael was 5'10" tall, 160 to 165 pounds with brown  hair, blue eyes and had a mustache and possible goatee.

He has several scars which included a 5 inch scar on this right forearm, a 1 inch scar on his right knee, a scar on his lower right head and a scar on his forehead.

Dennis Suffers From Schizophrenia.

Dennis Lee Anderson

He was 36 years old when he went missing from Murray, Utah on September 15, 2000.
He frequented homeless shelters at the time of his disappearance.
Dennis suffers from schizophrenia.
At the time of his disappearance he was 5'9" tall, 160 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes.
He has skin discoloration on his right arm.
Dennis was wearing a tattered flannel shirt and blue jeans.

Did Her Boyfriend Have Something To Do With Her Disappearance?

Jan Marie Stavros

She was 42 years old when she went missing on Wednesday, January 4th, 2001, from her home 2910 E. 3215 South, in Millcreek, Utah.

She left her truck, new puppy and cell phone at the house and didn't tell anyone she was going away.

Investigators took a desk planner, a computer, bank statements, a canister with marijuana residue, knives and guns from her house and pickup truck.

Blood and blood-stained items were also found, but it wasn't specified where they were found. 

Cleaning products were found in the pickup.

She was living with her boyfriend Robert Brent Butcher Jr.
Butcher had been in Salt Lake County Jail since Jan. 9 for an alleged parole violation of possession of a firearm.

Janis told her daughter, Meghan Laudie, the two had been having problems.

Janis, Butcher and her daughter, had dinner at Jan's ex-husband's, home during the evening hours of January 2, 2001.
Janis and Butcher departed the her ex's home at approximately 10:00 p.m.

Butcher said that he departed from their home at approximately 6:00 a.m. on January 3 for his shift at a construction site. 

He claimed that Janis was asleep when he left their residence. Laudie attempted to call her mother during the afternoon hours, but Butcher told her that Janis was not at home.

At the time of her disappearance Janis was 5'2" tall, 110 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

She was known to wear glasses.

Foul play is suspected in disappearance.

Douglas Plummer Had Just Broken Up With His Girlfriend When He Went Missing.

Douglas Perry Plummer

He was 20 years old when he was last seen at his job at a sandwich shop in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 17th 2001.

He lived in Taylorsville, Utah and had just broken up with his girlfriend.

Douglas was in the process of moving from one apartment to another.

He does not drive a vehicle and utilizes public buses.
He may have traveled to the Ephraim, Utah or Mount Pleasant, Utah areas

At the time of his disappearance Douglas was 6'0 tall, 157 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes

He had facial acne, as well as acne scarring and was blind in his left eye, which wanders as a result. 

He wore eyeglasses.

Both of his second toes were long and his pinky toes turn outward.

Did He Run Away Because He was Getting Abused By His Father?

Jason Wayne Dennis

He was 17 at the time of his disappearance in St. George, Utah, in the early morning on March 18th, 2002.

He gave some friends a runaway note stating he was leaving of his own decision. 

He took a green Huffy bicycle, a backpack and .22 caliber pistol with him.

The gun's serial number is 361538SEE.

He maybe in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nevada or Southern California.

On March 28th, 2002, his father, Timothy Wayne Dennis, was charged with fifteen felony counts of child sex abuse of a young girl.

Timothy was convicted of one count of forcible sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse on a child. 

He has since been released from prison and now lives in Draper, Utah.

At the time of his disappearance, Jason was 5'6" tall, 115 lbs with brown hair.

He may wear glasses and a blue denim jacket.

Murderer Chris Watts Takes A Plea Deal

Today, Tuesday, November 6th, 2018, Chris Watts pleaded guilty in the slayings of his pregnant wife and their young children in exchange avoiding a possible death sentence.
Chris pleaded to five counts of first-degree murder, one count of unlawful termination of pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a dead body.
He will be formally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Nov. 19.

Is Acacia Patience Bishop Still Alive, Or Did Her Grandmother Drown her?

Acacia Patience Bishop

.

It was Sunday evening on May 25th, 2003 and Acacia was 19 months old.

She was being watched by her great-grandparents in Salt Lake County, Utah, while her parents attended a wedding rehearsal dinner.

Her grandmother, 38 year old Kelley Jean Lodmell, stopped by the home around 6:00 p.m.

The Salt Lake Count Sheriff's Office delayed issuing the amber alert for nearly 12 hours following Acacia's disappearance.

The girl disappeared when the great-grandmother briefly turned her attention to something else and left the room for a moment.

Lodmell drove to The Red Lion Hotel in Idaho, Falls along the Snake River.

Acacia and Lodmell were last seen together in Idaho Falls, Idaho on May 26, close to the Broadway overpass and green belt, next to the Snake River.
That same day, Lodmell was soaking wet when she ran to a nearby hydroelectric plant near the overpass and told employees there that she had dropped Acacia into the river while they were dangling their feet off the bridge. 

The plant was immediately shut down so Acacia would not get sucked into its turbines. 

Divers searched the murky river for several days, but Acacia was never found.

However, a pair of baby shoes and a doll were found on the riverbank. 

One of Lodmell's shoes was also found on the bank and the other one was in the water.

The Lodmell  later admitted she drowned the baby in the Snake River in a failed suicide/homicide attempt and was charged with kidnapping and murdering.

Lodmell has a criminal record, a history of substance abuse, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

A year before she took Acacia for a half-hour before relatives found them.
Police were not called at that time until after the two were found.

She had wanted the girl for herself.

She has occasionally lived on the streets or in her car, and she took her medication only when she could afford to pay for it. 

She was not taking it at the time she abducted Acacia.

A report was filed with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and no charges were pressed against Kelley Lodmell. 

However, during a recent stay in the Salt Lake County Jail, Kelley Lodmell indicated she would take the girl again, given the chance.

Acacia's parents hope that Lodmell is lying about her granddaughter's  death in an effort to conceal her from the rest of the family.They characterize Lodmell as a habitual liar.. 

Lodmell sent the parents a letter from jail, writing that Acacia was alive and being cared for by others. 

She never referred to Acacia in the past tense in her letters. 

They also point out that Lodmell purchased diapers and milk for Acacia shortly before the baby allegedly drowned, which would not make sense if she had been planning to murder her.

There was a man who was allegedly seen checking Lodmell and Acacia out of the Red Lion Hotel on May 26. 

He was described as being in his late forties or early fifties with rough, weathered tan skin, graying sunbleached hair, hazel eyes, large hands with carrot-shaped fingers, and a small build.

He was about 5'6 tall and smoked Basics cigarettes.

At the time of Acacia's disappearance she was 2'6" tall, 35 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Acacia was last seen wearing a pink sundress with white sunflowers. 

Both of her ears are pierced and she has a tennis ball-sized birthmark on her lower left abdomen.

His Ex-Wife Is Running From The Law, Did She Have Something To Do With His Disappearance?

Jeff Nichols

He loved his job as an air traffic controller the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at Salt Lake International Airport and his life in general.

He was close to his parents, his siblings, his friends.

He is originally from northern Virginia and moved to Utah in 1998.

He was about to turn 41 years old when he went missing from his residence in the vicinity of the 2500 block of east Parley Way in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 8th, 2004.

Nichols was supposed to meet his ex-wife, and their 7 year old boy, Sam at McDonald's in Midvale. 

His ex-wife stated Jeff called them to say he would be unable to keep the appointment. 

He has never been heard from again.

His girlfriend reported him missing on the morning of June 9.

His family later learned his white 2000 Ford Ranger, was towed from the 4800 South State Street block on July 15, 3 blocks away more than a month after he disappeared. 

His bank accounts and credit cards have not been used since.

At the time of his disappearance, he was planning on visiting his sister in Wisconsin and had already purchased the plane tickets and made hotel reservations.

At the time of his disappearance he was 6'2" tall, 195 lbs, with brown hair and green eyes.

His ex-wife had filed for bankruptcy prior to his disappearance.

She and Sam moved out of the area two weeks after Jeff vanished.

His family has lost touch with them. 

Jeff's ex-wife and son have since left the country, and she has been indicted for bankruptcy fraud. 

There is a warrant out for her arrest.

Jeff's case remains unsolved.