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This week’s new questions

Could a huge, prolonged volcanic eruption, like the ones said to have caused several past mass extinctions, happen again? And why do humans’ nostrils point down, when most mammals’ nostrils point straight out from their face?

9 October 2024

Volcano Karymsky explosion on Kamchatka; Shutterstock ID 1990974674; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock/oldravvv

Could a huge, prolonged volcanic eruption, like those said to have caused several past mass extinctions, happen again?

Richard Swifte,

Darmstadt, Germany

S3W7DX Close up of the large nose and snout of a cow behind bars

Clare / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

Why do our nostrils point down while those of most mammals point straight out from their face?

Sylvie Yannello,

New York, US

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

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