In 1815, Mount Tambora experienced the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The eruption's effects altered Earths climate for years and even led to the year without summer in 1816. Volcanic eruptions occur frequently but rarely at this magnitude.Its likely that within the next thousand years, Tambora will violently erupt again, but is the eruption imminent?Significance of the 1815 Mount Tambora EruptionMount Tambora is a stratovolcano on the Sumbawa island in Indonesia. The volcano resides along the Sunda Arc a chain of volcanic islands. Though it has experienced several eruptions throughout history, Mount Tambora is famous for its eruption in 1815.Before the Mount Tambora eruption in 1815, the locals began noticing volcanic activity five days leading up to the eruption. During those five days, lava flows came down the volcano along with small seismic tremors.On the evening of April 10, 1815, Mount Tambora exploded with such force that the volcano nearly blew apart. At the time, it stood about 14,000 feet tall. But in the aftermath, a nearly four-mile caldera remained. Its currently 9,354 feet tall.From the caldera spewed 24 cubic miles of ash, rock, and gases into the air, including 60 megatons of sulfur. Large chunks of pumice stone apparently rained down around the volcano, and the dark column of smoke could be seen from over 300 miles away.Why the Mount Tambora Eruption Was So DeadlyThe eruption triggered tsunamis and pyroclastic flows fast-moving lava that flows down the volcano and initially killed around 10,000 people. However, it was the aftermath of the eruption that altered the climate, blocked out the sun, and prevented crops from growing. This likely led to the deaths of an additional 80,000 people in the surrounding areas, as it caused mass famine and disease.In other parts of the world, the effects of the volcanic fallout changed weather patterns, causing freezing temperatures and snow in parts of Europe and North America during their peak growing seasons, leading to crop failure and starvation. This would come to be known as the year without summer in 1816. Overall, the eruption lowered the planets temperature by about 5 degrees Fahrenheit.The eruption registered at a seven on the volcanic explosivity index (VEI), a scale that measures how long an eruption lasts, how far the volcanic materials spread, and how much volcanic material is ejected. The VEI rates volcanic eruptions on a one to eight scale, with eight as the largest. Because of its size and rating, many researchers agree that the Mount Tambora eruption is the largest in recorded history.When will Mount Tambora Erupt Again?Mount Tambora is still an active volcano and has erupted as recently as 1967, although it was barely registered on the VEI. As far as a VEI-7 level eruption, thats harder to know.According to the USGS, the likelihood of a VEI-7 eruption coming from Mount Tambora anytime soon is relatively small. An eruption of that scale does not happen often, and if it were to happen, it would likely come from a different active volcano instead of Mount Tambora.In the event of another eruption from Mount Tambora, experts from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation have created a plan to help minimize casualties to the best of their ability. And they are not alone. Organizations like the USGS are working to form plans in the case of massive volcanic eruptions. However, more resources and funding are needed.For the time being, it does not appear that Mount Tambora is showing any signs of a massive eruption. But those monitoring volcanoes will be sure to let us know when those signs appear. Read More: 5 of the Most Explosive Volcanic EruptionsArticle Sources:Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Britannica. Mount TamboraNational Park Service. Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation. Volcanic Disaster MitigationA graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

Make full use of the AI you've got built into your Windows computer. Image: Surface/UnsplashShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more Its impossible to ignore the rapid rise in the capabilities of artificial intelligence tools in recent months. Microsoft hasnt been shy in stuffing Windows full of AI features: Windows computers now come with a dedicated key for launching Copilot, Microsofts AI assistant, which has been integrated into the operating system.Well guide you through everything you can use Copilot for on your Windows laptop or desktop, and how you can get it up and running. Well also explain the difference between Copilot and a Copilot+ PC, which is a label you might have spotted if youve been shopping for a Windows computer lately.Copilot on WindowsWhen it comes to the Copilot assistant inside Windows, its very similar to the Copilot app on the web. You can jump between the web app and the app in Windows, using the same Microsoft account, and carry on where you left off. Your chat history should also be synced between Windows and the web. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.There are a number of ways to launch Copilot on Windows. You can launch it from the Start menu like any other program: Just search for it or find it in the main apps list. You might also find WIndows has pinned it to the taskbar. Copilot can also be launched by pressing the Copilot key on your keyboard (two curved rectangles next to each other), if youve got a newer PC with the key included.Copilot gives you some ideas for getting started. Screenshot: Microsoft Once youre into Copilot, you can sign in with your Microsoft account, and start chatting. Youll see some suggestions for conversation topics: daily news, motivation or meditation tricks, or prompts for a short story, as examples. Just type in the Message Copilot box to get started, or click the microphone icon to the right, if youd rather talk instead. Bear in mind that your chats are still saved when you quit the app and open it up again (click the clock icon to see your chat history).You can ask Copilot questions (like how DNA works or when Brazil became a country), get it to generate text for everything from emails to poems, and use it for advice toowith the usual caveats about AI hallucinations. Its always worth double-checking what AI tells you, though you will notice that for some answers youll get references back to the web, so you can verify the accuracy of the information.Copilot can work with images as well. Screenshot: Microsoft Copilot can be useful in the same way that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini can be. You can ask about how to boost your confidence, for example, or how to do something on Windows, or how to best wrap an oddly shaped present. Click the + (plus) button to the left of the input box, and you can start a new chat or upload an image to use with Copilot. You can ask about the contents of an image, or use them as prompts (so something like give me a recipe with this ingredient).Youre also able to create your own AI art with Copilotjust ask it to draw something or create an image of something. As with other similar AI tools, the more specific you are about what you want to see and its style, the more likely you are to get something close to what you wanted. Each image comes with a download button next to it (the downward arrow), so you can save it somewhere else.Using Copilot+ PCsYou may have noticed you can now buy Windows laptops that are classed as Copilot+ PCs too. Rather confusingly, these dont have a different version of Copilot installed, but they do have a specific bit of hardware inside: A neural processing unit (NPU), which means more AI processing can be done faster on the actual device, without having to transfer data to and from the cloud.You can get Copilot on Windows 11 whether or not you have a Copilot+ PC in front of you, and youll be able to access all of the features mentioned above. There are some extra features that a Copilot+ PC gives you, including Windows Studio Effects, which lets you add AI-powered visual enhancements to your video calls.Use AI to enhance your Paint pictures. Screenshot: Microsoft Another additional feature is something called Cocreator in Paint. Load up the application, use a text prompt to describe what youd like a picture of, and then start drawing: The Cocreator AI will soup up your scribblings so they enhance what youve already done. Just click Cocreator in the toolbar at the top to get started.Then theres Windows Recall, though this is only in testing for early adopters at the moment. It takes snapshots over time of what youre doing on your PCsnapshots that are kept local and encryptedand then lets you search back through them to find a file, webpage, idea, or whatever else. It makes it easier to get back to something youve previously been working on.Recall helps you go back in time on your PC. Screenshot: Microsoft If youre part of the Windows Insider program, Recall is available as a preinstalled app. Once its up and running, you can load it from the Start menu or taskbar, and see a timeline of screenshots going back from the current point. You can browse these images manually, or search for something specific (so searching for Popular Science, for example, would bring up all the times you were looking at the Popular Science website).Copilot+ PCs also give you Automatic Super Resolution, which can tweak screen resolution during gaming to improve quality, and Live Translate, which translates any audio on your computer in real time. Theres also a Cocreator-like tool in Photos, that lets you reimagine existing images in different styles or with different elements.

If youre dreading the long winter nights, the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is here to save the seasonand your sanity. With over 70,000 pre-loaded retro games, this gaming emulator console brings back the joy of childhood classics while offering all the modern conveniences youd expect today.From Pac-Man and Sonic to Dark Souls and Rocket League, youll find titles spanning generations and genres. The best part? It all runs smoothly thanks to the powerful S905X2 chip and the Mali-G31MP2 GPU, delivering stunning 4K UHD visuals for a truly immersive experience.This isnt just any retro gaming boxits a two-in-one powerhouse. Powered by dual systems, Android 9.0 for streaming and apps, and EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming, the Super Console X2 gives you versatility at your fingertips. Switch effortlessly from binging your favorite streaming apps to playing 8-bit classics or even downloading free 3D games for endless adventures.Connectivity? Its got you covered. With dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and plug-and-play functionality, this console works seamlessly with your TV, computer, projector, or laptop. Plus, it supports multiplayer gaming, so you can challenge friends and family to see who still dominates Street Fighter II or Mario Kart.At just $99.99, this compact console packs massive entertainment value into one sleek device. Whether youre revisiting retro favorites, discovering new 3D hits, or streaming shows, its the perfect companion for those chilly months indoors. Invite some friends over and make a retro game night out of it.Turn your winter hibernation into a retro gaming marathon with this retro gaming and streaming console.Get the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro with two controllers, a 256GB game card, a4GB TF card, and a remote for just $99.99 (reg. $159).StackSocial prices subject to change.Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $99.99Get It Here

Twisting Words Crossword By Shannon Rapp1 minute agoSid Sivakumar, a puzzle constructor and M.D./Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering and neuroscience, edited this puzzle.Looking for answers? Go to sciencenews.org/puzzle-answers. Well publish science-themed crosswords and math puzzles on alternating months. Wed love to hear your thoughts. Email us at puzzles@sciencenews.org.

A "missing link" black hole in Omega Centauri is still missing. What appeared to be an intermediate-mass black hole was a cluster of stellar-mass black holes.

Tango Gameworks is dead; long live Tango Gameworks Inc. That's the new "reborn" name of the Hi-Fi Rush studio, which is now officially a part of PUBG publisher Krafton Inc. Tango began last year under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella before a tumultuous few months saw the developer almost shuttered permanently before Krafton stepped in.On X, Tango announced the studio's "new start" earlier this week and said it's "excited to continue crafting games that bring joy to players around the world." This is the first post from the official Tango account since May 7, 2024, when the developer stated that it would "close." That message was a result of Tango being one of four studios that Microsoft shut down at the time, which also included Redfall's Arkane Austin.pic.twitter.com/XyTkKcFyzF Tango Gameworks (EN) (@TangoGameworks) January 1, 2025 However, in August, Tango was saved by Krafton, with Hi-Fi Rush rights being acquired as well. The studio was started in 2010 and known for the survival-horror series The Evil Within, which will apparently stay with Microsoft. Hi-Fi Rush 2 was being worked on before Microsoft closed down Tango, though the sequel isn't officially on the way. Krafton realizes Hi-Fi Rush 2 might not make any money, and that's okay for the company--if Tango decides to move forward with that project.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Game designer Hideo Kojima provided an update on his in-development games, including Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, OD, and Physint. Starting with the latter two, both were impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike for video game actors, which began in July 2024 and remains ongoing.For OD, which is in the works alongside Microsoft and Xbox, Kojima said his teams "developed the game" and did scanning efforts for environments and the actors themselves. Scanning and filming for OD was suspended due to the strike, however. For Physint, which is being published by Sony, Kojima said casting was suspended due to the strike. "We hope to resume [in 2025]," Kojima said.As for Death Stranding 2, Kojima said, "We started to play and build up the game." He added that his teams conducted music production and recording, along with ADR for the actors.Continue Reading at GameSpot

A new update is scheduled for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone on December 3, which includes the recently announced Squid Game crossover event. In addition to new operator bundles, the event also includes other Squid Game-themed rewards, but some of the items appear to be locked behind an additional paywall. As previously reported by CharlieIntel, Black Ops 6's in-game message board teased more details about the upcoming Squid Game event. This includes special limited-time modes themed around the hit Netflix show as well as an event pass for with a "premium track" that requires an additional purchase. This premium pass is said to include the Front Man operator skin and other cosmetic items.In the past, Call of Duty has included other major IP collaborations with event rewards themed around Fallout, The Walking Dead, Dune, Warhammer, and more. Outside of the shop bundles, all of the event rewards could be earned for free by completing challenges or simply earning XP. This upcoming Squid Game event has the potential to be the first to lock some of the rewards behind an additional cost.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Implicit Conversions, the developer behind some of PS Pluss Classic PlayStation ports, is said to be looking into adding PS3 emulation at long last. While the PlayStation 5 is only backward compatible with its immediate predecessor, the PS4, Sony has been allowing gamers to play older titles from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras through its Classics catalog of emulated games. However, while some PlayStation 3 games like God of War 3 have been made available on the PS4 and beyond, a good many classic PlayStation titles from the seventh console generation remain locked to their native system to this day.

When it comes to RPGs, the Tales of series holds a very special place in the industry, recognized for its storytelling, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Since its humble beginnings in 1995 with Tales of Phantasia, the series has continued to capture and retain the attention of its fans and those of the JRPG genre in general with its frequently emotional narratives, unique artstyle, and ever-evolving combat systems. Now that the Tales of series is nearly 30 years old, however, that means some of its oldest titles are due for a remaster.