The discovery of hundreds of methane seeps on the seafloor along the U.S. East Coast suggests that hydrocarbon reservoirs may be more common along passive margins than previously thought. The release of such methane globally may have a significant influence on climate, scientists say.

EARTH’s 2014 year-end issue will continue a tradition begun last year, in which EARTH’s editorial team and several of our regular contributors offer short commentaries on topics that caught their fancy this year. The topics are quite varied and personal, although many of the contributions seem to tie into one of two themes: lists and family.

News items on how AGI Member Organizations are working with the broader public, helping shape the workforce, creating innovative educational experiences, and bringing their scientists to Washington, D.C. to interact with their elected officials.

On March 13, 1989, a geomagnetic storm spawned by a solar outburst struck Earth, triggering instabilities in the electric-power grid that serves much of eastern Canada and the U.S. The storm led to blackouts for more than 6 million customers and caused tens of millions of dollars in damages and economic losses. More than 25 years later, the possibility of another such catastrophe still looms, and the day-to-day effects of space weather on electrical systems remain difficult to quantify. Now, a new study correlating electrical insurance claims with geomagnetic data suggests that even moderate space weather may play a significant role in destabilizing the power grid.