Geology News
Nevada Current Events

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.

“A new video from the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates Lake Mead’s healthy and robust ecosystem and the aquatic science research and monitoring that happens on the lake.” Quoted from the USGS video release.

The report can be downloaded and is titled: “A Synthesis of Aquatic Science for Management of Lakes Mead and Mohave”

One of the most important gold discoveries of the 20th century was made by John Livermore who found rocks that contained recoverable amounts of gold – but the gold particles were too small to see.

The folks at MyTopo.com are now printing supersized topo maps; large enough make a huge 8′ x 5′ (or 5′ x 8′) map that will look fantastic on the wall of your office, conference room, lobby, cabin or den. These maps are custom-centered on any location that you pick using their online map-making tool.

We are affiliates of MyTopo.com and receive a commission on sales.

Raven Maps are beautiful examples of shaded-relief wall maps that display the elevation of a state in vibrant colors. These large maps look great in a classroom, den or office. Use one to mark the locations of your work or company.

“Meteorology is the driving force for lake internal heating, cooling, mixing, and circulation. Thus continued global warming will affect the lake thermal properties, water level, internal nutrient loading, nutrient cycling, food-web characteristics, fish-habitat, aquatic ecosystem, and other important features of lake limnology.” Quoted from the USGS press release.

An article on the MSNBC.com website explores volcanic hazards in the southwestern United States and how geologists are starting to coordinate their mitigation, forecasting and planning efforts.

“A rainbow descends into the Great Basin after a spring storm. The Great Basin is the largest terminal basin in the U.S., located in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon.” Photo by Larry Crist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On on October 18th at 10:18 a.m.* in the 2012 Great Nevada ShakeOut!” Quoted from The Great Nevada ShakeOut site.

Mountain Press Publishing has released a new book by Albert B. Dickas titled: 101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See.

It provides a two-page presentation on each site that features photos, text and a map. It is a good way to get a quick glimpse of these 101 fantastic sites. It sells for $23.99.

See a table of contents.

“Devils Hole is a subaqueous cavern in south-central Nevada within a geographically detached unit of Death Valley National Park. The cavern is tectonic in origin and has developed in Cambrian carbonate rocks bordering the Ash Meadows oasis.” Quoted from the USGS Fact Sheet.

“From the highest peak in the continental United States, Mt. Whitney at 14,000 feet in elevation, to the 10,000-foot-peaks near Lake Tahoe, scientific evidence from the University of Nevada, Reno shows the entire Sierra Nevada mountain range is rising at the relatively fast rate of 1 to 2 millimeters every year.” Quoted from the University of Nevada, Reno press release.

The-Vug.com has an impressive listing of mineral clubs organized by state. You might be surprised at how many clubs are listed and there is probably one that meets within a short drive of your home.

An annular solar eclipse will occur on Sunday, May 20th. Some of the best viewing areas will be in the southwestern United States.

Fragments thought to be part of the fireball that was seen in daylight by people from Las Vegas to San Francisco have been found near Lotus California.

A small asteroid about the size of a minivan is thought to be responsible for a sonic boom that was heard by millions of people in California and Nevada.

In this video, CNN Money takes you on a short visit to Barrick Gold’s Cortez Mine near Elko, Nevada.