Geology.com | News - October 13, 2009

A New Model for Banded Iron Formations Posted: 12 Oct 2009 11:26 PM PDT A new model for the deposition of banded iron formations offers a more complete picture of Earth’s environment between 3.8 and 1.7 billion years ago, including interactions between rocks, water, and air.

Idaho Lava Fields: Craters of the Moon Posted: 12 Oct 2009 10:05 PM PDT This NASA satellite image shows the Craters of the Moon lava fields in Idaho. The dark basaltic lava flows are between 2,100 and 15,000 years old.

Shell to Focus on Natural Gas Posted: 12 Oct 2009 08:56 PM PDT From a speech given on October 8, 2009, by Peter Voser, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell…. “Shell is increasingly focusing on natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. By 2012, natural gas will likely make up around half of our production.”

Einstein Fellowship – Open to K-12 Teachers Posted: 12 Oct 2009 08:07 PM PDT K-12 teachers can apply for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, a paid fellowship for K-12 math, science, and technology teachers. Einstein Fellows spend a school year in Washington, D.C. serving in a federal agency or on Capitol Hill.

Who Buys Earthquake Insurance? Posted: 12 Oct 2009 06:11 PM PDT An article on the Mercury News website reports that many people in California do not buy earthquake insurance. They don’t buy it for a variety of reasons. Some think that their homeowners insurance provides coverage (it usually doesn’t) while others think that it is too expensive or just take a chance on going [...]

NASA Flights Will Probe Antarctic Ice Posted: 12 Oct 2009 05:57 PM PDT NASA will be looking for changes in Antarctic ice using a DC-8 equipped with instruments that are capable of “seeing” through the ice and collecting information about its thickness and the presence of water.

Landslide Blocks Highway 410 in Washington Posted: 12 Oct 2009 05:49 PM PDT A landslide in Washington buried 1/4 mile of Highway 401 and blocked the Naches River. The road is expected to be closed for the next several months.

Space Tourist Laliberte Returns Posted: 12 Oct 2009 07:05 AM PDT Circus performer Guy Laliberte has safely returned from a short trip to space. His show at the International Space Station was aimed at promoting awareness of the water shortages on Earth.