June 20, 2018
Energy Notes: March 2010-2011
U.S. Oil & Petroleum Imports (millions of barrels per day) Oil and petroleum imports data are preliminary numbers taken from the American …
The EARTH archive
July 2011
Explore the archive by subject.
19 articles · Page 1 of 1
June 14, 2018
Mineral Resource of the Month: Indium
Amy C. Tolcin, a mineral commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey, compiled the following information on indium, a minor metal that is …
June 7, 2018
Travels in Geology: Florissant fossil beds: An Eocene time capsule
Beneath the grassy meadows and pine-studded hills of central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. From …
June 7, 2018
Getting There and Getting Around Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a good jumping off point for exploring Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. A car is necessary to get around the area; …
July 6, 2016
Benchmarks: July 9, 1958: Megatsunami drowns Lituya Bay, Alaska
The recent disaster in Japan demonstrates the incredible destructive power of a megatsunami in a heavily populated area. But a record-breaking …
January 27, 2015
Down to Earth With: Deep-Sea submersible Alvin
Every oceanographer knows Alvin. Since 1964, the legendary deep submergence vehicle has carried more than 12,000 scientists and other observers …
January 20, 2012
Voices: The confounding economics of natural disasters
In the hours (not days) after the enormous earthquake hit Japan on March 11, before it was even known that the Fukushima power plant had been …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Austerity axes geological survey in Greece
We have all heard about the austerity measures being taken in Greece regarding its economy. This economic situation is about to affect many of us …
January 20, 2012
Voices: A growing need for geoscience diplomacy
“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world … we have a responsibility to join together on …
January 5, 2012
Travels in Geology: Twin coral reefs separated in time in Western Australia
In Western Australia, you can visit two unusually accessible coral reefs. Although they look similar enough to be fraternal twins, these reefs …
January 5, 2012
Travels in Geology: Lassen Volcanic National Park: A volcanic wonderland
For breathtaking volcanic scenery, few places have the variety found in Lassen Volcanic National Park in the Cascade Range of Northern …
January 5, 2012
Travels in Geology: Climbing Mount Shasta
As we neared the top of the West Face of Mount Shasta, my calf muscles felt like they were pulling apart, stretching to the breaking point. My …
January 5, 2012
The Coconino's starring role in the creationist-geologist battle
Arizona’s Coconino Sandstone — a deposit seen in the Grand Canyon and elsewhere — plays a central role in the creationist argument that the upper …
January 5, 2012
Is there really a minerals crisis?
China sent the high-tech industry and markets reeling last September when it blocked exports of raw rare earth minerals to Japan. In mid-October …
January 5, 2012
Hazardous Living: Atlantis' final countdown
As the space shuttle Atlantis prepared for liftoff for the final time this morning, I was humming Europe’s 1986 hit “Final Countdown” in my …
January 5, 2012
Great Lakes geologic sunken treasure
The Great Lakes hold the secrets of hundreds of ill-fated voyages in their notoriously treacherous waters. Shipwreck enthusiasts find a bounty of …
January 5, 2012
Endangered snow: how climate change threatens West Coast water supplies
If you turn the tap on in Seattle, the water flowing from the faucet likely originated as a clump of snow. In winter, snowflakes fall in the …
January 5, 2012
Creationism creeps into mainstream geology
It was easy to miss the part where the field trip leader said the outcrop formed during Noah’s Flood. After all, “During these catastrophic flood …
January 5, 2012
Blogging on EARTH: Webb Space Telescope ensnared in political drama
Perhaps you have heard of the psychological principle of entrapment. In college, a friend of mine once described it to me while we stood in a …