Perspective: “Don't blame God or nature. We're the culprits”  · Web viewwith the...

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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 11 December 2017 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Ventura County, California, wildfire forces evacuations as flames are driven by Santa Ana winds https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568511145/wildfires-in-southern-

california-force-thousands-to-evacuate https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/12/06/winds-hell-notorious-santa-anas-fuel-

ferocious-california-wildfires/926910001/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-satellite-images-show-frightening-

intensity-california-wildfires-180967433/

The “worst” winter hazard depends on where you live https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2017-11-29-2017-11-29-winter-hazards-us-

regions-snow-ice-wind

Wilson A. Bentley – the amateur photographer who discovered structure of falling snowflakes https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-man-who-revealed-hidden-

structure-falling-snowflakes-106274664/

Frank Brown (1943-2017) – Geologist who helped construct timeline for origins of humans https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07832-2

Turning hurricane data into music through sonification

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/turning-hurricane-data-into-music-180967414/

Instagram tourist photos of the eruptions of Mount Agung on Bali https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/12/mt-agung-spews-lava-instagram-erupts-tourists-

photos/#wwGGzhgpkVmQQUs3.97

Surviving the Ice Age – or – No snowball on habitable tidally locked planets https://astrobites.org/2017/12/05/surviving-the-ice-age/

2017 Hurricane Season has officially ended – numbers of storms above average https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/2017-hurricane-

season_us_5a2017e3e4b037b8ea202dd6

Warnings of powerful earthquakes caused by Supermoon https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/887806/Supermoon-earthquake-planetary-

alignments-Frank-Hoogerbeets-warning

GoPro camera kept recording as it was engulfed by Kalapana lava flow (Video) https://www.livescience.com/61085-lava-engulfs-gopro-camera.html

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” features dinosaurs and volcanic eruption https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171204091833.htm Trailer: https://screenrant.com/jurassic-world-2-fallen-kingdom-trailer-teaser/ http://www.criticalhit.net/entertainment/jurassic-world-2-first-plot-details-new-image-

hilarious-promo-revealed/

Phase 2 reconstruction at Oroville Dam may be more challenging http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20171130/oroville-dam-phase-two-of-spillway-

construction-may-be-more-challenging-contractor-says

Precast concrete may be weaker - overdesigning for seismic resistance is not the solution http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-47316-expert-oversizing-a-common-issue-

in-the-use-of-precast-concrete/

Sounds of the ocean include the eruptions of submarine volcanoes https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2017/12/04/Sounds-of-the-ocean-include-the-rumble-

of-submarine-volcanoes/6551512394858/

Faster & less ductile tectonic plate collisions mean bigger EQs in the Himalaya compared to the Alps

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/e-eit120417.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171204091833.htm

Over the past 3+ million years, human evolution has been closely linked to climate https://phys.org/news/2017-12-wereclimate-human-evolution.html

What creature was the last common ancestor of all animals? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-conclude-sponges-were-first-

animals-split-family-tree-180967389/

Mammoth remains unearthed in Michigan hint at butchering by humans http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/25301-u-m-researchers-recover-more-mammoth-bones-

from-chelsea-area-farm https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/more-mammoth-remains-unearthed-

michigan-farm-180967398/

Canada short-lists five sites in northern Ontario for potential high-level radioactive waste storage site

https://globalnews.ca/news/3900211/search-store-used-nuclear-fuel-ontario/

High-resolution seismic data reflects the underground effects of earthquakes and volcanoes https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/kui-utu120617.php

Sorbent made from gibbsite may facilitate extracting lithium from geothermal power plant brine https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/web/2017/12/greener-way-lithium.html

Predicting volcanic eruptions depends on the character of the individual volcano and its history https://cosmosmagazine.com/geoscience/each-volcano-has-unique-warning-signs-that-

eruption-is-imminent

International conference on “Investment potential of solid minerals of Uzbekistan – “UZGEOINVEST – 2017” aimed at investors being attracted to the mining and geological sector

http://uza.uz/en/business/foreign-investors-are-interested-in-new-geological-objects-06-12- 2017

Wind-blown dust plays important role in mountain ecosystems https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=243817&org=GEO&from=news

Scientists decipher sounds of Colorado Plateau arches https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=243814&org=GEO&from=news Listen to the sounds (turn up your volume): http://fonik.dk/works/transmission.html

Up-to-date detail on the 4.1M EQ near 30 November 2017 at Dover, Delaware https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-41-earthquake-near-dover-delaware

Identifying processes responsible for high concentrations of naturally occurring radium in groundwater from Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer underlying six Midwestern states

https://www.usgs.gov/news/scientists-home-causes-high-radium-levels-key-midwestern- aquifer

Chinese aircraft carriers have to cope with jellyfish swarms – created “jellyfish shredder” http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a14017901/china-aircraft-carriers-

jellyfish-swarms/

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Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 11 December 2017 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Antifungal resistance is a critical threat to public health https://undark.org/article/fungus-threat-public-health/

Bacteria may be one step ahead in developing antibiotic resistance https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/11/historical-diarrhea-bacteria-blasted-past-

antibiotics-scooped-pre-resistance/

Perspective: “Don't blame God or nature. We're the culprits” http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/david-suzuki/2017/12/dont-blame-god-or-nature-were-

culprits

It is cranberry season – how impacts of cranberry bogs might be mitigated https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/web/2017/12/prevent-fertilizer-escaping-cranberry-bogs.html

New study suggests that for humans, this is as good as it’s going to get https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171206122502.htm Paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00812/full

DHS announces FY17 year-end numbers for border security in New England https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-announces-fy17-border-security-

statistics-new-england Report: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Dec/cbp-border-

security-report-fy2017.pdf

Humans treat soil like dirt – “The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” - FDR

http://world.time.com/2012/12/14/what-if-the-worlds-soil-runs-out/ https://the1a.org/shows/2017-12-04/the-ground-beneath-our-feet

Genetic building blocks of SARS found in single population of horseshoe bats – new outbreak could occur

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07766-9

ITER nuclear fusion experiment in southern France hits construction half-way mark – plagued by problems & not known if it will work as intended

http://billingsgazette.com/news/world/nuclear-fusion-project-hails-halfway-construction- milestone/article_ad4e2707-7880-590b-8e3b-72d237d36860.html

Scientists calling for global ban on glitter – this plastic does not biodegrade & can get into food chain

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/ban-the-glitter-scientists-calling-for-an-end- to-microplastics-20171202-gzxek1.html

Humans (bushwalkers & other travelers) are spreading fungus that threatens native plant species http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/dozens-of-native-plant-species-at-

immediate-risk-from-fungus-import-botanist-20171204-gzyrko.html

Under Florida sponsored program to hunt invasive snakes, hunters nab a record-setting 17-footer http://start.att.net/player/category/news/article/buzz60-

south_florida_snake_hunters_catch_a_17foot_python-zazoom

Tigris-Euphrates River basin is losing groundwater faster than almost any other place on Earth https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-does-future-euphrates-spell-middle-east-

180967224/

Video: De-extinction – science – Mammophant & “should we?” http://start.att.net/player/article/seeker-

how_close_are_we_to_resurrecting_extinct_species-5min/category/news

Want a smaller environmental footprint? These 5 TED talks may inspire you http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-ted-talks-that-will-inspire-you-to-live-with-less.html

What the research says about lots of sugar in your diet – it is potentially carcigenic http://www.care2.com/greenliving/did-the-sugar-industry-lie-to-you-about-cancer-for-50-

years.html

Controversial research on uterine transplants in an over-populated world https://www.dallasnews.com/business/health-care/2017/12/01/breaking-baylor-doctors-

deliver-first-baby-born-us-uterine-transplant

Nuclear testing in North Korea exposes citizens to “ghost disease” caused by radiation http://start.att.net/news/read/article/fox_news-

north_korean_nuclear_tests_sickening_residents_wit-rfoxnews/category/newsWhat we can learn from insects about sexual selection, genetics, evolution & behavior

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/genes-don-t-always-dictate-that-boys-will-be-boys

Reducing size of National Monuments – seeking balance of federal and state control of lands https://www.npr.org/2017/12/04/568393435/in-utah-trump-announces-dramatic-decreases-

in-size-to-states-national-monuments https://www.npr.org/2017/12/04/568393442/native-americans-react-to-cuts-to-bears-ears-

national-monument https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/five-things-know-about-redrawn-national-

monuments-180967418/

Different species of mongooses deal with immigrants in radically different ways https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/immigrant-mongooses-it-can-take-time-

earn-trust-180967403/

Call of the critically endangered Amur Leopard captured on video https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/big-cats-leopards-animals-endangered-

video/

Perspective: What would happen if all the trees in the world died? https://www.treehugger.com/conservation/what-would-happen-if-all-trees-disappeared.html

Did we learn any lessons for the Halifax explosion? “We have to stop stupid” https://www.treehugger.com/energy-disasters/one-hundred-years-after-halifax-explosion-

what-have-we-learned.html

Should single-use plastics be banned? https://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/solution-single-use-plastics-simple-ban-

them.html

Sir David Attenborough is adamant about the need to protect the ocean and reduce the human impacts

https://www.treehugger.com/ocean-conservation/sir-david-attenborough-oceans-under- threat-never-human-history.html

Indigenous communities may serve as models for how to adapt to changing climatic conditions https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2017/12/06/climate-change-

glaciers/?utm_term=.9cabc9512d84

Perspective: “Myth and dystopia in the Anthropocene” https://www.opendemocracy.net/transformation/mark-kernan/Myth-and-dystopia-in-the-

Anthropocene

New study on continuing threat of lead poisoning in California condors https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2017/11/22/multiple-agencies-complete-

review-of-california-condor-reintroduction-program-lead-poison-still-an-issue/#.WihIp1WnGM8

http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2017/11/28/push-made-prevent-lead-poisoning- california-condors-other-animals/902711001/

Phthalate chemicals in soft plastics & other products alter key hormones in human placentas http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2017/12/05/Chemical-in-soft-plastics-cause-key-

changes-in-human-placentas-Pitt-study-shows/stories/201711280002

What we know about the toxic chemical contaminants in the Cape Fear River source of Wilmington-area drinking water

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article188216124.html

More than half of delegates representing 75 countries attending UN Minamata Convention tested at elevated levels of mercury

http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/mercury-poisoning-widespread- as-even-un-delegates-test-positive/

Big Ag + Big Pharma = Big Problems as outlined in “Big Chicken” https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/12/big-ag-big-pharma-big-problems/

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Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 11 December 2017 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Neural network-based model for assessing resiliency of coastal communities to hurricanes https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171205120000.htm Adaptation of buildings:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171127173220.htm

North Coast planners question development in tsunami zone in Oregon https://www.nrtoday.com/north-coast-planners-question-development-in-tsunami-zone/

article_adeabbda-a47d-52dc-b155-c8f6af6e975c.html

Proposed offshore wind farms raise concerns of fishermen in New York & New England https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/12/04/567017528/fishermen-fear-damage-from-

wind-farms-along-the-eastern-seaboard

Long-awaited restoration of San Elijo Lagoon in Encinitas, California, begins – 4 years & $100M http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sd-me-lagoon-restoration-

20171130-story.html http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-lagoon-restoration-

20171030-story.html

Adaptation to climate change in coastal areas of Europe & Central Asia (ECA) https://reliefweb.int/report/world/adaptation-climate-change-coastal-areas-eca-region-

contribution-umbrella-report Report: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/111558-WP-PUBLIC-

Adaptation-to-Climate-Change-in-Coastal-Areas.pdf

Survey of residents of Mid-Atlantic States shows desire for more government action – but have low confidence in ability of government to handle the coastal management issues

https://whyy.org/articles/survey-coastal-residents-want-more-action-on-climate-change/

Frisco Pier (aka Cape Hatteras Pier) dismantling process has begun – will remove asbestos and then schedule is weather dependent

https://www.coastalreview.org/2017/12/prep-work-begins-removal-frisco-pier/

India calls for reassessment of coastal vulnerability http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/call-to-reassess-coastal-vulnerability/

article21271476.ece

New Zealand perspective: Adapt to coastal hazard information https://www.star.kiwi/2017/12/opinion-adapt-coastal-hazard-information/

Both are tasty! But what is the difference between Bay Scallops and Sea Scallops? https://www.coastalliving.com/food/seafood-basics/difference-between-bay-sea-scallops

Highway 80 to Tybee Island reopened after coastal flooding receded – a very scenic drive! http://www.wtoc.com/story/36984656/hwy-80-to-tybee-island-has-reopened-after-coastal-

flooding-receded

WildScapes symposium on 20 January 2018 in Richmond Hill will focus on Georgia beaches & barrier islands

http://coastalcourier.com/section/6/article/89835/

Coastal models need to be reinvented in order to effectively tackle the ecological challenges facing the coastal areas

http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/coastal-models-need-innovation.html

Bahamas using IDB funds to build resilience to coastal risks through sustainable coastal protection

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/ Bahamas_to_enhance_coastal_risk_management_with_IDB_funds?profile=1228