News
Another Massive Volcano Discovered on Mars
Recent research has uncovered a new giant volcano on Mars that had previously been hidden from scientists. This newly discovered volcano, provisionally named Noctis volcano, stands at an impressive height of 9,022 meters and spans 450 kilometers across. The volcano’s presence had gone unnoticed due to heavy erosion and its location on the boundary of the intricate Noctis Labyrinthus terrain.
Mars seems to be home to a variety of shield volcanoes, characterized by their broad, gently sloping profiles and composition of basaltic lava flows. These volcanoes are typically formed by divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates slowly move apart. Earth also boasts examples of shield volcanoes, such as Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
Noctis volcano’s discovery near Noctis Labyrinthus, a region known for its valley, canyon, and ridge system within Valles Marineris, has provided new insights into Mars’ geological history. This distinctive feature, with its intersecting valleys and plateaus, was likely shaped by erosion and tectonic activity, which had obscured the volcano until now.
A team of scientists, led by Dr. Pascal Lee from the SETI Institute, made the groundbreaking discovery while examining the geology of the area. Signs of volcanic activity, including meesas (flat-topped mountains) and evidence of lava flows and pyroclastic deposits, led to the realization that they were inside a massive eroded volcano. The presence of a collapsed crater that once contained a lava lake and the remains of a caldera further confirmed the volcano’s existence.
Through the study of Mars’ geological features and surface modifications, researchers have uncovered a complex history of volcanic activity and geologic processes. The team concluded that Noctis volcano is a shield volcano built up by layers of pyroclastic material, lava, and ice over time. The presence of ice on the volcano’s flanks, along with fracturing of the crust and plate uplifts in the Tharsis region, contributed to the seepage of lava and the formation of the volcano.
This discovery adds to our understanding of Mars’ geology and volcanic activity, shedding light on the planet’s past and evolution. The intricate features of Noctis volcano serve as a testament to the dynamic and diverse nature of the Martian landscape.
Source: Giant Volcano Discovered on Mars
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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