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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 15 January 2018 - compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Rattlesnake Ridge Landslide in Washington State – evacuations ordered in advance of imminent event

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/01/07/Landslide-in-Washington-expected-to- worsen-prompting-evacuations/5361515385939/

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/geologist-warns-yakima-area-landslide- could-be-worse-than-officials-expect/

7.6M EQ in the Caribbean Sea between coast of Honduras & Cayman Islands, tsunami warning issued

http://www.ktvn.com/story/37231038/strong-earthquake-hits-off-the-coast-of-honduras http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/earthquake-caribbean-tsunami-warning http://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Magnitude_76_earthquake_strikes_off_Honduras_coast_USGS_999.html

Photo-essay: rare snowfall occurs in the Sahara Desert http://abcnews.go.com/International/rare-snowfall-hits-sahara-desert/story?id=52232890

Did you celebrate “Old Rock Day” on January 7? https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/geologic-column-celebrating-old-rock-day

At -36 F and with the wind chill, it felt like -94 degrees F atop Mount Washington https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-mountain-just-second-coldest-211745895.html

Special GSA Publication: “Tectonic Evolution, Collision & Seismicity of Southwest Asia” http://www.payvand.com/news/18/jan/1034.html

Moon dirt that has been on Earth for more than 50 years being re-examined https://phys.org/news/2018-01-scientists-sift-lunar-dirt-early.html

Some meltwater is soaked into porous subsurface ice & at least temporarily stored in the Greenland Ice Sheet

http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/news-events/greenland-ice-sheet-sponging-meltwater

Perspective: Alfred R Wallace on Geology and Evolution https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2018/01/08/alfred-r-wallace-on-geology-and-

evolution/#b199bf72517c

GAO report agrees that permitting process for offshore seismic research is flawed, arbitrary & dysfunctional

http://www.osjonline.com/news/view,seismic-review-process-is-flawed-arbitrary-and- dysfunctional_50378.htm

Report: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-60

In the ocean, all events are linked – El Niño events impact Antarctic ice shelves https://phys.org/news/2018-01-reveals-strong-el-nino-events.html

Understanding global sea level changes – increases & decreases http://sciencenordic.com/mind-bending-physics-scandinavian-sea-level-change

A reappraisal of Jurassic sea-level variations Paper: http://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/science/G359A/GSATG359A.pdf

To reduce seismic activity in Oklahoma, just reduce the amount of wastewater injection https://phys.org/news/2018-01-shakedown-oklahoma-bigger-earthquakes-saltwater.html

Investigating the largest submarine volcanic eruption of the past century https://phys.org/news/2018-01-close-up-uncommon-underwater-eruption.html

Top 8 extinct volcanoes in Great Britain range in age from 60 to 420 million years http://www.countryfile.com/countryside/top-extinct-volcanoes-britain

Analyzing sediment deposits in the Japan Trench yields new insights into the Carbon Cycle https://phys.org/news/2018-01-earthquakes-driver-deep-ocean-carbon.html

Danish study to focus on the soil mechanics of high-plasticity clay http://sciencenordic.com/scientists-prepare-combat-tricky-soil-type

Early reptiles were expelled from tropics 250 myo as tropical waters & atmosphere warmed https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180109214946.htm

Almost everything you wanted to know about zinc & primary ore mineral sphalerite https://geology.com/usgs/uses-of-zinc/

Huge silver deposit discovered in Inner Mongolia – estimated at 100M tons of silver ore http://www.mining.com/huge-silver-deposit-discovered-inner-mongolia/

UN treaty discussions on the ocean lead to agreement to protect part of coastal Antarctica from commercial fishing and other harmful activities & not to fish industrially in the Arctic Sea

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-00102-9 What did pterosaurs eat? Tooth scratches reveal clues to their diets – may have been omnivorous

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-00080-y

Pie-in-the-sky idea: giant floating “solar rigs” to convert seawater to hydrogen fuel https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/could-giant-solar-rigs-floating-on-ocean-

convert-seawater-to-hydrogen-fuel-180967750/

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 15 January 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Mudslides in California in area burned by Thomas Fire – search for victims and the missing http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-mudslide-montecito-mainbar-20180111-

story.html https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-mudslides/death-toll-rises-to-17-in-california-

mudslides-17-missing-idUSKBN1EZ0YS

http://abcnews.go.com/US/southern-california-wildfires-paved-deadly-mudslides/story? id=52257400

Understanding the potential impacts of a cyberattack on our infrastructure http://www.ibtimes.com/why-cyberattack-could-cause-infrastructure-fall-dominoes-2637720

Humans are “ever hopeful” of winning the war against superbugs https://www.technology.org/2018/01/05/supercharged-antibiotics-could-turn-tide-against-

superbugs/ http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/01/powerful-new-weapon-against-drug-resistant-

bacteria-was-inspired-human-body

Will the cold arctic blast mean fewer mosquitoes and ticks next season? https://bangordailynews.com/2018/01/03/homestead/bone-chilling-weather-unlikely-to-kill-

off-ticks-before-spring-researchers-say/ http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/cold-weather-is-tough-on-ticks-but-don-t-

celebrate/article_3b77edaf-b33f-5acb-a354-d0bd52798a48.html http://start.att.net/news/read/category/lifestyle/article/country_living-

good_news_this_freezing_weather_might_mean_less_bu-rhearst

Update: SCOTUS argument analysis on Rio Grande Compact & US treaty obligations to Mexico http://www.scotusblog.com/2018/01/argument-analysis-justices-press-advocates-rio-

grande-compact-united-states-treaty-obligations-mexico/

First phase $18B price tag for US Border Security to build new fencing & reinforce existing barriers

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-border-wall-gets-18-billion- price-tag-in-new-request-to-lawmakers/2018/01/05/34e3c47e-f264-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html

Safety probe of Oroville Dam – “long-term and systematic failures” http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7840006-181/safety-probe-warns-oroville-dam?

artslide=0 Report: http://issuu.com/asdso/docs/independent_forensic_team_report_fi?

e=16355058/57087615

Women are more resilient than men http://www.terradaily.com/reports/

Study_When_the_going_gets_tough_women_are_more_resilient_than_men_999.html

Perspective: More concern about “superheroes” and their carbon footprints https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/40717/

“Donetsk Syndrome Diagrammatic” – geological trauma, war & culture https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/geological-trauma-and-war-geophilosopher-on-ukraines-

donbas

Waterways are increasingly salty as winter roads are salted to melt ice and more fertilizers used

https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=244099&org=GEO&from=news http://www.ehn.org/salt-getting-into-rivers-lakes-2523663221.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180108161213.htm

Need to change throwaway societal behavior to reduce environmental costs and consequences https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/07/the-guardian-view-on-recycling-

throwaway-economy-is-not-cost-free

Perspective: Houston needs qualified appointee at EPA to clean up San Jacinto waste pits http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Pollution-threatens-Houston-but-

political-12469330.php

Perspective: Occupational exposure to pesticide chlorpyrifos will continue https://www.centerforhealthjournalism.org/2017/12/17/perspective-epa-says-pesticide-

shouldn%E2%80%99t-be-banned-means-these-central-valley-cabbage

Toxic air pollution in California during the wildfires was also caused by carpeting & other building materials in the 8,500 buildings and homes that burned

http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Carpets-added-to-wildfires-toxic-air- pollution-12477306.php

Stable isotopes may offer new disease detection techniques https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/stable-isotopes-offer-novel-methods-disease-

detection

In California, fire season is followed by mudslide season and can be deadly https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/california-mudslides.html

To save Grizzly bears, close the roads or reduce road density to enhance their habitat http://www.terradaily.com/reports/

To_save_grizzly_bears_close_roads_study_suggests_999.html

Mummified child from 16th century had oldest known case of Hepatitis B – DNA show little evolution of the virus over the past 500 years

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/childs-mummy-rewrites-history-hepatitis-b- 180967776/

Axolotl are bred in captivity for pets and lab research but may soon be extinct in the wild https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/saving-paradoxical-axolotl-180967734/

Study finds link between ibuprofen use and male infertility http://start.att.net/news/read/article/fortune-

a_study_has_linked_ibruprofen_to_male_infertility-rtime/category/news Paper: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/01/03/1715035115.full

New plans with options to be considered for Lake Okeechobee reservoir in Florida to control runoff

http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/health/2018/01/09/florida- legislators-get-5-reservoir-plans-2-best-buys-cut-lake-okeechobee-discharges/1014741001/

Chemical isotopes in sediment samples reveal significant erosion event about 3,200 years ago in Greece and Macedonia directly related to the spread of agriculture in the region

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/beware-greeks-bearing-tillers-research- into-soil-erosion-shows-agricultures-impact-20180110-h0g9wz.html

Light pollution impacts behavior of birds and may have facilitated spread of West Nile virus http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/01/light-pollution-may-promote-spread-west-nile-

virus

Freeze-thaw action in alpine soils can stimulate nitrous oxide emissions http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/

Soil_freeze_thaw_stimulates_nitrous_oxide_emissions_from_alpine_meadows_999.html

Childhood mortality rates are decreasing but not as fast as other wealthy nations https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180108191937.htm

Almost all power plants retired in the past decade were powered by fossil fuels https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=34452

Humans have always had a long life span well into the 70+ age bracket – just the average that was low

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews-history-archaeology/identifying-elderly- remains-just-got-easier-180967789/

Dung beetles make the world go ‘round https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-humble-dung-beetle-180967781/

EPA to gain focus and find balance between sustaining economics & growth & environment https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-epa-pruitt/exclusive-trumps-epa-aims-to-replace-

obama-era-climate-water-regs-in-2018-idUKKBN1EZ07H

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Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 15 January 2018 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Is there not a better purpose for spending estimated $55B? Proposed Long Island Sound tunnel http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/politics-on-the-hudson/2018/01/05/westchester-

long-island-tunnel-would-cost-up-55-billion-study-shows/1008168001/ Feasibility Study: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4344184-LI-Sound-

Report.html

Let’s blame “global warming” for increasing hypoxic zones in the ocean, including coastal areas https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/climate-change-ocean-dead-

zones_us_5a4ff489e4b003133ec7cc3f

Cape Town, South Africa, may be first major coastal city to run out of water http://www.businessinsider.com/capetown-water-crisis-day-zero-looming-2018-1

Perspective: Drill offshore if necessary, but do it safely https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/01/09/drill-offshore-if-necessary-but-safely-

editorials-debates/1013574001/

Regulatory hold put on offshore wind project to test floating turbine platform near Monhegan Island, Maine

http://mainepublic.org/post/regulators-stall-umaine-offshore-wind-project#stream/0

Contrary to general national trend, California population growth is greater inland than in coastal cities

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-exodus-migration-sacramento-moving- 12474547.php

Some coastal “hot spots” have increased likelihood of flooding http://news.ufl.edu/articles/2018/01/an-x-factor-in-coastal-flooding-natural-climate-patterns-

create-hot-spots-of-rapid-sea-level-rise.php

Exxon takes counteraction in lawsuit filed by California coastal cities http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/sd-fi-exxon-imperialbeach-

201801010-story.html

Concerns about Coastal Main Botanical Garden growth impacting quality of life in local towns https://bangordailynews.com/2018/01/10/business/another-maine-town-raises-concerns-

about-coastal-maine-botanical-gardens-growth/

Sediments & microbial diversity in coastal areas are paramount to respond to pollution https://sciencetrends.com/diverse-microbial-communities-aid-pollution-control-coastal-

environments/

Some coastal cliffs in Sonoma County, California, eroding at rates of up to 14 feet per year – trying to stop natural process to protect homes built along the tops of the cliffs

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7815746-181/sonoma-countys-coastal-cliffs-no? artslide=0

Elevation requirements from FEMA for Liberty County, Texas, property owners in wake of H. Harvey

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/dayton/news/article/Harvey-forcing-elevation- requirements-from-FEMA-12482163.php

Oyster reefs can help protect shorelines https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/storms-get-bigger-oyster-reefs-can-help-

protect-shorelines-180967774/

Runaway fake sprinkles from the Museum of Ice Cream in Miami Beach pose environmental hazard that could harm marine life

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/runaway-sprinkles-museum-ice-cream- create-environmental-hazard-miami-beach-180967785/

Toronto, Canada, kicks off Port Lands Flood Protection project along waterfront http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/shovels-in-the-ground-in-pricey-port-lands-flood-

protection-project