It contributed important new understanding on subjects such as the chemistry of the protective ozone layer and the cooling effect volcanoes can exert on the global climate.
Deepening the gloom, another new Chinese law comes into effect on May 1st, subjecting any transfer of a state-controlled asset to yet another layer of review, this time by a local commission.
The sediment layer would have to be less than a km (half a mile) thick in order to have the observed effect, and would probably cover only patches of the outer core.