Alexandria, VA — Black carbon — fine particles of soot in the atmosphere produced from the burning of fossil fuels or biomass — has been known to be a health hazard for decades. But over the last decade, scientists have been examining in increasing detail the various ways in which these particles contribute to another hazard: heating up the planet. Black carbon’s impact on climate is not cut-and-dried, however, as EARTH explores in “Still in a Haze: What We Don’t Know About Black Carbon” in the April issue. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — In 1993, “Jurassic Park” thrilled the world with the idea that dinosaurs could be resurrected from bits of DNA preserved in mosquitoes trapped in ancient amber. In the 18 years since the movie came out, scientists have been finding that parts of this scenario are closer to reality than anyone ever imagined: Researchers have found microbes living for tens of thousands — and maybe millions — of years inside salt crystals. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — In the back alleys of the world’s capitals and the ballrooms of presidential palaces exists a black market that preys on the imagination of some and the greed of others. These black-market items are not of this world: They are moon rocks, collected decades ago by six Apollo missions and three unmanned Soviet missions to the moon. For the past decade, former NASA investigator Joseph Gutheinz Jr. has been tracking this lunar larceny — with a good bit of success. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to welcome its 49th Member Society, the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA). IMGA was established in 2006 and has nearly 500 members representing 73 countries. This multi-national organization facilitates interactions between geoscientists and biomedical and public health researchers to address human and animal health problems created by geologic materials and processes. Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, AGI Executive Director, says of IMGA’s addition to the AGI federation, “IMGA is an association that truly matches with AGI’s mission to increase the awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The U.S. had two key strategic advantages over the Axis in World War II: oil and water. Although other factors played major roles in the U.S. and its allies winning the war, these two natural resources played a much larger role than recognized. World War II was the first highly mechanized war. In the March feature “How Oil and Water Helped the U.S. Win World War II”, EARTH magazine explores how the abundance of domestic US oil and water in the South and Pacific Northwest drove not only tanks and planes, but also industrial production and technological innovation. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute is pleased to announce the 48th Member Society of the AGI Federation, The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI). Originally part of the National Park Service, NCKRI is a non-profit organization with three founding partners: The National Park Service; the City of Carlsbad; and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. NCKRI exists to advance cave and karst science, serve as a repository for data, foster partnerships, promote educational programs, develop both national and international programs, and promote environmentally sound and sustainable cave and karst management. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Greer Lynn Harvell, a teacher at Clifford C. Meigs Middle School in Shalimar, Florida, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Mrs. Harvell began her career teaching first grade at Elliot Point Elementary where she also later taught 4th grade. Since 2005, she has taught both 7th and 8th grade at Clifford Meigs. Harvell received her A. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Majestic snow-capped “fourteeners,” alpine meadows carpeted in wildflowers, pristine mountain lakes. These are the images most people associate with Colorado. But charming mountain terrain is not the only attraction the Centennial State has to offer the geotraveler. One of Colorado’s lesser-known geologic marvels is a vast field of sand dunes — the tallest in North America ^1 — a site sure to thrill anyone. Travel through the precipitous peaks and daunting dunes of Colorado as EARTH explores the Centennial State in the March issue. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the theme of Earth Science Week 2011 will be “Our Ever-Changing Earth.” This year’s event will engage the public in actively learning about the varied and interconnected natural processes that shape our planet over time. Earth Science Week 2011 support materials and activities will demonstrate how evidence of change can be found everywhere, from the soil beneath our feet to the oceans and the atmosphere around us. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce that the YES Network, a professional global network for the support of early-career professionals and students in the geosciences, is the first International Associate of the AGI Federation. The YES Network is a global network of individuals who are early-career geoscientists, students, or professionals interested in supporting the development of the next generation of geoscientists. The YES Network was formed as a result of the International Year of Planet Earth in 2007. [Read More]