Imagine a huge pool of magma as big as half a state! It just might exist. According to a new study, there could possibly be a giant pool of magma under southwestern Washington state.

There are three active volcanoes there in the Cascade Mountains, and some scientists believe that the pool supplies magma to them. They are Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Those scientists also think that there might be a “super volcano” down under Washington.

If the pool really is magma, it would be the largest amount in one area discovered so far. The discovery is causing quite a stir among scientists, however, because some of them think that the pool is just water.

The scientists that don’t believe that there is magma also don’t think that the three active volcanoes need to be checked again to see how hazardous they are.

The study that found the possible magma pool is to help scientists understand how volcanoes work and predict eruptions better.

The three volcanoes being studied are about 50 miles apart. Each one is supplied by a chamber of magma about 3 miles below the surface of the ground. The new study says that the large pool of magma that supplies those chambers is about 15 miles under the ground!

There are some scientists who are debating whether the theory is correct. They don’t believe it because there are some other studies that don’t support the theory. They also say that there would be evidence of a big magma pool on the surface above it, like vents and hot springs.

For instance, Yellowstone National Park has a super volcano underneath, and there are vents and geysers on the surface there.

All scientists see that there is no evidence for a super volcano, but some say there is evidence for a large pool of magma. More studies will have to be done to determine if the pool of magma exists. In the meantime, share your opinion! Do you think scientists have discovered magma under Washington? Go to For the Curious to take our poll, and to read more science articles!

The problems of our economy are in the news every day.  It makes me worried and it makes a lot of families worried.  So today I’m sharing some tips you can use on your own spending to help your family.

It’s important to develop good saving habits and strategies early on in your life, so that you can be financially secure later on! Some goods tips for saving and spending:

1. Know where your money comes from, and also where it’s going. One good thing to try is to keep the receipts for everything you buy for a week.  At the end of the week, see how you spent your money.  Are there any things you can cut out? Each time you’re about to buy something, ask yourself if it’s something that you really need.

2. Make saving money a priority. Every time you get an allowance or money gift, take part of the total amount (like half of it) and save it.

3. Open up a savings account. Many banks offer free accounts for students  Having an account lets you track your money, and earn interest on the money you put in.  This will put you on the track to money independence!

How do you girls manage your own spending? Do you have any strategies for saving or avoiding impulse purchases?

January 2nd is Science Fiction Day because January 2, 1920, was science fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s birthday. Isaac Asimov wrote over four hundred works and was best known for his science fiction stories, especially his Foundation series about a science which can be used to predict the future.

Science fiction isn’t all about spaceships and robots, though. Lois Lowry’s popular book, The Giver is an example of a science fiction “dystopia” novel. Dystopias are imaginary societies in which something makes the society dysfunctional. For example, in The Giver, people no longer feel strong emotions; this is supposed to stop suffering, but it also stops people from feeling great joy.

Although science fiction is mostly about the future or imaginary worlds, it often makes a point about the world we live in now. A story about a society where different races live in different cities can shed light on racism in our own time, and a story about a species where everyone is the same gender can get us thinking about gender roles in our society.

To celebrate Science Fiction Day, curl up with a favorite science fiction book—or better yet, check out the great girl-written science fiction stories right here on New Moon Girls, such as Mars by Kristen Reid, Being a Nobody by Emily, and Moon Fairy by Lola. Recommend your favorite science fiction books at the Rants & Raves Shout Out! boards. Upload your own science fiction stories to “your stuff.” And never stop stretching your imagination!

Love,

Luna

P.S. What better time to celebrate Science Fiction Day than at the beginning of a new year? We’re “making a new start” this week and looking toward the future. And we’ll keep talking about the future in the next two weeks with our themes of “The Future” (starting January 3) and “Growing Up” (starting January 10). And don’t forget to check out the current issue of New Moon Girls magazine, with the theme, “What the Future Holds”!