Geology News

Moa Fossils and New Zealand Geology

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:40:16 +0000

The moa is a large, extinct bird that lived on Gondwana and evolved as the Earth changed. Revising the bird’s family tree using fossilized DNA has given researchers some new ideas about the geology of New Zealand.

Technology for Fossil Identification

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:20:00 +0000

Assembling fossils from countless tiny pieces can be quite an endeavor, to say the least. Can computers do a better job of fossil identification than expert paleontologists?

American Chemical Society Top 10

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:05:58 +0000

The American Chemical Society singles out ten technologies that could be making more headlines in 2010. Included are: residential solar power, aerogels for oil filtering, using shrimp shells in biodiesel conversion, germ-killing paint, a monthly flea pill for pets, and more noteworthy advances.

How Do Glass-Like Skeletons Develop in Diatoms?

Geology.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:24:40 +0000

Diatoms secrete a glass-like extracellular skeleton and are thought to produce about 25% of Earth’s oxygen. How and why do they produce these skeletons?

SUNRISE Telescope: Great Solar Images

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:15:20 +0000

The SUNRISE telescope was sent into the stratosphere in June 2009, buoyed by a large helium balloon. During its brief flight, it captured some nice images of the sun’s surface, which are now being analyzed.

Large Hadron Collider Readied

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:05:37 +0000

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is almost ready to be reactivated after over a year’s wait. The enormous machine has been cleaned, repaired, and modified, and could begin operations this weekend.

Climate Spurs Bristlecone Pine Growth

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Higher temperatures in recent decades have encouraged the growth of bristlecone pines along the tree line in California and Nevada. Since the ancient pines preserve growth records in their rings, researchers can tell that rapid growth like this has not occurred in thousands of years. This article links to a slideshow from the NSF with [...]

Biodegradable Plastic from Corn

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:59:15 +0000

Biodegradable plastic made from corn has been around for years. New production methods may help these “bioplastic” products to become more mainstream.

Worms Launched into Space

Geology.com/news — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:23:13 +0000

Space station supplies weren’t the only thing on board the Atlantis shuttle when it launched on Monday. Thousands of tiny Caenorhabditis elegans worms were also aboard. The worms will help scientists learn more about the effects of zero gravity.

Video: Encounter With A Giant Leopard Seal

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:42:35 +0000

Here is a video in which Paul Nicklen, a National Geographic photographer, travels to Antarctica and has an incredible encounter with a 12-foot-long leopard seal.

Heavy Snow In China – Satellite Image

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:48:18 +0000

Earth Observatory has a satellite image of the heaviest snowfall to occur in China in the past several decades. The image shows part of the North China Plain near the city of Shijiazhuang. Small cities and towns are easy to spot in this image.

Arsenic in Bangladesh Groundwater

Geology.com/news — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:05:28 +0000

Arsenic contamination is a problem in countries worldwide, but the situation is particularly bad in Bangladesh. Millions of people there are affected by groundwater that is tainted with arsenic.

Finding Magma Systems in African Rift

Geology.com/news — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:35:41 +0000

For the past 10 years, satellite images have been used to study active magma systems in the East African Rift. Activity has been recorded at 4 Kenyan volcanoes: Paka, Longonot, Menengai, and Suswa. Related: East Africa’s Great Rift Valley: A Complex Rift System.

Coal’s Impact on Human Health

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:23:38 +0000

Physicians for Social Responsibility released a report titled: “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” which reviews the potential impact of coal on human health. Coal combustion produces mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. Physicians for Social Responsibility was a Nobel Peace Prize [...]

Galactic Framework Identified

Geology.com/news — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:05:53 +0000

Galaxies tend to form in clusters, and these clusters form larger groups of matter in the universe. Astronomers have observed that there is a type of framework that connects galaxies in outer space. Related: Images of Galaxies in Collision

$80 Oil Could Be a Problem?

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:38:52 +0000

The current cost of a barrel of oil is about $80. Some economists believe that if the price goes much higher it could put a damper on any economic recovery.

Fireball Over the Western US

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:34:25 +0000

The SpaceWeather website reports that many people in the western United States saw a “bright as day” fireball while watching the Leonid meteor shower last night. They link to three videos of the event.

Earthquake Reports

Geology.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:28:55 +0000

USGS has a new page for people who want to report information about an earthquake. There you can select the appropriate event and submit a “did you feel it?” report. These are tallied on the USGS website and displayed in the form of a reported intensity map.

Video: Making of Google Mars and Moon

Geology.com/news — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:05:12 +0000

This video has some behind-the-scenes information about the making of Google Mars and Google Moon. Two of the creators talk about what went into the programs.

HABs: Harmful Algal Blooms

Geology.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:20:07 +0000

Freshwater and marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global problem, and toxic freshwater and/or marine algae have been implicated in human and animal illness and death in over 45 countries worldwide and in at least 27 U.S. States.