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Natural Fluoride in Drinking Water – Ethiopia
February 10, 2012 | National Science Foundation

In the United States and other developed countries, fluoride is often added to drinking water and toothpaste to help strengthen teeth. But too much naturally occurring fluoride can have exactly the opposite effect.

Blue Marble Horn of Africa Perspective
February 6, 2012 | NASA

NASA has produced a new “Blue Marble image. This one is an eastern hemisphere perspective featuring the Horn of Africa.

Photos of the Nyamuragira Eruption
January 30, 2012 | Volcano Discovery

Volcano Discovery has a collection of photos taken at the Nyamuragira eruption at the Kimanura cones on January 22 through 25, 2012.

Human Adaptation to High Altitude
January 24, 2012 | University of Pennsylvania

Over many generations the Amhara people of the Ethiopian Highlands have adapted to living at high-altitude. Now researchers are determining how their genes convey a survival advantage from one generation to the next.

A Meteorite from Mars
January 18, 2012 | Voice of America

In July, 2011 a meteor broke-up during its descent through Earth’s atmosphere, dropping debris on the Moroccan desert. Fragments of the meteorite were recovered and NASA has confirmed that they are fragments of Mars.

Oil Production in Gabon
January 18, 2012 | Energy Information Administration

“Gabon is an established oil producing country in West Africa and has enjoyed decades of economic growth and political stability in comparison to other countries in the region. Oil production undergirds Gabon’s economy, accounting for 45 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 60 percent of government revenue, according to the World Bank.” Quoted from the EIA report.

Volcanic Activity Near Nyamuragira
January 8, 2012 | Earth Observatory

This image from Earth Observatory shows the heat of an active lava flow near Nyamuragira Volcano and a lava lake within the summit crater of Nyiragongo.

A New Island in the Red Sea?
December 29, 2011 | NASA Earth Observatory

“An eruption occurred in the Red Sea in December 2011. According to news reports, fishermen witnessed lava fountains reaching up to 30 meters tall on December 19.

By December 23, 2011, what looked like a new island appeared in the region.” Quote from the NASA image release.

Space Junk Found in Namibia?
December 22, 2011 | MSN.com

A strange metallic ball found in Namibia is thought to be a piece of space junk that survived the fall through Earth’s atmosphere.

Saudi Arabia Dust Plume
December 16, 2011 | Earth Observatory

NASA’s Earth Observatory has published an image of a small dust plume over the Red Sea that originates from Saudi Arabia.

Which Countries Produce the Most Diamonds?
December 13, 2011 | Geology.com

Botswana, Russia, Canada and Angola continue as the world’s leading producers of gem-quality diamonds.


Data from USGS Mineral Commodity Summary

There are More than Geological Stories in the African Rifts
December 8, 2011 | Michigan Technological University

Alex Guth of Michigan Technological University assisted National Geographic with a story about “why the rift exists and its impact on the local people — a people in crisis — and the delicate ecosystem that coexists”.

Related: East Africa’s Great Rift Valley: A Complex Rift System by Alex Guth.

Interesting Photos from the Canary Islands Eruption
December 5, 2011 | Eruptions

The Eruptions blog has interesting photos and commentary on the continuing subsea volcanic activity near the Canary Islands in a post titled: “Mixing Magmas at the Ongoing El Hierro Eruption“.

The First Humans in Arabia?
November 30, 2011 | ScienceMag.org

Stone tools found in Oman suggest that humans may have crossed from Africa to Arabia much earlier than previously believed.

Anadarko Petroleum’s Largest Ever Natural Gas Discovery
November 29, 2011 | Financial Times

Anadarko Petroleum estimates that their newly-discovered natural gas field off the coast of Mozambique could be the largest discovery in company history.

Krypton 81 Used to Track Water through the Nubian Aquifer
November 23, 2011 | New York Times

Researchers have used Krypton 81 to study the flow of water through the Nubian Aquifer of North Africa. Krypton isotopes can be used to determine how long water has been underground and how fast it has moved.

Lava Fountains at Nyamuragira Volcano
November 16, 2011 | TheAge.com.au

TheAge.com.au has a video featuring the current eruption of Nyamuragira Volcano, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has lava fountains shooting hundreds of meters into the air.

Eruption Off of the Canary Islands
November 10, 2011 | MSNBC

A subsurface volcanic eruption continues off of the Canary Islands. This video shows a large pocket of gas erupting from the water.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Yellow Sun-Drop Diamond
November 10, 2011 | AFP on YouTube

A 110-carat vivid yellow, pear-shaped diamond that was mined in South Africa will be auctioned next week in Geneva. It is expected to bring up to $15 million. YouTube Video.

Nyamuragira Volcano Erupting
November 9, 2011 | The Guardian

Nyamuragira is a shield volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and located on the western branch of the East African Rift. It is the most active volcano in Africa. This video reports on an eruption that began on Sunday and is threatening people who live nearby.

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