#8000 meters

[oh-look-car-horns]

Wondering what boop count your 3 letter word corresponds to? I gotchu:

Using a python script I wrote, I booped myself 50,000 times, saving an image of my boop-o-meter every 500 boops. Before we get into the results, there are two important limitations to this study that I should mention:

Firstly, because I only recorded the boop-o-meter every 500 boops, if a message appeared for less than 500 boops it may not have been caught.

Secondly, every now and then my computer would lose a boop or two when a click wouldn't register. This is seen in the 500 and 1000 boop images below, which in reality read 498 and 994 respectively. Because of this, boop values are slightly lower than they appear.

With that out of the way, lets dig in.

0-999:

From boops 0-999, the boop-o-meter displays your boop count, and changes color as you boop

Boop count: 0 Boop count: 500 Boop count: 1000

Boop fact: the colors do not change after 1000

LOL:

Between boops 1000 and 1500, the boop-o-meter changed to display 'LOL'. This likely took place at 1000 boops, but maybe it said 'MAX' or sumn for awhile at first? Idk this is already the misinformation website so not my problem.

Boop count: 1500 (actually more like 1490 ish)

More results below the cut

OMG:

Between 1500 and 2000, the boop-o-meter changed to display 'OMG'. Again, this probably happened at 1500 but who knows. Maybe staff made it 1523 for the bit or something.

Boop count: ~2000

WOW:

The boop-o-meter remained at omg until the 3500 boop readpoint, when it switched to 'WOW', meaning this transition happens somewhere between ~2980 and ~3480.

Boop count: ~3500

Boop fact: 'WOW' is the second longest reigning message

*-*:

Between 5000 and 5500 the boop-o-meter switched to '*-*'. You get the idea at this point so I'll speed it up.

Boop count: ~5500

WHY:

The boop-o-meter changed to 'WHY' between 6000 and 6500 boops. For science. That's why.

Boop count: ~6500

PLZ:

Next was 'PLZ', switching between 7000 and 7500.

Boop count: ~7500

AAA:

I'm not sure what bloody urine has to do with anything, but for some reason staff felt is was important to display, switching between 7500 and 8000.

Boop count: ~8000

;_;:

Huh the colon makes that one look weird. 8000-8500.

Boop count: ~8500

Boop fact: That fucking cat haunts me in my dreams

0_0:

I realized after I set my pyautogui script running that my computer wouldn't turn off its screen because of the clicking, so there was a strobing blue light in my room all night. This encapsulated my expression while trying to sleep (8500-9000).

Boop count: ~9000

MAX:

After 9000 it displayed 'MAX'. This was cap. (9000-9500 switch).

Boop count: OVER 9000 (9500)

<33:

I miss my wife. 9500-10,000.

Boop count ~10,000

TUM BLR:

THE HOLY GRAIL. The boop-o-meter switched to displaying 'TUM BLR' between 10,000 and 10,500 boops. Because my actual boop count was slightly behind my theoretical, I'd guess that this change happened at 10,000 boops.

Boop count: ~10,500 (likely switched at 10,000)

Summary:

When charted the boop curve looks as follows:

Boop curve: 0 - 10,000 boops

My script continued to run until 53,000 boops, but no further changes were observed. Again, there were quite possibly more messages at lower boop values, but my ass is not checking. Maybe I should have scaled my sampling accordingly, but it is what it is. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and if you have any corrections or more information, please add it to this post.

Boop fact: Terfs DNI

#boop #boop o meter #april fools #april fool's day #april fools day #python

[virgobingo]

isn't it too romantic to traverse 8000 meters from the deepest area of the japan trench to get to the body of the one person who could make you feel "full" in this world

#satosugu

[yourtongzhihazel]

Hey folks

Yall remember that Chinese balloon shit?

My PI actually went and did a whole mini lecture on weather balloons after he saw it in the news and he covered the two major types of balloons: zero-pressure and super-pressure balloons.

Zero pressure balloons are more like a hood for lighter than air gas; it's open on the bottom. These balloons have a more balloon shape but tend to float for a shorter time due to the open bottom that slowly leaks gas out.

Super pressure balloons are fully enclosed and therefore can float a lot longer. Curiously, due to the fact they're enclosed, they look like a big pumpkin!

Both balloon types are absolutely massive; up to 30 meters in diameter and some of the larger ones can carry up to 8000 kg of equipment and can float for several months.

My PI actually reviewed the footage of the Chinese balloon and he identifies it as a super-pressure balloon with solar panels and an equipment payload. To him, he was quite jelly of the balloon because it was a step-up over the balloons he normally has access to (due to a lack of funding).

Can you identify what type of balloon it is? :3

#mmp

[dino--draws]

SCP-8007 - THE PYROCLASM PROTOCOL

 SCP-8007 is to remain at the location in which it was unearthed on 20/3/1980, within the caldera of Mount St. Helens. Access to the caldera itself is to be blocked off and surveilled to ensure that no unauthorized individuals or organizations enter the stratavolcano's crater.

------

HELLO MOTHERS AND FUCKERS OF THE JURY! I've thrown my hat into the ring for the SCP wikidot's SCP 8000 contest! Give it a peak, if you're willing!

The Foundation's discovery of a dragon's carcass within the crater of Mount St. Helens dominos into a worldwide investigation, and the unearthing of something monstrous.

Hold the last burning ember. Let us never surrender.

EDIT: The SCP-8000 contest has reached it's conclusion! My entry is now SCP-8007!!

------

All members of the team suddenly cover their eyes as a bright, orange light suddenly appears— far brighter than the magma within the cavern. Its source is a singular eye. Estimations from the camera put it at 53 meters in diameter.

#scp #scp-8000 #scp 8kon #scp 8000 contest #dino's writing #dino's art #dragon

[peatbogbody]

Please boost and donate if you can!

please do not tag with "donation" or anything similar

image id: screenshot of the gofundme page. image is of a white trans girl wearing a pink striped shirt playing a light blue guitar. text below says "Help Keep an Autistic Trans Girl Alive & Housed". Below that is a donation meter showing that there has been $130 raised out of the $8000 goal. /end id.

Liz is an autistic trans girl from Alabama, transplanted in Seattle, one month away from being on the street. It's a miracle she's got this far, as her mental health situation has gone unaided her entire life. In the past month, I have helped her get access to mental health services where she's getting treatment for her anxiety and depression, and tools to help her navigate her neurodivergence and trauma. She's also seeing a physician for the first time in ages. None of this will matter if she's unable to stay housed. Please help us raise money for at least 6 months' rent and necessities.

#Liz is a friend of mine and we both got laid off from the same job in march 2020 #she has had a very difficult time getting back on her feet #please help if you can and share this!

[yoga-onion]

Legends and myths about trees

Forest spirits and natives (3)

Menehune - Legendary dwarves who live in the deep forests of Hawaii

Menehune are a mythological race of dwarf people in tradition who are said to live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands, hidden and far away from human settlements.

The Menehune are described as superb craftspeople. They built temples (heiau), fishponds, roads, canoes, and houses. Some of these structures that Hawaiian folklore attributed to the Menehune still exist. They are said to have lived in Hawaii before settlers arrived from Polynesia many centuries ago. Their favorite food is the maiʻa (banana), and they also like fish. Legend has it that the Menehune appear only during the night hours to build masterpieces. But if they fail to complete their work in the length of the night, they’ll leave it unoccupied. No one but their children and humans connected to them can see the Menehune.

While archaeologists have never found remains of a distinctively small race of ancient people in Hawaii, many think the Menehune legend may well have a basis in fact. In 2003, a species of dwarf human was discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores. Homo floresiensis was only about 1 meter in height and fully bipedal. The skull has human-like teeth with a receding forehead and no chin.

Fossils have been discovered from 38,000 to 18,000 years ago, though archeological evidence suggests it lived on Flores between at least 95,000 and 13,000 years ago. It used stone tools and fire, and hunted pygmy elephants, Komodo dragons, and the giant rats found on Flores. Its discoverers believe that h. floresiensis is a dwarf form of Homo erectus. It is not uncommon for dwarf forms of large mammals to evolve on islands. Modern humans arrived on Flores between 55,000 and 35,000 years ago, and presumably interacted with h. floresiensis (Refrence: “The Three Menehune of Ainahou (Maui)” by Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr).

木にまつわる伝説・神話

森の精霊たちと原住民 (3)

メネフネ 〜 ハワイの深い森に住む伝説の小人族

メネフネとは、ハワイに伝わる神話上の小人族で、ハワイ諸島の深い森や隠れた谷に住み、人里から遠く離れたところに住んでいると言われている。

メネフネ族は、優れた職人で、神殿 (ハワイ語:ﾍｲｱｳ)、養魚池 (メネフネ養魚池)、道路、カヌー、家などを建設した。ハワイの民間伝承では、メネフネのものとされるこれらの建造物は、今でもいくつか残っている。彼らは、何世紀も前にポリネシアから入植者たちがやってくる以前からハワイに住んでいたと言われている。好物はバナナ (ハワイ語: ﾏｲｱ) で、魚も好物である。伝説によると、メネフネたちは夜の間だけ現れ、傑作を作り上げると言われている。しかし、夜の長さの中で作品を完成させることができなければ、その作品は無人のまま放置される。彼らの子供と彼らにつながることが出来る人間以外には、メネフネを見ることはできない。

ハワイでは、考古学者が小人類の遺跡を発見したことはないが、メネフネ伝説には根拠があると考える人は多い。2003年、インドネシアのフローレス島で、小人の一種が発見された。ホモ・フロレシエンシスは、身長が1メートルほどしかなく、完全な二足歩行であった。頭蓋骨には人間のような歯があり、額は後退し、顎はない。

3万8000年前から1万8000年前の化石が発見されているが、考古学的な証拠から、少なくとも9万5000年前から1万3000年前まではフローレス島に住んでいたと考えられている。石器や火を使い、ボルネオ象やコモドドラゴン、フローレス島に生息する巨大ネズミを狩っていた。発見者たちは、ホモ・エレクトスの小人型であると信じている。大型哺乳類の矮小型が島で進化するのは珍しいことではない。現生人類は、5万5千年前から3万5千年前の間にフローレス島に到着し、ホモ・エレクトスと交流があったと推定される (参考文献: チャールズ・クルウェヒ・マックスウェル・シニア著「アイナホウ（マウイ島）の3人のメネフネ」より)。

#trees #tree legend #tree myth #legend #mythology #folklore #menehune #hawaiian folklore #dwarf #menehune fishpond #banana #nature #art

[morbidmanatee]

3000 meters.

My suit should have collapsed like a tin can by now. I don't know why it hasn't. I don't know why I jumped.

I thought at first it was a normal cliff. But as I descended further and further into the depths, I realized something was wrong.

The ground was still sloped at that point. I could have clawed my way back up. Instead, I let myself sink.

4000 meters.

The wall grew steeper and steeper until it was nearly vertical. It was possible I could still make my way back to the surface with my grapple arm, but I didn't.

At around 2500 meters, I had landed on solid ground. Unnaturally flat. Barren. I had fallen beyond the reach of sunlight ages ago. The only light I had now was from my suit.

I walked forward. And I fell again.

5000 meters.

These creatures have been following me since the shelf. Horrible things, massive, with pale skin marred by open, rotting wounds. They don't attack. I don't know why. They simply follow, knocking into each other and occasionally to me.

My first sight of them shook me to my core. These are by far the most massive things I've seen on this planet. Distracted by the creatures, I lost sight of the wall that had been my guide this entire descent. When I turned around, there was nothing but dark, impenetrable water.

There is no going back. My suit is designed for walking on the ocean's floor. It cannot swim.

It can only fall.

6000 meters.

I can't see anything but occasional glimpses of the creatures. There is simply nothing here to catch my light.

7000 meters.

8000 meters.

9000 meters.

#tw: thalassophobia #tw: depths #tw: drowning #tw: falling #subnautica #subnatica below zero

[sirnerdbird]

A post to illustrate just how insane the Golden Grizzco Point badge is

One of the major additions to Splatoon 3 was the Splashtag system, which brings with it a lot of extra customisation for the player. Maybe the most interesting part of this new system is the fact that you can attach up to 3 badges (splatoon's new form of achievements) to your Splashtag to demonstrate your prowess in different aspects of the game (pictured here is my splashtag with my badges for "10 tricolour defender wins", "rank 50 in tableturf" and "S+ in anarchy battles").

A lot of these badges come with different tiers of completion (like the "turf war wins" badge which gives you a normal, silver and gold variant as you get to 50, 250 and 1200 wins respectively) and one of these sets of badges is tied to accumulating Grizzco Points across your Salmon Run matches.

Grizzco Points are a form of progression tied to your performance in Salmon Run and are what's used to determine your progression through the Bonus Meter for that rotation (the thing that gives you the different coloured capsules, the points are referred to here as "p").

These points are calculated using for following equation (where X is taken from whether you completed every round [X=1], completed every round and defeated a King Salmonid [X=2], or lost a round [X=0]):

(Golden Eggs + Power Eggs / 200)(Pay Grade / 100) + 50 * X = Grizzco Points

There are three badges tied to accumulating Grizzco Points over time; a bronze badge for 10,000 points, a silver badge for 100,000 points and a gold badge for collecting a grand total of 9,999,999 points.

The purpose of this post is to illustrate the extent to which this last requirements is (genuinely) unlikely to be reached by anyone legitimately before Splatoon 4 is released.

To understand why, let's take a look at just how many points you can get per match, then craft a best-case scenario to demonstrate how long it would take in hours of playtime.

The highest recorded number of eggs in a S3 Salmon Run game so far that I could find was this run posted by Brian with 241, however in the video it's mentioned that 250 is possible (and/or the current record? couldn't quite make out what was said exactly). Lets also take their number of Power Eggs collected in that run as well and generously round it up to 8000 to represent what you might get with a WR 250 egg run.

Using this and the 235% Paygrade you get for playing at Eggsecutive VP 50 and above, we can find out the number of points that you could get for an "optimum" run (if a King Salmonid does not appear)

(250 + 8000 / 200)(235 / 100) + 50 = 731.5 (lets call it 732, idk how Splatoon treats decimals so I'm just going to round it to the nearest whole number).

(Given that my average game as a pretty mediocre Eggsecutive VP player gets me about 270-330 points per win, I hope you can see the extent to which 732 is a pretty unsustainable "optimum" value, but let's carry on)

Salmon Run is made up of 3 rounds that are 100 seconds long ("0" is counted as a whole second iirc, so even though the timer shows 99 seconds you have 100), with about 10-15 seconds between waves. If you want to play multiple games one after another there's also about 1-2 minutes of waiting for a lobby + the opening helicopter cutscene + the end screen. As a rough estimate, lets say it takes an average of 7 minutes between joining the freelance queue and starting the queue for your next match afterwards.

9,999,999 / 732 = 13661.20082 (so 13662 games in total)

13662 x 7 = 95634 minutes = 1593.9 hours = 66.4125 days of solid playtime

Cutting our points per game to a more sustainable 360 points per game at Eggsecutive VP level, then adding a 75% win rate to the equation gets us to 4050 (.925...) hours of solid playtime for this one golden badge.

To put this into perspective, in an equivalent timeframe you could watch Shrek 2700 times and be just over half way through the 2701st viewing when the timer ran out.

Very illuminating example aside, I hope I've demonstrated why this badge is effectively unobtainable for those of us not in possession of a hacked switch. I would honestly almost bet a sizable amount of money that nobody is going to get this badge by the end of the decade (and/or when Silksong is relea.... wait that's coming in 2023 isn't it nvm)

(if I've got any of the maths wrong feel free to bully me in the tags)

#splatoon 3 #maths #tumblr deleted 90% of this post when I accidentally pressed ctrl z

[tagsecretsanta]

From @the-original-sineater

From and by @the-original-sineater for @womble1

Fandom: Thunderbirds

Rating: Gen

Genre: Family

Characters: Gordon, Virgil, and the Deep Ocean

I got three dialogue prompts for this and managed to work two of them in.

Prompts used: “Is that meant to do that?” “How many?!” with just a bit of creative license.

I hope my receipt doesn't mind. For your enjoyment some FishTank.

...

Pressure

“Is it meant to do that?” Gordon couldn’t risk the glance back at his passenger, the cross-currents here were savage, which was to be expected where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current met with the Drake Passage and some of the outflow of the South Sandwich Trench. Okay, he always grinned at the name of the SST, but this time it was more grimace than a grin. “If you mean spin like a drunk top, then yes. It’s cyclonic on the outside and anticyclonic within the cavity.” Which was a fascinating thing to see, but not right now. Not when there was a deep water sub stuck below the abyssal zone. Yes, there is a zone below the abyssal, it’s called the hadopelagic and personally, it scared the socks off of Gordon. He loved the oceans and nearly everything that swam in them (not iguanas - nope, didn’t love them), but the things in the hadopelagic? He was pretty sure they were actual aliens from somewhere else. That wasn’t even counting the fact they would be dealing with possibly 750 atmospheres of pressure. There would be no EVA for him. Even with all of Brains’ skill, his deep rig couldn’t handle that sort of pressure. He was 90% certain that Four could, but when you got that deep the rules had a habit of changing on you.

Things were quiet for a bit as Four dove deep into the twilight zone. The upwelling of nutrient-rich water was keeping the water cloudy. At least the humans were quiet, Four, on the other hand, let everyone know as she hit a new depth that her hull didn’t like. Gordon appreciated the creaks and thumps. They meant that Four was holding true.

Somehow the black of the twilight gave way to the deeper dark of the midnight. Here were where some of the most known creatures of the deep ocean lived. Gordon kept the lights on so they might be able to catch glimpses of some of the midnight zone’s inhabitants.

“Gordon?”

He glanced back at his brother. Virgil was staring out the aft starboard viewport. “Yeah?” Virgil tilted his head to the right. “What the actual Hell is that?” His voice was full of calm wonder.

Gordon turned back around to see and broke out grinning. “That my dear brother is Enypniastes. More commonly known as the ‘headless chicken monster’." Which it did with its bulbous, tapering body and its stubby upper tentacles that looked like the plucked wings of a chicken.

“Seriously?” “Yep.” Gordon popped the ‘p’. “Its other names include Spanish dancer and pink see-through fantasia, but only the little ones are pink. Headless chicken monster is more fun to say though.”

“I’m pretty sure nature was drunk when she designed that one.”

Gordon laughed. “Bro, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

-o-o-o-o-

Four groaned as she took the weight of nearly 600 atmospheres. Her max limit was 8000 meters because even calhelium could only take so much stress. One of the reasons Four’s viewports were 15 centimeters thick.

“Is that normal?” Virgil had become very quiet as they’d passed through the bottom of the midnight and into the abyssal. The midnight was a raver of life compared to the abyssal. Virgil had been so quiet that Gordon had almost forgotten his brother was there and jumped slightly at the question.

“Which part? This is the Deep Ocean and it’s got a very different degree of normal.” Four creaked, almost in answer to Gordon. He patted her console. “I know, girl. I know.”

“That for one thing. I knew the pressures down here were huge, but - “

“But knowing and experiencing are two different things.” Gordon finished for him. “Yeah, I know.” He looked over his shoulder at his brother, pale as the depths leached the color from him. “This is as normal as it gets down here. If we’re lucky, TritonQuest will only need the float bags.” He brought his attention back to the controls. “I’m still not 100% sure if explosives will behave correctly down here.” Which was why Virgil was with him, in case they needed to free the research sub from the rockfall that had trapped it.

“Because of the - GOD!” Gordon jerked as something light-colored passed in front of them. “GEEZ!” An appendage flicked and the thing was gone.

“What was that?” Virgil was breathless.

“Not a clue, too fast for the eyeball camera, but let’s check Four’s.” Gordon had been recording for the entire descent for this very reason. Who knew what might show itself? The still frame showed a slender body with a long nose and a whip-thin tail. “Damn.”

“Gordon?”

He shook himself. “I think that’s Rhinochimaeridae. Or at least the family. No one’s documented one this deep before.”

“Long nose chimera?” The humor in Virgil’s voice brightened the gloom. “Hey, don’t look at me! I didn’t name it. One of the common names is ghostfish.” Looking at the bleached-out form, it was easy to see why.

The descent was broken by the occasional sighting of a deep ocean denizen and the creaks, thuds, and groans from Four as she went deeper and deeper. The sensor started to ping with the TritonQuest’s signal and Gordon swung Four to follow the signal. Cliffs and canyons started to appear out of the gloom as they threaded their way to the stuck sub. The pinging grew in frequency until it was a steady whine and they could see the fresh scar on the face of one canyon wall.

“Thunderbird Four, calling TritonQuest. Come in TritonQuest.” Gordon worked on his breathing and ignored the creaks from Four. This was some of the deepest water he’d ever been in.

“TritonQuest here, receiving you 3x3 Thunderbird Four, and damn glad to hear you.”

Not great, but not awful either. “Understood TritonQuest, you’re 5x5 here. Status?”

“A bloody big hunk of a wall fell on us. Other than that, decent. No leaks. We just can’t move.”

“Well, let me see what we can do about that, TritonQuest. Keep listening out on this frequency.” “Confirmed Thunderbird Four, and thanks.”

“Don’t thank us yet,” Gordon muttered. “Virg, what’s the scan of the sub say?” Not for the first time, Gordon wished that Four was big enough for a full sensor array, but there was only so much room in his girl.

“I’ve seen shattered glass that looked better.” Virgil manipulated the hologram and pointed at two spots. “If we can get a lift bag there and there, we should be able to get the sub up enough to attach more.”

“And if we can’t?” Not that Gordon doubted his girl, but this was the hadal zone and he just didn’t trust it.

Virgil crossed his arms and thought. “We might, might be able to use Four’s arms to move the rocks to free it, but - it’s chancy.” He pointed at the trench wall above the TritonQuest. “That is just riddled with cracks, and a strong breeze could make it collapse more.”

Gordon looked at the pressure gauge and did the math. He did not like the answer. “I’m not sure we can.”

“What?” Gordon ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure we can. Four’s limit is 8000 meters. Down here it’s one atmosphere for every ten meters. We’re already at 7953 meters and TritonQuest is still fifty meters down. We’d exceed her limit by 3 meters.”

“How many?! Come on Gordon, it’s three meters. Those people are depending on us.”

Gordon’s jaw tightened. “I know that. But those three meters, that's the difference between us going home and us finding out what an implosion feels like from the inside. For the couple of nanoseconds that we’re alive to experience it.”

“Then how can the TritonQuest survive it?” Virgil’s eyes narrowed as he tried to work the problem.

Gordon made a minor adjustment to keep Four at her current depth. “TritonQuest is a specialized sub, specifically built to handle these depths. Four is a generalist. She’s got to work in a lot more areas.” He grinned, “Sometimes even in the air.”

Virgil huffed out a laugh; even by iR standards that had been a wild day. “Okay, ‌we have two options: 1, we get as close as we can and fire the lift bags at the two areas we have access to. If that fails, we move on to option 2, which is getting as close as we can and using Four’s arms to move the rocks pinning them.” “There is no option 2, Virgil. Four’s arms can’t survive those forces either.” Gordon’s hands tightened on the controls. This was a submariner’s worst nightmare, being trapped in their ship, never able to leave it. That’s why submarines that never made it home were listed as ‘still on patrol’ or ‘still on mission’. Why the names of the Lost were read out on the radio once a year. So those souls knew they hadn’t been forgotten. Gordon gave himself a shake, those were far too morbid of thoughts. They were going to get TritonQuest and her crew back.

“Then what’s the plan?” Virgil’s voice was soft. Gordon angled the dive planes and sent Four deeper into the dark. “The only one that matters: we make sure that everyone goes home.” He activated the comms again. “Thunderbird Four calling TritonQuest.” “Reading you 3x3, Thunderbird Four.” “Stand by, I’m going to launch a lift bag to your rear section.” “Copy, Thunderbird Four. Listening out.”

Gordon launched the first float shell. It would attach with the same tech that Brains used for the gecko gloves. After that, it would just be a matter of getting the lift bags to inflate. Which at the depths they were currently at was a big question mark.

One they weren’t going to have the answer to as the shell passed the 8000-meter mark, wavered on its course, then imploded.

There was a moment of deep quiet in Thunderbird Four.

“That - “ “Yeah, this is the Deep Ocean and she plays by a different set of rules.”

“How many lift bags does Four carry?” Gordon wanted to poke fun at Virgil not knowing Four’s load out. Gordon knew how many Two carried -- eight -- but this was too important. Brother teasing would have to wait. “Six.” He swallowed and tried again. There was a soft intake of breaths as the shell passed the 8000-meter mark and continued downward, only to skim across the exposed rear section and hit a boulder instead.

Gordon swore softly. They could lift TritonQuest with two of the floats but Four would have to stand by to help if need be. Three floats would be good and four would be best. But he was going to be cautious; this was the hadal zone and things had a way of not going to plan.

A hand landed on Gordon’s shoulder. “You’ve got this.” Virgil’s voice was full of rock-solid belief.

Gordon took a deep breath, dropped his shoulders, and let it out slowly. “TritonQuest, firing.” Then he grasped the controls again, activated the targeting, sighted, and pulled the trigger. Once again there was a soft ‘thunk’ as the lift bag launched.

Gordon tracked the shell and held his breath once more. This time the shell landed on the trapped sub’s exposed rear section and stuck. Gordon started breathing again and Virgil’s hand tightened on his shoulder.

“Thunderbird Four, I sure hope that was you and not more of the wall falling.”

“That was me, TritonQuest. Lining up for the second float bag now.” Thunderbird Four projected a calm and reassurance that Gordon wasn’t sure he felt. Virgil’s hand was a comfortable weight on his shoulder. Gordon took another deep breath, targeted, and fired again, this time at the topside midship. He couldn’t hear the impact, but he felt it in his bones. The reverberating thud as a secure contact was made. Usually a bad, almost terrifying sound, but now? It was the sound of hope.

“Deploying floats, TritonQuest. Hang on, it might be a bit bumpy.”

“Considering the alternative, we’ll take bumpy Thunderbird Four.”

“Copy that, TritonQuest.” Please, Neptune, be merciful, you don’t need them in your court today, was Gordon’s prayer as he triggered the lift bags. If they could just get the other sub into Four’s range, they could help to pull her up. Not to mention attaching more lift bags to aid in the endeavor. He started to breathe again as both float bags inflated to about a third of their size. “Gordon, what’s wrong with the lift bags?” Virgil had brought the hologram forward and was flicking through the calculations.

“Not a thing,” Gordon said, smiling. “It’s too cold down here and pure O2 is too dense. Once it starts to warm up, they’ll increase in size and get more lift.” The cables that attached the bags to the sub straightened as they started to pull toward the surface. It was odd watching rocks falling and not hearing them as the TritonQuest slowly pulled free of her almost tomb. The sediment that was stirred up by the rocks and by her leaving clung to her like a bride’s veil.

“Boyle’s Law, I should have remembered.” Virgil leaned forward, his hand back on Gordon’s shoulder as he watched the slow motion movement.

Gordon set Four into reverse. The further he got from Four’s limit the happier he’d be. “Thunderbird Four, we’re showing upward movement. PLEASE confirm.” Gordon’s smile grew. “I can confirm, TritonQuest. It’s going to be slow, but we’ll get you out.”

“Thank you, Thunderbird Four!  I’ll stand for drinks at whatever port you name.”

“Make that offer once we’ve gotten topside, TritonQuest. I’m not going to offend anyone listening by being too full of myself.” Gordon could feel Virgil’s gaze and he muted the mike. “Down here, I’m as superstitious as they come, Virg.”

Virgil nodded. He and every other member of the family were pilots. They all had superstitions, even John, though he'd never admit it out loud. He pointed to the depth meter. “They just passed 8000 meters, do we take the chance at another lift bag?”

“No, I want to keep those in reserve just in case. We’ll match their ascent the whole way. It’ll take awhile, but it’s the safest course.” Gordon set Four to just that.

Virgil sat back in the passenger seat. “So, since we have the time, tell me more about the creatures down here.”

Fin

...

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #thunderbirds fanfiction #tag team secret santa #tag team secret santa 2022

[covenawhite66]

The Amnya Site I and its fortifications date back approximately 8,000 and is located on the curve of the Amnya River in Western Siberia.

The Amnya II site was also built 50 meters to the east around this time.

Researchers suspect that a shift in climate roughly 8,000 years ago created the stage for an abundance of seasonal resources in western Siberia, prompting an influx of human migrants.

The West Siberian taiga is a sometimes swampy, coniferous forest habitat present in the subarctic. Around 6,000 BCE, the taiga near Amnya would have hosted herds of elk and reindeer, while the river would have been swimming in fish, like pike and salmonids.

In the subarctic boreal landscapes of the Siberian, 8000 years ago, hunter-gatherers built fortified settlements. The building of fortifications by forager groups has been observed sporadically elsewhere around the world in various—mainly coastal—regions from later prehistory onwards, but the very early onset of this phenomenon in inland western Siberia is unparalleled.

Western Siberia, between the Ural Mountains and the River Yenisei, represents a particularly rich ecosystem from a hunter-gatherer-fisher perspective. Fish, aquatic birds, forest fowl and large game such as elk and reindeer have predictable seasonal behaviours,

#history #archeology #archeologicalsite #discovery #hunter gatherer #siberia #research paper #article #settlement

[metz-n-matteo]

Matteo heading up to the 11,503 ft peak of San Gorgonio Mountain in southern California June of 2005. South Fork Trail is the beginning of a 9 mile trek to the summit, 18 mile round trip. This was a training day for the 8000 Meter Challenge. In May this year he will be back to run the same trail, part of his photographic journal road trip "remembrance of things past" project. Stay tuned for more information about his journey into the past!

#hiking #hiking trail #trail running #8000meterchallenge #remembrance of things past #training #journalinspiration #journaling #the past #memories #memorytrigger #nature #naturelovers #naturecore #mountains #san gorgonio mountain

[desertdollranch]

Ellen came with me to Flagstaff, Arizona this past weekend and did some educational sightseeing. Here she is at Sunset Crater National Monument! 

This beautiful park is centered around a volcano that erupted about 1000 years ago, and dramatically changed the landscape with its lava flow. In the background of the first photo, you can see what remains today of the volcano, which rises to an elevation of about 8000 feet (2400 meters) above sea level. It’s not expected to erupt again any time soon, but it is one of many similar cinder cones in an active volcanic field that is spread across northern Arizona, south of the Grand Canyon. 

At the time of its last eruption around 1040 CE, there were people living here and probably farming in the area. They would have had lots of signs that an eruption was imminent, so they fled the area until it was safe to inhabit again. 

Sunset Crater may not be currently active, but the landscape still is being shaped by the forces of nature. A few months ago, 61%  of the park’s vegetation was burned by a terrible wildfire. If you look closely at the trees in some of the photos, you can spot many dead brown ponderosa pine trees. Ellen and I were so glad that it has opened up again to visitors, although some parts of the park must remain closed to heal properly. 

The top of the volcano is always closed to hikers; too much foot traffic would cause serious erosion. It’s also very strenuous walking on those cinders! If you’ve ever walked on dry beach sand, you know how difficult it is to traverse soft terrain when your feet keep sinking down.

In the last picture, Ellen is standing inside a spatter cone, which is a crack in cooled lava where hot lava breaks through. 

#ellen guthrie #faithful friends dolls

[hirocimacruiser]

Subaru Impreza WRX STi RA version IV test.

Thorough special feature! BC Working Motor Show

Introducing version IV

In addition to the explosive power output, you can feel the power even more. Even though the torque increased by only 1kgm, the difference in running is big.

This is the evolved Impreza

Impreza WRX RA STi ver.III･･･ 2,799,000 yen

TEST & REPORT Motonobu Takehira

Impreza with minor changes

How has the running changed.

Impreza WRX STi ver.IV

0~400m acceleration = 13.099 seconds

The Impreza WRX STi has also evolved into a version. The Impreza is also very motivated to compete with the Lancer Evo that has evolved into the Evolution IV.

These two cars will continue to evolve, not only in Japan, but also in the world of WRC, as they are not just rivals.

But even so, the high performance of this version IV is amazing. Even the version III showed performance surpassing that of the Lancer Evo, but it can be said that the appearance of this guy definitely led the Lancer Evo IV.

All that matters is the engine. Power is not a complaint in the version III. However, the low and medium speed torque was thin and the drivability was not good at all. In order to take advantage of the high power and run comfortably, I was forced to keep the revs high. But this one has even more low and medium speed torque.

The specs of the 280ps haven't changed, but when you run it, the high performance is clearly evident.

I can feel it.

The difference I felt in the Zeroyon test was that the clutch contact point at the start dash was different. The rpm that determines the rocket start is 500 rpm lower than version II.

Moreover, the extension of the top end is as sharp as ever. The limiter operates at 8200-8300 rpm, but it suddenly blows up around 8000 rpm. In the Zero-Yon test, where high revs can be maintained continuously due to the cross mission, we could not obtain data that showed that it was clearly faster than the version, but it goes without saying that it improved.

This means fewer shifts in the wider powerband, that's all

Time loss increases. Benefits on running, such as easier control of the accelerator. However, the merit to the running is very large.

You can really feel the gin. Of course, if it becomes a rally or a gymkhana, you can show off your power even more. The Lancer Evo IV is forced into an uphill battle. I'm looking forward to the confrontation as the evolved Lancer Evolution V will appear next spring.

In addition, the design of the instrument panel has changed to match the overall Impreza series MY change, and the STi's meter has become white. The feeling of running has increased, and this is also quite good.

Clears the target line sharply The impreza's unique linear handling feel is alive and well.

With center differential control

How will running change?

The center differential, which allows you to freely change the lock rate, is a weapon exclusive to the STi version RA, but how does operating this affect the driving? I tried it, and it's really convenient. By the way, you can change the lock rate by operating the dial even while driving.

With this, the driving characteristics can be freely obtained from full-time 4WD (no center differential) to rigid 4WD (part-time 4WD), but free driving is best for normal driving on public roads. There is no braking phenomenon in tight corners, and smooth handling is obtained. There is no particular problem with snowy roads. Only lock cases that are likely to get stuck.

However, if you want to take advantage of the potential you have and do sports driving, it is best to go closer to lock. More traction and better stability. Tight corners make the underside stronger, but cover it with tech. If you are driving on a low friction road such as a rally or dirt track, it will be almost locked.

Scoring check

Impreza WRX Type RA STi Version IV

engine feel 8

engine power 10

handling 9

ride comfort 6

Cost performance 10

total check 9

Super powerful equipment

Try Driver's Center Differential Control!

#Subaru Impreza WRX #Subaru Impreza #Impreza #WRX #WRX STi #JDM #WRX STi RA

[norwayspruce]

Philly residents when you explain to them that structures are prone to collapsing when you leave 8000 gallons of burning fuel underneath them and the mayor has nothing to gain from destroying a 20 meter section of a 1900 mile highway: