Geobulletin alpha

Saturn moon Enceladus’ ice shell likely thinner than expected 

A vast ocean of water beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s moon Enceladus may be more accessible than previously thought, according to new research. A new study has revealed that near the moon’s poles, the ice covering Enceladus could be just two kilometers (one mile) thick—the thinnest known ice shell of any ocean-covered moon. The discovery not only changes scientists’ understanding of Enceladus’ structure, but also makes the moon a more appealing target for future exploration, [...]

Research Summary: Predicting Maximum Lake Depth From Surrounding Topography 

Abstract Information about lake morphometry (e.g., depth, volume, size, etc.) aids understanding of the physical and ecological dynamics of lakes, yet is often not readily available. The data needed to[...] The post Research Summary: Predicting Maximum Lake Depth From Surrounding Topography appeared first on Lake

Wise Commencement Words: Ignorance is Not A Virtue 

Some very wise words at the commencement today at Rutgers University, and while I suspect that a large majority of younger folks understand this, it’s worth sharing. “Facts. Evidence. Reason. Logic. An understanding of science.These are good things. These are qualities you want in people making policy. These are qualities you want to continue to cultivate in yourselves as citizens.” “We traditionally have valued those things, but if you were

Mud, sieves and ice cube trays – messy muddy play for toddlers 

A guest post from Science from the Start’s Laura Hobbs…. The Geological Society’s 2015 Year of Mud celebrated the wide-ranging benefits of advances in the science of mudrocks. But aside from underpinning ground-breaking engineering projects and improved understanding of soil … Continue reading

On Twitter, Oceanographers Show Deep Appreciation for Data-Collection Device 

This is part of a new series of posts that highlight the importance of Earth and space science data and its contributions to society. Posts in this series showcase data facilities and data scientists; explain how Earth and space science data is collected, managed and used; explore what this data tells us about the planet; and delve into the challenges and issues involved in managing and using data. This series is intended to demystify Earth and space science data, and share how this data shapes [...]

Data Management Isn’t Optional; It’s Essential to Being Successful 

This is part of a new series of posts that highlight the importance of Earth and space science data and its contributions to society. Posts in this series showcase data facilities and data scientists; explain how Earth and space science data is collected, managed and used; explore what this data tells us about the planet; and delve into the challenges and issues involved in managing and using data. This series is intended to demystify Earth and space science data, and share how this data shapes [...]

Making and Earth and Space Science Data Matter 

This is part of a new series of posts that highlight the importance of Earth and space science data and its contributions to society. Posts in this series showcase data facilities and data scientists; explain how Earth and space science data is collected, managed and used; explore what this data tells us about the planet; and delve into the challenges and issues involved in managing and using data. This series is intended to demystify Earth and space science data, and share how this data shapes [...]

EGU 2016 session: Geological records of extreme wave events 

Abstract submission has just opened for the 2016 European Geoscience Union General Assembly, to be held in Vienna from 17-22nd April. We invite you to submit abstracts for our session on Geological records of extreme wave events. The session is co-organised between the Natural Hazards, Geomorphology and Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology programme groups (session NH5.7/GM12.6/SSP3.20) and is sponsored by the International Association of [...]

EGU Awards and Medals 2016 

Yesterday, the EGU announced the 49 recipients of next year’s Union Medals and Awards, Division Medals, and Division Outstanding Young Scientists Awards. The aim of the awards is to recognise the efforts of the awardees in furthering our understanding of the Earth, planetary and space sciences. The prizes will be handed out during the EGU 2016 General Assembly in Vienna on 17-22 April. Head over to the EGU website for the full list of awardees. Nineteen out of the total 49 awards went to [...]

Australian Museum, Sydney. Branch Head, Natural Sciences 

The Australian Museum operates within the NSW Department of Justice. The Museum provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The Australian Museum is the first museum in Australia; founded in 1827 its mission is to inspire exploration, understanding and care for our world. The Australian Museum is at an exciting time in its evolution with transformational [...]

Antillothrix bernensis, 1 Million Year Old Caribbean Monkey 

'The presence of endemic new world monkeys on the Caribbean islands is one the great questions of bio-geography and our work on these fossils shows Antillothrix existed on Hispaniola relatively morphologically unchanged for over a million years. By establishing the age of these fossils we have changed the understanding of primate evolution in this region.' said Dr Green. Read more at: Phys

The Missing Sink: Carbon storage in the world’s deserts 

Deep-rooted and completely erroneous preconceptions of our planet’s arid lands as sterile bit-players in the great game of the earth’s dynamic systems have long inhibited our scientific enthusiasm for, and understanding of, the desert. We are now beginning to

Beyond plate tectonics 

Plate tectonics is the core unifying concept that has underpinned our understanding of the solid earth for over 50 years. To describe your research as moving “beyond plate tectonics” is quite a claim, but Trond Torsvik and the group he leads … Continue reading

Born This Day: George Gaylord Simpson 

Simpson (June 16, 1902 - October 6, 1984) is known for his contributions to evolutionary theory and to the understanding of intercontinental migrations of animal species in past geological times. Simpson specialized in early fossil mammals, leading expeditions on four continents and discovering in 1953 the 50-million-year old fossil skulls of dawn horses in Colorado. Simpson helped develop

9th June - 24th July - Geology and Landscape of Gloucestershire and surroundings 

Geology and Landscape of Gloucestershire and surroundingsA weekly field-based introductory course.No previous knowledge of geology is assumedTuesday evenings 9th June to 21st July 2015Gloucestershire is one of the most geologically diverse counties in Britain.The aim of this field-based course is to take you towards an understanding of local scenery.  We will look at the components, the highly diverse rocks and their structure; and processes, weathering, slope forming and erosion which [...]

May 7th - Numerical modelling of sedimentary systems 

Bath Geological Society - May lectureNumbers, models and layered rocks: what can we learn from numerical modelling of sedimentary systems?Professor Peter Burgess, Head of Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of LondonWhile many other areas of science, for example physics and chemistry, can use experiments to help understand how physical systems work, sedimentary geology has for most of its history been limited to observation of natural systems recorded in outcrop and beneath [...]

Back to Basics – Geology and International Development (Part 3/4) 

How can an understanding of geology support and strengthen international development?  #7 – Identifying, extracting and managing natural resources, including appropriate environmental protection and post-mining restoration. Minerals and other natural resources are used in every sphere of society – every mobile phone, every computer, every wind-turbine. The income these can raise, also offers an exciting opportunity for countries to promote development, investing in jobs, [...]

Exploring Antarctica by Sea, Air and Land 

Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory scientists are among the many researchers currently doing fieldwork in Antarctica. They’re participating in expeditions near, above and on the continent, doing critical studies that will advance understanding of Antarctica’s land and sea

Colorful Mollusk Fossils and the Perks of Publishing with PE 

  The fossil remains of marine mollusks have played a pivotal role in the understanding of stratigraphy around the world. Recently, Palaeontologia Electronica (PE) authors Lloyd Glawe, John Anderson, and Dennis Bell published an article about their study of microscopic … Continue reading

EGU Awards and Medals 2015 

Yesterday, the EGU announced the 35 recipients of next year’s Union Medals and Awards, Division Medals, and Division Outstanding Young Scientists Awards. The aim of the awards is to recognise the efforts of the awardees in furthering our understanding of the Earth, planetary and space sciences. The prizes will be handed out during the EGU