Week 10 (October 25-31)

http://ht.ly/3fzlC

Pictures over the Egyptian Sahara shows that there used to be a large lake, larger than Lake Erie.  Around 80,000 years ago, it seemed to have completely became dry.  Desert winds and sand have eroded much of the area, and is hard to find such geological features in the area very easily.  In the 1980's, researchers reportedly found fossils of fish in the desert, so now it makes sense that there have been several large, non-existant lakes in the area.  The annual floods of the Nile is where most Egyptians look for water.

http://ht.ly/3fAVn

Before, and during the time of dinosaurs, mammals were never very large.  But it seems, that as the dinosaurs died out, the mammals size kept getting larger and larger as time went on.  Fossils had to be looked at and compared for different time periods, in order to determine why the mammals sizes kept getting larger.  Studies relating location, tooth size, hooves, body mass, etc. went into account to determine why and how the mammals kept growing.  It is shown that larger animals occur during ice age, because it is easier for them to survive in the cool temperatures.


http://ht.ly/3hAdI

Researchers had trouble believing where the Earth got it's many water suppliers from, and even looked to aliens for the answer... geologists luckily came to the rescue.  Geologists researched the meteorites that hit the planet, and planets similar to Earth, and found that "oceans were sloshing around on Earth by as early as 4.4 billion years ago".  This news allows researchers to better understand the creation of the many water supplies on Earth, and how they got there.  Due to climate, and time... that is the reason why planets similar to Earth are making themselves known.  

Week 9 (October 18-24)

http://ht.ly/3cDVE

The government is not allowing the state of Arizona to know that they're having water contamination problems, instead science has to inform residence.  Ground water and surface water are apart of "one large continuum of water" says an associate of the Water Science Center in Tucson.  The upper aquifer may need to be pumped in the near future, to reduce contamination, if the rivers and streams are still being depleted in the future.

Week 8 (October 11-17)

http://ht.ly/38RoE

The groundwater in some parts of Canada is contaminated, but reporters say not that many people know how to deal with the situation.  Precautions need to be taken, and understanding of groundwater, it's contaminants, it nutrients, etc. need to be figured out.  Large blocks of Algae have been discovered, and can be very toxic, sucking oxygen out of the atmosphere.  As the population grows, contamination is only expected to get worse.  Work is still being done to try and fix the problem, and research will be done on how to prevent contamination in the future.

http://ht.ly/3bia0

The "Geology Act" is being introduced into Taiwan's economy, to regulate development in vulnerable areas.  Landslides in April caused 4 deaths, and the government wants to help reduce the risks in the future.  "Geologically sensitive zones" will be determined be geologists, and work will be done to survey areas in order to meet safety guidelines.  People have the right to know about the possible disasters that may await their area, due to lack of geological research.  Government officials are fighting for the new act, and hope it will ensure safety among the area.

Week 7 (October 4-10)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005164939.htm

Carbon dioxide levels need to be reduced in the area in order to better our environment.  It could take more than 1,000 years to reverse the side effects, if acton is not taken soon enough.  With too-high of levels of Carbon Dioxide, then many problems could arise, such as green house effects.  The price to do this is one of most outrageous-ness, but it may be the only way to accomplish scientists' goals.  Time will be needed to further this development, and research is still being done.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005164939.htm


In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, more than 1000 meters below, there was a chimney filled with 300 degree celsius liquid.  The area had been previously researched numerous times, so finding this is a tremendous find!  Research is now well underway with this new discovery.  There are about 5 other places near by that also have gas plumes. Wow.  "Some even lie outside the volcanically active spreading zone in areas where hydrothermal activity was previously not assumed to occur."  Research is still being done, and more info will be released soon...  

Week 6 (September 27- October 3)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100927122225.htm

Over the summer, the Gulf of Mexico, had a "dead zone" that was created- there wasnt a lot of activity here.  Due ti the tile drainage, as well as many other factors- the area along the Mississippi River isn't doing the best.  Because nitrates are being put into the stream, instillation of some small wetlands may need to happen.  The process can happen, it'll just be very expensive.  Stay tuned for more progress later...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100926195032.htm

Geologists and scientists have been studying volcanoes in Ethiopia, and have perhaps come up with a new way to pinpoint eruptions.  By observing the volcanoes, they could gather information about the lava, and the way the it flows.  By investigating, they were able to tell that the intrusions were not random, but had a pattern, in fact.  By studying dykes, scientists were able to draw more conclusions about the mantle, and how the magma travels.  Comparing the tensions in the ground allow there to be much to infer.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100930154610.htm

University of Arizona scientists have been able to study heat, and the various ways it can be created or generated.  They have been able to determine ways to turn trash into power!  In the past, researchers have been wanting to be able to turn trash into power, but now- it is possible through the research being done.  Wave particle duality helps to make this possible.  Turning heat into power can be made possible through the structure.  Now it is possible to turn wasted heat into power, how profound!