Laguna del Maule is a volcanic field in the Andes mountain range of Chile. The volcanic field covers an area of 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) and features at least 130 volcanic vents. The field gets its name from Laguna del Maule, a lake surrounded by cones, lava domes, lava coulees and lava flows. The field's volcanic activity began 1.5 million years ago during the Pleistocene. Three major caldera- forming eruptions took place in the volcanic field prior to the last glacial period. Volcanic activity has increased during the postglacial era. In pre-Columbian times, the field was a regionally important source of obsidian. Today geothermal phenomena occur at Laguna del Maule. Between 2004 and 2007, ground inflation began in the volcanic field, indicating the intrusion of a sill beneath it. The rate of inflation is faster than those measured on other inflating volcanoes, which has created concern about the potential for impending large-scale eruptive activity.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_del_Maule_%28volcano%29

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1892:

The Chicago "L" (train pictured), the third-busiest rapid transit system in the United States, began operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_%22L%22

1912:

The largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century began, forming the volcano Novarupta in the Alaska Peninsula. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novarupta

1971:

Vietnam War: Australian forces attacked a heavily fortified North Vietnamese base camp at the Battle of Long Khánh. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Long_Kh%C3%A1nh

1985:

The remains of Josef Mengele, a Nazi physician notorious for performing human experiments on Auschwitz inmates, were exhumed in Embu das Artes, Brazil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Mengele

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

polemology: The study of human conflict and war. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/polemology

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Love stands opposed to death. It is love, not reason, that is stronger than death. Only love, not reason, gives sweet thoughts. And from love and sweetness alone can form come: form and civilization, friendly, enlightened, beautiful human intercourse — always in silent recognition of the blood sacrifice.   --Thomas Mann https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Mann