Geology.com News - 8 Topics

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• The Geology of Rare Earth Elements
• Merapi Death Toll at 275
• Earthquake Hazard in Panama
• Yukon Delta as Art
• Observations from the Comet Hartley Flyby
• Dying Star Surrounded by Fluorescing Gas
• Pterosaurs and Dinosaurs
• Santiaguito Volcano Observatory Fundraiser

The Geology of Rare Earth Elements Posted: 18 Nov 2010 10:22 PM PST “The principal concentrations of rare earth elements are associated with uncommon varieties of igneous rocks, namely alkaline rocks and carbonatites. Potentially useful concentrations of REE-bearing minerals are also found in placer deposits, residual deposits formed from deep weathering of igneous rocks, pegmatites, iron-oxide copper-gold deposits, and marine phosphates.” Quoted from the USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5220.

Merapi Death Toll at 275 Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:44 PM PST The death toll from the Mount Merapi eruptions now stands at 275 with many of the casualties being killed by hot pyroclastic flows that have descended the volcano. “The primary danger during the eruption at Merapi Volcano has been pyroclastic flows. These avalanches of hot volcanic gases, ash, and rocks descend rapidly and violently, occasionally at speeds over 150 kilometers (90 miles) per hour. Pyroclastic flows are usually channeled by the terrain, but large and violent flows can spread over a wide area.” Quoted from the Earth Observatory image release.

Earthquake Hazard in Panama Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:35 PM PST Researchers have determined that the Limon and Pedro Miguel faults of Panama produce large earthquakes with a short recurrence interval. This discovery increases the seismic risk for Panama City and the Panama Canal.

Yukon Delta as Art Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:34 PM PST USGS has added many new images to their “Earth As Art” collection. “After beginning in northern British Columbia and flowing through Yukon in Canada, the Yukon River crosses Alaska, USA, before emptying into the Bering Sea. Countless lakes, sloughs, and ponds are scattered throughout this scene of the Yukon Delta. The river’s sinuous, branching waterways seem like blood vessels branching out to enclose an organ. It is one of the largest river deltas in the world, and currently (2010) protected as part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.” Quoted from the USGS collection.

Observations from the Comet Hartley Flyby Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:25 PM PST NASA’s Deep Impact spacecraft passed just 435 miles from Comet Hartley and observed bright jets of carbon dioxide blowing fragments of water ice from the comet’s surface.

Dying Star Surrounded by Fluorescing Gas Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:11 PM PST “A new image from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer shows what looks like a glowing jellyfish floating at the bottom of a dark, speckled sea. In reality, this critter belongs to the cosmos — it’s a dying star surrounded by fluorescing gas and two very unusual rings.” Quoted from the NASA press release.

Pterosaurs and Dinosaurs Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:03 PM PST Smithsonian.com has an article titled “Why a Pterosaur is Not a Dinosaur.” It reviews the relationship between dinosaurs and pterosaurs, then explains how the word “dinosaur” is often misused in the popular media.

Santiaguito Volcano Observatory Fundraiser Posted: 18 Nov 2010 09:02 PM PST Jessica Ball explains how you can support the Santiaguito Volcano Observatory in Guatemala through the International Volcano Monitoring Fund, “a nonprofit organization that exists solely to help raise money and purchase equipment for volcanologists in developing countries.”

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