Alexandria, Va. — Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is famously effusive, with low-viscosity lava oozing out of the main caldera and two active rift zones along the southern shore of the Big Island since 1983. However, scientists suspect that Kilauea’s eruptions haven’t always been so mild. In the past 2,500 years, at least two cycles of explosive eruptions lasting several centuries each have rocked the island. The switch from effusive to explosive is likely to occur again, scientists say, but probably not anytime soon. [Read More]

Join us in celebrating the 5th Annual National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Organized by the National Park Service as part of AGI’s Earth Science Week, this day promotes public awareness and stewardship of fossils. The goal is to inspire 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]

Alexandria, VA—The American Geosciences Institute is honoring one of the scientists who advanced earthquake hazards preparedness and mitigation in the U.S. by his superlative service to the earth sciences. This year’s recipient of the Ian Campbell Medal, Dr. James “Jim” Davis, is one of the key scientists behind U.S. earthquake hazards and loss reduction policy as it is known today. He also has helped to shape how geoscientists communicate with the public to help people better understand the seismic environment they live in. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — When Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru in 1532, his band of Spanish conquistadors set off a chain of far-reaching consequences for the people and economics of western South America. The Chira Beach-Ridge Plain in northwestern Peru is rippled by a set of nine ridges — several meters tall by up to 300 meters wide and 40 kilometers long, and large enough to be visible from space — running parallel to the shoreline. [Read More]

This free webcast, narrated by AGI’s Katelyn Murtha, provides an overview of learning activities, instructional materials, career resources, upcoming events, networking opportunities, contests, videos, and other programs available through Earth Science Week. The tutorial provides a tour of online links and resources for more information. The roughly 7-minute webcast focuses on Earth Science Week 2014 (October 12-18), which celebrates the theme “Earth’s Connected Systems.” To view the webcast, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/webcasts. In addition, see webcasts describing the Earth Science Week contests, special days during the week, and AGI’s geoscience teacher award competition. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — If Earth breathes, Santiaguito Volcano in the Western Highlands of Guatemala could be its mouth. Roughly every half hour, like volcanic clockwork, Santiaguito’s active Caliente lava dome expands, filling with gas from depressurizing magma below. Then it exhales, often explosively, and deflates. Over the course of a day, you could almost keep time by it. In 2012, a scientific team led by volcanologist Jeffrey Johnson of Boise State University set up a base camp to conduct two field studies of Santiaguito’s rhythm, part of an ongoing interdisciplinary study. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Join leading geoscience organizations in promoting awareness of the importance of geologic mapping to society on October 17, as part of the Earth Science Week 2014 activities. Geologic maps are vital to education, science, business, and public policy concerns. Geologic Map Day will focus the attention of students, teachers, and the public on the study, uses, and significance of these tools, by engaging audiences through educational activities, print materials, online resources, and public outreach. [Read More]

“Virtual water” was coined in 1993 to help explain why long-predicted water wars driven by water and food security had not occurred among the arid nations of the Middle East and North Africa. The virtual water notion refers basically to the total amount of freshwater, either from rainfall or irrigation, used in the production of food commodities, including crops and fodder-fed livestock, or other goods and services — agricultural, industrial or otherwise. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Join the Earth Science Week team in encouraging everyone to explore geoscience careers on “Geoscience for Everyone Day” Thursday, October 16, 2014. If you’re an educator, invite a geoscientist to speak in your classroom. If you’re a geoscientist, visit a school or volunteer at a science center. Organize a scout event, lead a field trip, or hold a special “Take Your Child to Work Day.” You can make a real difference during Earth Science Week 2014 by opening a young person’s eyes to the world of Earth science. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — Most people are familiar with the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and are aware of the earthquake risk posed to the Bay Area — and much of California — by the San Andreas Fault. However, a cluster of large earthquakes struck the San Andreas and nearby faults in the 17th and 18th centuries, releasing about the same amount of energy throughout the Bay Area as the 1906 quake. [Read More]