Spectacular Glacial Dust Plume Posted: 02 Nov 2009 11:43 PM PST “In this image, the wind is blowing from the snow-covered mountains to the Gulf of Alaska. The wind picked up fine sediment from the riverbank and carried it over the ocean. The pale brown plume of airborne dust contrasts sharply with the dark ocean beneath it.” Quoted from the Earth Observatory image release. |
| The Coldest Decade in the Past 500 Years Posted: 02 Nov 2009 11:07 PM PST A previously unknown volcanic eruption in 1809 kicked off the coldest decade in the past 500 years. This eruption was larger than the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo and was followed in 1815 by the eruption of Tambora. The result was a global lowering of temperature. |
| Kilimanjaro Glaciers Are Melting Posted: 02 Nov 2009 09:56 PM PST An article on the CNN website reports that the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania are retreating and could be melted away within 20 years. |
| New Nuclear Power Plant in Texas? Posted: 02 Nov 2009 09:20 PM PST Construction of a new nuclear plant is being planned for a site about 100 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. If built and licensed, it will be the first new plant in the United States in 30 years. |
| Zimbabwe and Kimberly Process Standards Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:58 PM PST The Kimberly Process is a set of standards that a diamond-producing country must meet to assure that the stones are produced legally and without human exploitation. Zimbabwe could be told to stop exporting diamonds until it complies with the KP standards. |
| Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:50 PM PST Discussions at the recent Geological Society of America meeting in Portland explored the impact of geology and soils on the taste of wine. |
| Can Changes in Air Pressure Trigger Landslides? Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:44 PM PST An article on the Nature.com website reports that USGS researches have linked motion in the Slumgullion landslide of California with changes in air pressure known as “air tides”. Related: Landslide Hazard Fact Sheet |
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Geology.com | News - November 3, 2009
