The World*s Largest Diamond
Geology.com
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
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.
Gulf of Mexico Tropical Disturbance Likely to Become a Tropical Depression by Friday
Yale Climate Connections
Article subtitle: The system is likely to bring heavy rains and dangerous flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast beginning on Friday.
Yale Climate Connections
Article subtitle: The system is likely to bring heavy rains and dangerous flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast beginning on Friday.
House of Representatives Passes Numerous Bills Focused on STEM and Science
Speaking of Geoscience Blog
Speaking of Geoscience Blog
Geodetic Surveys Measure the Change in Shape of Volcanoes
United States Geological Survey
On the west side of Mauna Loa summit, a GPS (center) measures its location for a period of 2 to 3 days. This site has been occupied every year by helicopter since 1994. Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Haleakala can be seen in the distance. USGS photo by S. Conway on May 11, 2021.
United States Geological Survey
On the west side of Mauna Loa summit, a GPS (center) measures its location for a period of 2 to 3 days. This site has been occupied every year by helicopter since 1994. Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Haleakala can be seen in the distance. USGS photo by S. Conway on May 11, 2021.
Western Soils and Plants are Parched
NASA Earth Observatory
For the second year in a row, drought has overtaken much of the United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using soil moisture data from Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics and evaporative stress index data from SERVIR. Story by Michael Carlowicz.
NASA Earth Observatory
For the second year in a row, drought has overtaken much of the United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using soil moisture data from Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics and evaporative stress index data from SERVIR. Story by Michael Carlowicz.
The United States Consumed a Record Amount of Renewable Energy in 2020
Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
The Large Footprint of Small-Scale Mining in Ghana
NASA Earth Observatory
In Ghana, over the past ten years, unregulated artisanal gold mines accounted for more deforestation than industrial mines. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from Barenblitt, Abigail, et al. (2021), Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey, and topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Story by Kasha Patel.
NASA Earth Observatory
In Ghana, over the past ten years, unregulated artisanal gold mines accounted for more deforestation than industrial mines. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from Barenblitt, Abigail, et al. (2021), Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey, and topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Story by Kasha Patel.
Finding Gold Mining Hotspots in Peru
NASA Earth Observatory
Researchers have created a tool that uses satellite images to identify new gold mining activity in Peru. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Radar Mining Monitoring Tool data courtesy of the SERVIR-Amazonia Program. Story by Kasha Patel.
NASA Earth Observatory
Researchers have created a tool that uses satellite images to identify new gold mining activity in Peru. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Radar Mining Monitoring Tool data courtesy of the SERVIR-Amazonia Program. Story by Kasha Patel.
Heatwave Scorches the Middle East
NASA Earth Observatory
A phenomenon known as a *heat dome* set the stage for remarkably high temperatures in the Middle East as meteorological summer got under way.
NASA Earth Observatory
A phenomenon known as a *heat dome* set the stage for remarkably high temperatures in the Middle East as meteorological summer got under way.
Production of Crude Oil and Natural Gas in New Mexico Reaches a New Record
Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
NASA*s Juno to Get a Close Look at Jupiter*s Moon Ganymede
NASA
The mosaic and geologic maps of Jupiter*s moon Ganymede were assembled incorporating the best available imagery from NASA*s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and NASA*s Galileo spacecraft. Credit: USGS Astrogeology Science Center/Wheaton/NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA
The mosaic and geologic maps of Jupiter*s moon Ganymede were assembled incorporating the best available imagery from NASA*s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and NASA*s Galileo spacecraft. Credit: USGS Astrogeology Science Center/Wheaton/NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA Approves Asteroid Hunting Space Telescope to Continue Development
NASA
NEO Surveyor is a new mission proposal designed to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardous asteroids that are near the Earth. Image by NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA
NEO Surveyor is a new mission proposal designed to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardous asteroids that are near the Earth. Image by NASA/JPL-Caltech.
This Melting Glacier Was Already the Biggest Source of Sea Level Rise. Then Things Got Worse.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Chasing Cyclones from Space
EOS Earth & Space Science News
Astronauts on the International Space Station were looking into the eye of Cyclone Maysak when they captured this photograph in March of 2015.
EOS Earth & Space Science News
Astronauts on the International Space Station were looking into the eye of Cyclone Maysak when they captured this photograph in March of 2015.
Machine Learning Model Doubles Accuracy of Global Landslide *Nowcasts*
NASA
Image shows a map of potential landslide risk output by NASA*s Landslide Hazard Assessment Model in June 2021. Red indicates highest risk and dark blue indicates lowest risk. Image by NASA.
NASA
Image shows a map of potential landslide risk output by NASA*s Landslide Hazard Assessment Model in June 2021. Red indicates highest risk and dark blue indicates lowest risk. Image by NASA.
Photos Show Chinese Rover on Dusty, Rocky Martian Surface
Associated Press
Photo by the China National Space Agency.
Associated Press
Photo by the China National Space Agency.
Ethane Exports Surge with Additional Export Capacity and Expanded Tanker Fleet
Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
Biden Pushes Protection for More Streams and Wetlands, Targeting a Major Trump Rollback
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies
NASA Earth Observatory
Sediment colors the sea off the coast of the Zambezi River delta on the coastline of Mozambique. The water grows darker offshore as the sediment disperses. NASA Earth Observatory image by Robert Simmon, using Landsat 8 data from the USGS Earth Explorer.
NASA Earth Observatory
Sediment colors the sea off the coast of the Zambezi River delta on the coastline of Mozambique. The water grows darker offshore as the sediment disperses. NASA Earth Observatory image by Robert Simmon, using Landsat 8 data from the USGS Earth Explorer.
Electric Power Sector CO2 Emissions Drop as Generation Mix Shifts from Coal to Natural Gas
Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
Gas Sampling at Mount Shasta Builds a Long-Term Record of Volcanic Emissions
United States Geological Survey
USGS scientist Sara Peek collects fumarole gas at Sulphur Springs near the summit of Mount Shasta as a part of CalVO*s long-term monitoring at very high threat volcanoes. Photo by Lauren Harrison, USGS.
United States Geological Survey
USGS scientist Sara Peek collects fumarole gas at Sulphur Springs near the summit of Mount Shasta as a part of CalVO*s long-term monitoring at very high threat volcanoes. Photo by Lauren Harrison, USGS.
Hidden Within African Diamonds, a Billion-Plus Years of Deep-Earth History
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
How Do Diamonds Form?
Geology.com
Diamond Formation: Diamonds found at or near Earth's surface have formed through four different processes. The plate tectonics cartoon above presents these four methods of diamond formation.
Geology.com
Diamond Formation: Diamonds found at or near Earth's surface have formed through four different processes. The plate tectonics cartoon above presents these four methods of diamond formation.
During the Last Ice Age, the Tropics Were Colder Than We Thought. Bad News for Us.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
NASA Map Gives Most Accurate Space-Based View of LA*s Carbon Dioxide
NASA
The article includes an animation showing data accumulated by NASA*s OCO-3 instrument used to create a map of carbon dioxide concentrations that covers about 50 square miles of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The highest concentrations are in yellow. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA
The article includes an animation showing data accumulated by NASA*s OCO-3 instrument used to create a map of carbon dioxide concentrations that covers about 50 square miles of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The highest concentrations are in yellow. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
In 2020, Natural Gas Exports and Natural Gas for Electricity Production Reached Record Highs
Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
Earthquake Cluster - Southern Shoreline of the Salton Sea
United States Geological Survey
Map by the United States Geological Survey and members of the GIS user community.
United States Geological Survey
Map by the United States Geological Survey and members of the GIS user community.
How Petra Diamonds Ended Up in a Human Rights Mess
JCK Online
Interactions between mine security and illegal miners at Petra*s Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania resulted in several incidences of violence, in which accused trespassers were injured, detained or killed. Photo showing the parts of the Williamson diamond mine and processing areas by Hansueli Krapf, temporarily displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
JCK Online
Interactions between mine security and illegal miners at Petra*s Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania resulted in several incidences of violence, in which accused trespassers were injured, detained or killed. Photo showing the parts of the Williamson diamond mine and processing areas by Hansueli Krapf, temporarily displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Under Loihi Seamount, South of the Island of Hawaii
United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
Loihi Seamount: The Next Volcanic Island in the Hawaiian Chain?
Geology.com
Loihi Seamount is an active submarine volcano off the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Creative Commons image by Kmusser.
Geology.com
Loihi Seamount is an active submarine volcano off the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Creative Commons image by Kmusser.
New Infrastructure Increases Natural Gas Takeaway Capacity Out of West Texas
Energy Information Administration
Map by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
Map by the Energy Information Administration.
June 6th, 1912 - The Most Powerful Volcanic Eruption of the 20th Century Occurred in Alaska
Geology.com
The relative size of the Novarupta eruption compared to other volcanoes on the basis of cubic miles of magma ejected. Novarupta was rated VEI 6 on the volcanic explosivity index. USGS Image.
People in Juneau, Alaska, about 750 miles from the volcano, heard the sound of the blast - over one hour after it occurred.
Geology.com
The relative size of the Novarupta eruption compared to other volcanoes on the basis of cubic miles of magma ejected. Novarupta was rated VEI 6 on the volcanic explosivity index. USGS Image.
People in Juneau, Alaska, about 750 miles from the volcano, heard the sound of the blast - over one hour after it occurred.
NASA Selects 2 Missions to Study the *Lost Habitable* World of Venus
NASA
Venus hides a wealth of information that could help us better understand Earth and exoplanets. NASA's JPL is designing mission concepts to survive the planet's extreme temperatures and atmospheric pressure.
NASA
Venus hides a wealth of information that could help us better understand Earth and exoplanets. NASA's JPL is designing mission concepts to survive the planet's extreme temperatures and atmospheric pressure.
Volcanoes on Venus
Geology.com
An oblique view of Sapas Mons volcano on Venus. Lava flows several hundred kilometers in length appear as narrow channels on the flanks of the volcano, then spread into broad flows on the plain that surrounds the volcano. Image by NASA.
Geology.com
An oblique view of Sapas Mons volcano on Venus. Lava flows several hundred kilometers in length appear as narrow channels on the flanks of the volcano, then spread into broad flows on the plain that surrounds the volcano. Image by NASA.
Menindee Lakes Finally Refilling
NASA Earth Observatory
Historic flooding in New South Wales, Australia brings water to these lakes for the first time in five years.
NASA Earth Observatory
Historic flooding in New South Wales, Australia brings water to these lakes for the first time in five years.
The USGS is Ready to Respond During the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season
United States Geological Survey
Bryce McClenney, USGS hydrologic technician, tests a new real time, ultrasonic wave height sensor earlier this year in Nags Head, North Carolina. The sensor will measure and transmit wave height and frequency during coastal storms. Photo by David Stillwell, USGS.
United States Geological Survey
Bryce McClenney, USGS hydrologic technician, tests a new real time, ultrasonic wave height sensor earlier this year in Nags Head, North Carolina. The sensor will measure and transmit wave height and frequency during coastal storms. Photo by David Stillwell, USGS.
Biden Administration Halts Oil and Gas Leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Fairbanks Daily News - Miner
Fairbanks Daily News - Miner
The *Arctic Treeline* Is One of Three Southernmost *Boundaries of the Arctic*
Geology.com
Boundaries of the Arctic: This map shows the three boundaries commonly used to define the southern geographic extent of the Arctic. Can you name them? Public domain image from the CIA Factbook, treeline added by the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Geology.com
Boundaries of the Arctic: This map shows the three boundaries commonly used to define the southern geographic extent of the Arctic. Can you name them? Public domain image from the CIA Factbook, treeline added by the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Arizona*s Meteor Crater
NASA Earth Observatory
The *young* and well-preserved crater helps scientists understand cratering processes on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system. NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Kathryn Hansen.
NASA Earth Observatory
The *young* and well-preserved crater helps scientists understand cratering processes on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system. NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Kathryn Hansen.
The World*s Only Diamond Mine Where You Can Do the Mining - And Keep What You Find - Is in Arkansas
Geology.com
Diamonds Found at the Crater of Diamonds Mine: This small handfull of diamonds was found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Yellow, brown and "white" diamonds are all found regularly at the park. Many have a rounded octahedral or a rounded dodecahedral crystal habit. Image courtesy of Arkansas.com.
Geology.com
Diamonds Found at the Crater of Diamonds Mine: This small handfull of diamonds was found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Yellow, brown and "white" diamonds are all found regularly at the park. Many have a rounded octahedral or a rounded dodecahedral crystal habit. Image courtesy of Arkansas.com.
Cyclone Yaas Swamps India and Bangladesh
NASA Earth Observatory
An image from May 26, showing Cyclone Yaas making landfall on India and Bangladesh. A perigean spring tide may have exacerbated the storm*s destructive power. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, story by Adam Voiland.
NASA Earth Observatory
An image from May 26, showing Cyclone Yaas making landfall on India and Bangladesh. A perigean spring tide may have exacerbated the storm*s destructive power. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, story by Adam Voiland.
Yellowstone*s Gravest Threat to Visitors (It*s Not What You Might Think!)
United States Geological Survey
What*s your guess? Bear attacks? Bison gorings? Getting too close to thermal features? How about death by selfie?
United States Geological Survey
What*s your guess? Bear attacks? Bison gorings? Getting too close to thermal features? How about death by selfie?
President Biden*s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Makes Significant Investments in USGS Initiatives
United States Geological Survey
Biden*s budget inclues $1.6 billion in proposed funding for USGS, an increase of $326.9 million or 25 percent above the 2021 enacted level.
United States Geological Survey
Biden*s budget inclues $1.6 billion in proposed funding for USGS, an increase of $326.9 million or 25 percent above the 2021 enacted level.
Overwintering Fires on the Rise
NASA Earth Observatory
New research shows that this type of wildfire -- which can survive the winter to re-emerge in spring -- is becoming more common in high northern latitudes as the climate warms. NASA images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and fire perimeter data from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. Story by Kathryn Hansen.
NASA Earth Observatory
New research shows that this type of wildfire -- which can survive the winter to re-emerge in spring -- is becoming more common in high northern latitudes as the climate warms. NASA images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and fire perimeter data from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. Story by Kathryn Hansen.
Curiosity Image Shows Drifting Clouds Over Mars* Mount Sharp
NASA
This image shows clouds drifting over Mount Sharp on Mars, as viewed by NASA*s Curiosity rover on March 19, 2021, the 3,063rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
NASA
This image shows clouds drifting over Mount Sharp on Mars, as viewed by NASA*s Curiosity rover on March 19, 2021, the 3,063rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
Rocks on Mars
Geology.com
A variety of rock types and sediments have been found on Mars. Many are similar to materials found on Earth.
Geology.com
A variety of rock types and sediments have been found on Mars. Many are similar to materials found on Earth.
Record-Breaking Stellar Flare from Nearby Star Recorded in Multiple Wavelengths for the First Time
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Artist*s conception of the violent stellar flare from Proxima Centauri discovered by scientists in 2019 using nine telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum, including the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Powerful flares eject from Proxima Centauri with regularity, impacting the star*s planets almost daily. Image by S. Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Artist*s conception of the violent stellar flare from Proxima Centauri discovered by scientists in 2019 using nine telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum, including the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Powerful flares eject from Proxima Centauri with regularity, impacting the star*s planets almost daily. Image by S. Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF.
The Blooming Mid-Atlantic
NASA Earth Observatory
A natural-color image of a phytoplankton bloom along the coast of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
NASA Earth Observatory
A natural-color image of a phytoplankton bloom along the coast of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
Phytoplankton Blooms from Space
Geology.com
This satellite image features a phytoplankton bloom that developed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Namibia in 2008. The bloom first appeared about October 28 and began to dissipate by November 14. The typical phytoplankton bloom lasts just a few weeks or less. Blooms are frequent off the cost of Namibia because deep ocean currents deliver cold, nutrient-rich waters from the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The currents encounter the continental shelf, and the water is pushed up the continental slope towards the surface. Often the blooms grow so aggressively that decomposition of deceased plankton bodies consumes so much oxygen that a "dead zone" develops in these areas. This satellite image was prepared by NASA Earth Observatory.
Geology.com
This satellite image features a phytoplankton bloom that developed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Namibia in 2008. The bloom first appeared about October 28 and began to dissipate by November 14. The typical phytoplankton bloom lasts just a few weeks or less. Blooms are frequent off the cost of Namibia because deep ocean currents deliver cold, nutrient-rich waters from the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The currents encounter the continental shelf, and the water is pushed up the continental slope towards the surface. Often the blooms grow so aggressively that decomposition of deceased plankton bodies consumes so much oxygen that a "dead zone" develops in these areas. This satellite image was prepared by NASA Earth Observatory.
