Slow-moving landslides, while not as dramatic as their faster-moving counterparts, can damage infrastructure and cause headaches for the communities they affect. Slow-moving slides are generally associated with rainfall or snowmelt, but a new study in Japan has shown that some of these slides may occur when a certain kind of clay is exposed to cold temperatures. In the January issue of EARTH Magazine, the link between ground temperature and slow slides is explored, including implications for the science of predicting similar landslides around the world. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - In November 1985, the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia resulted in the death of more than 23,000 people. Geoscientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, WA, moved to action. Having studied the warning signs and responded to the eruption of Mount St. Helens five years earlier, they knew that the Nevado del Ruiz disaster could have been prevented. Their advocacy paved the way for the formation of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) in 1986. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - How did your town celebrate Earth Science Week? The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce city-specific celebrations of its annual geoscience awareness campaign, Earth Science Week, which took place October 9-15, 2016. Major American cities such as Houston, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, served as major centers of public awareness activities. In all these cities, AGI collaborated with geoscience organizations and public schools to extend and deepen the reach of the successful Earth Science Week campaign with special events, educational materials, online resources, and activities in schools and other settings. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is accepting applications for the Edward Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in Earth Science Teaching. Given annually, this award is presented to one teacher of grades K-8 in the United States or Key Stages 3 in the United Kingdom each year. The award recognizes leadership and innovation in Earth science teaching. The winner of the Edward C. Roy Award will receive a cash prize and an additional travel grant to attend the National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference in Chicago in March 2017. [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the latest award recipients of the Deep Carbon Observatory (DCO) Diversity Grants: Daniel Colman, Postdoctoral Researcher at Montana State University; Rosa Zayas, Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Delaware; Omar Harvey, Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University; and Pedro Marenco, Associate Professor at Bryn Mawr College. These scholars were awarded grants to conduct research related to DCO’s mission of expanding the field of deep carbon science. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has announced the winners of the first Earth Science Week video contest. Teams of educators and students were invited to submit a 30- to 90-second original video informing viewers about an outdoor place that is special in terms of geoheritage and geoscience. The winners are: “Deal Island” - Educator Kolby Noble and students Ashlynn Merrit, Matthew Price, Lasadia Skelley, Dawson Daniels, Nathan Bradford, Jazmine White, Madison Mechalske, Ethan Scott, Alyssa Moisan, Kenny Stachawski, and Paige Barnes (Deal Island, MD). [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Sophia Findley of Kapolei, Hawaii, won first place in the visual arts contest with a creative and colorful drawing of Diamond Head Volcano, an example of geoheritage near where she lives. Finalists were David De Costa, Jenna Eutsey Shrish Karthikeyan, and Taylor Redmond. Students in grades K-5 made two-dimensional artworks illustrating the theme “Seeing Earth Heritage.” Lily Wolfe of San Carlos, California, won first place in the photo contest with her image of seaside geology along with underwater life. [Read More]

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators from across the country have come together in support of the American Geosciences Institute’s 19th annual Earth Science Week celebration. The coalition, which consists of Members of Congress from Alaska to Florida, formally introduced a Senate resolution officially designating the week of October 9, 2016 through October 15, 2016 as “Earth Science Week.” “What this resolution clearly shows is that earth science impacts us all,” said Allyson K. [Read More]

As we celebrate National Fossil Day, EARTH Magazine brings you a story set in Pleistocene South America, where the climate was warming following an ice age. At this time, Patagonia was home to large megafauna species like giant sloths and saber-toothed cats. A new predator was on the block: humans. By luck, numerous remains were preserved in cool volcanic and lakeshore caves. The chilled environment spared the DNA from destruction, providing scientists a unique opportunity for study. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - What’s old is new again! Join in celebration of the 7th annual National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. National Fossil Day is organized by the National Park Service as part of AGI’s Earth Science Week to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of paleontologists and fossil enthusiasts. On National Fossil Day, scientists and park rangers will share fossil discoveries at special events nationwide and explain the importance of preserving fossils for future generations. [Read More]