BP Will Replace Blowout Preventer

BP will attempt to replace the blowout preventer on their damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico. They hope that examination of the old blowout preventer will reveal important information related to why the well failed.

Hurricane Earl Information

The best place to get updated information about Hurricane Earl is the National Hurricane Center. There you can view updated maps that show the hurricane’s projected path, wind speed probabilities, public advisories, satellite images and much more. As of Thursday morning at 9:00 EST there were warnings and watches posted all along the east coast [...]

Tsunamis in the Atlantic Ocean

A tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean is a rare event. Although the incidence of Atlantic tsunamis is low, the threat should be taken seriously because millions of people live in low-elevation locations around the rim of the Atlantic basin.

Chloride in Groundwater and Streams of Glacial Aquifer Systems

The amount of salt being used for winter road treatments is increasing. USGS published a study of chloride in groundwater and surface water conducted for the glacial aquifer system of the northern United States in forested, agricultural, and urban areas.

Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research

“The Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research will be the research, information and education leader for the Appalachian region by fostering, supporting and advancing research and research-based outreach on gas shale development.”

Ecuador Oil Imports and Exports

“Ecuador is one of Latin America?s largest oil exporters, with net oil exports estimated at 305,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2009. The oil sector accounts for about 50 percent of Ecuador?s export earnings and about one-third of all tax revenues. Despite being an oil exporter, Ecuador must still import refined petroleum products due to [...]

Manitoba: Invasive Jellyfish

A family visiting Star Lake, in Whiteshell Provincial Park were surprised to find jellyfish in the water. They are believed to be an invasive species transported in from another location.

Gulf of Mexico Oil Budget

“Teams of scientists and experts have been carefully tracking the oil since day one of this spill, and based on the data from those efforts and their collective expertise, they have been able to provide these useful and educated estimates about the fate of the oil.” Quoted from the NOAA press release.

Water Challenges in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya Region

One in five people on Earth depend upon meltwater flowing out of the Hindu-Kush Himalaya Region. Climate change threatens the delicate balance that regulates the storage and flow of these essential waters. “The Waters of the Third Pole” reports on the water challenges in this area.

Third Largest Hydroelectric Dam on an Amazon Tributary

The government of Brazil has approved plans to build the world’s third largest hydroelectric dam on a tributary of the Amazon River.

Warnings Issued for Hurricane Earl

Hurricane warnings and watches have been issued for Hurricane Earl in several states along the Atlantic. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for two islands off the coast of North Carolina.

Solar Radiation and Earth?s Atmosphere

“The sun’s energy output declined to unusually low levels from 2007 to 2009, a particularly prolonged solar minimum during which there were virtually no sunspots or solar storms. During that same period of low solar activity, Earth’s thermosphere shrank more than at any time in the 43-year era of space exploration.”

Track Satellites in Real Time

Here is a website that allows you to track satellites in real time. Just select a satellite and see a map of the world with the location of the satellite and the path it is tracking. Be patient… the site will display a map quickly but the path and satellite can take a moment or [...]

Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Drilling, Permit Maps

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has regularly-updated maps of oil and gas drilling activity available on their website. They also have maps of permits issued and wells drilled with separate tabulations for the Marcellus Shale.

Dinosaurs Killed by a Meteorite Shower?

Some scientists now believe that a meteorite shower caused the dinosaur extinction rather than a single large impact.

What?s Being Sent Down to Trapped Miners in Chile

This article and video reveals what is being sent down a 4″ drill hole to the 33 miners trapped in Chile. They received their first solid food today, MP3 music, nicotine patches, reading material and more.

Hurricane Earl: North Carolina Barrier Islands

Hurricane Earl’s predicted path shows a 20-30% probability that the North Carolina barrier islands will experience hurricane-force winds. Emergency management agencies there are ordering all people off of the islands.

Free Rockhounding Guide to New Mexico

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources has a free publication: “Rockhounding Guide to New Mexico”. It contains a number of road-log style field trips that guide you across interesting parts of the state.

Unusual Release of Carbon Dioxide from the Southern Ocean

A study of carbon-14 in the shells of fossil foraminifera living at the end of the last ice age, about 18,000 years ago, suggests an unusual release of carbon dioxide from the Southern Ocean at that time.

Chinese Investments in Afghanistan Mineral Development

Mineral consumption in China has been growing rapidly and Chinese interest in the mineral resources of other countries is growing. This article reviews some of these investments, in particular, two in Afghanistan. Video: Afghanistan mineral development challenges.