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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 31 August 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

442-carat diamond found in Letseng mine in Lesotho https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-22/african-diamond-miner-s-huge-find-

offers-chance-to-buck-downturn

CT scans of dinosaur skeletons reveal how trabecular bone architecture supported large weight http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/dinosaur-trabecular-bone-architecture-08769.html

Supernovae may have contributed to ozone depletion & end-Devonian extinctions http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/nearby-supernovae-late-devonian-extinctions-

08760.html Paper: https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/08/17/2013774117

Humboldt County, California, tsunami maps https://www.times-standard.com/2020/08/23/lori-dengler-digging-a-little-deeper-into-the-new-

humboldt-county-tsunami-maps/

Geological assessment in Clarendon Gorge to map transport of PFAS chemicals through aquifer https://vtdigger.org/2020/08/23/geologists-study-clarendon-gorge-to-map-the-spread-of-pfas/

Geological history and resources of Maine (podcast & video) https://www.mainepublic.org/post/maine-geology-we-learn-about-maines-geological-history-

what-gems-minerals-and-fossils-are-here

In Memoriam: Jonathan Hall Goodwin (1944-2020) – Illinois State Geological Survey career https://journalnow.com/obituaries/goodwin-ph-d-jonathan-hall/article_cda04525-10f0-5436-

bdee-2f22c0f5cc39.html

In Memoriam: Lee A. Woodward (1931-2020) – Senior Research Professor UNM

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/abqjournal/obituary.aspx?n=lee-a- woodward&pid=196686765

Grace Achieng – model (Miss Pan African Beauty Queen) & geologist https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/life-and-style/mynetwork/-model-geologist-grace-akinyi-

herculean-task-ghana--1922644

Fujiwhara effect – close pass between two cyclonic storms https://eos.org/articles/storms-interact-but-rarely-merge-into-bigger-tempests

Project to translate geological record of South Africa into local languages https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/uct-project-aims-to-have-sas-geological-record-

translated-in-local-languages-3376fbf0-54dd-4ce3-ae87-13e0e80f1edf

Explaining variations in rainfall intensity https://theconversation.com/why-does-some-rain-fall-harder-than-other-rain-143402

Crustal-scale structures influence fluid circulation & hot spring geochemistry in Peruvian Andes https://eos.org/editor-highlights/structural-style-controls-crustal-fluid-circulation-in-andes

Seismic reflection images & petrological data provide new constraints on basement in the Australia-Antarctic ocean-continent transition zone

https://eos.org/editor-highlights/new-data-from-earths-largest-non-volcanic-rift-margin Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2020GC009040

Farm animals may sense imminent earthquakes https://eos.org/articles/some-farm-animals-might-have-a-sense-about-impending-

earthquakes

Dynamic systems theory applied to dust & moisture mix in the West African monsoon https://eos.org/articles/mathematical-insights-into-the-west-african-monsoon Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69159-9

Characteristics of polar sea ice in climate models – does not yet match surface temperature data https://eos.org/editor-highlights/characteristics-of-polar-sea-ice-in-latest-climate-models Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL086749

Extreme wildfires create their own weather – thunderstorms, lightning, fire tornadoes https://theconversation.com/extreme-wildfires-can-create-their-own-dangerous-weather-

including-fire-tornadoes-heres-how-144904

Gaofen 7 observation satellite completes testing & starts monitoring for land surveying and mapping & statistical investigations

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Observation_satellite_starts_formal_duties_999.html

Identifying coral spawning features https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=301118&org=GEO&from=news Paper: https://peerj.com/articles/9739/

Most detailed tornado simulations created by supercomputer reveal features & mechanisms https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=301102&org=GEO&from=news Conference abstract:

https://ams.confex.com/ams/2020Annual/webprogram/Paper368106.html Conference abstract: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm19/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/610088

16.4-ft Mid Triassic Guizhouichthyosaurus ate 13-ft Xinpusaurus xingyiensis http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/thalattosaur-xinpusaurus-xingyiensis-stomach-

triassic-ichthyosaur-guizhouichthyosaurus-08774.html Paper: https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(20)30534-4

Meteorite strikes cause shock compression that impacts crystal structure of quartz https://phys.org/news/2020-08-meteorite-unexpected-silica.html Paper: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/35/eabb3913

Just how cold was the Ice Age? Average global temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit during LGM

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-cold-ice-age.html

Ice shelves in Antarctica are vulnerable to sudden meltwater-driven fracturing https://phys.org/news/2020-08-antarctic-ice-shelves-vulnerable-sudden.html

Earth is still traveling through a massive dust cloud https://www.techexplorist.com/earth-traveling-massive-dust-cloud-since-33000-years/34910/

New miniature devise for measuring trace levels of toxic lead in sediments https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/ru-ndc082520.php

Origin of the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines https://www.grunge.com/240325/the-strange-origin-of-the-philippines-chocolate-hills/

“Ammonite” film depicts Mary Anning & Charlotte Murchison – not all the details are accurate https://www.themarysue.com/mary-anning-and-charlotte-murchison-the-real-women-of-

ammonite/

Planetary Geology – Larges known meteor crater is on Ganymede – 5,260 km in diameter https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-biggest-crater-known-was-from-an-asteroid-that-made-

the-dinosaur-killer-look-like-a

Geologic processes (and volcanic activity) in the Cascades work on deep time https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/it-hasnt-always-been-so-quiet-for-cascade-

volcanoes

A “cute” dinosaur embryo https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/fossil-reveals-one-of-the-cutest-dinosaurs-

ever-found/ar-BB18qESi Paper: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)31150-7

Listening to sounds in the ocean

https://www.whoi.edu/news-insights/content/transformative-technology-to-revolutionize-the- way-we-listen-to-the-deep-ocean/

*************************

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 31 August 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Pebble Gold Mine in Alaska might be blocked https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-set-to-block-controversial-alaska-gold-

mine/ar-BB18gjZO https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/doubts-grow-alaska-s-pebble-mine-can-

satisfy-new-regulatory-hurdles-shares-tumble/ar-BB18mmM1

Politics and the rolling blackouts in California – demand below average-year forecast peak – costs spike

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rolling-blackouts-raise-questions-about-potential-for- market-manipulation/ar-BB18h68Z

Perspective: Rebuilt but sinking levees are still not sufficient despite having spent $14.6B https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_80c27be8-e3e7-11ea-bbf9-

1731ebdd9171.html

Water diversion pipe rupture damaged dam & flooded power plant & prompted evacuations in Brazil https://apnews.com/84d172ab8fde4b0f07c131a57d995622

Seeking public comment on ADEQ Aquifer Protection Permit for mining activity that could impact Red Gap Ranch water quality

https://azdailysun.com/opinion/columnists/coconino-voices-mining-permit-could-affect-red- gap-ranch-water-quality/article_530b18a2-b120-5b31-bfa3-d9442b2a1271.html

Draft Permit: https://powaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Aquifer-protection-for-Apache.pdf

Alaska begins process toward building second road crossing to Douglas Island – need environmental assessment & planning – current estimated project cost $90M

https://www.ktoo.org/2020/08/20/juneau-and-dot-take-early-step-toward-second-douglas- island-crossing/

Utah asks EPA to fund Deer Creek Reservoir infrastructure replacement – estimated cost $40M https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/utah-s-federal-lawmakers-ask-epa-

to-fund-deer-creek-reservoir-infrastructure-replacement/article_a047c06c-b430-53b1-951e-966e938005de.html

DCIP Summary: https://www.prwua.org/Data/DeerCreekIntakeProjectInfo.pdf

CRS Insight Report: 2020 Wildfire Season: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs & Resources https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11487 Wildfire Statistics: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/IF10244.pdf Historical data: https://www.fs.fed.us/research/sustain/docs/indicators/indicator-316.pdf

Perspective: Environmental impacts of 1930s coal mining in Wales – Welsh industrial writing https://theconversation.com/coal-mining-in-wales-the-1930s-writers-who-depicted-the-

environmental-calamity-caused-by-the-pits-144828

Major disaster declaration issued for California wildfires https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/california-wildfires-donald-trump-declares-

061859491.html

Stolen branch in vehicle likely from National Park leads to discovery of drugs & psilocybin mushrooms

https://www.yahoo.com/news/stolen-branch-yellowstone-visitor-suv-231047654.html

Gulf Coast ticks now identified in Connecticut – can transmit spotted fever & other diseases https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Scientists-New-tick-found-in-CT-could-affect-

15511132.php

Planning for “sustainable” human practices for oceanic resources – is it possible? Evolving & Sustaining Ocean Best Practices IV OBP Workshop 2020 in September

https://eos.org/science-updates/planning-a-sustainable-future-for-earths-oceans Workshop: https://www.oceanbestpractices.org/community-engagement/workshop-iv-2020/

3D mapping the largest population density centers with global population of nearly 7.8B https://www.visualcapitalist.com/3d-mapping-the-worlds-largest-population-densities/

Smoke inhalation from wildfires can be very bad for your lungs – what is in it & distance aging https://theconversation.com/whats-in-that-wildfire-smoke-and-why-is-it-so-bad-for-your-lungs-

144790 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/study-uncovers-long-term-damage-in-firefighters-

battling-blazes/ar-BB18ouzZ?ocid=msedgdhp

Eggs that may create viable embryos harvested from last 2 Northern White Rhinos https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nothern-white-rhino-eggs-

harvest_n_5f3c1c85c5b61551404e2b9f

10 of the most endangered birds in North America

https://www.treehugger.com/north-americas-most-endangered-birds-4859234

3 reasons you should not feed bread to ducks https://www.treehugger.com/why-you-shouldnt-feed-ducks-bread-4868829

Wildfires in California threaten endangered Joshua Trees https://www.treehugger.com/california-fires-threaten-endangered-joshua-trees-5075776

History of National Parks and pandemics https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/08/essay-pandemics-public-lands

Permian Highway Pipeline in Texas has already caused water pollution https://www.ehn.org/kinder-morgan-permian-highway-pipeline-2647088126.html

Painting wind turbine blades black reduced bird deaths by 70% https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/black-paint-on-wind-turbines-helps-prevent-bird-

massacres/

Changes in the water cycle and availability of water – humans are to blame https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

Water_availability_has_changed_and_humans_are_to_blame_999.html

Use of military personnel to protect national sovereignty along the border is compliant with law https://www.terradaily.com/reports/IG_report_Use_of_US_troops_at_US-

Mexico_border_compliant_with_law_999.html Report summary: https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/2316046/evaluation-of-the-

united-states-military-support-of-department-of-homeland-secu/ Report: https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/18/2002479206/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2020-115.PDF

Mobility of large flying foxes (fruit bats) complicates conservation efforts https://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Incredible_mobility_of_flying_foxes_complicates_conservation_efforts_999.html Paper: https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-020-00829-w

Tropical songbirds stop breeding to survive drought https://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Tropical_songbirds_stop_breeding_to_survive_drought_999.html

Causes of sea level rise since 1900 – seeking balanced budget https://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Study_reveals_the_causes_of_sea_level_rise_since_1900_999.html

Honey is more effective & less harmful than alternative care (i.e., antibiotics) for improving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections

http://www.sci-news.com/medicine/honey-effective-upper-respiratory-tract-infections- 08767.html

After 10 generations domesticated chickens have small brains than their junglefowl relatives https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826101619.htm

Paper: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.200628

Rainfall & temperature drive agricultural activity which influences measles outbreaks in Niger https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200825110805.htm

Death rate of those who climb Mount Everest remains fairly constant over past 30 years https://phys.org/news/2020-08-mount-everest-summit-success-death.html Paper: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236919

International ozone treaty is not as effective as it could be https://phys.org/news/2020-08-experts-reveal-major-holes-international.html Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-18052-0

Reduced resilience of plant biomes in North America suggests vulnerability to future mass extinction https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200824092026.htm

Largest rooftop greenhouse in the world opens in Montreal https://phys.org/news/2020-08-world-biggest-rooftop-greenhouse-montreal.html

Blue jeans cause massive water footprint https://phys.org/news/2020-08-cotton-field-rack-blue-jeans.html Paper: https://online.ucpress.edu/cse/article/3/1/1/108932/The-Spatially-Explicit-Water-

Footprint-of-Blue

On the 51st anniversary of the last time the Cuyahoga River burned http://all-geo.org/highlyallochthonous/2020/08/the-cuyahoga-river-burned-today-for-the-first-

time-in-51-years-heres-what-we-can-learn-from-it/

Using wastewater treatment grit (containing pathogens & impurities) for road repair being called “eco-friendly”

https://www.waterworld.com/wastewater/reuse-recycling/press-release/14182393/ wastewater-treatment-byproduct-used-for-pothole-repair

Locusts are congregating in billion-strong swarms https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02453-8

Chemical manufacturing facility in Westlake, Louisiana, leaks chlorine & is on fire https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/27/hurricane-laura-updates-louisiana-texas/

Land use change in Indonesia leads to increased flooding https://phys.org/news/2020-08-indonesia.html Paper: https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol25/iss3/art14/

France suspends (but does not abolish) glue-trapping of songbirds https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-08-27/france-suspends-controversial-

glue-trapping-of-songbirds https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/france-glue-trap-ban/

Surge in plastic waste stokes pollution by burning & dumping under criminal recycling scams

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-criminal-recycling-scams-profit-plastic.html

Not everyone agrees on the future of the Line 5 pipeline across the Straits of Mackinac https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/post/everyone-wants-line-5-out-water-arguments-

about-tunnel-proposal-agree-little-else

Complex rotation of Longyan Bridge in Fujian Province in China http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2020-08/27/content_76643798.htm Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsRW-saFJ50

CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus COVID-19 statistics by country (click on USA to get State statistics) https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ https://time.com/5800901/coronavirus-map/

Getting a test is pointless – many tests inaccurate – some lack specificity https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/why-antibody-tests-won-t-help-you-much/ar-

BB18f4ge IDSA Guidelines: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-serology/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/inaccurate-results-from-rapid-covid-19-tests-raise-

concerns-about-widespread-screening/ar-BB18lLnD

Science does not support the myth that virus is transmitted by food https://www.feedstuffs.com/news/science-confirms-coronavirus-not-transmitted-food

“Spaghetti” graphs of “confirmed cases” & testing https://www.visualcapitalist.com/global-covid-containment-confirmed-cases-updated-daily/

More new guidelines – pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic “do not necessarily need a test” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-testing-guidelines-coronavirus-no-

symptoms_n_5f4667fac5b64f17e136efd2

Perspective: Does 6-foot separation rule make any sense? https://www.treehugger.com/does-the-six-foot-separation-rule-make-any-sense-5075781

Information, disease & social evolution are linked – costs & benefits https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826101632.htm

*****************************************

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 31 August 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

1-meter high beach “cliff” result of storm erosion at Ōrewa beach in New Zealand https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/122522054/cliff-up-to-18m-high-forms-on-aucklands-

rewa-beach-after-stormy-weather

Raft of volcanic pumice could help revive Great Barrier Reef https://bgr.com/2020/08/20/great-barrier-reef-pumice-raft/

US Army COE Back Bay study for flood mitigation needs significant improvement – “fixes” could make flooding worse from routine rain

https://www.wlrn.org/2020-08-21/u-s-corps-4-6-billion-miami-dade-flood-plan-needs-work- county-says

Back Bay study: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/MiamiDadeBackBayCSRMFeasibilityStudy/ Study Overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pG40ROE-as

Perspective: Port of Corpus Christi needs $1.5B federal relief https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/Commentary-Hit-by-pandemic-

ports-in-need-of-15511381.php

15-year recovery from Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi – lessons for coastal cities https://theconversation.com/biloxis-15-year-recovery-from-hurricane-katrina-offers-lessons-

for-other-coastal-cities-144172

Master plan calls for 3 artificial “lily pad” islands off shore of Penang Island, Malaysia https://www.dezeen.com/2020/08/21/biodivercity-big-masterplan-penang-island-architecture/

USGS predicted beach erosion from Tropical Storm Marco https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-predicts-gulf-beach-erosion-marco-gets-set-measure-storm-

effects?qt-news_science_products=2#qt-news_science_products

USGS predicted impacts of Hurricane Laura on beaches & barrier islands of Texas & Louisiana https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-laura-strongly-affect-louisiana-beaches-barrier-islands https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-laura-strongly-affect-texas-louisiana-beaches-and-barrier-

islands

Update: Broken stem of tanker that ran aground off Mauritius is sunk in open ocean & the oil spill https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-020-00829-w https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/23/opinions/mauritius-oil-spill-reddy-opinion/index.html

Perspective: Threat to marine biodiversity from oil & gas drilling in the eastern Mediterranean https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/the-deep-threat-of-levantine-drilling/

Coastal development and climatic conditions threaten sea turtle nesting habitat https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826083029.htm

Almost half of all deaths from tropical cyclones are due to storm surge https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/weather/storm-surge-explained-wxc/index.html

Lawsuit demands coastal fishing reforms in North Carolina as fish stocks decline https://carolinapublicpress.org/37369/lawsuit-seeks-change-regulation-nc-coastal-fishing/

First long-term in-depth analysis of shark and ray distribution in Indian River Lagoon in Florida https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200825110750.htm

50,000 gallons of raw sewage spills into Oakland Estuary from wastewater treatment plant https://www.wwdmag.com/sewage-pumps/50000-gallons-raw-sewage-spills-oakland-estuary

14 missing after oil tanker collision with cargo ship near Yangtze Estuary http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1006087/14-missing-after-oil-tanker-collision-near-yangtze-

estuary

FEMA agrees to finish dredging 1M+ cubic yards of Kingwood mouth bar https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/kingwood/news/article/After-two-year-disagreement-

FEMA-agrees-to-15519767.php

NASA maps trace causes of mangrove habitat loss https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/nasa-maps-trace-causes-of-global-

mangrove-habitat-loss-73082

High waters eroding shorelines of Lake Huron may lead to evacuations https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/10146929-lake-huron-shore-erosion-could-lead-to-

evacuations/

Shoreline cliffs are unstable – warnings were posted & ignored – lawsuit filed claiming negligence https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-news/family-of-women-killed-in-bluff-

collapse-to-champion-bill-aimed-to-prevent-future-tragedies/2419091/

Those who did not evacuate ahead of Hurricane Laura warned rescue efforts will not begin until after massive storm & surge have passed

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/louisiana-residents-refusing-to-evacuate-given-grim- warning/ar-BB18r8u6

Damage & economic impacts from Hurricane Laura – video - before & after images https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/us/satellite-images-hurricane-laura-before-after-trnd/

index.html https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/business/hurricane-laura-economic-impact/index.html