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Geosciences Bulletin Board – 23 May 2016 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
Powerful EQ hits the outback of Australia, some 285 mile W-SW of Alice Springs http://www.reuters.com/article/us-quake-australia-idUSKCN0YB2L2 http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/1948994/australia-hit-
strong-quake-desert-latest-tremor-shake-asia
Oxygen-rich atmosphere is closely linked to continental formation http://www.technology.org/2016/05/20/reading-earths-history-atmospheric-
oxygen/
Say goodbye to El Niño….and hello to La Niña? http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/say-goodbye-historic-el-nino-get-
ready-welcome-la-nina-180959178/
This amazing machine sorts random stones from a specific river by their geological age using pre-defined data ranges
http://laughingsquid.com/an-incredible-machine-that-amazingly-sorts-random- river-stones-by-their-geological-age/
“Human factor” missing from most models that predict wildfires based on climate change
http://www.cantechletter.com/2016/05/people-not-climate-change-primary- cause-fires-like-fort-mcmurray-study/
Perito Morena glacier in Patagonia covers about 121 square miles and is increasing in size
http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2016/05/20/ unlike_most_of_earth_s_other_glaciers_the_perito_moreno_glacier_in_patagonia.html
New model predicts avulsions, sudden shifts in flow of water through a river delta http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2016/05/20/New-model-could-predict-
sudden-shifts-in-river-deltas/8011463773512/
Planetary geology: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captures new images of Mars
http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/hubble-new-image-mars-03880.html
New data on variation in the albedo of Earth between 1998 and 2014 http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/
New_data_on_the_variability_of_the_Earths_reflectance_over_the_last_16_years_999.html
Kilauea: Up close and personal with red hot science (video) https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/hawaiivolcanoes.jsp
Pavlof Volcano now upgraded to “volcano watch” in response to new seismic activity http://www.cantechletter.com/2016/05/alaskan-volcano-set-erupt-scientists/
Seismic shaking may cause “sloshing” and lead to volcanic eruptions http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/
Bubble_volcano_Shaking_popping_by_earthquakes_may_cause_eruptions_999.html
High-resolution images depict rates of anthropogenic & geologic subsidence in New Orleans due to groundwater withdrawal, surficial drainage/dewatering activities & structural compaction
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6513 http://phys.org/news/2016-05-water-sucking-industry-factor-orleans.html Paper: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2015JB012636/full
Unique arrangement of water molecules found inside beryl crystal https://www.yahoo.com/news/state-water-strange-6-sided-molecule-found-
141621315.html
Tribute to Professor Harry Elderfield (1943-2016), the father of oceanic trace metal chemistry
http://www.challenger-society.org.uk/News/Professor_Harry_Elderfield_
Pollution can travel thousands of miles and impact oxygen levels in the ocean http://www.rh.gatech.edu/news/536311/polluted-dust-can-impact-ocean-life-
thousands-miles-away-study-says
In Colorado and Texas, methane sources were divided among fracking, cattle and/or landfills
http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=23361
von Kármán vortices in clouds are captured in satellite images http://www.livescience.com/54814-spinning-clouds-seen-from-space.html
Video of meteorologist braving 109 mph winds atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire
https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientist-braves-109-mph-winds-at-mount- washington-in-n-h-183032069.html
Listen to podcast on rare earth elements which are described as “the vitamins of modern society”
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/generation-anthropocene- rare-earth-180959115/
Planetary geology: NASA Van Allen probes reveal long-term behavior of the rings and particles
http://www.technology.org/2016/05/20/nasas-van-allen-probes-reveal-long- term-behavior-of-earths-ring-current/
Spherules from impacts of mega asteroid 3.5B years ago are found in sediments in Australia
http://www.livescience.com/54764-monster-ancient-asteroid-impact-found.html
Riasi fault in the Himalayas poses major earthquake threat https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160518133832.htm
Totten Glacier on Antarctica is geologically distinct https://www.yahoo.com/news/sleeping-giant-glacier-may-lift-seas-two-metres-
231721809.html
“Hum” of Mesa Arch being monitored to assess its structural health and integrity http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/mesa-archs-hum-measured-track-health-
rock-structure
SAR11, the most abundant plankton in the ocean, produce massive amounts gases that play important roles in Earth's atmosphere
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ Ocean_bacteria_are_programmed_to_alter_climate_gases_999.html
Results being released of project that drilled into subglacial Lake Whillans in western Antarctica
http://www.livescience.com/54756-lake-whillans-antarctica-secret- underworld.html
Diamonds may not be all that rare…but prices at the jewelry store will still be controlled by the cartel
http://www.sci-news.com/geology/science-diamonds-more-common-than- thought-03409.html
Creating a seismic warning system in Alaska for EQs and tsunamis http://www.ktva.com/looking-for-the-next-big-quake-seismologists-attempt-to-
create-earthquake-warning-system-804/
Spiclypeus shipporum, a ceratopsid dinosaur, is discovered in Montana in Judith River formation and increases the number of known species in the group folks used to call Triceratops
http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/spiclypeus-shipporum-new-dinosaur- species-montana-03877.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/paleontologists-are-digging- more-horned-dinos-ever-180959181/
Hayward fault named the most dangerous in America http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/most-dangerous-fault-america
Iberian Peninsula sometimes called the end of the Earth….was a boundary of Pangaea
http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/geologic-column-end-earth
Human activity has been triggering EQs in Texas since 1925 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160517130758.htm
NCAR scientists are looking for ways to limit hail damage to infrastructure and crops http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2016/05/13/270782.htm
USDA & US Forest Service anticipate significant wildfire season in 2016 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/149bd95
4.5B year old mantle found as inclusions in volcanic rocks on Baffin Island & the Solomon Islands
https://www.yahoo.com/news/volcanoes-spit-4-5-billion-old-pieces-earth- 110255964.html
Seattle, Washington, does not currently require seismic retrofit of structures, but is in high risk area
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/buildings-that-kill- the-earthquake-danger-lawmakers-have-ignored-for-decades/
Upper atmosphere above a methane haze was oxygen-rich during the Archean, about 2.7 billion years ago
http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/paleoclimatology/archean-earths- upper-atmosphere-oxygen-rich-03859.html
Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) oceanographic data center now at Rutgers University
https://ored.rutgers.edu/content/world%E2%80%99s-richest-source-new-water- oceanographic-data-now-operational-rutgers
Bertha is on the move and being monitored as the tunnel progresses beneath Seattle, Washington
http://komonews.com/news/local/bertha-is-once-again-on-the-move-under- seattle
Drought in California will become more severe as land uses change & demand exceeds current supply
https://www.usgs.gov/news/changing-california-land-uses-will-shape-water- demands-2062
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Enviro-Sciences Bulletin Board – 23 May 2016 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
FDA advises against prescribing fluoroquinolones (e.g., Avelox, Cipro & Levaquin which has caused deaths) antibiotics & causes label changes warning of serious side effects
http://wthitv.com/2016/05/15/fda-label-changes-for-fluoroquinolones-to-include- serious-side-effect- warnings/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/fluoroquinolones-too-risky-common-infections- 140200669.html
The Wild West is disappearing – human “development” is escalating and we are losing Nature
https://www.disappearingwest.org/
Light pollution has many forms and environmental impacts http://www.treehugger.com/conservation/5-types-light-pollution-and-their-
impact.html
Serious environmental concerns raised as India begins to divert water from Ganges & Brahmaputra Rivers
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/18/india-set-to- start-massive-project-to-divert-ganges-and-brahmaputra-rivers
This bear was a grizzly-polar bear hybrid: a grolar or a pizzly http://www.grindtv.com/random/strange-looking-bear-killed-canadian-hunter-
grolar-pizzly/#9FckGTlJHUJVF1T4.97 http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/animals/grolar-or-pizzly-hybrid-
bear-a-victim-of-global-warming-says-expert-20160518-goyh3k.html
Summer Olympic Games in Brazil will proceed but so do concerns for Zika virus infection for athletes and spectators
http://www.nature.com/news/zika-must-remain-a-high-priority-1.19933
Congress has reached agreement on changes to Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-poised-to-pass-sweeping- reform-of-chemical-law/2016/05/18/0da5cd22-1d30-11e6-9c81-4be1c14fb8c8_story.html
History and stereo-photographs of Yosemite before Ansel Adams http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/carleton-watkins-yosemite-
photographer-national-parks-180959065/
New study found high concentrations of commonly used insecticides in streams in highly urbanized portion of Portland, Oregon
https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-studies-impact-insecticides-northwestern-clackamas-county-streams
Lake Mead is at its lowest level since it was filled after the completion of Hoover Dam in the 1930s (video)
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2016/05/19/lake-mead- declines-new-record-low/84597120/
Aerosols can significantly cool the climate http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/
Atmospheric_aerosols_can_significantly_cool_down_climate_999.html
DNA analysis confirms Nile crocodiles were captured in Florida, likely released from flourishing pet trade
http://www.sci-news.com/biology/nile-crocodiles-florida-dna-study-03883.html
Boringdon Camp, an Iron Age hill fort in Devon, England, is closed because too many dog walkers let their dogs loose, sheep were killed by the dogs, grazing stopped, erosion of ramparts resulted
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Dogs-blame-popular-attraction-closed/story- 29297842-detail/story.html
Saltwater Brewery's new packaging is made of beer byproducts that they claim can be eaten by sea life
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brewery-introduces-edible- biodegrable-six-pack-rings-180959172/
Leopards may have lost as much as 75 percent of historic range despite their broad geographic range, remarkable adaptability, and secretive nature
http://www.sci-news.com/biology/leopards-lost-75percent-historic-range- 03840.html
Genetic engineering means humans could wipe out all mosquitoes (the deadliest species on earth) BUT what would the consequences be of such an ill-advised program?
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/kill-all-mosquitos-180959069/
Genetic pathways control the appearance of different physical traits in the same species depending on nutritional conditions experienced during development.
http://www.technology.org/2016/05/19/eat-iu-biologists-map-genetic-pathways- behind-nutrition-based-species-traits/
National Academies of Science says GMO crops are “safe” but calls for greater transparency related to Genetically Modified food crops
http://civileats.com/2016/05/18/national-academies-of-sciences-calls-for- greater-transparency-around-genetically-engineered-crops/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-report-says-genetically- engineered-crops-are-safe-but-its-complicated-180959169/
Report download: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/23395/genetically-engineered-crops-experiences-and-prospects
Major position statement by Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists for limiting antibiotic use in livestock
http://today.uconn.edu/2016/05/case-for-limiting-antibiotic-use-farm-animals/
New research confirms bird flu can be transmitted by skunks and rabbits, as well as birds
http://www.cantechletter.com/2016/05/researchers-confirm-bird-flu-can- transmitted-skunks-rabbits-birds/
New equine rabies resource: Rabies is a risk for horses but can be prevented through vaccination
https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/ua-releases-new-equine-rabies-resource 4 page guide:
http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1700-2016_0.pdf
Racing to create super-crops…but is this the panacea for an exponentially growing human population?
http://www.nature.com/news/the-race-to-create-super-crops-1.19943
Final EIS for proposed Southwest Light Rail Line in Minneapolis, Minnesota, anticipates impacts and outlines steps to “dampen” the impacts…lawsuit still looms over the future of the project
http://www.startribune.com/feds-release-final-environmental-review-of- southwest-light-rail/379389271/
Final EIS: http://metrocouncil.org/swlrt/feis
House approves bill to block sale of Plum Island, currently home of Plum Island Animal Disease Center
http://easthamptonstar.com/Government/House-Approves-Block-Plum-Island- Sale
There are a number of traits that carnivorous bats share with other meat eaters http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/worlds-carnivorous-bats-are-
emerging-dark-180959042/
Former Israeli military trainer and team using battle-tested commando tactics to stop elephant poachers
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/fight-against-elephant- poaching-going-commando-180959071/
The US Mint says it costs 1.43 cents to make a penny, but what is the true environmental cost?
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/penny-environmental-disaster- 180959032/
China to publicly blacklist graffiti writers who deface Mount Everest http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/china-will-start-publicly-shaming-
tourists-who-graffiti-mount-everest-180959097/
10 Wildlife Win stories!!! https://www.doi.gov/blog/10-greatest-wildlife-wins-all-time
Wildlife-livestock transmission pathways of brucellosis identified in Greater Yellowstone area
http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/dailynews/2016/may/17/news3.html
WildEarth Guardians file lawsuit against US F&W Service for aiding export of animal parts and skins
http://www.allgov.com/news/us-and-the-world/us-fish-and-wildlife-sued-for- aiding-international-pelt-and-animal-parts-market-160508?news=858780
Serious concerns raised over diverting flood waters to Minnesota to protect Fargo, North Dakota
http://www.startribune.com/dnr-questions-2-billion-fargo-flood-project/ 379694091/
Final EIS open for comment: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/fm_flood_risk/index.html
Bison calf that was kidnapped by tourists had to be euthanized as it was rejected upon return to the herd
https://www.yahoo.com/news/yellowstone-issues-warning-visitors-put-baby- bison-car-201807614.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/baby-bison-euthanized-after- tourists-try-save-it-180959142/
EQ insurance turn-around in Oklahoma as fracking becomes the new f-word http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fracking-oklahoma-f-word-230000876.html
Thai Island, so idyllic & despoiled by tourists that local authorities close it to prevent further damage
https://www.yahoo.com/news/one-thailand-most-beautiful-islands- 091754916.html
Estimated $7B for insured losses from Fort McMurry wildfires in oil sands country of Alberta, Canada
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2016/05/17/408829.htm
The escalating costs of illegal human migration http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/massive-effort-underway-recover-
700-migrants-drowned-sea-180959112/
This farm in Romania offers guests the opportunity to farm organically, throw pottery and gather hay
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/wwoof-romania-organic-farming- sustainable-tourism-smithsonian-journeys-travel-quarterly-180958906/
Where do you think this Texas company will create one of the largest land-based fish farms in the world? How about Iowa!
http://www.radioiowa.com/2016/05/17/iowa-will-be-home-to-north-americas- biggest-land-based-fish-farm/
Serious damage to our environment caused by insects arriving with international cargo
http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/2-billion-in-annual-damage-to-us- forests-caused-by-insects-arriving-in-overseas-cargo-160517?news=858832
The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa pauca is devastating olive trees in southern Italy, attempting to prevent spread of olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS)
http://www.nature.com/news/gridlock-over-italy-s-olive-tree-deaths-starts-to- ease-1.19939
Sweden plans to relocate city of Kiruna which is sinking into underground iron mines http://gizmodo.com/how-sweden-is-relocating-an-entire-city-1777132357
Aging dams could cost infrastructure & lives, and will certainly cost big $$$$$ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/america-crumbling-dam-
infrastructure_us_573a332be4b08f96c183deac
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