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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

M7.1 earthquake in Japan is aftershock of 2011 event offshore of Fukushima https://japan-forward.com/magnitude-7-3-hits-japan-causing-over-hundred-injured-landslides/ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/at-least-100-injured-after-fukushima-

earthquake-with-no-major-incidents-at-nuclear-plant-1.1165552 Videos: https://scroll.in/video/986862/watch-eyewitnesses-capture-scenes-from-the-7-3-

magnitude-earthquake-in-north-east-japan

Sahara Desert once was wet and green https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/life-in-the-sahara-north-africa-s-green-past-

1.1165348

Nearly one-fifth of submarine vocalizations are beyond the hearing range of humans – ultrasonic frequencies beam a narrower & more precise sound which travels shorter distances

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/antarctic-seals-vocalize-in-ultrasonic-but-not-for- the-usual-reason/

Fallstreaks imaged over Florida https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147886/falling-for-fallstreaks https://www.yahoo.com/news/cloud-falling-sky-nasa-images-211049103.html

Amount of water transported to the mantle by subduction was overestimated https://eos.org/research-spotlights/subduction-may-recycle-less-water-than-thought

Clustering of aftershocks means simple statistical models are more accurate than physics-based forecasting models

https://eos.org/editor-highlights/the-failure-of-physics-based-earthquake-forecasting-models

Fracturing during micro-earthquakes may cause temporary pH change in groundwater https://eos.org/research-spotlights/earthquakes-can-acidify-groundwater

Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020GL089885

Planetary geology: mapping boulder fields and tracks on the Moon https://eos.org/editor-highlights/the-tumbling-boulders-of-orientale-basin

Using tracers to distinguish surface & subsurface recharge of aquifers along mountain fronts https://eos.org/research-spotlights/parsing-routes-to-aquifer-recharge-along-mountain-fronts

Short-term variation in Arctic sea ice https://eos.org/articles/arctic-report-card-founder-discusses-the-fate-of-the-pole

Importance of environmental variables in wildfire burn area climate models https://eos.org/research-spotlights/evaluating-environmental-predictors-of-western-u-s-

wildfires Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020EF001645

Understanding scoria cone eruptions & impacts on landscape and atmosphere https://eos.org/articles/ancient-eruption-may-change-our-understanding-of-modern-

volcanoes Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20354-2

Plankton in waters surrounding Antarctica play role in global biogeochemical cycle https://eos.org/research-spotlights/the-alkalinity-trap-at-the-bottom-of-the-world

Podcast on need to preserve archival sea level records https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966424041/saving-sea-level-records-what-historical-records-

tell-us-about-the-rising-ocean

An explanation of the “polar vortex” – it is nothing new & should not be viewed as “scary” https://theconversation.com/what-exactly-is-the-polar-vortex-153958

8-year-old wants to know more about dinosaurs https://www.huffpost.com/entry/8-year-old-npr-more-dinosaur-

stories_n_602456b5c5b681d093429fd4

Seismic data generated by whale songs help map the oceanic crust https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/using-whale-songs-to-image-beneath-the-oceans-

floor/

Understanding rates of glacial melting at the end of the last Ice Age https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

Rapid_ice_retreat_during_last_deglaciation_parallels_current_melt_rates_999.html Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033420300198?via%3Dihub

NEMO-HD micro-satellite begins returning multispectral images https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

Slovenia_releases_color_image_from_NEMO_HD_microsat_999.html

UN says La Niña climate cycle has peaked – lag effect on climate

https://www.terradaily.com/reports/La_Nina_climate_cycle_has_peaked_UN_999.html

Revised timeline of Paleozoic climatic conditions https://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Geologists_produce_new_timeline_of_Earths_Paleozoic_climate_changes_999.html

On the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Sylmar (San Fernando) earthquake https://www.usgs.gov/news/50th-anniversary-san-fernando

Factors that impact effectiveness of eye-witness accounts of earthquake https://www.usgs.gov/news/who-s-sharing-inconsistent-eyewitness-accounts-can-affect-how-

we-understand-earthquakes?qt-news_science_products=1#qt-news_science_products

First angiosperms (flowering plants) may have appeared in Jurassic or even earlier http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/jurassic-flowering-plants-09334.html

Genetic data suggests Coelacanths are not “living fossils” from 65 myo http://www.sci-news.com/biology/coelacanth-genes-09341.html Paper: https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/13/1/evaa264/6045956

Humpback whales are not learning songs from one another https://phys.org/news/2021-02-humpback-whales-songs.html

New generation of climate models predict changes in rainfall in the Alps https://phys.org/news/2021-02-climate-future-rainfall-alps.html

Significance of atmospheric rivers for New Zealand https://phys.org/news/2021-02-significance-atmospheric-rivers-zealand.html

In Memoriam: John Scott Runge (1927-2021) – petroleum geologist https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/trib/name/john-runge-obituary?pid=197767044

Earthquake threat in Illinois is real https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/extra/news/geologist-earthquake-threat-in-

illinois-is-real/article_d4b09b3e-ef92-50e9-9435-83cf7ac7a584.html

In Memoriam: Robert Joseph Beltrame (1948-2020) – Geologist & geochemist https://www.hometownsource.com/stillwater_gazette/obituaries/robert-bob-joseph-beltrame/

article_2f3fdbfd-6809-5da9-9af2-668ae6d5e039.html

In Memoriam: Charles Henry Williams Jr (1934-2021) – Geologist & Mississippi Geological Survey https://www.northsidesun.com/most-recent-obituaries/charles-henry-williams-

jr#sthash.O2f0Yf1f.dpbs

Potential for M>8.0 earthquake in the Himalayan arc https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/feb/14/threat-of-major-earthquakeover-80-

magnitude-looms-over-himalayan-arc-2263710.html

Episode of tectonic quiescence from 1.8 to 0.8 byo

https://www.livescience.com/earth-mountains-disappear-boring-billion.html

Human activity (fluid withdrawal) exacerbates subsidence along Texas Gulf Coast https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/08/a-sinking-situation-in-houston-texas-gulf-coast/

Stonehenge was probably built with second-hand rocks https://www.zmescience.com/science/geology/stonehenge-wall-migration-12022021/

Collapse of hanging glacier caused Uttarakhand flash flood https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uttarakhand-flash-floods-due-to-

hanging-glacier-collapse-says-study-121021000001_1.html https://www.sciencenews.org/article/india-glacier-flood-disaster-himalayas-uttarakhand

Fossil mimics may be common in ancient rocks https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fake-fossil-biomorphs-more-common-ancient-rocks-real-

fossils

Perspective paper: Earth evolution, emergence & uniformitarianism https://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/groundwork/G479GW/GSATG479GW.pdf

**********************************************

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Icy conditions cause massive & multiple vehicular accidents in Texas https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/traffic/traffic-updates-overnight-sleet-turns-north-texas-roads-

into-sheets-of-ice/2548822/

Will dual-acting immune-antibiotics be the long hoped for panacea? https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201223125759.htm

Return to “catch & release” for illegal aliens once again puts Americans & our sovereignty at risk https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/biden-admin-relaunches-catch-and-release-as-illegal-

border-crossings-return-to-crisis-levels/ar-BB1dqEVS

How to get humans to eat invasive Asian carp? Change their name & rebrand – worked for the toothfish

https://www.yahoo.com/news/invasive-asian-carp-getting-name-111506073.html

Re-wilding called success as hyenas are returned to Zinave National Park in Mozambique https://www.yahoo.com/news/conservationists-hail-wilding-success-hyenas-133807447.html

Living near artificial lights from street lamps & buildings linked to 55% increase in risk of thyroid cancer

https://www.yahoo.com/news/living-near-neon-lights-increases-023414243.html

CRS In Focus: USEPA GHG Reporting Program https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11754

California high-speed rail construction has new extended timeline and greater estimated cost of $13.8B

https://apnews.com/article/california-coronavirus-pandemic- 94bb6293d170e87559d36d3a13f2a637

New “Civilian Climate Corps Initiative” – a boondoggle in the making for all the wrong reasons https://www.yahoo.com/news/bidens-conservation-corps-stirs-hopes-102009674.html

Axis deer imported to Hawaii (as a gift) from India in 1868 have died from starvation during drought https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/01/molokais-fabled-axis-deer-are-starving-to-death-in-droves/

Biggest problem in San Diego, California, is stormwater infrastructure https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/san-diegos-infrastructure-deficit-is-really-

a-stormwater-deficit/

Austin, Texas, approves $23M to prevent gentrification near new transit hubs – “anti-displacement” fund

https://www.kut.org/transportation/2021-02-05/austin-approves-23-million-to-help-prevent- gentrification-near-new-transit-hubs

Proposed $2.4bn battery at Kurri Kurri will be 8 times the current largest in the world https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/05/worlds-biggest-battery-with-

1200mw-capacity-set-to-be-built-in-nsw-hunter-valley-australia

Technological hazard: Hacker breached Oldsmar, Florida, water treatment plant control & tried to poison drinking water with lye

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sheriff-hacker-tried-taint-florida-212751269.html

Technological Hazard: Data breach in Washing State impacts 1.4M people https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/analysis-washington-state-s-response-to-data-

breach-affecting-1-4m-people-is-stunningly-callous/ar-BB1dziEE

China has declining numbers of births and aging population but with 1.4B people in China it is being called a population crisis

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dont-talk-having-baby-chinese-113242789.html

German “insect protection” law which restricts use of pesticides is angering farmers https://www.yahoo.com/news/german-govt-angers-farmers-insect-133308992.html

Risks of aging structurally unsafe dams in California https://www.yahoo.com/news/californias-aging-dams-face-perils-140022157.html

South Carolina contemplating a plan to allow huge incinerators to melt and burn garbage https://www.yahoo.com/news/south-carolina-once-took-nation-135622567.html

Humans need to mimic natural processes – biomimicry could deliver net benefits but still will not be as effective as natural processes

https://www.dezeen.com/2021/02/08/biomimicry-cities-deliver-net-benefits-fight-against- climate-change/

Construction of $1B electric transmission line only partly halted by legal action on environmental issues

https://apnews.com/article/environment-maine-847342d3a112b97ae9c5c210205cfa38

Upcoming on Feb 25th – NRCS Rangeland Analysis Platform webinar https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/technical/nra/ceap/?

cid=nrcseprd1576043

Just one of the problems with “sharing” human genome research data https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00331-5 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00314-6

Perspective: Parsing the politics of singular & multiple water users http://www.water-alternatives.org/index.php/alldoc/articles/vol14/v14issue1/614-a14-1-9/file

Minnesota DNR gives approval to $2.75B Red River diversion project – will it really be a permanent fix?

https://www.startribune.com/2-75-billion-red-river-diversion-project-approved/600021603/

Panama City, Florida, approves $305M infrastructure plan for drinking water, wastewater & stormwater

https://www.newsherald.com/story/news/2021/02/10/panama-city-florida-approves-305- million-infrastructure-upgrade-plan/4456551001/

Alma, Arkansas, “flips” to solar array to power wastewater treatment facility – estimated cost $3M https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/feb/06/alma-celebrates-new-solar-array-for-

wastewater/?latest

US Dept of Interior announces Tribal Consultations https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-announces-series-tribal-consultations-recognition-

importance-nation-nation

Aedes scapularis mosquito is now established in Florida – vector of a number of diseases https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/a-new-mosquito-is-making-south-florida-its-

home/ar-BB1dBLMD

CRS Report: The Endangered Species Act – Overview & Implementation https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46677

New audit of wildfire risks at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico – almost burned in Cerro Grand Fire in 2000 when “controlled burn” was blown out of control

https://www.yahoo.com/news/audit-raises-concerns-wildfire-risks-195632348.html Report: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/02/f82/DOE-OIG-21-13_0.pdf

2020 Global Carbon Budget – still hyping “global warming” due to CO2 https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/2021/02/11/11249/

There is once again water in Lake Dojran in North Macedonia – robbing Peter to pay Paul: pumped groundwater

https://news.yahoo.com/lake-dojran-future-brightens-north-174202230.html

Man who dredged section of River Lugg & stripped riparian vegetation is cleared by Forestry Commission

https://www.yahoo.com/news/farmer-bulldozed-beauty-spot-protect-180522912.html

Potential impacts of Executive Order to stop O&G production & stop Keystone XL Pipeline – “heavy-handed, economy-killing efforts…will do little to rein in global CO2” – US at Paris Agreement levels

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hurting-economy-without-helping-climate-113008106.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenrwald/2020/12/10/the-un-makes-the-case-for-the-us-to-

stay-out-of-the-paris-climate-accord/

Measuring ozone-depleting chemicals in the Asian Monsoon https://eos.org/editor-highlights/measurements-of-ozone-depleting-chemicals-in-the-asian-

monsoon Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020JD033137

Emissions of banned ozone-depleting chemical are once again declining https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210133423.htm Paper - Global: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03260-5 Paper – China: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03277-w

Can urban tree planting counteract urban heat island effect? https://eos.org/features/community-forests-prepare-for-climate-change

Book review: “Under a White Sky” – how can humans continue to exist https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965306203/under-a-white-sky-examines-what-it-might-take-

for-humans-to-continue-to-exist

What is in the fish you eat? Micro-plastics https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-fish-species-including-many-that-humans-eat-are-

consuming-plastic-154634

Dutch Court ordered Shell subsidiary to pay damages for oil spills in Nigeria https://www.treehugger.com/court-orders-shell-pay-nigerian-oil-spills-5105076

Will a rooftop solar unit on your roof lower electricity costs for your neighbors? https://www.treehugger.com/rooftop-solar-benefits-neighbors-5112473

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park https://www.treehugger.com/rooftop-solar-benefits-neighbors-5112473https://

www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/capitals-corridor-chesapeake-and-ohio-canal-national-historical-park

Airborne particulate matter is also contaminated with nicotine & nicotelline from tobacco smoke https://phys.org/news/2021-02-airborne-particulate-contaminated-tobacco-smoke-driven.html Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000416?via%3Dihub

Book review: John Muir’s Grand Yosemite – Musings & Sketches https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/review-john-muirs-grand-yosemite-musings-

and-sketches

Bangladesh bans painkiller from use on cattle in attempt to protect vultures from extinction https://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Bangladesh_bans_cattle_painkiller_to_save_vultures_999.html

Migratory birds sense geomagnetic signature when blown off course https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210212111917.htm

Evolution of six toxic butterfly species https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210208161924.htm

CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus COVID-19 statistics by country (click on USA to get State statistics) https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ https://time.com/5800901/coronavirus-map/ interactive maps: https://geodacenter.github.io/covid/map.html

LGBTQ community at disproportionally higher risk – underlying health conditions https://thegavoice.com/news/national/lgbtq-people-at-greater-risk-of-severe-covid-19-

symptoms-cdc-finds/ MMWR Report: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7005a1.htm

Severe thrombocytopenia triggered by vaccination that caused lack of platelets – can be fatal https://www.yahoo.com/news/few-covid-vaccine-recipients-developed-133911410.html

Perspective: Leave your antibodies alone https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/leave-your-antibodies-alone/ar-BB1dz51L

Perspective: What if we never reach herd immunity? https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/herd-immunity-might-be-impossible-

even-vaccines/617973/

The ever-evolving guidelines https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/cdc-fully-vaccinated-people-don-t-need-to-

quarantine-after-covid-exposure/ar-BB1dAVmM

Duh -- WHO thinking that Wuhan outbreak began circulating before December 2019 US cases https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-circulating-europe-china-months-205102397.html

Visualizing global attitudes towards vaccines https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-global-attitudes-towards-covid-19-vaccines/

Immune system response over time after recovery https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121131909.htm

Virus causes “reduction” in US life expectancy https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210114163958.htm

*******************************************

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

MTC awarded $768,000 for enhancing port operations in western Mississippi https://www.ttnews.com/articles/mississippi-transportation-commission-issues-funding-port-

improvements

$32M effort begins to restore 319 acres of Cameron Meadows marsh in Louisiana https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_e50e687e-67e4-11eb-8026-

2fb5d5380bd0.html

Consumers could pay high price after Crown Estate sold £879m seabed rights for six offshore wind developments – that equates to £110,000 per megawatt per year

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/energy-bills-could-rise-crown-134747517.html

US is squandering energy-export opportunity – FERC denied export permit https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-squandering-energy-export-opportunity-113043679.html

Ports are rebounding from major infrastructure investments – money usually spurs economy https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/ports-rebounding-from-pandemic-plan-major-

infrastructure-investments

Ocean acidification is detrimental to local aquaculture in Massachusetts https://www.mvtimes.com/2021/02/09/ocean-acidification-endangers-local-aquaculture/

Perspective: US offshore wind prospects – overblown promises & blown-up costs https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-offshore-wind-prospects-overblown-113056989.html https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/02/a-lot-of-hot-air-about-offshore-wind/

Miami-Dade County considering $6B schemes in futile effort to protect coast from storm surges https://www.yahoo.com/news/future-miami-dade-coast-tall-174935738.html

Proposed $20M curtain wall to “protect” Las Palmas intended to redirect water to Florida Bay https://www.yahoo.com/news/las-palmas-constraint-everglades-restoration-110000849.html

Nature Conservancy provides new strategies for nature-based coastal resilience https://reliefweb.int/report/world/blue-guide-coastal-resilience-protecting-coastal-

communities-through-nature-based https://climatecentre.org/news/1374/building-coastal-resilience-the-natural-way-a-new-guide

Perspective: Brown bears could benefit from changing coastal marshes https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/sports/refuge-notebook-could-bears-benefit-from-

changing-coastal-marshes/

California Coastal Commission approve Belmont Pool replacement project https://lbpost.com/news/belmont-pool-project-wins-key-approval-from-coastal-commission https://www.presstelegram.com/2021/02/11/coastal-commission-approves-long-beachs-

belmont-beach-and-aquatic-center/

California Coastal Commission to determine location fate of Ontario Ridge hiking trail https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/california-coastal-commission-to-vote-friday-on-

request-to-move-popular-ontario-ridge-hiking-trail

Collaborative efforts make progress on coastal studies https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=64420&SEO=cuban-and-foreign-experts-

make-progress-in-coastal-studies

Economics of moving business from California to the Texas Gulf Coast https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2021/02/12/houston-sees-big-gains-from-

california-exodus.html

Rent decline rate slows in coastal cities https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/rent-declines-slow-in-coastal-

cities/

California Coastal Commission to consider proposal to stop off-roading at Oceano Dunes https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/coastal-commission-to-consider-eliminating-off-

roading-at-oceano-dunes/Content?oid=10596362

Property developer plan would redesign coastal waterfront at Biscayne Bay https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/02/11/redesign-coastal-waterfront-off-biscayne-bay/

Monitoring flooding along the coast of Maine https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/monitoring-coastal-flooding-in-

maine/97-a9af1fa6-c6fe-498d-ab51-2cadcbfd80b5

Federal Court upholds state denial of Jordan Cove LNG terminal Coos Bay coastal zone permit https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2021/02/feds-uphold-state-denial-on-jordan-cove-

lngs-coastal-zone-permit-another-roadblock-for-the-controversial-project.html

Changes in sea level (rising waters or subsiding land) could result in resurfacing of toxic contaminants

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/963673676/near-coasts-rising-seas-could-also-push-up-long- buried-toxic-contamination

Environmental Site Assessment to begin at Caneel Bay Resort in Virgin Islands National Park https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/environmental-testing-beginning-caneel-bay-

virgin-islands-national-park