Alexandria, Va. — Doctors and public health officials are concerned about the growing number of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff), as well as more common, yet still dangerous, bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Now, doctors and public health officials may have a surprising ally in the fight against these bacteria: natural clays. According to a new study, clays with antibacterial properties found near Crater Lake in Oregon could eventually lead to new agents in the fight against these bacteria. [Read More]

The vaguely familiar, yet primeval landscape of New Zealand served as the backdrop for the blockbuster film adaptations of the entire “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” trilogy. The geology that created this landscape is front and center in EARTH’s February cover story, “The Geology of Middle-earth.” Since the release of the first installment in the trilogy in 2001, millions of tourists have flocked to New Zealand to see “The Lord of the Rings” locations for themselves. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - With just over a month left to apply, now is the time to view a new webcast about the prestigious Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. The free, two-minute webcast provides an overview of the competition. To view the webcast, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/webcasts/EdRoy2015. AGI has expanded the eligibility requirements. In addition to U.S. teachers, instructors in the United Kingdom may compete. The program, a major part of Earth Science Week, recognizes one full-time teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade, or the U. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — Methane is often found naturally leaking from the seafloor, particularly in petroleum basins like the Gulf of Mexico or along tectonically active continental margins like the U.S. West Coast. However, such plumes were not expected along passive margins, like the East Coast of North America. Now, researchers have discovered hundreds of methane seeps on the seafloor along the U.S. East Coast, suggesting that such reservoirs may be more common along passive margins than previously thought. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Topics of climate change and energy resources are central to sustainability and quality of life. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI)’s Center for Geoscience and Society is pleased to be a partner with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Center for Science Education on a public awareness program about energy and climate literacy. This initiative was announced today by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — EARTH’s 2014 year-end issue continues a tradition from last year, with the editorial team and several regular contributors offering 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. During the first week of December, we’ll roll out one or two new commentaries a day, introducing you to the thoughts we’ve been mulling this year. [Read More]

Hurricane Sandy struck the U.S. East Coast in October 2012, leaving about $65 billion of damage in its wake and raising the question of how to mitigate the damage from future storms. It’s a question that arises in the wake of most natural disasters: What steps can society take to protect itself from storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions? But the question itself illustrates the complexity of preparing for natural disasters. [Read More]

Summer and fall were busy for the geoscience community! This issue covers some of the most amazing field experiences in exotic locations. Geoscientists were in: Canadian Rockies with the Association for Women Geoscientists Istanbul, Turkey with American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Greece with Society for Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Geoscientists Without Borders Haiti with the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) Morocco with the International Association of Hydrologists The American Geophysical Union talks about their “Postcards from the Field” program. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Swetha Karthikeyan of Dayton, New Jersey, won first place in the visual arts contest with a creative drawing showcasing connections among Earth systems in her community. Finalists were Isabella Matheu, Christa Paulus, Mia Sherman, and Tyler Wu. Students in grades K-5 made two-dimensional artworks illustrating the theme “Earth’s Connected Systems and Me.” Eva Jasinski of Gloucester Point, Virginia, won first place in the photo contest with her self-portrait in a corn field, including a reflection of corn in a mirror representing humans’ dependence on corn. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — 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. [Read More]