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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 5 March 2018 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
Map & damage assessment of the 25 February M7.5 Papua New Guinea earthquake https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-75-earthquake-papua-new-guinea Death toll:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/More_than_30_believed_dead_in_PNG_quake_report_999.html
Damage assessment: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Quake-hit_PNG_struggles_to_assess_damage_999.html
Bioluminescent critters light up the waters of Big Sur (time lapse video) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-bioluminescent-plankton-made-big-
surs-waters-glow-blue-1-180968273/
Studying temperature shifts in the stratosphere which appear to be increasing in frequency – but weather conditions are not “wrong” but rather are part of natural variation
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/arctic-heat-spasm-caused- by-stratosphere-warming-has-a-southern-cousin-20180228-p4z26w.html
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/really-extreme-global- weather-event-leaves-scientists-aghast-20180225-p4z1q4.html
No endangered Right Whale calves have been sighted so far this season https://www.npr.org/2018/02/28/589439219/researchers-havent-found-a-single-
endangered-right-whale-calf-yet-this-season
New maps reveal vast global scope of exploitation and over-fishing of the ocean https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/02/22/588034042/new-maps-reveal-global-
fishings-vast-scope-of-exploitation-of-the-ocean
Wastewater injections triggered swarms of earthquakes – new state rules already having an effect https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/kansas-also-had-a-surge-of-human-caused-
earthquakes/
Trove of Triassic fossils discovered on national land in Utah https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fossils-found-where-trump-cut-bears-ears-
protections_us_5a90e940e4b01e9e56bbf23f
Scientists can now study ecosystem that was beneath Larsen C Ice Shelf for some 120,000 years https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/scientists-rush-to-explore-underwater-world-hidden-
below-ice-for-120000-years_us_5a8da86ee4b0273053a6fac0
Trachemys haugrudi – new species of Miocene-Pliocene turtle discovered in eastern Tennessee http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/new-fossil-turtle-species-tennessee-05765.html
New technique for studying ancient lake sediments looks at moth scales http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/fossil-moth-scales-05757.html
High-resolution ocean models simulate dissipation of turbulence & may improve climate models http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/
New_understanding_of_ocean_turbulence_could_improve_climate_models_999.html
Search for the missing called off after avalanche of mud and rock in central Java http://www.terradaily.com/reports/
Indonesia_calls_off_deadly_landslide_search_18_believed_dead_999.html
New theory of 400 million year plant evolution focuses on underground adaptations http://www.terradaily.com/reports/
Theory_suggests_root_efficiency_independence_drove_global_spread_of_flora_999.html
Recent fluctuations in the magnetic field of Earth – the South Atlantic Anomaly https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180228144432.htm
Distance from faults is important factor in human-induced earthquake risk from fracking https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180227233301.htm
Isotopic analysis suggests modern volcanism tied to mantle differentiation of early Earth https://phys.org/news/2018-02-modern-volcanism-tied-events-earth.html
Deconstructing rock samples & creating 3D digital versions to reveal structure and fossils https://phys.org/news/2018-02-princeton-geologists-fossil-mystery-d.html
Maca landslide complex is creeping along in southern Peru – rate increases when triggered by earthquake or heavy rainfall
https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/creeping-danger-landslide-threatens-peruvian- village-especially-when-earth-quakes
Deltas in Greenland are increasing in size as glacial debris is moved downstream by meltwaters https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/greenlands-growing-deltas-combining-historical-and-
modern-imagery-decode-change-telltale
Just how much “poop” have climbers left behind on Kahiltna Glacier on Mt Denali in Alaska? New regulations being considered
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/agency-rethinks-climbers-dispose-poop-alaska- peak-article-1.3847173
Humans are still poorly equipped to cope with drought https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/28/the-natural-disaster-were-still-poorly-
equipped-to-deal-with-drought/#16ea066d2b10
Massive boulders transported by storm waves https://phys.org/news/2018-02-extraordinary-boulder-storm.html
Collapse of volcano wall as 1.5B gallons of lava flow into the Pacific as a “lava fire hose” https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/02/28/hawaii-dumped-1-5-billion-gallons-of-
lava-into-pacific-as-volcano-wall-collapses/#aea01f933e61
A lifetime of searching for meiofauna - kinorhynchs, aka mud dragons that live between grains of sand in marine sediments
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/king-of-the-mud-dragons-180968283/
Toraghay mud volcano erupts in Garadagh district, Baku, Azerbaijan http://en.apa.az/azerbaijani-news/social-news/mud-volcano-erupts-in-azerbaijan-6451.html
BMKG calls for disaster preparation for megathrust earthquake (M6-M8.7) that will hit Jakarta http://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-must-brace-megathrust-earthquake-bmkg/
First commercial deep sea mining project may begin in 2019 - time to consider the costs and impacts of seabed mining
http://www.iom3.org/materials-world-magazine/news/2018/mar/01/price-seabed-mining
Satellite data to be analyzed as Cornwall, England, is explored for lithium http://www.iom3.org/materials-world-magazine/news/2018/mar/01/satellite-search-cornish-
lithium
Only karst lake in Catalonia, Spain, contains varves that reflect last 500 years of climatic conditions
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180228153648.htm
Mineralogy may help locate and ideal lunar landing site
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180228153013.htm
50-60 myo the hot magmatic source for the Hawaiian hotspot moved rapidly southward based on age dating of Rurutu volcanic chain
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180227090724.htm
Listen to what happens when ice is dropped down a 90-m borehole in an Antarctic glacier https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a19060839/borehole-crazy-
sound/
Mount Cleveland on Chuginadak Island in Alaska sent small ash cloud 3 miles into the atmosphere
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2018/03/02/aleutian-volcano-erupts-sending-ash-cloud- miles-into-the-sky/
Possible link between evolution of rootless plants & marked increase in creation of mud rock during the Paleozoic
https://phys.org/news/2018-03-ancient-rootless-linked-production-mud.html
Great Lakes impacted by the last Ice Age – isostatic rebound still occurring https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/03/02/michigan-great-lakes-ice-
age/363316002/
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Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 5 March 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
Not surprising, antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria still high in humans, animals & food supply
http://www.sciencenewsline.com/news/2018022717570013.html https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/antimicrobial-resistance-zoonotic-bacteria-still-high-
humans-animals-and-food-say-ecdc http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2018/02/european-surveillance-shows-high-
levels-drug-resistance-zoonotic-bacteria Report: https://ecdc.europa.eu/sites/portal/files/documents/antimicrobial-resistance-
zoonotic-bacteria-humans-animals-food-2016.pdf
Perspective: Actions are needed now to keep pharmaceuticals out of drinking water to prevent harm to human health & the environment
https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/02/21/editorial-act-now-to-keep-drugs-out-of-water- supply
Perspective: Please Don't Call Them Natural Disasters – Paraphrasing Gilbert White: natural hazards are acts of God, disasters are acts of man
https://hazards.colorado.edu/news/research-counts/speaking-truth-to-power-please-don-t- call-them-natural-disasters
With so much plastic going to landfills, can it be redesigned for reuse? http://www.iom3.org/materials-world-magazine/news/2018/mar/01/bury-it
Loss of green space in urban areas means mosquitos adapt & flourish & transmit disease https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/fda-dmg022218.php
New Book: “Global Resource Scarcity – Catalyst for Conflict or Cooperation?” https://www.routledge.com/Global-Resource-Scarcity-Catalyst-for-Conflict-or-
Cooperation/Dawson-Rosin-Wald/p/book/9781138241022
Perspective: A Pollyana opinion on population growth & food security in Indonesia https://en.antaranews.com/news/114814/no-worry-about-decline-in-food-security
Humans are ever hopeful that they can eradicate disease before pandemic happens https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/ambitious-global-virome-project-could-mark-end-pandemic-
era
Federal Judge in Louisiana revokes permit for Bayou Bridge crude oil pipeline – environmental concerns
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nergy-transf-pipeline-court-ruling/permit-revoked-for- energy-transfer-partners-louisiana-pipeline-idUSKCN1G800J
You are what you eat: USDA & HHS seeking public comments on the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/1dde585
Drones are more accurate than people when counting wildlife – but could disrupt wildlife populations
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-bioluminescent-plankton-made-big- surs-waters-glow-blue-1-180968273/
2,000-acre solar power plant to be constructed in Twiggs County, Georgia – poor aesthetics http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2018/02/first-solar-to-build-200-mw-solar-plant-in-
georgia.html
Applications filed for massive new oil sands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada http://montrealgazette.com/commodities/energy/suncor-energy-files-application-for-160000-
bpd-lewis-oilsands-project/wcm/bb16e152-5341-4ee6-a7ed-d7907b97bd78
Federal government has the authority to build a wall along the southern border for National Security
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/27/judge-trump-slurred-rules-for-administration- 430093
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2018-02-27/judge-sides-with-trump-on- challenge-to-mexico-border-wall
Legal opinion: https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000161-d947-d829-a37b-db771dfe0002
Montana yields lots of data on wildfires, smoke & impacts on public health https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/25/585105923/when-wildfire-smoke-
invades-who-should-pay-to-clean-indoor-air https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/24/583950017/montana-wildfires-
provide-a-wealth-of-data-on-health-effects-of-smoke-exposure
Farmers urged to watch for new diseases in wildlife & livestock in Alaska http://fm.kuac.org/post/state-veterinarian-urges-farmers-watch-new-diseases-alaska-
wildlife-livestock
Seismic Resilience Initiative releases White Paper on earthquake resilience https://csengineermag.com/usrc-releases-whitepaper-earthquake-resilience/ Paper: http://usrc.org/files/technicalresource/The%20Case%20for%20Earthquake
%20Resilience%20-%20White%20Paper.pdf
SERDP awards $1.4M grant to design modular stormwater treatment system for DOD sites to removed PCBs, PAHs and copper
https://csengineermag.com/umd-awarded-1-4-million-design-new-treatment-pcbs-heavy- metals-stormwater/
Efforts to protect wetland in Perth, Australia, will never be regretted http://www.canberratimes.com.au/wa-news/we-wont-regret-protecting-the-area-planning-
minister-steps-in-to-save-perth-wetland-20180227-h0wqml.html
Environmentally-friendly farming can still be economically viable https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/02/26/588005181/how-a-skeptical-rancher-aided-
by-an-outdoors-brand-turned-climate-friendly
German High Court rules that cities can ban diesel vehicles to reduce excessive air pollution https://www.npr.org/2018/02/27/589279425/german-high-court-rules-that-cities-can-ban-
diesel-vehicles-to-reduce-pollution
Pennsylvania seeing feedback on wetland mitigation banking https://csengineermag.com/pennsylvania-seeks-input-wetland-mitigation-banking-p3/
Officials at Panoche Water District in California charged with burying hazardous waste & corruption
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/23/588198990/california-water-agency- officials-charged-with-burying-hazardous-waste-and-corru
First sustainability chief at Tyson Foods has an enormous task in one of the most-polluting industries
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tyson-foods-environmentalism-regulation- sustainability_us_5a9562d6e4b0699553cc7656
With dogs euthanized across the country every day, Barbara Streisand continues to clone her dog https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/whos-a-good-clone-barbra-streisand-had-beloved-
dog-copied-but-not-exactly/
Water in weathered bedrock beneath the soil can yield water to vegetation in times of drought https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=244513&org=NSF&from=news
Perspective: Beverage industry needs to immediately tackle the plastic problem https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/beverage-industry-needs-tackle-plastic-problem-
immediately.html
Mimicry is “hiding in plain sight” – see video of leaf beetle Chlamisus or Fulcidax Chrysomelidae https://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/readers-photos/photo-beautiful-beetles-
camouflage-suggests-surreal-world/
Federal judge has temporarily barred cancer warnings on food products in California that contain traces of the herbicide glyphosate
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-glyphosate-prop65-story.html
Bellandur Lake in Bangalore, India, is so polluted it routinely catches fire http://www.circleofblue.org/2018/india/booming-infrastructure-poisons-bangalores-lakes-
depletes-groundwater/
Pollution from Clairton Coke Works Plant linked to “asthma epidemic” in Pittsburgh elementary school
http://www.ehn.org/asthma-near-clairton-coke-plant-2539978896.html Perspective: Pesticides kill – long-term human health hazards may lead to designating maximum residual levels in foods
https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/editorial-pesticides-kill/
Lead poisoning is threatening human health as lead-based paint use is increasing globally https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21737272-use-lead-based-paint-spreading-poor-
countries-and-does-terrible-damage-young
EPA to combine three offices to improve management and efficiency https://www.buzzfeed.com/zahrahirji/epa-reshuffle-pollution-research?
utm_term=.rgq8lQM3P#.yxjZ4gGYn
Citizens of Los Angeles County need more protections from impacts of living near oil wells https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/02/27/81159/la-county-isn-t-doing-enough-to-protect-
people-liv/ Risk Study:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/PH_OilGasFacilitiesPHSafetyRisks.pdf
Nuclear waste remains an intractable problem as mountain of radioactive waste becomes bigger https://climatenewsnetwork.net/nuclear-waste-mountains-just-go-growing/
How much sewage wastewater is mixed in Midwest floodwaters? https://www.courier-journal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2018/02/27/louisville-flood-
major-sewage-spills-msd/377744002/
Lawmakers, residents & environmental advocates urge adding former DuPont munitions plant at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, to federal Superfund clean-up program
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/watchdog/2018/02/27/pressure-increases-add- former-dupont-munitions-site-federal-superfund-program/377364002/
Fort Meyers, Florida, wants to remove lime sludge that was dumped byproduct of water treatment process
http://news.wgcu.org/post/city-fort-myers-says-it-will-remove-dunbar-sludge
“Water War” looms as Ethiopia nears completion of Nile River Dam https://www.npr.org/2018/02/27/589240174/in-africa-war-over-water-looms-as-ethiopia-
nears-completion-of-nile-river-dam
So why did the African rainforests vanish for 600 years and then rebound? https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/did-humans-or-climate-cause-the-great-rainforest-
crisis/
Examining the relationship between surface-water salinity & use of de-icing salts on roadways https://news.syr.edu/2018/02/scientists-examine-link-between-surface-water-salinity-
climate-change-in-central-new-york/
In Alaska, as climate changes, White Spruce and Snowshoe hares adapt https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=244505&org=GEO&from=news
Mushrooms evolved to produce hallucinogenic chemicals as defense mechanism against insects
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ Study_Mushrooms_became_hallucinogenic_to_keep_away_insects_999.html
New study suggests flood risk from American rivers is greatly underestimated https://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/pressreleases/new-study-finds-flood-risk-for-
americans-is-greatly-underestimated.xml Paper: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aaac65/meta
US National Park System had more than 330M visitors in 2017 – these were most visited https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/02-28-2018-visitation-certified.htm
Yes, Sugar Maple trees can change sex – they are gynodioecy plants https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/injuries-can-trigger-male-trees-turning-
female-study-finds-180968299/
Sudan, the male Northern White Rhino is very sick – he is the LAST of his species https://www.livescience.com/61900-last-male-northern-white-rhino-is-sick.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/future-not-looking-bright-last-male-northern-
white-rhino-180968329/
EPA will rewrite more clean air & clean water rules as well as rules on coal ash disposal https://apnews.com/de118bff8cae4e07bbd73232d8137b51/Trump-EPA-moves-to-roll-back-
more-clean-air-and-water-rules
Photo-essay on how cities are created and destroyed https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/a-japanese-photographer-traces-how-
cities-are-built-and-destroyed
**************************************
Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 5 March 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
55-km long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is longest sea bridge – bridge, tunnel & artificial island
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/24/c_136997262.htm
One Island, One Voice - 20,000 people join together for beach clean-ups in Bali https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/20000-people-join-beach-clean-ups-bali.html
Chile will protect nearly 450,000 square miles of marine environments – Easter Island, Juan Fernández Islands & kelp forests of Diego Ramirez Island
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/chile-protects-massive-swath-ocean-new- marine-parks-180968275/
While offshore drilling leases are for sale, O&G drilling off Atlantic coast has uncertain future http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/02/
jersey_shore_likely_to_be_spared_oil_rigs_nj_reps.html#incart_river_index http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/interior-dept-announces-largest-sale-of-offshore-oil-
and-gas-drilling-leases-in-history-170218?news=860419
Sharks congregating around fish farm pens and enjoying a feeding frenzy http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/conservation/port-stephens-feeding-frenzy-
i-ve-never-seen-so-many-sharks-in-my-life-20180228-p4z27h.html
Rethinking sewage treatment plants to adapt to changes in sea level https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/02/26/on-the-front-lines-of-sea-level-
rise-sewage-treatment-plants-adapt
Climate change and over-fishing cause shrinking supply of abalone shells that affects coastal tribes
https://www.hcn.org/issues/50.4/tribal-affairs-a-shrinking-supply-of-abalone-shells-impacts- coastal-tribes
Travel: coastal road trip in Western Australia http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-western-australia-20180225-story.html
Perspective: More needs to be done to protect Caloosahatchee estuary https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2018/02/18/critics-say-state-not-doing-enough-
estuary/341937002/
Barbados EPD deems beaches and nearshore water are safe for recreational use https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2018/02/17/nearshore-water-at-south-coast-beaches-
deemed-safe/
Perspective: Time to rethink marine conservation priorities – the importance of seagrass https://ensia.com/voices/seagrass/
Impact of long period swells expected to worsen in the Caribbean http://www.looptt.com/content/impact-long-period-swells-set-worsen
Regulatory perspective: Fishing regulations may change but are important in North Carolina http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/sports/article_61084866-1caa-11e8-a8ec-
bb5a4e6bd07c.html
ExxonMobil reports a seventh oil discovery offshore Guyana http://www.worldoil.com/news/2018/2/28/exxonmobil-reports-seventh-discovery-offshore-
guyana
New paradigm for managing disputed claims is needed by offshore wind industry https://www.windpowerengineering.com/construction/offshore-wind-industry-needs-new-
paradigm-managing-dispute-claims/
New coastal walking route could boost tourism despite increased erosion damage https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/new-coastal-walking-route-could-1287161