Geology News

Large Impact on the Moon

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:06:17 +0000

“For the past 8 years, NASA astronomers have been monitoring the Moon for signs of explosions caused by meteoroids hitting the lunar surface. [...] They’ve just seen the biggest explosion in the history of the program.”

Arkansas Shale Gas and Water Quality

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:40:23 +0000

“A new study by scientists at Duke University and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) finds no evidence of groundwater contamination from shale gas production in Arkansas.” Quoted from the Duke University press release.

Melting Glaciers and Sea Level Rise

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:22:45 +0000

“While 99 percent of Earth’s land ice is locked up in the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, the remaining ice in the world’s glaciers contributed just as much to sea rise as the two ice sheets combined from 2003 to 2009.” Quoted from the University of Colorado Boulder press release.

Peer Review and Climate Change

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:04:19 +0000

An article on The Guardian website reports that 97% of peer-reviewed papers support a human cause for global climate change.

Earthquakes in Indiana?

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:03:49 +0000

The Indiana Geological Survey is helping students (and news reporters) learn about the earthquake history of Indiana and experience simulated ground shaking of up to magnitude 7.0.

Roadside Geology Guides

Geology.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:01:51 +0000

Since 1972 the “Roadside Geology” series has provided introductory information on the geology of states and small regions of the United States.

The books provide a combination of maps, travel logs, photos and commentary for the geology that can be seen along highways or visited at parks and public viewing areas. They are popular with geologists, teachers, students and others who are interested in the Earth.

Mount St. Helens – 33 Years

Geology.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:08:25 +0000

“Mount St. Helens seized the world’s attention in 1980 when the largest historical landslide on Earth and a powerful explosive eruption reshaped the volcano, created its distinctive crater, and dramatically modified the surrounding landscape.” Quoted from the USGS Fact Sheet titled…. Mount St. Helens, 1980 to Now—What’s Going On?

USGS Redesigned the Topo Map

Geology.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:37:34 +0000

USGS has redesigned their PDF topo maps! Just released are complete map sets for Tennessee (694 maps) and Kentucky (671 maps) with more states coming soon (Alaska and Hawaii).

These maps are beautiful. If you want to see a sample we have Mammoth Cave, Kentucky unzipped and ready for you to download – but be warned that it is a really big file (30 megs) and will take quite a while to download – but well worth the wait…

If you have Adobe Reader or equivalent software, click here, get the download started, go for coffee, come back to a great map. Be sure to zoom in to see the great detail.

First Saudi Woman to Climb Everest

Geology.com — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:57:27 +0000

Today, Raha Muharraq became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

UK Oil and Natural Gas Report

Geology.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:30:39 +0000

The UK is the largest producer of oil and the second largest producer of natural gas in the European Union; however, they still are a net importer of both of these fuels.

Impact of Eyjafjallajokull On Ocean Biology

Geology.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:17:14 +0000

Research at the University of Southampton determined that the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull supplied dissolved iron to a large area of the North Atlantic. This stimulated photoplankton growth but the abundance of iron caused the rapid removal of biological nitrate which applied a throttle on the phytoplankton.

Coastal Water Temperature Map

Geology.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:07:04 +0000

NOAA has published a Google Map that displays near-real-time coastal water temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit for hundreds of locations around the United States.

Warm Spring Temperatures and Western Water Supplies

Geology.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:01:25 +0000

“Warmer spring temperatures since 1980 are causing an estimated 20 percent loss of snow cover across the Rocky Mountains of western North America. [...] Runoff from Rocky Mountain winter snowpack accounts for 60 to 80 percent of the annual water supply for more than 70 million people living in the western U.S.

May 1 to May 15 Most Popular

Geology.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:11:47 +0000

Why Natural Gas Cars are Selling Slowly

What is Sunstone?

Natural Gas Could Kill Fuel Diversity

Large Hurricane on Saturn

Who Becomes Dominant After a Mass Extinction?

Diamond Dust over Saskatoon

The Bone Worm

Canadian Government Ads for Keystone XL

Geology.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:34:23 +0000

The Canadian government is spending millions of dollars to rally support for the Keystone XL pipeline from US lawmakers.

Life 500 Meters Below the Juan de Fuca Ridge

Geology.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:08:21 +0000

Researchers have discovered evidence of life 500 meters below the seafloor of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. “They found genetic evidence of Methanosarcinales, anaerobic archaea known to metabolize methane. Further experiments showed that microbes have affected the chemical signature of sulfur in the host basalt, suggesting they could harness energy from the breakdown of sulfates.” Quoted from the Deep Carbon Observatory press release.

Mystery Methane from Los Angeles?

Geology.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:05:41 +0000

Exactly where the extra methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is coming from in Los Angeles has finally been identified. [...] The research explains why the estimates of methane given off by various sources are 35 percent lower than the levels that have actually been measured in the atmosphere.

How Some Invasive Organisms Get to the USA

Geology.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:58:16 +0000

The Los Angeles Times has an article about how some invasive organisms get to the United States by hitching a ride on container ships.

More Debate on Exporting Natural Gas

Geology.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:42:02 +0000

Energy companies have submitted permit requests for 20 natural gas export projects. The projects will create jobs, income for natural gas companies and property owners, and improve our trade balance. Opponents believe that exports will increase prices and accelerate the landscape impact of drilling activity.

Namibian Dust Over the Atlantic

Geology.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:04:57 +0000

Strong winds carry plumes of dust from parts of Namibia where dry soil and a lack of vegetation allow the wind to pick up dust from the gravel-covered plains.