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John Russell, a teacher at Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science, and Engineering in New York, NY, has been named the 2015 recipient of the Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Russell, who earned his master’s degree in adolescent education from Pace University, has spent his career challenging students in eighth through twelfth grade by integrating research into authentic experiences for students in Earth sciences.

Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 17:15
The U.S. Department of Defense has identified a new foe in the national security battle: climate change. Last fall, the Pentagon released a new report detailing its strategy to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, both at home and internationally.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015 - 13:17
Hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas extraction method known popularly as fracking, has been controversial in large part to the concern about groundwater contamination by the fluids used in the process, especially the so-called flowback fluids that re-emerge at the surface from fracking wells and are usually disposed of by waste water fluid injection into other formations. Now, researchers have developed a geochemical method of identifying fracking fluids in the environment. The tool could be used to identify hazardous spills in the future and may even lead to better use and disposal of fracking wastewater.
Monday, February 2, 2015 - 13:40
In 2011, geologists at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, began discovering asbestos where none should be — in granite rocks with a geologic history not previously known to produce asbestos. In 2012, an epidemiologist analyzing cancer data from Clark County found a higher incidence than expected of mesothelioma — a fatal cancer of the lining of the chest cavity that is caused by inhalation of asbestos. In response, geologists have discovered a geologically unexpected deposit of asbestos that might be the source. Disagreements on process between the scientists and the state have prevented the traditional publishing of those findings.
Thursday, January 29, 2015 - 13:21
At times last year, 100 percent of California experienced moderate to exceptional drought conditions; even after massive storms in December, almost 80 percent of the state was still under extreme drought, the second-worst category. The drought has been ongoing for a few years now, and last year, state and local officials created new drought restrictions designed to mitigate the effects. But whether these restrictions will make a dent in California’s water shortage amid the ongoing and historic drought remains to be seen.
Monday, January 26, 2015 - 13:02
In 2003, scientists visited the Stornes Peninsula in Antarctica’s Larsemann Hills to study the rocks — especially those containing boron and phosphorus minerals. What they found set them on a decade-long path to protect the geology, culminating in 2014 with the naming of the site as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area. Stornes Peninsula became only the fifth location in Antarctica with geologic features deemed sufficiently precious to the geologic community to receive this high level of protection.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 11:56
Return periods refer to the amount of time that passes on average between consecutive events of similar magnitude for a given location. But when it comes to communicating potential risk from flooding, return periods give many people a false sense of security, partly because they are often mistaken as absolutes instead of averages.
Monday, January 12, 2015 - 12:35
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce that the theme of Earth Science Week 2015 will be “Visualizing Earth Systems.” This year’s event will promote awareness of the many ways scientists monitor and represent information about Earth systems including land, water, air, and living things.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 - 11:59
Since early 2002, American geoscientists have been working in Afghanistan to help the country develop reliable water supplies. Recent developments have included re-establishing the hydrologic expertise of Afghan scientists and creating local and national groundwater monitoring networks as well as a national climatic network. With the population expected to increase by 80 percent by the year 2050, all factors point to water being one of the most critical national needs.
Monday, January 5, 2015 - 10:27

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