Researchers from the University of South Carolina in Columbia used satellite imagery of fires in the 2000s and field measurements of radioisotope levels to model changes in the distribution of radiation over the region. The researchers found that fires likely spread radiation across much of Eastern Europe, with Ukraine, Belarus and Russia receiving the highest doses. Traces of radioactive cesium-137 may have even traveled to Turkey, Italy and Scandinavia. Previously, the same researchers had found that reduced microbial activity in the area leads to slower than expected rates of decomposition of dead plant matter, leading to a build-up of leaf litter and plant debris on the forest floor — providing more fuel for forest fires. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The Spring 2015 issue of Geospectrum has been published by the American Geoscience Institute. Geospectrum provides an inside look at the latest news from the geoscience community. Download the complete spring issue of Geospectrum for free at: http://www.americangeosciences.org/ In this issue This issue features stories on the celebration of the International Year of Soils, how one geologist saw more than met the eye in Prudhoe Bay, and a summary of the Oso Landslide. [Read More]

Scientists from the Oregon State University who studied a 100-million-year-old amber specimen from Myanmar believe they have identified “spikelet-grass in its flowering state - and a cluster of fossilized ergot, a major ingredient in LSD.” While their conclusions are intriguing and have implications for the plant and fungi evolutionary trees, some challenge the methods used. Since amber specimens can be unique, scientists use noninvasive methods, and some argue these tests result in less rigorous conclusions. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA – Each day during Earth Science Week 2015 (October 11-17), science teachers, students, and the public are invited to focus on a different area of Earth science. To view a new webcast about “Focus Days” of this year’s celebration, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/webcasts/index.html. This free webcast, narrated by AGI Outreach Assistant Katelyn Murtha, provides an overview of opportunities, activities, and resources available. The roughly four-minute tutorial includes a wealth of online links, which viewers can click during the presentation to review available resources. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA-The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was formed in 1996 to monitor the planet for evidence of rogue nuclear weapons tests and explosions. In its May issue, EARTH Magazine spotlights how the CTBTO’s worldwide monitoring network works and how it’s using the network for civil and scientific applications beyond test monitoring. With hundreds of seismic, infrasound, hydroacoustic and radionuclide-detecting stations operating continuously around the world, CTBTO scientists - and, increasingly, researchers outside the organization - are realizing the potential of all the data collected. [Read More]

Students, geoscientists, and the general public are invited to participate in this year’s photography contest, “Earth Systems Interacting.” Entries must be composed of original, unpublished material, and show at least one Earth system affecting another Earth system in your community. This year’s visual arts contest, “Picturing Earth Systems,” is open to students in grades K-5. How might you creatively depict Earth systems in your artwork? Finally, students in grades 6 through 9 may participate in the essay contest. [Read More]

Alexandria VA - Free, interdisciplinary, educational materials and videos are now available to foster a more energy literate nation, and to answer important questions like: What is energy? Where does energy come from? How much energy do humans use? The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education project, available on the Department of Energy website, identifies what makes an energy literate citizen, and highlights seven principles to help guide exploration into energy related learning. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — A great conundrum in data management has been how to connect end-users to available information. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has launched a new tool through its Center for Geoscience and Society. Targeted at decision makers at the municipal, state and federal levels, and also useful for researchers and educators, the Critical Issues Research Database seeks to connect end-users to the wealth of information available on issues at the intersection of geoscience and society such as the occurrence of natural resources, hazard mitigation and pollution risks. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The massive 2011 Las Conchas Fire near Los Alamos, N.M., defied conventional fire science wisdom by racing downhill instead of uphill, and increasing intensity overnight. A team led by atmospheric scientist Young-Joon Kim at Los Alamos National Laboratory determined that two unique atmospheric effects — mountain waves and pyro-cumulus clouds — interacted in an explosive way to fan the flames over New Mexico. Read more about the new research and how it compares to traditional fire models in EARTH Magazine. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The U.S. energy portfolio changes over time. Scientific and technologic advances related to hydraulic fracturing have dramatically increased the supply of U.S. oil and gas; because of this, a methane economy — in which natural gas provides the leading share of primary energy consumption — is now a possible scenario for U.S. energy development. In a report released by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), the social, political, technical, and environmental components of a methane economy are identified. [Read More]