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Geoscience Bulletin Board – 1 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
No April Fools – 1946 Tsunamis that hit Hawaii https://www.hakalauhome.com/tsunami-of-april-1-1946.html
2.3 billion-volt thunderstorm over India in 2014 was most powerful https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/science-and-future/an-indian-lab-precisely-
calculated-the-electric-potential-in-a-thunderstorm-for-the-first-time-364118.html https://www.livescience.com/65055-thundercloud-voltage-mapped-with-muons.html
AACSE taking close look at seismic activity along the Alaska Peninsula https://eos.org/project-updates/examining-alaskas-earthquakes-on-land-and-sea
Fourth tropical cyclone forms in the Southern Atlantic – Tropical Storm Iba https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/a-rare-tropical-storm-has-formed-off-the-coast-of-
brazil/
“Weather Rescue” project is focused on historic weather records archived on paper https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/you-can-help-rescue-weather-data-from-the-1860s/
The Internet helps perpetuate “flat-earthers” among millennials and low-income folks https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/squishful-thinking-whats-inflated-flat-earth-
believers-in-2019/
Expedition to investigate “Iceberg Alley” off Antarctica https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297997&org=GEO&from=news
USGS to use airborne electromagnetic survey to map subsurface geology & groundwater in Colorado
https://www.usgs.gov/news/low-flying-helicopter-survey-map-subsurface-geology-and- groundwater-near-silverton-colorado
USGS measuring record flooding in southeastern South Dakota & Nebraska https://www.usgs.gov/news/media-advisory-usgs-crews-measure-record-flooding-
southeastern-south-dakota https://www.usgs.gov/news/media-advisory-usgs-measures-record-flooding-across-nebraska
Planetary geology: Earth is devolatilized version of the Sun http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/earth-devolatilized-version-sun-07019.html
The solid Earth breathes – the Carbon Cycle https://phys.org/news/2019-03-solid-earth.html
Theory on why the mantle of Earth was cool enough to form diamonds during Archaean Era https://phys.org/news/2019-03-cool-earth-theory-diamonds.html
NASA study now shows Jakobshavn glacier on Greenland is growing again https://phys.org/news/2019-03-big-u-turn-key-greenland-glacier.html https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2019/03/27/dont-tell-ocasio-cortez-but-global-
warming-is-such-a-threat-that-it-caused-a-n2543745
New theory on the nature and mechanisms of flow in the mantle https://phys.org/news/2019-03-earth-deep-mantle-dynamically.html
Largest known T. rex fossil discovered in Frenchman River Valley in Saskatchewan, Canada http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Paleontologists_uncover_largest-
ever_T_rex_fossil_999.html
Impact of high-latitude dusts on the conversion of cloud water droplets to ice https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190325122027.htm
Analysis of rare deep Mw8.2 and Mx7.9 Tonga-Fiji earthquakes reveals rupture process https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190327112718.htm
Evidence suggests oceanic “conveyor belt” is slowing down – or is this another false alarm? https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-circulation-conveyor-belt/#.XJplUXdFyUk https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190320102109.htm Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09237-3
Paper: Echinoderms from the basal Cambrian of China https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09059-3
Pangaea river delta discovered under the Barents Sea between Norway & Russia – “Snadd” delta https://www.newscientist.com/article/2197767-weve-discovered-a-massive-dinosaur-era-
river-delta-under-the-sea/
High-resolution mapping of San Andreas Fault north of Tomales Point reveals signs of 1906 EQ https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/ssoa-so1032719.php
Cuba & China sign MOU on geology – mineral research, geoparks & history http://www.cubanews.acn.cu/cuba/9163-cuba-and-china-sign-mou-on-geology https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Cuba-China-To-Begin-Geological-Research-for-Oil-
Exploration-20190327-0015.html
Time-lapse webcam videos of eruption of Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-latin-america-47726477/time-lapse-captures-mexico-s-
popocatepetl-volcano-erupting https://www.bbc.com/news/av/40478185/massive-volcano-popocatepetl-erupts-in-mexico https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-27/dramatic-footage-captures-moment-volcano-erupts-
into-fireball/
New surface geology maps for Massachusetts https://phys.org/news/2019-03-state-geologist-partners-surface-geology.html
“City of worms” – 20,000-year-old carbonate layers of fossilized serpulid worms in Los Angeles Basin
https://phys.org/news/2019-03-life-death-city-worms.html
The future of EQ prediction using “automated surfboard-like devices” https://theweek.com/articles/827771/future-earthquake-prediction
Oroville Dam Spillway may be tested with water runoff https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article228443994.html
Main EQ shock influences aftershock size distribution https://eos.org/research-spotlights/how-do-main-shocks-affect-subsequent-earthquakes
The northern Pacific Ocean generates a long-period seismic signal https://eos.org/editor-highlights/follow-the-hum-the-seismic-signal-of-pacific-ocean-storms
Dust (rock flour) from melting glaciers could result in clouds over the Arctic https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dust-from-melting-glaciers-could-create-clouds/
November 1570 earth quake resulted in “The Light of the Eyes” and created Modern Orthodoxy https://www.jta.org/2019/03/29/opinion/how-an-italian-earthquake-in-1570-created-the-first-
modern-orthodox-jew
The day the dinosaurs died – Chicxulub asteroid crashed into Earth at 45,000 mph https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-day-the-dinosaurs-died
Analysis of the causes & effects of the Mocoa Debris Flow https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2019/03/29/mocoa-debris-flow/
Why are scientists dropping dead gators to the seafloor? To see what bites https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/deep-sea-gator-fall
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Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 1 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford
With an apology to my Canadian friends: Government’s April Fools’ Day Hoax – the carbon tax https://lethbridgeherald.com/commentary/opinions/2019/01/17/governments-april-fools-day-
hoax/
Update: massive Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues - case count 1,000+
https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/ebola-cases-surpass-1000-in-drc-outbreak-the- second-largest-of-all-time/
Marking 30 years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska – well publicized but not the largest – response was all wrong
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/03/oil-spills-30-years-after-exxon- valdez/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/thirty-years-after-exxon-valdez- the-response-to-oil-spills-is-still-all-wrong
Rats, rats and yet more rats in the urban setting – except Zealandia https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/04/rats-are-an-inescapable-part-of-city-
life/
Often-fatal neurological equine virus (EHM) has emerged in Nevada rodeo circuits https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/03/21/state-veterinarian-urges/
African swine fever (ASF) in 19 cities & provinces in Vietnam – culling as a response measure http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/22/c_137915344.htm
Final permit granted by US Army Corps of Engineers for PolyMet copper-nickel mine in Minnesota – wetland destruction & sulfide minerals pose potential environmental threat
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/03/22/army-corps-of-engineers-grants-final-permit-for- polymet-mine
$3.7B in federally backed loans to finish 2 new nuclear reactors at Vogtle plant in Georgia https://www.apnews.com/38189fb0550e401da6b339ad9870a007
Applying 1998 law to expedite controversial power line across Driftless Area of southern Wisconsin https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/law-to-speed-approval-of-utility-projects-
creates-challenge-in/article_997101e0-337a-5339-b0fe-fe982a4595f9.html
Death toll from Cyclone Idai continues to climb – coping with cholera http://www.ktvn.com/story/40184469/cyclone-death-toll-above-750-fighting-disease-new-
challenge
Plains wandering chick eggs were abandoned but rescuers saving these endangered birds https://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/conservation/deadbeat-dad-replaced-by-
feather-duster-as-zoo-rescues-orphaned-chicks-20190323-p516to.html
“Bugalypse” recognizes the dramatic decline in insect populations due to habitat loss https://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/conservation/why-are-insects-dying-in-such-
numbers-20190319-p515hb.html Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08974-9
Book Reviews: “The Uninhabitable Earth” Losing Earth: A Recent History” https://www.npr.org/2019/03/25/706499110/new-climate-books-stress-we-are-already-far-
down-the-road-to-a-different-earth
Why do humans respond as they do to a weather warning? https://www.npr.org/2019/03/22/705455226/what-makes-people-heed-a-weather-warning-or-
not
US opioid epidemic entering third wave with rapidly increasing fentanyl-linked deaths https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/21/704557684/fentanyl-linked-deaths-the-
u-s-opioid-epidemics-third-wave-begins CDC Report: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_03-508.pdf
Corteva Agriscience (Dow DuPont) agrees to stop force-feeding beagles with new fungicide Adevelt https://www.huffpost.com/entry/corteva-agriscience-beagle-testing-
stopped_n_5c90dffbe4b04ed2c1aeb7c3 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beagles-fed-fungicides-corteva-agriscience-humane-society-
investigation_n_5c8a4f8de4b038892f4af274
11 facts about elf owls https://www.treehugger.com/animals/11-facts-about-elf-owls-smallest-owls-world.html
Perspective: when policymakers ignore science, children are impacted by air pollution
https://www.ehn.org/dr-richard-jackson-when-policymakers-ignore-science-children-pay-the- price-2632138914.html
Glyphosate herbicides found in 98.5 percent of Canadian honey samples https://www.ehn.org/weed-killer-residues-found-in-98-percent-of-canadian-honey-samples-
2632384800.html
In the US, spinach, strawberries & kale top the list of most pesticide-tainted produce https://www.ehn.org/fruits-vegetables-with-most-pesticides-2632135188.html
Glyphosate-based herbicides are not supposed to harm wildlife, but studies reveal they do https://www.ehn.org/whats-the-worlds-most-widely-used-herbicide-doing-to-tiny-critters-
2631750527.html
Chemical explosion in China leads to inspections as death toll reaches 78 http://www.terradaily.com/reports/
China_chemical_blast_toll_reaches_78_as_inspections_ordered_999.html
You are what you eat: high-fructose corn syrup boosts intestinal tumor growth in mice https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190321141924.htm
Every time you flush, pharmaceutical & personal care products lead to new pollutants in waterways https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190321092212.htm
Eutrophication predicted to increase methane emissions from lakes & impoundments https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-green-environment/#.XJplr3dFyUk Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09100-5
Cow confirmed rabies case in Pennsylvania – other cows vaccinated & two humans treated https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/rabies-alert-issued-after-cow-in-mercer-county-tests-
positive/1869141919
Mississippi River level is falling – US Army COE closes Bonnet Carre Spillway https://www.apnews.com/10ffdcbacb654089ad8a77bde4f6cc02
Permian Gulf Coast pipeline to be combined with another project https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Magellan-scraps-plans-for-Permian-Gulf-
Coast-13717439.php
Minnesota utility regulators grant final approval to proposed Line3 crude oil pipeline replacement https://www.apnews.com/5fa8091f5b6547ad9467731d721f3c90
Potential consequences of declining population in China https://intpolicydigest.org/2019/03/27/china-faces-economic-headwinds-from-shrinking-
population/
Novel strategy of micro-organisms to survive in hypersaline & carbon- and water-deprived environment in of the Dead Sea subsurface
https://www.techexplorist.com/struggle-life-dead-sea-sediments/21883/
Outbreak of mumps-like virus keeps US Naval Warship at sea for months https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/sailors-are-still-getting-sick-as-a-suspected-
mumps-outbreak-tears-through-a-us-warship/ar-BBVlWKn
Interactive map delineates buildings at risk during earthquake in Washington State http://mynorthwest.com/1325587/washinton-earthquake-buildings-map/ Interactive map: https://dev.gartrellgroup.com/WashURMViewer/#7/47.347/-121.029/
These are the consequences of humans trying to “control” the Missouri River https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/climate/missouri-river-flooding-dams-climate.html
US Army COE about to begin construction of new $1B Soo Lock Project https://www.9and10news.com/2019/03/27/construction-for-new-soo-lock-project-about-to-
start/
Abundance of snow this winter means Yosemite will keep winter trails open for at least a few more weeks
https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-travel-yosemite-winter-trails-glacier-point-road- 20190329-story.html
World Water Day in Rwanda was multi-faceted https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/featured-world-water-day-call-ownership-protecting-water-
resources-restoring-water-catchments
Springtime and the cherry trees of Fukushima http://theconversation.com/the-cherry-trees-of-fukushima-113979
Will cost $BB to bring California hospitals to 2030 state seismic safety standards https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2019/03/28/8241553776446/?sl=1 Report summary & link: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3059.html
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Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 1 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford 11
Best April Fool’s Day posts in Maui, Hawaii – I like the Maui Lava Park! https://www.mauiinformationguide.com/blog/april-fools-day-posts-maui-hawaii/
Russia built massive new Yamal LNG plant on Artic Coast https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/03/sabetta-yamal-largest-gas-field/
Another dire prediction: sea level rise of 9.8 inches by 2040 in California – it is not sea level rise but subsidence of land-filled areas along San Francisco Bay shoreline
https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-sea-level-rise-could-threaten-california-cities-and-ports- by-2040
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/blogs/san-francisco-bay-area-sinking- faster-than-imagined
Pumping vast quantities of fresh groundwater from offshore resources can deplete onshore aquifers and cause land subsidence
https://eos.org/editor-highlights/pumping-offshore-groundwater-resources-has- consequences-on-land
Expanding federal coastal conservation areas creates controversy from those wanting tourism https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coastal-conservation-plan-sparks-fight-over-sand/
Proposed new LNG Lake Charles export terminal https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Energy-Transfer-Shell-sign-agreement-to-
move-13714720.php
Fishing industry & government sign MOU for offshore wind projects – to “work together”
https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20190326/fishing-industry-feds-sign-mou-on- offshore-wind
https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/boem-noaa-fishing-industry- sign-offshore-wind-agreement/
Partnership to explore & develop offshore O&G in Colombian Caribbean https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Noble-Energy-and-Shell-to-lead-Colombian-
offshore-13717811.php
Growing interest in developing offshore wind energy to meet demands https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2019/03/26/as-global-energy-demands-grows-so-
does-appetite-for-offshore-wind/#5eb9c5565e7c https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/new-survey-says-
overcoming-digital-challenges-key-to-offshore-wind-success/ https://www.oedigital.com/news/464447-edf-enters-chinese-offshore-wind-market
1,700 methane bubble plumes may be precursors to earthquake in Pacific NW coast Cascadia Zone
https://www.futurity.org/methane-bubbles-oceans-earthquakes-2018052-2/
Incident Management Centre in Aberdeen using cloud-based software to help protect offshore workers
https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/north-sea/195573/new-system-will-protect-lives- offshore/
Offshore aquaculture installations becoming popular to tourists https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/aquaculture/tourism-a-surprising-lure-for-new-chinese-
offshore-aquaculture-developments
SeaZip performed first-ever autonomous maneuvering shipping trials in Dutch North Sea https://www.offshorewind.biz/2019/03/27/seazip-glimpses-autonomous-shipping-future/
Coastal cities are fastest growing population centers https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-cities-fastest-growing-population/#.XJucI3dFyUk
Brunswick County is resilient – booming despite repeated hurricane impacts https://carolinapublicpress.org/28816/brunswick-booming-despite-repeated-hurricane-
devastation/
Perspective: 30 years after Exxon Valdez & response to oil spills is still all wrong https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/thirty-years-after-exxon-valdez-
the-response-to-oil-spills-is-still-all-wrong
Team will assess earthquake readiness of Port of Astoria in Oregon https://www.dailyastorian.com/news/local/feds-to-assess-earthquake-readiness-at-the-port-
of-astoria/article_15ed1a04-50d0-11e9-94cc-7ff2cddc4703.html
Offshore O&G exploration may lead to economic boom – but causes significant environmental impacts
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/seismic-surveys-provide-a-safe- foundation-for-offshore-energy
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/03/seismic-blasts-hurt-marine-life-and-are-a-harbinger-of- future-problems-the-shore-community-says.html