Elaine has prepared her usual excellent assortment of stories!
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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 24 December 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
Human consumption of chickens is changing the geological record
- https://www.treehugger.com/animals/people-eat-so-much-chicken-it-will-affect-geological-record.html
- Paper: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.180325
97 acre site in St Louis to be home to new National Geospatial Intelligence Agency facility
- http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/st-louis-transfers-land-federal-government-new-transformative-nga-facility#stream/0
- https://fox2now.com/2018/12/13/city-leaders-federal-government-to-hold-ceremony-to-celebrate-transfer-of-land-for-next-nga-site/
Behind the scenes of restoring the skeleton of a T. rexfor museum exhibit
Glaciologist perspective on new ICESat-2 data
Clive Oppenheimer – volcanologist
- https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/volcano-volcanography-professor-most-dangerous-job-world/
Two new Armenian postage stamps celebrate “Flora and Fauna of the Ancient World”
Artistic representations of dinosaurs and other species
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2018/11/how-dinosaurs-are-brought-back-to-life-through-art-paleontology/
- Slide show: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2018/11/how-dinosaurs-are-brought-back-to-life-through-art-paleontology/#/01_paleo_brianengh-themorrisonformationdry.jpg
Weather and submarine topography create 60-foot maverick waves on California coast
- https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/usa_today/pacific-storms-coastal-reef-create-mavericks--foot-surf-waves/article_ac7838d4-76f7-57d3-a425-ca2591e175a7.html
- https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/weather/weather-watch/article223165230.html
New model of ice friction improves understanding of how glaciers flow
When did feathers evolve? Early pterosaurs had fuzzy fur and feathery fibers
New theory on what caused global cooling during the Mid-Pleistocene transition
- https://phys.org/news/2018-12-drove-long-term-global-climate-shift.html
- Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07828-0
Assuming GMST is a valid measurement, researchers now suggest “pause” in global warming did not really exist
- https://phys.org/news/2018-12-global-real.html
- Paper 1: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aaf342/meta
- Paper 2: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aaf372/meta
Volcanic lightning may be indicative of dangerous eruptions
Complexity science may help identify “useful” information when interpreting climate history
Tweaking the variable in climate model changes predicted amounts of precipitation
140 myo footprints of at least 7 dinosaur species discovered in Ashdown Formation in southern England
Crittendenceratops krzyzanowskii – new genus & species of ceratopsid discovered in Arizona
Fossil evidence suggests flowers originated in Early Jurassic more than 174 myo
Possible explanation for variations in rates of evolution amongst species
Seismic study estimates volume of water dragged to interior of Earth by subduction
Uranium-lead dating shows onset of Cambrian explosion occurred 538.8 myo
Wrangell volcanic belt in Alaska has been persistently active since formation about 30 myo
Questioning orthodoxy of vineyard geology - geology underpins so many things in our modern lives
“Biggest, most destructive geological events of 2018” – just everyday dynamic Earth activity
Retaining wall failure in Surabaya, Indonesia
- https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/12/20/i-thought-it-was-an-earthquake-giant-sinkhole-opens-on-busy-surabaya-road/
- https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2018/12/20/surabaya-1/
New model suggests sea level during the Eemian period was caused by Antarctic ice
The super-volcano Campi Flegrei
20,000 seismic events coincided with use of Oroville Dam spillway
Geology has shaped life on Earth through time – and vice versa
Diamonds are a geologist’s best friend – yielding tiny inclusions from the mantle
Modeling the outer core of Earth using high-powered supercomputing techniques
Post-glacial rebound explains why sea level is rising faster in some locales than others
Amber preserved newborns, egg shells and egg bursters
Dinosaurs battled over-heating with nasal air conditioning
Roadside geology of West Virginia
Massive cave discovered in Wells Gray Provincial Park near Vancouver, British Columbia
Geology student dies from 1,600 foot fall while climbing Ben Nevis
Comparing Vaca Muerta Shale in Argentina with US shale – fracking target
Rol Peña (1941-2018) – Geologist, nationalist, revolutionary, Renaissance man, author of “Lexicon of Philippine Stratigraphy” https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1063641/rol-pena-geologist-poet-revolutionary-gone-in-a-blink
Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 24 December 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard established
- https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/12/20/establishing-national-bioengineered-food-disclosure-standard
- Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/21/2018-27283/national-bioengineered-food-disclosure-standard
As human population increases, so too does the waste they generate
- https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/plastic-pollution-sdg-waste-management-by-mahmoud-mohieldin-et-al-2018-12
- Report download: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30317
First Nations communities leading effort to rescue last remaining caribou herds from extinction
Tourists may be passing pathogens to penguins in Antarctica
PSC requesting additional $3.6M for Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant construction consultants
Environmental assessment in progress for tunneling project in Chicago connecting to O’Hare International Airport from the Loop
Mountain Valley project construction at 70% but Atlantic Coast pipeline permit vacated
- https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Mountain-Valley-projects-70-pecent-completion-by-end-of-year-502711541.html
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dominion-us-pipeline-natgas/u-s-court-vacates-atlantic-coast-natgas-pipe-permit-dominion-to-appeal-idUSKBN1OC2S7
US DOE announces $100M Energy-Water Desalination Hub to address water security issues
Virulent Newcastle disease confirmed in commercial chicken flock in Riverside County, California
2018 National Geographic photo contest – amazing scenes both good and bad
Saving the Dead Sea from pollution & tourism? Economic, ecological & geopolitical problem
State energy specialist encouraging radon tests in areas affected by Anchorage EQ
New OEM “playbook” for EQ hazard preparedness & response in Oregon
Bringing 30 icebergs to London – “Ice Watch” - sustainability?
Zoos have responsibility to protect animals from hazards
Perspective: Urban Ecology: A bright future for sustainable cities – but is “green” sustainable?
Worried about CO2 emissions? 8% of global emissions come from cement industry
Opioid epidemic is humanly caused – fentanyl surpasses heroin in deadly overdoses
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/12/676214086/fentanyl-surpasses-heroin-as-drug-most-often-involved-in-deadly-overdoses
- Report: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_09-508.pdf
Choice becomes addiction and consequences follow: Vaping among youth is now epidemic
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/18/677755266/surgeon-general-warns-youth-vaping-is-now-an-epidemic
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/health/vaping-nicotine-teenagers.html
Nations agree to monitor activity but do not set more ambitious reduced CO2 emissions goals
- https://www.npr.org/2018/12/15/677109487/nations-agree-on-rules-to-put-paris-climate-agreement-into-action
- http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Nations_agree_milestone_rulebook_for_Paris_climate_treaty_999.html
Humans are in the midst of a plastic pandemic – 300M tons brand new plastic each year
- https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/plastic-waste-science-solutions_us_5c12b3e5e4b0860b8b5c863c
- https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/eu-announces-new-rules-reduce-single-use-plastics.html
- https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/missing-plastic-debate.html
- https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/can-bottled-water-companies-switch-fully-recycled-bottle.html
- https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-fight-the-global-plastics-problem?verso=true
- https://www.teenvogue.com/story/you-cant-just-clean-up-the-plastic-in-the-ocean?verso=true
- https://phys.org/news/2018-12-oceans-garbage-prompt-war-plastics.html
What you eat has an environmental impact on the world
“Love Canal” was just the tip of the pollution iceberg in New York
More AC in India will make the world a hotter place
If you like cucumbers & pickles then cucurbit downy mildew is cause for concern
“Supercolony” of penguins discovered on Danger Islands off the north coast of Antarctica
Some families have a genetic pre-disposition to cancer – triggered by environmental causes
“Better living through chemistry” was Dupont’s slogan – but we are now enduring the consequences
“Dry cleaning” is not dry but does involve toxic chemicals that pose significant health risks
Human population growth in Florida threatens wildlife corridor & the Everglades
Nuclear power plant experienced an unplanned shutdown in Port Gibson, Mississippi
Canada not performing environmental review of most new oil sands projects
German F&A Ministry strikes deal with food industry to process healthier food: less sugar, salt & fat
Book Review: “City Unseen: New Visions of an Urban Planet” with 2.5B more people by 2050
Increased human-polar bear interactions and more attacks in the Arctic
Humans must breathe the pollution they put into the air & suffer the consequences
Crises created when population of immigrants/refugees is too large
Permit for large hog farm in Fillmore County, Minnesota, denied due to potential groundwater pollution
Species at the extremes of the food chain evolve more rapidly
Thrill-seeking tourism increases risk – managing such tourists is challenge for authorities
- http://geographical.co.uk/nature/tectonics/item/3048-volcano-tourism
- Paper: https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/geo2.67
Improving predictive models for harmful algal blooms may lead to better farming practices
Infamous “Earth rise” photo taken 50 years ago by astronaut William Anders – lunar crater named for him
Why do Indonesians still live in disaster-prone areas? Disharmony between humans & nature
https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-in-indonesia-still-live-in-disaster-prone-areas-105868
Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 24 December 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
US Marine Corps estimates $3.6B needed to repair coastal damage from Hurricane Florence at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
• https://www.apnews.com/e9fa8b76535a42c9bde51aa36dece748
Using prescribed burns in attempt to save the coastal marsh in Louisiana
• https://www.nola.com/expo/news/erry-2018/12/50bbc09d612507/fire-emerges-as-ally-infight.html
Perspective: Is a new water park really needed on the Texas Gulf Coast?
Proposed US Army COE 71-mile Texas coastal barrier emphasizes that “eminent domain would only be employed as "a last resort”
• https://www.chron.com/local/article/Proposed-coastal-barrier-will-only-enforce-13459349.php
US Army COE & Texas GLO will consult officials & experts to refine Coastal Texas Study
FERC releases EIS for Annova LNG facility at Port of Brownsville, Texas – open for public comment
• https://annovalng.com/annova-lng-achieves-significant-regulatory-milestone/
• Draft EIS: https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis/2018/12-14-18-DEIS/volume-I.pdf
• Draft EIS Appendices: https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis/2018/12-14-18-DEIS/volume-II.pdf
Largest offshore wind sale finalized off coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a25605212/offshore-wind-auctionmarthas-vineyard/
Photo-essay: increased population of goliath grouper attracting more humans to reefs of Florida
• https://www.hakaimagazine.com/videos-visuals/swimming-with-super-grouper/
Following major hurricanes – Coastal communities are building back BIGGER, not smarter
• https://e360.yale.edu/digest/after-major-hurricanes-communities-are-building-back-biggernot-smarter
Oil companies prepare to drill offshore in Gulf of Ob in northern Russia
• https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/industry-and-energy/2018/12/big-oil-comes-icy-arctic-bay
Rethinking & assessing the risk of tsunami damage to coastal bridges
Building high-rises on shaky ground along Larnaca seafront of Cyprus – detailed
geological/geotechnical studies mandated due to high potential for liquefaction
AI & satellite imagery used to detect recession of mudflats & other intertidal zones
• https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/mudflats-and-other-intertidal-ecosystemsare-shrinking
Chile investigating delivery of Iranian crude oil as possible source of noxious fumes that impacted residents in maritime ports in Hualpen & Talahuano
"I intend to live forever. So far, so good." - @StevenWright
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