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Giant crystal found in Swiss Alps
Two men from canton Uri discovered a giant crystal in the Plaggenstock mountain in Switzerland. It is bigger and more beautiful than the one discovered in 2005 on the same mountain, which was then called the discovery of the century.
The crystal-hunter Franz von Arx confirmed the discovery which was announced by several news media. The size, colours, purity and beauty of this crystal are amazing. It was found in a heretofore unexplored crevice.
Franz von Arx and his colleague Elio Müller found the giant crystal on September 19. It will be exposed in Flüelen, canton Uri, among other crystals.
In 2005, Franz von Arx had already discovered a giant crystal on that same mountain, at an altitude of 2,600 meters and at a depth of 32 meters. The size and purity of the smoked quartz crystal were then qualified as exceptional. Two men from canton Uri discovered a giant crystal in the Plaggenstock mountain in Switzerland. It is bigger and more beautiful than t... more -
Oldest Rocks on Earth Found
Scientists have found the oldest known rocks on Earth. They are 4.28 billion years old, making them 250 million years more ancient than any previously discovered rocks.
In 2001, geologists found an expanse of bedrock, known as the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt, exposed on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in northern Quebec.
Suspecting that the rocks there could be from one of the earliest periods of Earth's history, geologists took samples to try and determine their age. They measured tiny variations in the isotopes (or species of an element that have different numbers of neutrons) of the rare earth elements neodymium and samarium in the rocks and determined that the samples were from 3.8 to 4.28 billion years old.
The oldest dates, which came from rocks that geologists call "faux amphibolite," are thought to be ancient volcanic deposits. They beat the previously oldest known rocks, which are 4.03 billion years old and come from a formation called the Acasta Gneiss in Canada's Northwest Territories.
The only dates of crustal material older than the newly-dated Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt are from isolated mineral grains called zircons that are highly resistant to weathering and geologic processes. The oldest zircons, from grains in Western Australia, are about 4.36 billion years old.
Examining such ancient rocks "gives us an unprecedented glimpse of the processes that formed the early crust," Carlson said. Scientists have found the oldest known rocks on Earth. They are 4.28 billion years old, making them 250 million years more ancient tha... more -
Earth Hot Spots Spark Alien Ideas
Scientists often have a reputation for working in stuffy laboratories, cut off from the world around them. But this certainly isn't the case at the Centre for Geobiology, University of Bergen, Norway.
The center has operated two summer cruises thus far in which researchers embarked on voyages to study conditions on the ocean floor. Using state-of-the-art technology, including a remotely operated vehicle, the scientists have discovered a new field of deep-sea vents, one of the most northerly in the world. [This discovery was reported by LiveScience in July.]
Creatures living around these "black smokers" show just how tough life on Earth can be, and hint that organisms on other worlds may be able to thrive in very hostile environments.
Life on the ocean floor
Scientists used to think that life on Earth was always based on ecosystems with photosynthesis — making food and energy from sunlight — as the foundation. Dive deeper than 656 feet (200 meters) and you'll be lucky to see any light at all — below 3281 feet (1000 meters), there is none. Amazingly, researchers have found organisms there, generally referred to as "extremophiles" (as they exist in extreme environments), often thriving despite the harsh conditions.
Just how unforgiving are environments deep in the ocean?
Creatures living 1968 feet (600 meters) deep endure crushing pressures around 60 times more powerful than at sea level. But that is only one of the problems they face. The temperature on the sea floor is very low, averaging about 39 F (4 C). This changes abruptly around hydrothermal vents, where temperatures can suddenly soar up to 752 F (400 C).
These vents, like the ones discovered during the research cruise, actually create havens for life despite the scorching heat. Creatures that live in hot environments are called thermophiles, which means "heat loving." They're perfectly happy on the outskirts of vents, where the temperature is around 122 F (50 C). Another group of organisms are known as hyperthermophiles. They live up to this impressive name by thriving at temperatures up to 248 F (120 C). Many chemicals spewed out at the vents are toxic to more common forms of life, but some exteremophiles are so hardy that they actually can use these chemicals for food and energy!
Scientists take to the seas
Elinor Bartle is the Centre for Geobiology's Information Officer. She was part of the Centre's team aboard the newest, largest and most advanced research ship in the Norwegian fleet. After sailing for two days, they reached the first study site off the west coast of Norway. Says Bartle, "Each leg [of the trip] involved a group of around 25 researchers, technicians and public outreach personnel in addition to the ship's crew. The group was international with representatives from a number of international partner institutions."
Their main mission was mapping the sea floor, hunting for areas of interest like elusive vents. They also collected rock samples that could provide clues about the local geology.
The researchers found the black smokers on mineral deposits that may be among the largest ever discovered, having been built up over the course of 100,000 years. An entire ecosystem surrounds these newly-discovered vents, using chemosynthesis for energy. Instead of light being the basis for energy, chemicals from the vents supply the foundations for life. Samples of the creatures were collected to be studied, and the hope is that they will help us gain better understanding of extremophile life.
Alien parallels?
---More at Link--- Scientists often have a reputation for working in stuffy laboratories, cut off from the world around them. But this certainly isn'... more -
Arctic key to economic future, Russia claims
Initial reports of Medvedev's address to Russia's national security council suggested he was advocating unilateral action to secure Arctic territory at a time when the five polar nations -- including Canada -- are collecting geological data for planned sea floor territorial claims under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Initial reports of Medvedev's address to Russia's national security council suggested he was advocating unilateral action to... more
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A New Mountain in the Valleys
A Welsh hill has been reclassified a mountain after a survey by three walkers found measurements on official maps were two feet (60cms) out.
Mynydd Graig Goch in Snowdonia had originally been measured at 1,998ft (609m), just short of the magic 2,000ft (609.6m) that qualifies as a mountain.
Using "state-of-the art" equipment supplied by Swiss firm Leica Geosystems, the trio used satellite positioning to gauge the height of the hills in Snowdonia.
Their survey confirmed that Craig Fach was a hill, standing at 1.997ft (608.75m), but further research showed Mynydd Graig Goch, at 609.75m, was slightly above the 2,000ft minimum for a mountain.
It would appear that size really does matter - how many more hillsides might this satelite survey technology reclassify? A Welsh hill has been reclassified a mountain after a survey by three walkers found measurements on official maps were two feet (60cms... more -
Ancient Trees Found in US Mines
Spectacular fossil forests have been found in the coal mines of Illinois by a US-UK team of researchers.
"These are the largest fossil forests found anywhere in the world at any point in geological time," he told reporters. "It is quite extraordinary to find a fossil landscape preserved over such a vast area; and we are talking about an area the size of (the British city of) Bristol."
The forests grew just a few million years apart some 300 million years ago; and are now stacked one on top of another. It appears the ancient land experienced repeated periods of subsidence and flooding which buried the forests in a vertical sequence.
Audio interview at the link above and these is more at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7604721.stm Spectacular fossil forests have been found in the coal mines of Illinois by a US-UK team of researchers. ... more -
Environment The Era of Catastrophe? Geologists Name New Era After Human Influence...
A striking report from the front lines of science suggests we're officially entering a period in which humanity may simply outrun history itself.
Way too long to post here...Click the link to read A striking report from the front lines of science suggests we're officially entering a period in which humanity may simply outrun... more -
'Extreme Water' found at Atlantic Ocean abyss
Located some 3 kilometers underneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean,, scientists have discovered the hottest water ever found on Earth emanating from two black smokers called Two Boats and Sisters Peak. So hot, in fact, that the fluid has moved from being a fluid, to being a supercritical fluid.
A black smoker is a type of hydrothermal vent, a fissure in the planet’s surface, from which water heated by the geothermal heat from beneath issues in to the surrounding water. Geochemist Andrea Koschinsky, from Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, and her team have been visiting these vents for several years, lowering thermometers in to them to gauge their temperature.
"It's water, but not as we know it," Koschinsky said of her discovery, referring to the fact that the fluid has gone supercritical.
When the temperature and pressures rise in a liquid, evaporation and/or boiling will occur. However, if both temperature and pressure is pushed to a critical point, the gas and the liquid will merge in to what is called a supercritical fluid. This has been done in laboratory and industrial settings, but never before has it been witnessed occurring naturally before.
And Koschinsky believes that this discovery could give us an idea how our oceans end up with traces of gold, copper and iron mixed in. Located some 3 kilometers underneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean,, scientists have discovered the hottest water ever found on Ea... more -
Lost world frozen 14m years ago found in Antarctica
A lost world has been found in Antarctica, preserved just the way it was when it was frozen in time some 14 million years ago.
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Phwoaaaar, it's the Earth - naked
Striking images of ‘naked earth’ are revealed for the first time as part of OneGeology, an ambitious plan to produce the first digital geological map of the world.
It is intended to do the same thing for rocks as Google did for maps - stripping away the outer layer and zooming in on the previously invisible structure that lies beneath.
Little more than a year after its inception, 79 nations have come together and pooled data to produce a comprehensive online geological map.
They have each provided a piece of a global jigsaw which put together provides almost a complete picture of what the earth is made of. Striking images of ‘naked earth’ are revealed for the first time as part of OneGeology, an ambitious plan to produce the first digital... more -
Prehistoric land under the sea
It's a landscape no human has even seen. And those who live right beside it had no idea it even existed.
Deep below the sea, off the north coast of Northern Ireland, a dramatic geological mystery has been discovered.
Huge cliffs, vast basins and plateaus, a lake and even rivers have been found. But so far no-one is certain what caused them to end up like this deep under the sea.
The discovery was made when the seabed was being surveyed to update old Admiralty charts, drawn up in the mid-1800s.
Funded by the European Union and backed by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a survey vessel has been scanning the seabed along most of the north coast of Ireland, including the seabed north of Rathlin Island. It's a landscape no human has even seen. And those who live right beside it had no idea it even existed. ... more -
Bears trap geologists in Russia
At least 30 hungry bears have trapped a group of geologists at their remote survey site in Russia's far east after killing two of their co-workers last week.
The team of geologists on Russia's seismically active Kamchatka peninsula refused to leave their camp after the bears showed up, a spokesman for the region's emergency services ministry said.
He said: "In the interests of safety they didn't come out to work - the people are scared by the invasion of bears."
A bear killed two geologists at the worksite on July 18, officials said.
Authorities on Kamchatka, nine time zones east of Moscow on the Pacific Ocean, said this year was remarkable for either too many bears or not enough fish.
"Either way there is not enough food," the spokesman said.
Rampant fish poaching in the empty tundra of Russia's farthest reaches sends hungry bear populations into populated centres every year, attracted to the food-rich garbage humans leave behind.
Officials said a helicopter ferrying officials and hunters could not fly in bad weather, but an all-terrain vehicle was on its way to the camp.
It would then await government approval to shoot the bears.
The spokesman added: "It looks like a shoot by the hunters won't take place today as there is still no permission.
"As soon as we get the document from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky the hunters can get to work."
As many as 16,000 native brown bears, cousins of the American Grizzly, live on Kamchatka, an area twice the size of Britain.
An adult male can weigh 1,500 lbs (700kg) and stand 10ft (three metres) tall. At least 30 hungry bears have trapped a group of geologists at their remote survey site in Russia's far east after killing two of... more -
The Human Cost of Ten Devastating Earthquakes: Priceless
Earthquakes are caused by the shifting of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. When these plates shift, the ground can move violently. Earthquakes have changed the terrain of our planet since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, there has been a high human cost to this major force of nature. Earthquakes are caused by the shifting of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. When these plates shift, the ground can move vi... more
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Alaska volcano erupts, flinging ash 30,000 feet high
"A volcano has erupted with little warning on an island in Alaska, sending an ash cloud at least 30,000 feet high. The Okmok Caldera erupted late Saturday morning. Seismologists at the Alaska Volcano Center detected a series of small tremors hours before.
Okmok is located on one of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, 60 miles west of the busy fishing port of Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island. Jerry Lucas, a spokesman for PenAir, the primary airliner serving the area, says two planned flights from Unalaska were canceled in response to the eruption.
Geophysicist Steve McNutt says the 3,500-foot volcano last erupted in 1997. He says the volcano has shown signs of increased activity during the last few months." "A volcano has erupted with little warning on an island in Alaska, sending an ash cloud at least 30,000 feet high. The Okmok Cal... more -
Scientists in quake prediction advance
Scientists have made an important advance in their efforts to predict earthquakes, the journal Nature says.
A team of US researchers has detected stress-induced changes in rocks that occurred hours before two small tremors in California's San Andreas Fault.
The observations used sensors lowered down holes drilled into the quake zone. Scientists have made an important advance in their efforts to predict earthquakes, the journal Nature says. ... more -
Discovery may lead to early earthquake warning system
Scientists working at California's San Andreas Fault have detected subtle geological changes occurring hours before an earthquake that could enable them to develop an early-warning system aimed at saving lives.
Their instruments detected geological changes most likely caused by tiny fractures forming in the rock ahead of an impending earthquake due to stress in the Earth's crust, according to seismologist Paul Silver of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, one of the researchers.
"It's the opening up of cracks before an earthquake," Silver said in a telephone interview.
The research, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, was conducted using wells dug 0.6 miles deep into the quake-prone fault at Parkfield, California.
Their equipment generated and recorded seismic waves before, during and after two small quakes, allowing them to observe these small, predictive geological changes.
In the first case, the geological signals occurred 10 hours before a magnitude 3 quake in December 2005. The same sort of signals also occurred two hours before a magnitude 1 quake that happened five days later, the researchers said.
"We are very encouraged by these observations, and we are planning for more experiments to confirm whether these changes are part of the general physical processes before an earthquake," seismologist Fenglin Niu of Rice University in Houston said in a telephone interview. Scientists working at California's San Andreas Fault have detected subtle geological changes occurring hours before an earthquake... more -
"The Climate Project presenter Bill Brown remains busy in retirement" - ...
Here's an interview on theclimateproject.org with our friend Bill Brown up in Taos at New Mexico Global Warming.
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06/03/08
Bill Brown, a former earth scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, figured he'd spend his retirement relaxing in New Mexico with his wife, Lisa. Then he became a volunteer presenter for The Climate Project. Brown recently discussed his experience as a presenter with TCP Communications Manager Alex Carey.
To request a presentation by Brown or another of TCP's 1,000 dedicated and knowledgeable presenters, click here.
Alex Carey: What led you to become interested in the issues surrounding climate change and, more generally, in the environment?
Bill Brown: I have worked professionally on environmental impacts of human activities since the 1960s. The focus of our work in the ‘60s and ‘70s was cleaning up this nation’s waters at a time when many of our major rivers were no more than open sewers. By the early ‘90s, I was working in the emerging science of Industrial Ecology – the science of sustainability – and discovering then that carbon management would be the principal issue of the 21st century.
AC: You're now retired. What did you do before you entered retirement?
BB: I was an earth scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey for 36 years. I led projects throughout the U.S. – primarily in the American West – and in seven other countries. In the later part of my career I worked as a research team manager, researcher on global minerals and energy, budget analyst for the Department of the Interior, and researcher on the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
AC: How did you find out about The Climate Project?
BB: I was the science advisor for a high-profile campaign to protect New Mexico’s spectacular Valle Vidal from being turned into a natural gas factory. Our ultimate and stunning success in gaining an Act of Congress to protect our Valle Vidal was a powerful statement on the deficiencies of U.S. energy policy. The Valle Vidal work prompted people in my community to recommend that I apply to represent our region in The Climate Project....
Click link above to read rest of interview with our friend Bill Brown.
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From TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com Here's an interview on theclimateproject.org with our friend Bill Brown up in Taos at New Mexico Global Warming. ... more -
Protests and strikes over mining in Peru
Laborers and the poor in the Andean country want a larger share of profits that mining companies are reaping from record prices for commodities. President Alan Garcia, whose approval ratings hover near 30 percent, is under pressure to make sure the benefits of a six-year economic boom reach the poor.
Peru is the world's leading silver producer, ranks second in copper and zinc, and fifth in gold, according to government data.
Striking workers at a base metals miner in southern Peru were in talks on Wednesday, aiming to end the walkout that started Tuesday.
"The strike continues, but there are talks going on with the Ministry of Labor," said Luis Castillo, secretary general of Peru's National Federation of Mining, Metallurgy and Steel Workers.
The workers walked out to back various demands.
Striking Workers At Peru's Cerro Verde Copper Mine In Talks
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle+articl...
Protesters block roads at Southern Copper Peru
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUti...
Grenville Gold Cancels 1,277,220 Stock Options
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/ind...
Bear Creek, Rio Tinto amend Peru silver mine deal
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/11/ap5105267.htm...
Panoro Drills Zinc and Silver at the El Rosal Project, Peru
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=867309 Laborers and the poor in the Andean country want a larger share of profits that mining companies are reaping from record prices for co... more -
Latest Earthquakes in the world - Past 7 days
This map displays all of the earthquakes going on in the world at the moment. It is constantly updated.
A RED square denotes an earthquake within the HOUR
An ORANGE square represents one within the DAY
YELLOW squares show all of the earthquakes this WEEK
Notice all of the Earthquakes that happen simultaneously.
Notice the strong-arm of Alaska reaching out across the pacific. There are many HAARP bases in Alaska.
Notice Hawaii in the center of the pacific - the big Island has a military base on top of the mountain. I've driven past it.
Notice the earthquakes which constantly happen in and around Puerto Rico.
Is that near Guantanamo Bay?
Notice the Earthquakes in South America, in and around Peru. There is a HAARP facility in Jicamarca, Peru.
Notice China. The other night, I noticed an earthquake in China - THE SAME HOUR as an earthquake in Alaska and California.
Keep an eye on this map.
Bookmark the following site, so that you can always be updated and informed...
Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/
Science for a changing world This map displays all of the earthquakes going on in the world at the moment. It is constantly updated. ... more -
Aftershocks demolish China homes
Parts of China devastated by a deadly earthquake two weeks ago have been hit by powerful aftershocks that have destroyed more than 420,000 homes.
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that happen after a main quake in the same area.
They hit the Sichuan region as up to 160,000 people were being moved from villages near a newly formed lake as its water level continues to rise.
Millions of people are thought to be at risk if the lake bursts its banks.
Tangjiashan is the largest of 35 'quake lakes', which formed after landslides triggered by the main earthquake blocked several rivers in the area.
Earthquake refugee camp in the Sichuan province
Millions of families have been left homeless
It's formed behind a fragile mud and rubble dam, next to the town of Beichuan - one of hardest hit areas by the massive quake on 12 May.
Chinese soldiers are working really hard to get water flowing out of the lake to relieve pressure on the makeshift dam.
But officials say heavy rain and forecast storms are adding to their problems.
Devastation
Since the main earthquake hit, at least 67,183 people have died and thousands more are still missing.
Millions of families are already living in temporary shelters and camps. Parts of China devastated by a deadly earthquake two weeks ago have been hit by powerful aftershocks that have destroyed more than 420... more
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