Images Dated 14th April 2003

Roots of Thale cress plant, Arabidopsis thaliana

Root genetics research. Roots of the Thale cress plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, growing in a culture medium. The roots have fine root hairs growing horizontally out of them. Root hairs are tubular projections from absorptive cells within the root. The hairs help to anchor the plant within the soil and absorb water and nutrients. A. thaliana is mainly used as an international plant standard for genetic research. This is because of its short generation time, high seed production, small genome (genetic sequence) and ease of genetic manipulation. Research into A. thaliana is vital for improving our understanding of crop plants

© DAMIEN LOVEGROVE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Artwork of explosion of Krakatau in 1883

Artwork depicting the explosion of Krakatau (or Krakatoa) in August 1883. Krakatau was an uninhabited island in the Sunda Straits between Java and Sumatra. Volcanic activity began on 20 May 1883, and continued until late August. At 10am local time on 27 August 1883, the island exploded. This was probably the loudest sound in recorded history, being heard over 4000 km away and the shock wave in the air being detected all over the globe. The ensuing tsunami waves up to 40 metres high killed 36, 380 people and destroyed 163 villages. Rocks were thrown 55 km into the air, and some ash fell on ships 6000 km away. About 24 square kilometres of the island had disappeared

© David Hardy/Science Photo Library