Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Damage Map
USGS has prepared a Hurricane Katrina damage assessment map. This map summarizes damage related to both flooding and wind. Damage categories used are: Catastrophic (most solid and all light or mobile structures destroyed), Extensive (some solid structures destroyed; most sustain exterior and interior damage; most mobile homes and light structures are destroyed), Moderate (solid structures sustaining exterior damage; some mobile homes and light structures are destroyed, many are damaged or displaced), and Limited (superficial damage to solid structures; some mobile homes and light structures are damaged or displaced). A more detailed version of the map below can be viewed at the USGS website and paper copies can be ordered. 
Image by USGSView a more detailed Hurricane Katrina Damage Map. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Monday, November 28, 2005
United States Geologic Maps
USGS has an online image library of United States geologic maps. Scanned versions of over 2000 maps are available for viewing and download. The database is easily search by state or browsed via a reference map of the US. 
Image by USGSVisit the Geologic Maps Database. Labels: Maps
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Story of Vesuvius and the Pompeii Eruption
The Field Museum has a new addition to their website: "Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption". This website surveys the Pompeii eruption event and is also a promotion for an exhibition of the same name which will be at The Field Museum between October 22, 2005 and March 26, 2006. Details of the Vesuvius eruption phases and their impact upon the well-known cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but also the lesser known cities of Oplontis and Terzigno are provided. 
Field Museum ScreenshotVisit the Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption website. Labels: Volcanoes
Friday, November 25, 2005
East Coast Tsunami Hazard Maps
Stephan Grilli and Christopher Baxter of the University of Rhode Island will study historical events and evaluate the risks and probabilities of a tsunami striking anywhere on the East Coast from the Carolinas to Maine. The researchers have received an $86,000 grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers, to create maps of the East Coast of the U.S. that will identify potential flooding and damage that could occur if a tsunami struck the region. Read more about East Coast Tsunami Hazard Maps at the University of Rhode Island website. Labels: Coastal-Geology, Tsunamis
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Wind Speed Map
The map below shows the pattern of sustained wind speeds produced by Hurricane Katrina. The map clearly shows where wind speeds were most severe and how they declined as the storm moved inland. The map was produced by USGS. A more detailed copy can be viewed on their website and paper copies can also be ordered. 
Image by USGSMore a more detailed Hurricane Katrina wind speed map at the USGS website. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Mars Geology and Plate Tectonics
NASA scientists have created a map of Mars crustal magnetism using data collected by the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. This high resolution magnetic field map covers the entire surface of Mars and displays "magnetic stripes" similar to what are found in the Earth's ocean basins. These stripes and other features are interpreted by NASA scientists as being evidence that Mars has undergone plate tectonics. 
Image by NASARead more about Mars Geology and Plate Tectonics at the NASA website. Labels: Planets, Plate-Tectonics
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Katrina Storm Surge Maps
FEMA has posted the first of Mississippi's Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps on their website. These maps are satellite images with a transparent color overlay indicating the areas inundated by the Katrina storm surge. Colored lines are also plotted to show base flood elevation contours and inland limit of wave action boundaries. 
Image by FEMAView Katrina Storm Surge Maps at the FEMA website. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Monday, November 21, 2005
Holly Beach, Louisiana - Hurricane Rita Impact
Posted below are before and after images of the Gulf coast community of Holly Beach, LA - population approximately 300. The top images shows the community in 2004 before Hurricane Rita and the bottom image shows what remained in September, 2005. Almost every building was swept away and the roads within the community were buried with debris. The images below are a portion of an educational poster published by USGS. 
Images by USGS and NOAAFor a more detailed view see the USGS poster Holly Beach - Hurricane Rita Impact. Labels: Hurricanes
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Damage Map
USGS has prepared a Hurricane Katrina damage assessment map. This map summarizes damage related to both flooding and wind. Damage categories used are: Catastrophic (most solid and all light or mobile structures destroyed), Extensive (some solid structures destroyed; most sustain exterior and interior damage; most mobile homes and light structures are destroyed), Moderate (solid structures sustaining exterior damage; some mobile homes and light structures are destroyed, many are damaged or displaced), and Limited (superficial damage to solid structures; some mobile homes and light structures are damaged or displaced). A more detailed version of the map below can be viewed at the USGS website and paper copies can be ordered.
Image by USGSView a more detailed Hurricane Katrina Damage Map. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Hurricane Katrina Flood Map
USGS has prepared a Hurricane Katrina flood map based upon remotely sensed data. This map shows regional flooding patterns mostly related to storm surge using data collected on August 30 and 31, 2005. A more detailed version of the map below can be viewed at the USGS website and paper copies can be ordered. 
Image by USGSView a more detailed Hurricane Katrina Flood Map. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Saturday, November 19, 2005
New Orleans Water Depth Map
| USGS has produced a relative New Orleans water level map based upon a lake stage of 2.37 feet. This map illustrates flooding levels in the city assuming that the level of the lake and the floodwaters are equalized. It also gives a clear visual representation of city topography. |  |
Image by USGSView a full size New Orleans Water Level Map at the USGS website. Labels: Hurricane-Katrina, Maps
Friday, November 18, 2005
Visting Student Programs - University of Iceland
Meghan Kerr, a student at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is studying at the University of Iceland this semester. Here is a report that she sends about her visiting student experience. The Land of Ice and Fire: Iceland, located at 65 degrees north and on the Mid Atlantic ridge is not only a culturally unique place but a geographic phenomenon. It is a geologist’s paradise, which is one reason I have decided to spend my fall semester studying at the University of Iceland. The Earth and Space Science program for foreign students has brought 45 other interested geo students from across the world to study together here. The biggest advantage of studying here in Iceland is the field work experience and practical application of class-learned material. The first class offered through the program is Geology and Geography of Iceland, which begins with an excursion across the southern half of the country. During this trip I climbed a volcano, saw table mountains, stood on a magma chamber, walked on a glacier and much more. Our studies varied from tephra layers to pseudocraters! Most of the geo classes offered through the university also entail an element of field work varying from a weekend trip to an afternoon hike. Recreational traveling here has also been equally rewarding and has been a wonderful experience. 
Images by Meghan KerrLearn more about visiting student programs at the University of Iceland. Reports and announcements from other visiting student and field studies programs related to geology or earth science are invited. Please send them with a photo to:  |
Labels: Teaching-Science
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Galeras Volcano Forces Evacuations in Colombia
Seismic activity at Galeras Volcano in southwestern Colombia is strongly suggesting an imminent eruption. The government has issued an evacuation order for residents of the surrounding area. 
Image by USGS Read more about Galeras Volcano at the BBC Website. Labels: Volcanoes
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Web Extra on Recent Earthquake Offshore of Honshu
Geotimes has posted a Web Extra on the November 15th earthquake that occurred about 350 kilometers east of the island of Honshu, Japan. This earthquake had a magnitude of approximately 7.0 and generated a small tsunami. Author, Naomi Lubick, provides quotes from several earthquake experts related to this event and why a small tsunami was generated.  
Images by USGSRead more at the Honshu Earthquake Web Extra. Labels: Earthquakes
Monday, November 14, 2005
Flood Insurance Rate Maps Online
FEMA has improved their ability to serve digital copies of the flood insurance rate maps via the web. Many of these maps can now be viewed online in the same familiar format as the paper maps. 
Image by FEMAView Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps at the FEMA website. Labels: Floods-Flooding, Maps
Friday, November 11, 2005
1400 Pound Kansas Meteorite
Steve Arnold discovered a 1400 pound oriented pallasite meteorite in a Kansas field near the town of Haviland. Read about the Kansas Meteorite at Kansas.com Labels: Meteor-Meteorite
Thursday, November 10, 2005
United States Tsunami Risk
David Pacchioli of Penn State has written an interview-style article with extensive quotes by Kevin Furlong, Penn State Geophysicist and tsunami expert. The article is titled: "Probing Question: Could a large tsunami ever hit the United States?". In this article he summarizes the various threats, including: undersea landslides off the California Coast, volcanic landslides in the Canary Islands and earthquake-generated tsunamis along the Cascadia Subduction Zone - just off shore of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Furlong says that the United States faces a "Big Time" tsunami threat. 
Image by California Department of TransportationRead more about the United States Tsunami Risk at Live.PSU.edu. Labels: Tsunamis
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Tsunami Heroine Honored
On December 26, 2004, Tilly Smith was 10 years old and on vacation with her parents in Thailand. While walking on the beach she noticed changes in the water levels that reminded her of a lesson on tsunamis in her geography class in Oxshott, England. She quickly told her parents and they ran toward their hotel. On the way she dashed toward a beach filled with bathers and warned them of the approaching wave. The beach was evacuated and an estimated 100 people avoided being caught in the wave. On Thursday, Tilly was honored at the United Nations in New York. Read more about the Tsunami Heroine at suntimes.com. Labels: Tsunamis
Friday, November 04, 2005
Coal Mine Subsidence Information
I look at LOTS of geology websites and today I was really impressed. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has website titled "A Homeowner's Guide to Mine Subsidence". Here is what it provides... - Strong educational materials for mine subsidence
- Maps showing areas of potential mine subsidence
- Numerous mine subsidence photos and educational artwork
- Answers to frequently asked questions about mine subsidence
- Video featuring people who have seen the impact of mine subsidence problems
- News stories showing the relevance of mine subsidence to communities
- A form for property owners to request site-specific information
- Phone number to a mine subsidence and insurance expert
- Many details about mine subsidence insurance
Now, that's how a government agency should communicate with the public on important matters related to geology... educate, demonstrate relevance, define the geographic extent of the problem, explain risks and risk management, and provide access to expert staff members. Nice Job! 
Image by PA DEP
Image by PA DEP
Visit the Pennsylvania Mine Subsidence Information website. Labels: Subsidence
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Global Volcanism Program Website
Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanism Program Website is worth a long visit. It documents the Holocene eruption history of the Earth’s major volcanoes. The site is rich in images, data, maps and other information. Perhaps its best feature is the superior organization that makes research and browsing easy. 
Screenshot of the GVP WebsiteVisit the Global Volcanism Website! Labels: Volcanoes
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
New Glossary of Geology
The American Geological Institute has published their 5th version of the Glossary of Geology. It includes 40,000 entries. Of these, approximately 3,600 are new entries and about 13,000 have been updated. It is the most comprehensive resource of its kind in the geoscience field. 
Image by AGIOrder your Glossary of Geology at the AGI website. If you need the definition of a few of the more common terms try the Geology.com Geology Dictionary. Labels: Books-Publications
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Age of Oceanic Crust - New Method Discovered
Joshua Schwartz and Mike Cheadle of the University of Wyoming are members of an author team reporting that they have found a more reliable method for estimating the age of oceanic crust. This method is based upon finding zircon crystals in the rock and using them for age determination. They report that a reliable age can be determined more than 99% of the time. Traditional methods of dating the oceanic crust are based upon magnetic measurements along with a history of Earth's polarity reversals. Schwartz says "Our finding that these zircons are older than they should be relative to their magnetic age alters what we've thought about oceanic crust." 
Image from NSFRead more about this new method for dating the oceanic crust at the NSF website. Labels: Oceanography
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