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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 30 October 2017 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Humans overdrawing water is the real cause of the lowering of saline lakes across the world https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/human-water-use-is-draining-the-worlds-saline-

lakes/

Assessing the coal resources of the US for more than 100 years https://www.usgs.gov/news/assessments-evolved-usgs-coal-research-21st-century

Amsterdam-based artist Lotte Geeven is crowdsourcing singing sand from around the world https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artist-crowdsourcing-sand-around-world-

recreate-sound-singing-deserts-180966966/ Update: the Chicxulub crater exploration

http://www.sci-news.com/geology/expedition-chicxulub-impact-crater-05360.html Paper: http://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/science/G352A/article.htm

“Global Mountain Explorer” provides new tool to explore mountains worldwide using best available digital data

https://www.usgs.gov/news/new-tool-allows-users-explore-mountains-worldwide GME: https://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/gme/

Homotherium, Saber-toothed cats may have co-existed with modern humans https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/saber-toothed-cats-may-have-co-existed-

modern-humans-180965349/

https://phys.org/news/2017-10-ancient-dna-view-saber-toothed-cats.html Paper: http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(17)31198-3

There may only be 30 vaquita porpoises left on the planet – no thanks to the black market https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/vaquita-vanishing-rare-porpoise-

left-planet-180965221/

Investigating the cycle of glacial ice decay in Scotland at the end of the Ice Age https://phys.org/news/2017-10-glaciers-scotland-ice-age.html http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/scientists-date-end-of-ice-age-in-scotland-1-

4596807

Friction plays key role in earthquake zone behavior in the Japanese archipelago https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/kui-jez102517.php

Spontaneous tectonic tremor detected in Anza Gap of the San Jacinto fault is signature of slow deep EQs and may elevate EQ risk

https://phys.org/news/2017-10-earthquake-elevated-spontaneous-tectonic-tremor.html

Book Review: “Ghosts of the Tsunami” http://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/559062959/ghosts-of-the-tsunami-examines-the-disaster-

that-haunts-japan

6,000 year old skull fragment in Papua, New Guinea, may be from oldest known tsunami victim http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/26/560166646/skull-is-potentially-from-

the-oldest-known-victim-of-a-tsunami

Giant lateral volcanic collapses may change magma chemistry and pathways of magma migration http://www.terradaily.com/reports/

New_magma_pathways_after_giant_lateral_volcano_collapses_999.html

Perspective: Urging Jamaica to re-examine readiness for earthquakes and hurricanes http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20171026/earth-today-disaster-pros-urge-relook-

jamaicas-earthquake-hurricane-readiness

Perspective: Tsunamis, fires and floods are the big three disasters for California http://www.times-standard.com/opinion/20171025/tsunamis-fires-and-floods-oh-my

Geological record is rewriting our understanding of the two eruptions of Yellowstone super-volcano 630,000 years ago

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/gsoa-yst102517.php

“Red team, Blue team” debate over climate and CO2 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/epa-red-team_us_59efa14ce4b0bf1f8836893e

CO2 emissions remained “flat” for third year in a row, but EU & Netherlands EAA say methane & nitrous oxide are increasing

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/carbon-emissions- flat_us_59ee1580e4b0958c4683a105

After the wildfire, Oregon is bracing for mudslides https://www.hakaimagazine.com/article-short/after-fire-oregon-braces-mud

Why did humans migrate out of Africa? To escape a drying climate about 60,000 years ago http://www.sci-news.com/geology/humans-out-of-africa-escape-drying-climate-05331.html Paper: https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology/article/45/11/1023/516677/A-climatic-

context-for-the-outofAfrica-migration

Well-preserved Late Devonian (374 myo) Cladoxylopsida tree trunks in Xinjiang, China, reveal complex interconnected web of woody strands 

http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/cladoxylopsid-tree-trunks-unique-growth-strategy- 05364.html

Footprints of newly-discovered three-toed Early Jurassic megatheropod, Kayentapus ambrokholohali, found in Maseru District of Lesotho, Africa

http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/megatheropod-dinosaur-footprints-lesotho- 05363.html

17 climbers ignored ban on climbing a mountain die in avalanche in Mongolia http://www.terradaily.com/reports/

17_climbers_dead_after_avalanche_in_Mongolia_999.html

Examining role of groundwater and tundra fires in thawing permafrost http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

Groundwater_and_tundra_fires_may_work_together_to_thaw_per mafrost_999.html

Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) is new standard to reference information to the Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

OGC_announces_a_new_standard_that_improves_the_way_information_is_referenced_to_the_Earth_999.html

Embryo-like microfossils from Khesen Formation in northern Mongolia may improve understanding of how & when animals evolved

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/ Mongolian_microfossils_point_to_the_rise_of_animals_on_Earth_999.html

“Bandit-masked” feathered Early Cretaceous dinosaur, Sinosauropteryx, used multiple types of camouflage to avoid predators (video)

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/uob-fd102017.php

Norian Chinle Formation with its famous petrified forest reveals possible extinction event 217 to 213 myo for plants as well as several reptile groups

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/gsoa-ltt102617.php

Book Review: “Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St Helens”

https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/geomedia-books-vivid-anecdotes-abound-eruption- untold-story-mount-st-helens

2012 Indian Ocean EQ may have triggered submarine landslides in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/can-distant-earthquakes-trigger-submarine- landslides

Work of molecular paleontologists is case of science imitating art, i.e., “Jurassic Park” https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/cretaceous-collagen-can-molecular-paleontology-

glean-soft-tissue-dinosaurs

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Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 30 October 2017 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Why is there a new outbreak of bubonic plague – the “Black Death” spreading across the globe? https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/can-we-predict-the-worlds-next-pandemic/

3252060/

Every week should be “Bat Week” not just the last week in October http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/entertainment/photo-of-the-day/11676-

celebrate-bat-week-with-13-awesome-facts-about-bats https://www.usgs.gov/news/trick-or-treat-frightening-threats-bats-0 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-flesh-eating-fungus-helped-make-

bats-cute-again-180966974/

Humans have long lost touch with Nature – new therapy called “forest bathing” may help http://www.centralmaine.com/2017/10/22/forest-bathing-catching-on-around-coastal-maine/

Nuclear Regulatory Commission concerned about alkali-silica reaction concrete degradation in walls of Seabrook nuclear plant near the coast of southern New Hampshire

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20171025/nrc-presses-seabrook-nuke-plant-on- concrete-problem

National Park Service looking for public input on proposal to raise fees for 17 highly visited parks https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/10-24-2017-fee-changes-proposal.htm

Medieval strains of Leprosy may have arrived in England via Viking squirrel fur and meat https://phys.org/news/2017-10-squirrel-contributed-england-medieval-leprosy.html

Changed toothpaste to get away from toxic Triclosan? Better change your toothbrush, too

https://qz.com/1111066/triclosan-sticks-to-toothbrushes-exposing-users-even-after-they- switch-toothpaste/

Variants of avian flu virus in China prove deadly – the next pandemic? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/china-ground-zero-future-pandemic-

180965213/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/stop-lethal-virus-180965217/

What is in this that flu vaccine for this year? a cocktail of H1N1, H3N2 and a B virus https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/whats-in-your-flu-shot-180965267/

The deadly 1918 flu may have started in the US before it spread across the world https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/journal-plague-year-180965222/

Bacterial infections threaten communities rebuilding from Hurricanes Harvey & Maria https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bacterial-infections-spread-storm-ravaged-

puerto-rico-and-texas-180966938/ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/leptospirosis-outbreak-puerto-rico-

hurrincane_us_59e905aae4b0f9d35bc969ac

Observing grizzly bears in a unique North American sanctuary https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/paradise-grizzly-bears-up-close-look-

180965216/

Video of new baby wombat at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo17R3d_C0Y

Current administration opposes twin tunnel water diversion project in California http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/10/25/trump-administration-opposes-delta-water-

tunnels-project/ http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/apnewsbreak-trump-opposes-massive-

california-water-project-50710858

$15,500 reward offered for information on illegal wolf poacher in Oregon https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gray-wolf-poaching-reward-portland-oregon-us-fish-

wildlife-service/

Experiment has followed evolution & genetic changes in 68,000 generations of bacteria https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/evolution-experiment-has-now-followed-68000-

generations-of-bacteria/

1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty – one more constraint on Native Americans, one more treaty that was broken

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-1867-medicine-lodge-treaty-changed-plains- indian-tribes-forever-180965357/

Habituation to humans has changed the wolf-human dynamic on Vancouver Island – more encounters

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-wolves-and-humans-coexist- 180965337/

The soaring cost of plan for 50% renewable energy target in Australia https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/power-bills-forecast-to-increase-almost-

2000-by-20/3246764/

Grant will provide for repair of wells in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to protect whooping cranes

https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/oct/17/wells-important-to-endangered- species-to-be-repair/

Canada again considering northern road-rail corridors to gain access to resources – all for economic benefits but no mention of potential environmental degradation

https://www.enr.com/articles/43133-canada-eyes-billions-in-northern-road-rail-corridors-to- gain-resource-access

UK scientists recruiting volunteers to look for lugworm “sperm pools” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-help-peep-lugworms-weird-mating-

habits-180966919/

Tackling the challenges of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) that are highly contagious with high morbidity & mortality and threaten domestic agriculture, food supply & national security

http://www.newswise.com/articles/s-t-funded-training-programs-build-the-transboundary- animal-disease-workforce

New study says pollution linked to 9M deaths worldwide in 2015 = one in every six deaths https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/tl-tlp101817.php

75 percent of flying insects disappear over 3 decades from German nature preserves as result of habitat loss & pesticides

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/05/where-have-all-insects-gone Analysis of one-child policy in China

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/10/analysis-china-s-one-child-policy-sparks-uproar

Yet more reports that hype what ifs and estimated costs of “global warming” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/climate/gao-climate-change-cost.html https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/10/climate-change-nyc-floods/543708/ http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/study-nyc-bad-flooding-years-50666028 https://apnews.com/5f6981481e424d109afaaa0b0d07c184/GAO:-Climate-change-already-

costing-US-billions-in-losses GAO Report: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-720

New law giving New York DEC power to prevent siting of oil barge anchorages in the Hudson River

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/rob-friedman/governor-cuomo-signs-bill-protect-hudson-oil- barges

Maurice Hilleman dedicated his life to creating vaccines to eradicate childhood illnesses https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/you-should-thank-maurice-

hilleman-helping-you-live-past-age-10-180965369/

Photographs of wildlife migrations across Yellowstone https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/new-book-tracks-migrations-across-yellowstone-

180965048/

As population in California grows, more people are moving into more fire-prone areas http://www.npr.org/2017/10/25/560089100/as-californias-population-grows-people-are-

moving-into-more-fire-prone-areas

The battle between Monsanto (maker of Dicamba herbicide) and weed scientists continues http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/26/559733837/monsanto-and-the-weed-

scientists-not-a-love-story

Aviation fuel still contains lead that produces lead emissions across the country http://www.ehn.org/getting-the-lead-out-of-our-skies-2498130239.html

Exposed lake bed in the Salton Sea is source of wind-blown dust that causes respiratory issues http://www.desertsun.com/story/salton-sea/2017/10/25/salton-sea-communities-no-longer-

good-place-live-those-respiratory-issues/769970001/

Media attention to drought linked to household water savings in California https://phys.org/news/2017-10-link-media-attention-drought-household.html

Perspective: Global warming alarmists use acid rain play book https://www.wsj.com/articles/climate-alarmists-use-the-acid-rain-playbook-1508969822?

mod=rss_opinion_main

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Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 30 October 2017 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Businesses, coastal governments and beachfront property owners urge State of South Carolina to delay imposing new beach-building restriction line

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/hundreds-of-s-c-coastal-property-owners-call-for- delay/article_4fe191b6-b9a7-11e7-9928-a3a27029990d.html

Climate Central ranks US Cities most vulnerable to major coastal floods in terms of population and with high social vulnerability population

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/news/articles/us-weather/new-research-us-sea- level-rise-coastal-flooding-climate-central/88239

Berkeley professor offers theories on how to adapt to rising coastal sea levels and groundwater: dig ponds and build levees called “superdikes”

https://phys.org/news/2017-10-video-coastal-cities-sea.html

Regional Plan Association released report calling for creation of Regional Coast Commission for New York, New Jersey & Connecticut to develop comprehensive framework to tackle coastal resiliency

https://ny.curbed.com/2017/10/23/16526168/tri-state-resilience-regional-plan-association- report

Report: http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Coastal-Adaptation.pdf

Overview of coastal restoration projects undertaken in Louisiana http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/10/coastal_authority_focuses_on_s.html

UGA Skidaway Institute conducting two-year study of plastic pollution in coastal Georgia waters http://savannahnow.com/news/2017-10-23/study-examining-plastic-pollution-coastal-

georgia-waters

Coastal Texas wind farms “dodged a bullet” during Hurricane Harvey, despite 100 mph wind gusts http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2017/10/25/244716/

coastal-wind-farms-dodged-a-bullet-during-harvey/

Digging in the mud to identify toxic substances spread by Hurricane Harvey http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/23/558334923/digging-in-the-mud-to-see-

what-toxic-substances-were-spread-by-hurricane-harvey

Possible resolution in advance of legal filings holding Deerfield Beach responsible for damage to Hillsboro Beach shoreline in Florida

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/deerfield-beach/fl-dff-hearing-1025-20171024- story.html

Perspective: When coastal protections can cause harm to the coast http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2017/10/coastal_restoration_1.html

Can seabirds, including endangered species, be saved from bait diving? http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/fishermen-researchers-try-outsmart-bait-robbing-seabirds-

save-them

Asking for ban on imports of Canadian snow crab until efforts increased to save endangered Atlantic right whales

https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/canadian-snow-crab-imports-threatened-over- whale-deaths/

Studying the eating habits of coastal American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) along the Florida coast where alligators do eat sharks and rays

https://www.seeker.com/earth/animals/first-known-incidents-of-alligators-eating-sharks- reported-in-american-southeast