This is an interesting KMZ file which enables you to observe earthquake hazards in near real-time ground movement and shaking intensity that are produced during an earthquake. This product was created by the USGS Earthquake Hazard Program. The maps display instrumental intensity (modified Mercalli scale), peak ground acceleration, and peak ground velocity. They are downloadable as [...]
Archive for February, 2009
ShakeMaps
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged earthquakes, Google Earth, Report Writing & Computer Applications on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Marcellus Shale
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Appalachians, natural resources on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
the Marcellus Shale is a Devonian black shale that is in the Appalachian Basin.It is slightly radioactive so it can be easily distinguished on a geophysical well log. In 2002 the estimates of natural gas within the shale was 1.9 trillion cubic feet, but in 2008 it was estimated at having 500 trillion cubic feet of [...]
The World’s Deepest Dinosaur Finding – 2256 Metres Below The Seabed
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged paleo on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Scientists uncovered the first dinosaur ever found in Norway 2256 meters below the seabed, which is the world’s deepest finding of a dinosaur. They believe it has been there for about 200 million years. This was a time when the North Sea was an alluvial plane, with meandering rivers and dry plains, and not actually a [...]
New Mineralogical Techniques Contribute To Prevent National Heritage Damage
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Mineralogy on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Different things like humidity and pollution give way to the appearance of salts which are causing stone decomposition in many different old buildings. Researchers designed crystallization inhibitors against this salt which will help restore these buildings. They block the mineral salt crystallization process inside the stone that destroys the stone. This crystallization inhibitor has been [...]
Extent Of Damage To Vegetation Depends On Sequence Of Events
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged hydrogeology on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The amount of damage to vegetation during droughts and floods may depend on the actual sequence of the event. Scientists conducted a study in the Florida Everglades and learned that seedlings continued with higher growth rates and were less likely to die when they were subjected to the drought first following a flood. They took three [...]
Giant Catfish
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged ecology, hydrology, Southeast Asia on February 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Mekong giant catfish live mainly in the lower half of the Mekong River system, in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. As husge as they may look they are herbevors. Although I would strongly against noodling these beasts. They can grow to a length of almost 10 feet long and can wiegh [...]
Hot Spring Deposits on Mars
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Mars, Mineralogy, planetary on February 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
There are curious features on the face of Mars; some of which resemble spring deposits on Earth. These deposits are suggnifigant because if there is anywhere to find the reminants of life it would be in a hot spring deposit. Hot springs support a plethora of microbial life and in these springs [...]
Geologic Wonders of PA – The Archbald Pothole
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged glacial, PA on February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In Archbald State Park in lackawanna County there is a very interesting hole in the ground. With a depth of 38 feet and the max diameter being 42 ft X 24 ft and has a volume of 18,600 cubic feet. What is most interesting is the shape which is an ellipse. As one may have [...]
New Study Reports Pennsylvania Groundwater Contamination from Coal Ash
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged hydrogeology on February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This report examines 10-15 mines throughout the state that are contaminated from coal ash. High levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and selenium are present in the water. The director of the PA mine fill research project at the clean air task force wants the US EPA to step in and deal with the situation if the PA DEP does nothing. This article [...]
All college talk on Wednesday, March 4 by Dr. Jon Harbor
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged department talk on February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Department of Geology and Planetary Sciences welcomes
Dr. Jon Harbor
Purdue University
Wednesday, March 4
4:30 pm
Blackington 138
“Interdisciplinary and Engaged”
a winning strategy for impact and funding in teaching and research
Many universities developed an institutional model in the 20th century that emphasized teaching and research organized primarily along disciplinary and academic lines. Although this has been very effective in [...]
