On Feb. 22, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, killing nearly 200 people and causing $12 billion in damage. About three weeks later, a massive magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck northern Honshu, Japan. The quake and tsunami killed about 30,000 people and caused an estimated $310 billion in damage. Both events are stark reminders of human vulnerability to natural disasters and provide a harsh reality check: Even technologically advanced countries with modern building codes are not immune from earthquake disasters.
News and Announcements
Hundreds of thousands of tiny white-nosed bats have died over the past few winters, falling to cave floors across the eastern United States. The killer is White Nose Syndrome, a mysterious disease inflicted by an unusual cold-loving fungus that attacks bats while they are hibernating. Come spring, as few as 5 percent of the bats in heavily infected roosts are still alive. More than 2 million bats have already been killed by the disease. And the prognosis could get worse, as White Nose Sydrome is spreading westward at an alarming rate.
Thursday, May 19, 2011 - 16:05
The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Dr. Robert H. Dott, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Department of Geoscience of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as the recipient of the 2011 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal. Established in 1999, the award is presented to a geoscientist who has demonstrated a long history of scientific achievement and exceptional service to the geoscience profession.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - 16:05
Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, American Geological Institute (AGI) Executive Director has been appointed as a Commissioner to the U.S. National Commission to United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by Secretary of State Clinton.
Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 16:05
The American Geological Institute is now accepting advance orders for the 2011 Earth Science Week Toolkit, which contains educational materials for all ages that correspond to this year's theme of "Our Ever-Changing Earth." The Toolkit will be sent in August 2011.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 16:05
The American Geological Institute (AGI) has made available the recorded version of the webinar roundtable A Secure Future for Energy, Environment and Hazard Mitigation: Retaining students through the Student-to-Professional Continuum in the Geosciences.""
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 16:05
The American Geological Institute (AGI) is offering Earth Science Toolkits for $5.00 each now through the end of May, 2011.
Friday, April 29, 2011 - 00:00
Last fall, EARTH caught up with geochemistry grad student Jeremy Jacquot as he was about to embark on the first U.S.-led GEOTRACES cruise across the Atlantic, where he and 32 researchers were hoping to measure and track concentrations of various trace elements and isotopes. This month, in "Tracking Trace Elements and Isotopes in the Oceans," we follow up with Jacquot as he details the highs, lows and initial findings from the cruise, which was unfortunately cut short due to a ship malfunction.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - 00:00
A Secure Future for Energy, Environment and Hazard Mitigation: Retaining students through the Student-to-Professional Continuum in the Geosciences. April 18, 2011: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (US EDT)
Friday, April 8, 2011 - 00:00
ExxonMobil to receive 2011 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Understanding of Geosciences
ExxonMobil Corporation will receive the American Geological Institute (AGI) 2011 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Public Understanding of the Geosciences. The award will be presented at the AGI Past Presidents Dinner during the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention in Houston on April 10.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 16:05