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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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