Olivine: The Mineral of Peridot
Geology.com
Olivine in Basalt: Lherzolite (a variety of peridotite) nodules in a xenolith collected from a basalt flow at Peridot Mesa, Arizona. These xenoliths often contain crystals of olivine with a color and clarity that is suitable for use as a peridot gemstone. This specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.
Geology.com
Olivine in Basalt: Lherzolite (a variety of peridotite) nodules in a xenolith collected from a basalt flow at Peridot Mesa, Arizona. These xenoliths often contain crystals of olivine with a color and clarity that is suitable for use as a peridot gemstone. This specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.
Kummakivi Balancing Rock
Atlas Obscura
Kummakivi is the name of a precariously balanced rock that rests on another unlikely-shaped rock in what seems to be an impossible position. The article at Atlas Obscura explains how this might happen. The photograph above, by Kotivalo, is displayed here under a Creative Commons License. Reference. Thank you.
Atlas Obscura
Kummakivi is the name of a precariously balanced rock that rests on another unlikely-shaped rock in what seems to be an impossible position. The article at Atlas Obscura explains how this might happen. The photograph above, by Kotivalo, is displayed here under a Creative Commons License. Reference. Thank you.
Qatar Energy Report
Energy Information Administration
If anything should impress you about Qatar, it is their enormous proved natural gas reserves. They are third in the world!
Energy Information Administration
If anything should impress you about Qatar, it is their enormous proved natural gas reserves. They are third in the world!
Where Is Qatar?
Geology.com
Qatar is located in the Middle East. It is bordered by the Gulf of Bahrain to the west, the Persian Gulf to the east, and Saudi Arabia to the south.
Geology.com
Qatar is located in the Middle East. It is bordered by the Gulf of Bahrain to the west, the Persian Gulf to the east, and Saudi Arabia to the south.
NASA's SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) Mission
NASA Climate Change on YouTube
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission will be NASA's first global survey of Earth's surface water.
NASA Climate Change on YouTube
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission will be NASA's first global survey of Earth's surface water.
Water Levels to Be Measured in 1,400 Southern Idaho Wells
United States Geological Survey
Image: USGS hydrologic technician collects a groundwater-level measurement from an aquifer monitoring well at the Idaho National Laboratory. Public domain image by USGS.
Between April 3 and 14, USGS employees, working with the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation, will measure groundwater levels in more than 1,400 private and public wells that draw from the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer.
The data collected from this large-scale measurement will help water managers understand the status of the aquifer as the state enters the April-September irrigation season. In addition, the IDWR will use the data to continue improving their computer model of the aquifer.
United States Geological Survey
Image: USGS hydrologic technician collects a groundwater-level measurement from an aquifer monitoring well at the Idaho National Laboratory. Public domain image by USGS.
Between April 3 and 14, USGS employees, working with the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation, will measure groundwater levels in more than 1,400 private and public wells that draw from the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer.
The data collected from this large-scale measurement will help water managers understand the status of the aquifer as the state enters the April-September irrigation season. In addition, the IDWR will use the data to continue improving their computer model of the aquifer.
Where Is Malawi?
Geology.com
Malawi is located in southern Africa. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west, and Mozambique to the west, south, and east.
Geology.com
Malawi is located in southern Africa. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west, and Mozambique to the west, south, and east.
Webb Telescope Confirms Nearby Rocky Planet Has No Significant Atmosphere
Ars Technica
Illustration showing what the hot rocky exoplanet TRAPPIST-1b could look like. Image by NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI), T. P. Greene (NASA Ames), T. Bell (BAERI), E. Ducrot (CEA), P. Lagage (CEA).
Ars Technica
Illustration showing what the hot rocky exoplanet TRAPPIST-1b could look like. Image by NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI), T. P. Greene (NASA Ames), T. Bell (BAERI), E. Ducrot (CEA), P. Lagage (CEA).
U.S. Coal Exports Remain Relatively Unchanged Between 2021 and 2022
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, 84.8 million short tons of coal were exported from the United States, relatively unchanged from the 85.1 MMst exported in 2021. Steam coal accounted for 45% of all U.S. coal exports in 2022; metallurgical coal accounted for 55%. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
In 2022, 84.8 million short tons of coal were exported from the United States, relatively unchanged from the 85.1 MMst exported in 2021. Steam coal accounted for 45% of all U.S. coal exports in 2022; metallurgical coal accounted for 55%. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Sinkhole Above an Abandoned Mine Swallows a Stream in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Observer-Reporter.com
Observer-Reporter.com
Science Museums Take Stock of 1.1 Billion Objects From Around the World
Gift Article from the New York Times
Gift Article from the New York Times
James Webb Telescope Spots Raging Dust Storms on an Exoplanet
Smithsonian
Swirling clouds identified by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of the exoplanet VHS 1256 b. The planet is about 40 light-years away and orbits two stars that are locked in their own tight rotation. Its clouds, which are filled with silicate dust, are constantly rising, mixing, and moving during its 22-hour day. Image and caption by NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI).
Smithsonian
Swirling clouds identified by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of the exoplanet VHS 1256 b. The planet is about 40 light-years away and orbits two stars that are locked in their own tight rotation. Its clouds, which are filled with silicate dust, are constantly rising, mixing, and moving during its 22-hour day. Image and caption by NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI).
U.S. Renewable Generation Surpassed Coal and Nuclear in 2022
Energy Information Administration
Last year, the U.S. produced 4,090 million megawatthours of electric power. Generation from renewable sources -- wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal -- surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time. Renewable generation surpassed nuclear generation for the first time in 2021 and continued to provide more electricity than nuclear generation last year. Graph and caption by EIA.
Energy Information Administration
Last year, the U.S. produced 4,090 million megawatthours of electric power. Generation from renewable sources -- wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal -- surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time. Renewable generation surpassed nuclear generation for the first time in 2021 and continued to provide more electricity than nuclear generation last year. Graph and caption by EIA.
Satellite Images Before and After Tornadoes Hit Rolling Fork, Mississippi
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Where Is Bangladesh?
Geology.com
Bangladesh is located in southern Asia. Bangladesh is bordered by the Bay of Bengal to the south, Myanmar (Burma) to the east, and India to the east, north, and west.
Geology.com
Bangladesh is located in southern Asia. Bangladesh is bordered by the Bay of Bengal to the south, Myanmar (Burma) to the east, and India to the east, north, and west.
Science Museums Take Stock of 1.1 Billion Objects From Around the World
Gift Article from the New York Times
Gift Article from the New York Times
Incredible Ice Collapse Triggered by Glacier Calving
Licet Studios on YouTube
An incredibly large chunk of the Grey Glacier's ice-sheet breaks off and flips over in a spectacular way in Southern Patagonia, Chile.
Licet Studios on YouTube
An incredibly large chunk of the Grey Glacier's ice-sheet breaks off and flips over in a spectacular way in Southern Patagonia, Chile.
Auroras Shine Unusually Far South Amid Strongest Solar Storm sSince 2017
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Brilliant displays were seen on Thursday March 23, 2023 as far south as Virginia, North Carolina and Arizona.
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Brilliant displays were seen on Thursday March 23, 2023 as far south as Virginia, North Carolina and Arizona.
From NOAA: SEVERE Geomagnetic Storm ALERT for March 24th, 2023
NOAA
Posted on NOAA's Twitter stream. Image by NOAA.
NOAA
Posted on NOAA's Twitter stream. Image by NOAA.
Are Floating Solar Panels the Future of Clean Energy Production?
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "?Floatovoltaics" could drastically raise power generation and conserve water in reservoirs.
Smithsonian
Quote from the article: "?Floatovoltaics" could drastically raise power generation and conserve water in reservoirs.
The Majority of U.S. Households Used Natural Gas in 2020
Energy Information Administration
Map by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
Map by the Energy Information Administration.
NOAA: Geomagnetic Storm Might Cause the Northern Lights to be Seen in Northern California
CBS News Sacramento
CBS News Sacramento
How Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Serves as a Scout for Perseverance Mars Rover
NASA
Screen shot of an animation showing the progress of NASA's Perseverance Mars rover and its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter as they make the climb up Jezero Crater's delta toward ancient river deposits. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA
Screen shot of an animation showing the progress of NASA's Perseverance Mars rover and its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter as they make the climb up Jezero Crater's delta toward ancient river deposits. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Europe's Oldest Map Shows Tiny Bronze Age Kingdom
Atlas Obscura
The map, carved from a stone, depicts a tiny kingdom that once existed on the Brittany peninsula of western France. The drawing of the stone (above) was made by Paul du Chatellier (1833-1911). The image above is in the public domain - you can see a recent photograph of the stone at the link above.
Atlas Obscura
The map, carved from a stone, depicts a tiny kingdom that once existed on the Brittany peninsula of western France. The drawing of the stone (above) was made by Paul du Chatellier (1833-1911). The image above is in the public domain - you can see a recent photograph of the stone at the link above.
Is "The Great Unconformity" a Misnomer?
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
What Is a Misnomer?
Geology.com
Misnomers are "incorrect names". Examples include "Herkimer diamonds" and "green amethyst". Herkimer diamonds are doubly-terminated crystals of quartz but the name "diamond" has been attached to them for a novelty purpose. Green amethyst is a name used for transparent specimens of green quartz that are often faceted and sold as "green amethyst". That name is incorrect because the definition of amethyst is a purple variety of quartz.
Using an incorrect name when an item is being offered for sale can be misleading and result in civil and/or criminal liability. The Federal Trade commission recently targeted "green amethyst" and "yellow emerald" as names that can be deceptive or misleading. A quote from the FTC: "It is unfair or deceptive to mark or describe an industry product with the incorrect varietal name."
Geology.com
Misnomers are "incorrect names". Examples include "Herkimer diamonds" and "green amethyst". Herkimer diamonds are doubly-terminated crystals of quartz but the name "diamond" has been attached to them for a novelty purpose. Green amethyst is a name used for transparent specimens of green quartz that are often faceted and sold as "green amethyst". That name is incorrect because the definition of amethyst is a purple variety of quartz.
Using an incorrect name when an item is being offered for sale can be misleading and result in civil and/or criminal liability. The Federal Trade commission recently targeted "green amethyst" and "yellow emerald" as names that can be deceptive or misleading. A quote from the FTC: "It is unfair or deceptive to mark or describe an industry product with the incorrect varietal name."
Types of Rock Art: Petroglyphs and Pictographs
Geology.com
A petroglyph is an image that is carved into a rock. This "carving" can produce a visible indentation in the rock, or it can simply be the scratching away of a weathered surface to reveal unweathered material of a different color below. Image copyright iStockphoto / amygdala_imagery.
A pictograph is a drawing or painting that is created on a rock. It is not "carved" into the rock Image copyright iStockphoto / Andrea Gingerich.
Geology.com
A petroglyph is an image that is carved into a rock. This "carving" can produce a visible indentation in the rock, or it can simply be the scratching away of a weathered surface to reveal unweathered material of a different color below. Image copyright iStockphoto / amygdala_imagery.
A pictograph is a drawing or painting that is created on a rock. It is not "carved" into the rock Image copyright iStockphoto / Andrea Gingerich.
'Oumuamua Was a Comet After All
Gift Article from the New York Times
Artist's impression of the interstellar asteroid 'Oumuamua. Image by the European Southern Observatory / M. Kornmesser. Displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
Gift Article from the New York Times
Artist's impression of the interstellar asteroid 'Oumuamua. Image by the European Southern Observatory / M. Kornmesser. Displayed here under a Creative Commons License.
J.P. Morgan Thought It Had $1.3 Million of Nickel, but the Bags Were Full of Common Stones
Business Insider
Other buyers thought they had received copper, but the shipment was spray-painted rocks.
Business Insider
Other buyers thought they had received copper, but the shipment was spray-painted rocks.
Halema'uma'u Crater Fieldwork and Overflight of Kilauea Summit
United States Geological Survey
Close-up view of the pebbly, rubbly, and sandy texture of the tephra that formed in December 2020 when lava interacted with the water lake that was present at the base of Halema'uma'u crater at the time. Some of this tephra formed the island that then floated around the lava lake, and which is still present today. USGS photo by D. Downs.
United States Geological Survey
Close-up view of the pebbly, rubbly, and sandy texture of the tephra that formed in December 2020 when lava interacted with the water lake that was present at the base of Halema'uma'u crater at the time. Some of this tephra formed the island that then floated around the lava lake, and which is still present today. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Europe Was the Main Destination for U.S. LNG during 2022
Energy Information Administration
U.S. LNG exports to Europe and the United Kingdom increased as a result of both natural gas supply challenges in Europe after pipeline exports from Russia declined to 40-year lows and higher prices at Europe's natural gas trading hubs relative to other LNG markets. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
U.S. LNG exports to Europe and the United Kingdom increased as a result of both natural gas supply challenges in Europe after pipeline exports from Russia declined to 40-year lows and higher prices at Europe's natural gas trading hubs relative to other LNG markets. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Big Asteroids Hit Earth More Frequently Than Thought
Space.com
Panoramic image of Meteor Crater located near Winslow, Arizona by Tsaiproject, shown here under a Creative Commons License".
Space.com
Panoramic image of Meteor Crater located near Winslow, Arizona by Tsaiproject, shown here under a Creative Commons License".
M 4.5 Earthquake WSW of Ferndale, California
United States Geological Survey
Map by the United States Geological Survey.
United States Geological Survey
Map by the United States Geological Survey.
Q: How Important Is Russia's Diamond Production? A: 28.5% of Global Carat Weight
Geology.com
World Diamond Production: Estimated diamond production levels for countries mining at least two million carats of gem-quality diamonds in 2021. Graph by Geology.com. Data from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.
Geology.com
World Diamond Production: Estimated diamond production levels for countries mining at least two million carats of gem-quality diamonds in 2021. Graph by Geology.com. Data from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.
NASA Library of Solar Eclipse Maps for 2021-2040
NASA
Everyone should be able to view the .gif images like the one above. To view Google Maps of the eclipses you will need to enable javascript.
NASA
Everyone should be able to view the .gif images like the one above. To view Google Maps of the eclipses you will need to enable javascript.
One Killed, Two Injured in Colorado Avalanche
NBC News
Last winter 37 people died in U.S. avalanches. So far this year, 18 have been killed
NBC News
Last winter 37 people died in U.S. avalanches. So far this year, 18 have been killed
What is a Debris Flow?
Geology.com
Debris Flow Near Hyderabad, India: The first fifty seconds of this video shows the water being pushed at the front of the debris flow. But, at about 0:55, spectators on the opposite side of the stream can see the rocks coming and run for their lives!
Geology.com
Debris Flow Near Hyderabad, India: The first fifty seconds of this video shows the water being pushed at the front of the debris flow. But, at about 0:55, spectators on the opposite side of the stream can see the rocks coming and run for their lives!
The Brilliant Inventor Who Made Two of History's Biggest Mistakes
Gift Article from the New York Times
Gift Article from the New York Times
Deaths from the M6.7 Earthquake that Hit Ecuador has Increased to 16
National Public Radio
Fifteen were killed in Ecuador and one in Peru.
National Public Radio
Fifteen were killed in Ecuador and one in Peru.
Four Killed, Extensive Damage after M6.7 Earthquake Strikes South of Guayaquil, Ecuador
The Guardian
The earthquake caused damage in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
The Guardian
The earthquake caused damage in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
At Columbia River Mouth: Strategically Placed Dredged Material Can Supply Sand to Nearby Beaches, Fighting Erosion
United States Geological Survey
Map showing mouth of the Columbia River, with historical shorelines, from the paper Historical evolution of the Columbia River littoral cell.
United States Geological Survey
Map showing mouth of the Columbia River, with historical shorelines, from the paper Historical evolution of the Columbia River littoral cell.
The Impacts of Beaver Dam Removal on Stream Flow and Temperature
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
The full title is: "Dammed if You Do, Dammed if You Don't: The Impacts of Beaver Dam Removal on Stream Flow and Temperature".
Speaking of Geoscience - The Geological Society of America's Guest Blog
The full title is: "Dammed if You Do, Dammed if You Don't: The Impacts of Beaver Dam Removal on Stream Flow and Temperature".
Climate Experts Say Largest U.S. Reservoirs Are Moving in the Right Direction
NBC News
Quote from the article: "... favorable drought maps represent only a blip on the radar as the long-term effects of a stubborn drought persist."
NBC News
Quote from the article: "... favorable drought maps represent only a blip on the radar as the long-term effects of a stubborn drought persist."
Annual U.S. LNG Exports by Destination Country
Energy Information Administration
Exports of LNG from the United States to Europe rose dramatically during 2022. Much of the increase can be attributed to the war that Russia started with Ukraine. The amount of LNG going into France, UK, Spain, and the Netherlands increased by 2x to 3x or more. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
Energy Information Administration
Exports of LNG from the United States to Europe rose dramatically during 2022. Much of the increase can be attributed to the war that Russia started with Ukraine. The amount of LNG going into France, UK, Spain, and the Netherlands increased by 2x to 3x or more. Graph by the Energy Information Administration.
How Did Venus Become Such a Hot Mess? Volcanic Discovery Offers Clues.
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Volcanic activity may have occurred on the north side of Venus's Maat Mons, as recently as the early 1990s. Image by NASA / JPL.
Gift Article from the Washington Post
Volcanic activity may have occurred on the north side of Venus's Maat Mons, as recently as the early 1990s. Image by NASA / JPL.
Mapping the Volcanic Landscape of Venus
Geology.com
Geologic Map of Venus: USGS has produced detailed geologic maps for many areas of Venus. These maps have descriptions and correlation charts for the mapped units. They also include symbols for faults, lineaments, domes, craters, lava flow directions, ridges, grabens and many other features. These can be paired with NASA radar images to learn about volcanoes and other surface features of Venus.
Geology.com
Geologic Map of Venus: USGS has produced detailed geologic maps for many areas of Venus. These maps have descriptions and correlation charts for the mapped units. They also include symbols for faults, lineaments, domes, craters, lava flow directions, ridges, grabens and many other features. These can be paired with NASA radar images to learn about volcanoes and other surface features of Venus.