Innnnteresting...

The mountain in Tycho Crater on the Moon may not be a simple rebound peak, as long thought:

http://www.universetoday.com/94583/scientists-suggest-evidence-of-recent-lunar-volcanism/#more-94583l

Better view of the mountain:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/tycho-peak-gal.html

Any vulcanism is still speculation, of course. Even if there is outgassing, the peak could be pure rebound and the gasses moving up through cracks unrelated to volcanic activity. However, that "boulder" in the summit crater does resemble a lava dome:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/565703main_verticalv_boulder.jpg

Titanic

I just finished watching the History Channel special on the _Titanic_. I have one question: When they tested the replica seams, were the samples chilled first? I know that temperature difference can make a significant difference in steel brittleness, but doesn't always do so, depending on the specifics. However, many others have mentioned the cold water as a possible factor in the failure of the _Titanic_'s seams. Her steel was known to have trace materials which can increase brittleness at low temperatures.

During WWII Liberty Ships sailing the same waters in the same season encountered serious problems due to the cold water affecting the steel and seams, causing brittle fractures. There were many other factors involved in their failure rate, due to multiple innovative techniques used in their construction. However, relatively minor changes in the design and construction methods eliminated the brittle fracture problem, so we know it was real. Did something similar happen with _Titanic_? The test did not address this.

It's possible that a difference in steels or construction methods (the Liberty Ships had welded seams; the _Titanic_ used wrought iron rivets) makes the temperature irrelevant, or at least less significant. (Welded seams generally are more prone to this problem.)

Most likely, the stresses were simply too great for any conceivable ship of the time - and likely into much later times - to resist. The cold may have increased the damage, hastening the sinking. Even so, _Titanic_ stayed afloat significantly longer than even her designer estimated.