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Geology News
Massachusetts Current Events

2010 is expected to be a banner year for red tide algal blooms in the Gulf of Maine. The seeds, or cysts, released last year far outnumber those that caused the large outbreak in 2005.

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “The First Rubellite Locality in the United States” by Vandall King and Angie Teixeira.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the internet’s beginnings, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) created a contest: 10 red weather balloons were distributed across the country, and a $40,000 prize would be awarded to the first team that submitted the coordinates of all ten. The balloon hunt was won by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in less than nine hours.

The books in the Roadside Geology series will help you learn about the geology of your favorite state. These books are great to take on a trip but they work even better if you use them in advance to plan your trip wisely.

This is a photo slideshow featuring Nantucket, Massachusetts, where 92% of the island’s waste is recycled. Residents of the island reuse, recycle, and compost almost everything. Their landfill, which is mined for aluminum and other materials, is shrinking.

Geologists and other outdoor workers should know how to recognize ticks, avoid tick bites and recognize the early signs of Lyme disease. Early treatment with antibiotics can produce a rapid and complete recovery. If you miss the early symptoms Lyme disease can cause chronic neurological problems and joint pain that can persist for years.

A new video highlighting the recent Springfield Mineral Show in Springfield, Massachusetts is available on The-Vug.com website. Richard Jackson of Collector’s Edge shares his photos of scenes of dealer set-up, booths, specimen exhibits, people and more. If you have not attended this show you might be surprised at how big it is.

Hurricane Bill is still moving north off the eastern coast of the United States. It is expected to miss New England but cause waves, wind and strong currents along the coast. Tropical storm and hurricane watches are in effect for portions of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Hurricane Bill is now a Category 3 storm, tracking northwest through the Atlantic Ocean. The exact path it will take and how strong it will be this weekend are uncertain. The hurricane could potentially reach New England this weekend.

The U.S. is considering implementing wind turbines along the eastern coastline. A project proposed for the waters near Cape Cod, MA could become the country’s first offshore wind farm.

Stormwater runoff and sewage contaminate many US beaches. A study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council sampled, tested and rated 200 of the most popular beaches in the United States – both ocean and freshwater beaches were included in the study. Some of them had consistently high water quality and some had consistently low. You can view the report and a listing of the beaches on their website.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program released a report that explains how climate change might impact Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusettes and Rhode Island. Flooding of coastal property, diminished fisheries, damaged winter tourism, impact on crops and livestock, heat waves and heavy precipitation are a few of the featured problems.

Raven Maps are the most beautiful state wall maps that I have ever seen. They show the elevation and relief of a complete state through a skillful use of vibrant colors and topographic shading. Maps are available for individual states, the Conterminous United States, North America, Mexico and the world.

Learn about the geology of your favorite state as seen along the highway. This series of books by Mountain Press are filled with maps, photos, park locations and detailed descriptions. Get one before your next trip.

Portions of Cape Cod have experienced serious beach erosion. One area near Chatham is reported to have lost several houses since a barrier island was breached by a storm in 2007.

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The-Vug.com has a comprehensive listing of mineral and lapidary clubs from across the United States. It could be the most complete and up-to-date listing on the web. Included are hundreds of clubs and organizations located in all 50 states.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort near Hancock, Massachusetts, has a power-generating wind turbine on their property to run their operations. It is now generating both power and critique.

A bill that will require the petroleum industry to sell cleaner fuels is on the agenda for lawmakers in Minnesota. California already has a low carbon fuel policy. Minnesota, Massachusetts and Florida may see one this year.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has given approval for an undersea cable that will carry electricity from an offshore wind farm to land. This project might be the first offshore wind farm completed in US waters.

Exxon Mobil was charged with a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act for incidents surrounding a 15,000 gallon kerosene and diesel spill at a Massachusetts oil terminal. There is a photo of a messy marina in the article.

Earth Observatory has a satellite image of portions of New England blanketed with ice and snow during the December 11 – 12, 2008 winter storm. The results of the storm cut off power to more than a million people across New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New York.

People living in Everett, Massachusetts, are now more inclined to recycle. Why? Residents will receive coupons and gift certificates to local and national businesses in exchange for their recyclables. Officials report that the amount of recyclable goods collected has increased ten times since the program began, and has saved about $150,000 in refuse disposal expenses.

Fossil hunters found a 300-million-year-old fossil of a flying insect in an outcrop behind a Massachusetts shopping mall. Insect fossils are quite rare because of the small size and delicate nature of the organism.

Teachers often need a source of free printable state maps for use with their students. Here is a website that has a nice collection of county, city and state outline maps that you can download and use for free.

An article in Smithsonian magazine explores some of the secrecy that surrounds the lab-grown diamond industry. There are now reports of lab-grown diamonds that are gem quality and indistinguishable from natural stones.