Tropical Storm Arlene Forms, First of 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
How Are Hurricanes Named?
Geology.com
Hurricane Fran: Satellite image of a hurricane named "Fran." Hurricane Fran was a large, powerful, destructive hurricane that made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina on September 5, 1996. Fran was the sixth named storm of the 1996 hurricane season because "F" is the sixth letter in the alphabet. It was so destructive that the name "Fran" was retired from use. Satellite image by NASA.
Geology.com
Hurricane Fran: Satellite image of a hurricane named "Fran." Hurricane Fran was a large, powerful, destructive hurricane that made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina on September 5, 1996. Fran was the sixth named storm of the 1996 hurricane season because "F" is the sixth letter in the alphabet. It was so destructive that the name "Fran" was retired from use. Satellite image by NASA.
State Farm No Longer Offering Home Insurance in California
The Hill
California is a risky state to offer homeowners insurance. Over the past few years thousands of homes have been destroyed by wildfires, then floods caused by the vegetation being burned off of slopes. California is also a risky state because of its earthquake hazards.
The Hill
California is a risky state to offer homeowners insurance. Over the past few years thousands of homes have been destroyed by wildfires, then floods caused by the vegetation being burned off of slopes. California is also a risky state because of its earthquake hazards.
Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover Types of Damage You Might Expect That It Should
Geology.com
Flood, earthquake, expansive soil, hurricane, landslide and subsidence damage are often not covered!
Geology.com
Flood, earthquake, expansive soil, hurricane, landslide and subsidence damage are often not covered!
Land Around the U.S. Is Sinking. Here Are Some of the Fastest Areas.
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
China's Natural Gas Consumption and LNG Imports Declined in 2022
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, annual natural gas consumption in China declined by 1%, or 0.4 billion cubic feet per day, from 2021, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights - the first decline in annual consumption since 1990. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, annual natural gas consumption in China declined by 1%, or 0.4 billion cubic feet per day, from 2021, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights - the first decline in annual consumption since 1990. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Arizona Limits Construction Around Phoenix as Its Water Supply Dwindles
Gift Article from the New York Times
Gift Article from the New York Times
New 'Quasi-Moon' Discovered Near Earth Has Been Travelling Alongside Our Planet Since 100 BC
Live Science
Live Science
James Webb Space Telescope Images
NASA
You can browse images from the James Webb Space Telescope on the NASA flickr website. Shown above is an image of a spiral galaxy like our own Milky Way, known as Messier 74. Shown face-on from our vantage point on Earth, the galaxy's sparkling arms spiral out from a bright white core. The core appears vibrant and alive, and crackles with lightning-like, pale blue light. NASA image from the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA
You can browse images from the James Webb Space Telescope on the NASA flickr website. Shown above is an image of a spiral galaxy like our own Milky Way, known as Messier 74. Shown face-on from our vantage point on Earth, the galaxy's sparkling arms spiral out from a bright white core. The core appears vibrant and alive, and crackles with lightning-like, pale blue light. NASA image from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Columnar Basalts and Why Hexagons Are Nature's Favourite Shape
Blogs of the European Geosciences Union
Blogs of the European Geosciences Union
Arnold Schwarzenegger: 'No One Gives a S--- About Climate Change' - This Is What It Should Be Called
CNBC
CNBC
The Many Uses of Gold
Geology.com
The United States government currently mints coins from gold and other precious metals; however, they are intended for investment and collecting. They are not intended for use as legal tender.
Geology.com
The United States government currently mints coins from gold and other precious metals; however, they are intended for investment and collecting. They are not intended for use as legal tender.
Super Typhoon Mawar Strengthens into Most Powerful Storm on Earth in More Than 2 Years
Gift Article from the Washington Post
See satellite images of the storm at the RAMMB-CIRA Library.
Gift Article from the Washington Post
See satellite images of the storm at the RAMMB-CIRA Library.
Cartwheel Galaxy from the James Webb Space Telescope
Sky and Telescope
The Cartwheel Galaxy in a composite near- and mid-infrared image from the James Webb Space Telescope. NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI.
Sky and Telescope
The Cartwheel Galaxy in a composite near- and mid-infrared image from the James Webb Space Telescope. NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI.
Volcano Watch -- Legends of Eruptions Past
United States Geological Survey
When a water lake began forming at the base of Halema'uma'u at the summit of Kilauea, scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory looked to Hawaiian chants for mention of a crater lake before western contact and whether it was associated with explosive eruptions. Learn more here.
United States Geological Survey
When a water lake began forming at the base of Halema'uma'u at the summit of Kilauea, scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory looked to Hawaiian chants for mention of a crater lake before western contact and whether it was associated with explosive eruptions. Learn more here.
A Symbiosis Between Agriculture and Solar Power
EOS Science News
Crops grow under solar panels in a test plot at the UMASS NREL. A National Renewable Energy Lab photo displayed here under a Creative Commons license.
EOS Science News
Crops grow under solar panels in a test plot at the UMASS NREL. A National Renewable Energy Lab photo displayed here under a Creative Commons license.
California's Shoreline Cliffs Are Crumbling as Climate Change Reshapes the Coast
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
China's Natural Gas Consumption and LNG Imports Declined in 2022
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, annual natural gas consumption in China declined by 1% compared with the previous year, the first decline in annual consumption since 1990. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, annual natural gas consumption in China declined by 1% compared with the previous year, the first decline in annual consumption since 1990. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Archaeologists Discover Roman Camps in Jordan That May Indicate a Secret Military Invasion
Smithsonian
Smithsonian
How Supreme Court's EPA Ruling Will Affect U.S. Wetlands, Clean Water
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Popocatepetl Volcano Spews Smoke and Ash, Putting Millions of Mexicans on Alert
National Public Radio
National Public Radio
Volcanic Ash - The Product of a Volcano that Is Often Underestimated
Geology.com
Volcanic ash on cars at Clark Air Base in the Philippines after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. This parking lot is about 25 kilometers east of the eruption and received about 9 centimeters of ash. USGS image by R.P. Hoblitt.
Geology.com
Volcanic ash on cars at Clark Air Base in the Philippines after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. This parking lot is about 25 kilometers east of the eruption and received about 9 centimeters of ash. USGS image by R.P. Hoblitt.
The Volcano-Covered Exoplanet
NASA
The gravitational tug from a more massive planet in the system, shown as a blue disk in the background, may result in internal heating and volcanic eruptions - much like Jupiter's moon Io.
NASA
The gravitational tug from a more massive planet in the system, shown as a blue disk in the background, may result in internal heating and volcanic eruptions - much like Jupiter's moon Io.
Active Volcanoes of Our Solar System
Geology.com
Io, a moon of Jupiter, is the most volcanically active body in our solar system. It has over 100 active volcanic centers, many of which have multiple active vents. Eruptions recurrently resurface large parts of the moon. NASA image.
Geology.com
Io, a moon of Jupiter, is the most volcanically active body in our solar system. It has over 100 active volcanic centers, many of which have multiple active vents. Eruptions recurrently resurface large parts of the moon. NASA image.
New York City Is Sinking Under the Weight of Its Skyscrapers
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "As the city, and others like it, slowly subsides, it becomes more vulnerable to flooding driven by climate change".
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "As the city, and others like it, slowly subsides, it becomes more vulnerable to flooding driven by climate change".
Arizona Groundwater Explorer: Make Online Maps to Exploring Groundwater Levels in Arizona
United States Geological Survey
Screenshot of the Arizona Groundwater Explorer with a map loaded in the right window.
United States Geological Survey
Screenshot of the Arizona Groundwater Explorer with a map loaded in the right window.
Oiled Spinel & Tanzanite - Shocking Revelations
Lotus Gemology
This article explores the use of oil as a treatment that often improves the "apparent clarity" of gem rough or polished gems - including emerald, spinel, tanzanite, ruby, sapphire and almost any gem material. Use of this treatment should always be disclosed to a buyer when a gem is sold - but that often does not happen. Buyers should be informed of this treatment because it is not permanent - because the oil can degrade over time and the buyer is often left with an ugly stone - instead of the shining beauty that was paid for.
Lotus Gemology
This article explores the use of oil as a treatment that often improves the "apparent clarity" of gem rough or polished gems - including emerald, spinel, tanzanite, ruby, sapphire and almost any gem material. Use of this treatment should always be disclosed to a buyer when a gem is sold - but that often does not happen. Buyers should be informed of this treatment because it is not permanent - because the oil can degrade over time and the buyer is often left with an ugly stone - instead of the shining beauty that was paid for.
Toxic Plankton Blooms Are Becoming More Frequent in Chile's Lake Villarrica.
NASA Earth Observatory
Bursts of phytoplankton are appearing in oceans, seas, gulfs, canals - and increasingly in lakes. In the image above of Lake Villarrica, in Chile, shows cyanobacteria as the light blue-green swirls in the natural-color image. The lake, near a volcano of the same name attracts thousands of visitors to its beaches shoreline communities. Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.
NASA Earth Observatory
Bursts of phytoplankton are appearing in oceans, seas, gulfs, canals - and increasingly in lakes. In the image above of Lake Villarrica, in Chile, shows cyanobacteria as the light blue-green swirls in the natural-color image. The lake, near a volcano of the same name attracts thousands of visitors to its beaches shoreline communities. Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.
The Ups and Downs of Kilauea Summit: Quiescence, Eruptions, and Constant Change
United States Geological Survey
Kilauea summit tiltmeter data (top) and summit GPS daily vertical position data (bottom) shown for the time period January 1, 2020, to May 15, 2023. Summit intrusion and eruption onsets are marked with thin vertical lines and labels. Increased positions and positive slopes in these plots are interpreted as inflation at Kilauea's summit. Graphs by USGS.
United States Geological Survey
Kilauea summit tiltmeter data (top) and summit GPS daily vertical position data (bottom) shown for the time period January 1, 2020, to May 15, 2023. Summit intrusion and eruption onsets are marked with thin vertical lines and labels. Increased positions and positive slopes in these plots are interpreted as inflation at Kilauea's summit. Graphs by USGS.
Algeria Produced a Record Amount of Dry Natural Gas in 2021
Energy Information Administration
Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Alert Level Is Raised in Central Mexico as Volcano Spews Smoke and Ash
Gift Article from the New York Times
Gift Article from the New York Times
NASA, NSF Face Budget Hearings Amid Debt Ceiling Negotiations
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
First Tropical Disturbance of 2023: Southwestern Atlantic, Northeast of the Central Bahamas
National Hurricane Center
Map by the National Hurricane Center.
National Hurricane Center
Map by the National Hurricane Center.
The World's Largest Diamonds
Geology.com
The Cullinan Diamond: A photograph of the Cullinan Diamond being held by Frederick Wells, who discovered it while working as the surface manager of the Premier Mine. This photo was taken in 1905 by an unknown photographer.
Geology.com
The Cullinan Diamond: A photograph of the Cullinan Diamond being held by Frederick Wells, who discovered it while working as the surface manager of the Premier Mine. This photo was taken in 1905 by an unknown photographer.
Cities vs. Rising Seas
Gift Article from the New York Times
Many people throughout the world have lost their homes to rising seas. Millions more will be lost in the next decade - including some owned by people on the coastlines of the eastern and Gulf coasts of the United States.
Gift Article from the New York Times
Many people throughout the world have lost their homes to rising seas. Millions more will be lost in the next decade - including some owned by people on the coastlines of the eastern and Gulf coasts of the United States.
To Escape Rising Seas, the Capital of Indonesia is Moving to "Nusantara"
Gift Article from the New York Times
Jakarta is on the island of Java and "Nusantara" will be built across the Java Sea on the island of Borneo. Map of Indonesia.
Gift Article from the New York Times
Jakarta is on the island of Java and "Nusantara" will be built across the Java Sea on the island of Borneo. Map of Indonesia.
Coral Chemistry Reflects Southeast Asia's Economic Expansion
EOS Science News
Quote from the article: "Soil erosion from economic development sent sediments into the South China Sea -- and into coral skeletons."
EOS Science News
Quote from the article: "Soil erosion from economic development sent sediments into the South China Sea -- and into coral skeletons."
Recent Large Earthquakes Near Lassen Are Just Another Day in the Basin and Range
United States Geological Survey
Quote from the article: "Since May 11, 2023, a series of M5+ earthquakes and aftershocks have rattled the area around Lake Almanor, a reservoir about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of the Lassen Volcanic Center." USGS graphic by Jessica L. Ball. Click image to enlarge.
United States Geological Survey
Quote from the article: "Since May 11, 2023, a series of M5+ earthquakes and aftershocks have rattled the area around Lake Almanor, a reservoir about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of the Lassen Volcanic Center." USGS graphic by Jessica L. Ball. Click image to enlarge.
Mount Vesuvius: The Volcano that Buried Pompeii
Geology.com
Plaster casts of people who died in the city of Pompeii during the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. They were buried by the ashfall. Image: Garden of the Fugitives. This photo was taken by Lancevortex and is distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License.
Geology.com
Plaster casts of people who died in the city of Pompeii during the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. They were buried by the ashfall. Image: Garden of the Fugitives. This photo was taken by Lancevortex and is distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License.
The Extinction of Vertical Drill Rigs
Energy Information Administration
Older geologists remember when all of the drill rigs were vertical rigs. Today those rigs are going extinct and are being replaced by horizontal and directional rigs.
Energy Information Administration
Older geologists remember when all of the drill rigs were vertical rigs. Today those rigs are going extinct and are being replaced by horizontal and directional rigs.
Horizontal and Directional Drilling in Oil and Gas Wells
Geology.com
Horizontal Drilling Under an Airport: The Marcellus Shale underlies about 8,800 acres of land at the Pittsburgh International Airport, but operating drill rigs, maintaining active wellheads, and installing natural gas gathering lines are all prohibited activities on airport property. So, in 2013 Consol Energy proposed to produce natural gas from the Marcellus Shale by drilling 47 horizontal wells from 6 well pads located on adjacent lands. Over a 20-year period, Consol expects to pay the airport about $500 million in natural gas royalties. This is a perfect example of using horizontal drilling to reach an inaccessible target.
Geology.com
Horizontal Drilling Under an Airport: The Marcellus Shale underlies about 8,800 acres of land at the Pittsburgh International Airport, but operating drill rigs, maintaining active wellheads, and installing natural gas gathering lines are all prohibited activities on airport property. So, in 2013 Consol Energy proposed to produce natural gas from the Marcellus Shale by drilling 47 horizontal wells from 6 well pads located on adjacent lands. Over a 20-year period, Consol expects to pay the airport about $500 million in natural gas royalties. This is a perfect example of using horizontal drilling to reach an inaccessible target.
USGS Invests Millions in Critical-Minerals Mapping in Alaska
United States Geological Survey
Critical mineral commodities that are included in the research projects are: arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cobalt, graphite, indium, platinum group metals, rare earth elements, tantalum, tellurium, tin, tungsten. In the photo: Rare earth oxides, clockwise from top center: praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium. Image by Peggy Greb, USDA image gallery.
United States Geological Survey
Critical mineral commodities that are included in the research projects are: arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cobalt, graphite, indium, platinum group metals, rare earth elements, tantalum, tellurium, tin, tungsten. In the photo: Rare earth oxides, clockwise from top center: praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium. Image by Peggy Greb, USDA image gallery.
Dunes On the Yellow River's Floodplain Host a Solar Farm
NASA Earth Observatory
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photograph of the Yellow River floodplain on June 9, 2022. In this part of the floodplain, green crops flank the river on productive agricultural land.
An active dune field - comprised of river sand from the Yellow River - is forming next to the floodplain. It displays a ribbed pattern, with crescentic dunes at right angles to winds blowing from the west.
Unsuitable for agriculture, the dunes instead host hundreds of solar panels found within rectangular solar farms. Near the center of the image, a smaller solar farm adjoins a nearby petrochemical installation. Story by Justin Wilkinson, Texas State University, JETS Contract at NASA-JSC.
NASA Earth Observatory
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photograph of the Yellow River floodplain on June 9, 2022. In this part of the floodplain, green crops flank the river on productive agricultural land.
An active dune field - comprised of river sand from the Yellow River - is forming next to the floodplain. It displays a ribbed pattern, with crescentic dunes at right angles to winds blowing from the west.
Unsuitable for agriculture, the dunes instead host hundreds of solar panels found within rectangular solar farms. Near the center of the image, a smaller solar farm adjoins a nearby petrochemical installation. Story by Justin Wilkinson, Texas State University, JETS Contract at NASA-JSC.
Sand Grains from Around the World
Geology.com
Green olivine sand from Papakolea Beach, Hawaii. The white grains are coral fragments, and the gray-black grains are pieces of basalt. If you think the grains have a "gemmy" appearance, olivine is the mineral name of a gemstone known as "peridot." This image represents a 10 millimeter x 10 millimeter view. Photograph by Siim Sepp, displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
Geology.com
Green olivine sand from Papakolea Beach, Hawaii. The white grains are coral fragments, and the gray-black grains are pieces of basalt. If you think the grains have a "gemmy" appearance, olivine is the mineral name of a gemstone known as "peridot." This image represents a 10 millimeter x 10 millimeter view. Photograph by Siim Sepp, displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
Jewelry Industry Groups Ask FTC to Crack Down on Use of "Sustainable" in Advertising
JCK Online
The words "sustainable" and "sustainability" are being overused in product descriptions, often in ways that misrepresent the product. Use of the words can be accurate, but they are often tossed in as "fashionable buzzwords" when they do not apply to the product or barely apply to the product.
JCK Online
The words "sustainable" and "sustainability" are being overused in product descriptions, often in ways that misrepresent the product. Use of the words can be accurate, but they are often tossed in as "fashionable buzzwords" when they do not apply to the product or barely apply to the product.
14,000 Inactive Oil and Gas Wells Are Unplugged in the Gulf of Mexico
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "Capping these potential sources of methane could cost $30 billion. But targeting wells in shallow waters would have the highest impact."
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "Capping these potential sources of methane could cost $30 billion. But targeting wells in shallow waters would have the highest impact."
Oil & Natural Gas Projects Expected to Come Online in the U.S. Federal Offshore Gulf
Energy Information Administration
Data for this map is from the Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management.
Energy Information Administration
Data for this map is from the Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management.
Environmentalists Aim to Block Gold Mine Near Yellowstone -- By Buying It
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
The Greenhouse Gas Burden of Inland Waters
EOS Science News
A Landsat image of the Selenga River Delta acquired on August 23, 2010. The delta is located on the southeastern shoreline of Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. This image clearly shows the distributaries of the delta, meandering channels, alluvial plain, and sediment-laden waters on the delta front. Landsat GeoCover image by the United States Geological Survey. Enlarge image.
EOS Science News
A Landsat image of the Selenga River Delta acquired on August 23, 2010. The delta is located on the southeastern shoreline of Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. This image clearly shows the distributaries of the delta, meandering channels, alluvial plain, and sediment-laden waters on the delta front. Landsat GeoCover image by the United States Geological Survey. Enlarge image.
Groundwater Pumping Is Causing Mexico City to Sink
EOS Science News
Land subsidence beneath Mexico City has been causing problems with the built environment for generations. Roads, buildings, water suppy lines, sewage lines and other utilities are constantly being damaged as the earth compacts below. The parts of the city most affected by subsidence are known and are mainly avoided for larger and more costly construction projects. The satellite image above is from NASA's GeoCover Project. Enlarge image.
EOS Science News
Land subsidence beneath Mexico City has been causing problems with the built environment for generations. Roads, buildings, water suppy lines, sewage lines and other utilities are constantly being damaged as the earth compacts below. The parts of the city most affected by subsidence are known and are mainly avoided for larger and more costly construction projects. The satellite image above is from NASA's GeoCover Project. Enlarge image.
