3078: Anchor Bolts - Revision history

82.132.186.49: Undo revision 408626 by Jkshapiro (talk) Surely not irrelevent, in a section that discusses how the depicted type of bolt has problems to be fitted properly. Entire rewrite, maybe, but silly edit

2026-03-22T17:10:42Z

Undo revision 408626 by Jkshapiro (talk) Surely not irrelevent, in a section that discusses how the depicted type of bolt has problems to be fitted properly. Entire rewrite, maybe, but silly edit

Jkshapiro: /* Explanation */ Removing irrelevant material about other kinds of bolts

2026-03-22T02:28:48Z

‎Explanation: Removing irrelevant material about other kinds of bolts

Kynde: Removing news as bad/good news should not be included

2026-02-08T17:23:31Z

Removing news as bad/good news should not be included

Kynde: Category:News

2026-02-07T14:51:11Z

Category:News

Mathmaster: /* Explanation */

2025-09-03T01:25:50Z

‎Explanation

FaviFake: ok but let's not get too informal here

2025-06-18T10:27:15Z

ok but let's not get too informal here

CalibansCreations: /* Explanation */

2025-06-18T07:48:47Z

‎Explanation

Definitely Bill Cipher at 14:11, 7 May 2025

2025-05-07T14:11:05Z

BobcatInABox: /* Explanation */

2025-05-02T12:19:24Z

‎Explanation

BobcatInABox: /* Explanation */

2025-04-24T19:20:22Z

‎Explanation

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 {{w|Subduction}} is a geologic process in which two {{w|Plate tectonics|plates}} of planetary {{w|lithosphere}} converge, and one is dragged under the other.  The Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates. They slowly move across the surface at a few centimeters per year, although the rate is nonuniform across plates. Where they collide, the denser plate gets dragged under the less dense plate, in a process called subduction. {{w|Earthquake|Earthquakes}} are common at subduction zones, and subduction can also lead to volcanic activity. An "anti-subduction anchor bolt" would aim to stop the process of subduction and the movement of plate tectonics as a whole.
-A round head bolt is screwed in through both the oceanic lithosphere and the continental crust from the bottom up, with a plain washer on either side, and a wing nut tightened at the surface. Washers are present to prevent the bolt and the wing nut from sinking into the crust, by distributing the forces over larger areas. There are several concerns not addressed in the comic with such a design. The implication that the bolt is being screwed in from the mantle side would imply that a very large bolt head was operated from inside the mantle. As of the time of posting of the comic, {{w|Kola Superdeep Borehole|humans have not drilled a hole through a continental crust}}, still less deployed large vehicles in the mantle. In addition, the presence of wing nuts, fasteners that are designed to be able to be screwed in by hand, implies work done by a larger being that has appendages able to use the wing nut. The bolt itself would be a technological challenge, as well. It would need to be made to withstand the temperature of Earth's mantle, around 1000&deg;C near the surface.  At these temperatures, most commercial stainless steel used to manufacture bolts would experience noticeable strength losses. The bolt would need be around 50 km long. Moreover, as subduction zones move parallel to each other, the construction would have to withstand high shear forces, something that a bolt is rather unsuited to compared to other tools, such as rivets. On top of that, ways to alleviate stress must be sought out as if the bolt fails, it could produce a highly amplified earthquake. On top of all this, having secured the bolt, the mantle team would have sealed off their most obvious route of exit back to the surface.
+A round head bolt is screwed in through both the oceanic lithosphere and the continental crust from the bottom up, with a plain washer on either side, and a wing nut tightened at the surface. Washers are present to prevent the bolt and the wing nut from sinking into the crust, by distributing the forces over larger areas. There are several concerns not addressed in the comic with such a design. The implication that the bolt is being screwed in from the mantle side would imply that a very large bolt head was operated from inside the mantle. (There are types of nut-and-bolt system that might be easier to deploy, such as {{w|toggle bolt}}s and {{w|Molly (fastener)|mollys}}. These would have the bolt head on the Earth's surface, rather than in the mantle, and use a spreading "nut" inside the Earth. They wouldn't require conducting enormous operations from below, "merely" a large hole bored from above.) As of the time of posting of the comic, {{w|Kola Superdeep Borehole|humans have not drilled a hole through a continental crust}}, still less deployed large vehicles in the mantle. In addition, the presence of wing nuts, fasteners that are designed to be able to be screwed in by hand, implies work done by a larger being that has appendages able to use the wing nut. The bolt itself would be a technological challenge, as well. It would need to be made to withstand the temperature of Earth's mantle, around 1000&deg;C near the surface.  At these temperatures, most commercial stainless steel used to manufacture bolts would experience noticeable strength losses. The bolt would need be around 50 km long. Moreover, as subduction zones move parallel to each other, the construction would have to withstand high shear forces, something that a bolt is rather unsuited to compared to other tools, such as rivets. On top of that, ways to alleviate stress must be sought out as if the bolt fails, it could produce a highly amplified earthquake. On top of all this, having secured the bolt, the mantle team would have sealed off their most obvious route of exit back to the surface.
 In the short term, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are typically bad for those living nearby, and thus ways to prevent them happening might reduce economic risks in those areas. However, volcanic eruptions deposit nutrients in the surrounding area, enriching soils.  Volcanos also release gases. The vents mentioned in the title text might replenish the nutrients and gases, replacing the benefits of eruptions. Earthquakes sometimes trigger {{w|tsunami|tsunamis}}, which create or modify beaches, and redistribute nutrients from bays and estuaries across coastal plains. So, while the immediate effects of eruptions and earthquakes can be disruptive, they also enrich the environment. Areas at risk from these "disasters" are also attractive and enriched as a result of these same events.

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 {{w|Subduction}} is a geologic process in which two {{w|Plate tectonics|plates}} of planetary {{w|lithosphere}} converge, and one is dragged under the other.  The Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates. They slowly move across the surface at a few centimeters per year, although the rate is nonuniform across plates. Where they collide, the denser plate gets dragged under the less dense plate, in a process called subduction. {{w|Earthquake|Earthquakes}} are common at subduction zones, and subduction can also lead to volcanic activity. An "anti-subduction anchor bolt" would aim to stop the process of subduction and the movement of plate tectonics as a whole.
-A round head bolt is screwed in through both the oceanic lithosphere and the continental crust from the bottom up, with a plain washer on either side, and a wing nut tightened at the surface. Washers are present to prevent the bolt and the wing nut from sinking into the crust, by distributing the forces over larger areas. There are several concerns not addressed in the comic with such a design. The implication that the bolt is being screwed in from the mantle side would imply that a very large bolt head was operated from inside the mantle. (There are types of nut-and-bolt system that might be easier to deploy, such as {{w|toggle bolt}}s and {{w|Molly (fastener)|mollys}}. These would have the bolt head on the Earth's surface, rather than in the mantle, and use a spreading "nut" inside the Earth. They wouldn't require conducting enormous operations from below, "merely" a large hole bored from above.) As of the time of posting of the comic, {{w|Kola Superdeep Borehole|humans have not drilled a hole through a continental crust}}, still less deployed large vehicles in the mantle. In addition, the presence of wing nuts, fasteners that are designed to be able to be screwed in by hand, implies work done by a larger being that has appendages able to use the wing nut. The bolt itself would be a technological challenge, as well. It would need to be made to withstand the temperature of Earth's mantle, around 1000&deg;C near the surface.  At these temperatures, most commercial stainless steel used to manufacture bolts would experience noticeable strength losses. The bolt would need be around 50 km long. Moreover, as subduction zones move parallel to each other, the construction would have to withstand high shear forces, something that a bolt is rather unsuited to compared to other tools, such as rivets. On top of that, ways to alleviate stress must be sought out as if the bolt fails, it could produce a highly amplified earthquake. On top of all this, having secured the bolt, the mantle team would have sealed off their most obvious route of exit back to the surface.
+A round head bolt is screwed in through both the oceanic lithosphere and the continental crust from the bottom up, with a plain washer on either side, and a wing nut tightened at the surface. Washers are present to prevent the bolt and the wing nut from sinking into the crust, by distributing the forces over larger areas. There are several concerns not addressed in the comic with such a design. The implication that the bolt is being screwed in from the mantle side would imply that a very large bolt head was operated from inside the mantle. As of the time of posting of the comic, {{w|Kola Superdeep Borehole|humans have not drilled a hole through a continental crust}}, still less deployed large vehicles in the mantle. In addition, the presence of wing nuts, fasteners that are designed to be able to be screwed in by hand, implies work done by a larger being that has appendages able to use the wing nut. The bolt itself would be a technological challenge, as well. It would need to be made to withstand the temperature of Earth's mantle, around 1000&deg;C near the surface.  At these temperatures, most commercial stainless steel used to manufacture bolts would experience noticeable strength losses. The bolt would need be around 50 km long. Moreover, as subduction zones move parallel to each other, the construction would have to withstand high shear forces, something that a bolt is rather unsuited to compared to other tools, such as rivets. On top of that, ways to alleviate stress must be sought out as if the bolt fails, it could produce a highly amplified earthquake. On top of all this, having secured the bolt, the mantle team would have sealed off their most obvious route of exit back to the surface.
 In the short term, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are typically bad for those living nearby, and thus ways to prevent them happening might reduce economic risks in those areas. However, volcanic eruptions deposit nutrients in the surrounding area, enriching soils.  Volcanos also release gases. The vents mentioned in the title text might replenish the nutrients and gases, replacing the benefits of eruptions. Earthquakes sometimes trigger {{w|tsunami|tsunamis}}, which create or modify beaches, and redistribute nutrients from bays and estuaries across coastal plains. So, while the immediate effects of eruptions and earthquakes can be disruptive, they also enrich the environment. Areas at risk from these "disasters" are also attractive and enriched as a result of these same events.

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 {{comic discussion}}
 [[Category:Subduction]]
 [[Category:Geology]]
 [[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 {{comic discussion}}
 [[Category:Subduction]]
 [[Category:Geology]]
 [[Category:Comics edited after their publication]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-The comic displays a cross-section of a subduction zone, with an anchor bolt connecting the two tectonic plates. Sudden shifts in the positions of tectonic plates relative to each other is a major cause of earthquakes, especially the largest ones. {{w|anchor bolt|Anchor bolts}} are used to secure an item in place, for instance to attach a building to its foundation.  In earthquake prone areas, anchor bolts are often used to secure furniture so it won't slide or jump around during a tremor, potentially creating a hazard. The joke is that, instead of settling for an engineering solution that minimizes the <em>consequences</em> of an earthquake, geophysicists have applied the solution to <em>prevent</em> earthquakes from happening. The caption facetiously expresses frustration that the geophysicists have taken <em>this long</em> to address the earthquake problem at its source. The simple infeasibility of this project is another part of the joke.
+The comic displays a cross-section of a subduction zone, with an anchor bolt connecting the two tectonic plates. Sudden shifts in the positions of tectonic plates relative to each other is a major cause of earthquakes, especially the largest ones. {{w|anchor bolt|Anchor bolts}} are used to secure an item in place, for instance to attach a building to its foundation.  In earthquake prone areas, anchor bolts are often used to secure furniture so it won't slide or jump around during a tremor, potentially creating a hazard. The joke is that, instead of settling for an engineering solution that minimizes the <em>consequences</em> of an earthquake, geophysicists have applied the solution to <em>prevent</em> earthquakes from happening. The caption facetiously expresses frustration that the geophysicists have taken <em>this long</em> to address the earthquake problem at its source. The simple absurdity  of this project is another part of the joke.
 {{w|Subduction}} is a geologic process in which two {{w|Plate tectonics|plates}} of planetary {{w|lithosphere}} converge, and one is dragged under the other.  The Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates. They slowly move across the surface at a few centimeters per year, although the rate is nonuniform across plates. Where they collide, the denser plate gets dragged under the less dense plate, in a process called subduction. {{w|Earthquake|Earthquakes}} are common at subduction zones, and subduction can also lead to volcanic activity. An "anti-subduction anchor bolt" would aim to stop the process of subduction and the movement of plate tectonics as a whole.

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 The title text references the {{w|Carbonate–silicate cycle|carbonate-silicate geochemical cycle}}. Briefly, subduction and subsequent heating of the global crust restores carbon dioxide and silicate rocks to the planetary surface, countering the effects of carbonate deposition and silicate rock weathering. Anchor bolts sufficient to stop plate tectonics would also stop the carbonate-silicate cycle, leading to unexpected, and likely unwelcome, changes in the surface geosphere and biosphere. (Arguably, if the carbonate cycle alone could be paused, it might be a means of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the biosphere.) To restore the cycle by an unknown mechanism, "mantle ducts" have been installed as part of the planet-wide plate anchoring system. It is stated that the mantle duct installation was the most expensive part of the project, implying greater intellectual and technical challenges than the already-massive ones associated with anchor-bolt design and deployment. It is unclear how these mantle ducts would operate in a way that does not replicate many of the issues that the anchor bolts were intended to solve.
-This project would presumably render [[Beret Guy]]'s [[1388|Subduction License]] worthless.
+This project would presumably render [[Beret Guy]]'s [[1388: Subduction License|subduction license]] worthless. ''He'd better start running.''
 ==Transcript==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 7 May 2025
Line 10:		Line 10:

	==Explanation==		==Explanation==
−	~~{{incomplete\|~~
−	~~The trivia might be incorrect, [[Talk:3078: Anchor Bolts#Trivia\|see here]].}}~~
−
	The comic displays a cross-section of a subduction zone, with an anchor bolt connecting the two tectonic plates. Sudden shifts in the positions of tectonic plates relative to each other is a major cause of earthquakes, especially the largest ones. {{w\|anchor bolt\|Anchor bolts}} are used to secure an item in place, for instance to attach a building to its foundation. In earthquake prone areas, anchor bolts are often used to secure furniture so it won't slide or jump around during a tremor, potentially creating a hazard. The joke is that, instead of settling for an engineering solution that minimizes the <em>consequences</em> of an earthquake, geophysicists have applied the solution to <em>prevent</em> earthquakes from happening. The caption facetiously expresses frustration that the geophysicists have taken <em>this long</em> to address the earthquake problem at its source. The simple infeasibility of this project is another part of the joke.		The comic displays a cross-section of a subduction zone, with an anchor bolt connecting the two tectonic plates. Sudden shifts in the positions of tectonic plates relative to each other is a major cause of earthquakes, especially the largest ones. {{w\|anchor bolt\|Anchor bolts}} are used to secure an item in place, for instance to attach a building to its foundation. In earthquake prone areas, anchor bolts are often used to secure furniture so it won't slide or jump around during a tremor, potentially creating a hazard. The joke is that, instead of settling for an engineering solution that minimizes the <em>consequences</em> of an earthquake, geophysicists have applied the solution to <em>prevent</em> earthquakes from happening. The caption facetiously expresses frustration that the geophysicists have taken <em>this long</em> to address the earthquake problem at its source. The simple infeasibility of this project is another part of the joke.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Explanation==
 {{incomplete|
-*'''What's the joke in the comic?''' If someone read all this, they'd know everything about how tectonic plates work, yet have no idea why the comic is funny. This site should focus mainly on explaining the joke in clear way before diving in too deep.
+The trivia might be incorrect, [[Talk:3078: Anchor Bolts#Trivia|see here]].}}
 The comic displays a cross-section of a subduction zone, with an anchor bolt connecting the two tectonic plates. Sudden shifts in the positions of tectonic plates relative to each other is a major cause of earthquakes, especially the largest ones. {{w|anchor bolt|Anchor bolts}} are used to secure an item in place, for instance to attach a building to its foundation.  In earthquake prone areas, anchor bolts are often used to secure furniture so it won't slide or jump around during a tremor, potentially creating a hazard. The joke is that, instead of settling for an engineering solution that minimizes the <em>consequences</em> of an earthquake, geophysicists have applied the solution to <em>prevent</em> earthquakes from happening. The caption facetiously expresses frustration that the geophysicists have taken <em>this long</em> to address the earthquake problem at its source. The simple infeasibility of this project is another part of the joke.