Sediments Over the Great Barrier Reef

Febuary 7, 2011

Great Barrier Reef Sediment

N.A.S.A. - Great Barrier Reef

The surface of the normally clear, shallow water of the Great Barrier Reef was clouded with sediment brought to the surface by cyclone Yasi of high winds, powerful storm surges, and strong rains. The sediment appearing after the cyclone cleared, showing just how powerful Yasi was. The Reef usually reflecting a dark blue was turned to a bright Electric blue that are well defined and are greener then their surroundings.

Polar Bear Marathon

January 31, 2011

426 Miles Across The Arctic Seas

Los Angeles Times - Polar Bear

It was tracked that a polar bear swam for nine days though the Beaufort Sea in search for a chunk of ice to haul out on. Unfortunately her yearling cub did not make the journey with their mother. These reports coming more and more frequent as the Arctic ice slowly melts away that journey's like this are being made more frequently. This polar bear was equipped with a GPS collar, and a temperature sensor to view how her body reacted to swimming constantly in the frigid waters. Losing over 100 pounds along he journey of over 400 miles from Barrow, Alaska all the way to the Beaufort coast near the Canadian Border.

Mosg Poweful Volcano Eruption

January 24, 2011

Novarupta

Geology - Novarupta

On January 24th Novarupta stirred today that drew enormous global attention to itself. This being because a short time frame before an eruption happens, a volcano will send out a buzz. Even though this could just be a false alarm, the reports show much activity that if it grows large enough will have scientist on the scene investigating Novarupta even closer. This particular volcano erupted back in 1912 on June 6th to give its self the title of The most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th Century. This event happened almost unnoticed back at that time, which is why scientist are so eager for another chance to study Novarupta this time around.

When Novarupta originally erupted in Juneau, Alaska people as far as 750 miles away could hear the eruption. The next 60 hours following the eruption were tall dark columns of tephra and gas into the atmosphere.  The land was utterly changed and devastated after the finish of the eruption by ejecta engulfing around 30 cubic kilometers around the entire region.

Cyclone Zelia

January 17, 2011

Cyclone Zelia

Cyclone Zelia - N.A.S.A.

An image from Cyclone Zelia that is reaching its potential peak in strength at the hours of 10 a.m. on January 16th. The cyclone had winds at 85 knots (or 98 miles) per hour giving it a category 2 storm. The cyclone grew in strength slightly though out the day but when it reached colder waters quickly reduced in size and strength.

The image was taken over the coral Sea, east of Queensland, Australia but was moving aways from Australia towards New Zealand and is predicted to only only bring heavy rain.

World's Largest Landslide

January 10, 2011

World's Largest Landslide

Geology - World's Largest Landslide

Located in western Iran is the Saidmareh Landslide that has been identified as the world's largest landslide. Occurring about 10,000 years ago, the slide is the length about 9 miles wide, and with a surface area of 64 square miles. This occurred when about five cubic miles of lower Miocene and Eocene limestone detached. Even some of the material in the slide moved over a length of 9 miles.


Resulting from this slide blocked up the Karkheh river that eventually produced a large lake. This lake survived long enough that around 150 meters of sediment accumulated along the bottom, then the pressure from the lake breached the natural dam and produced a channel though it.