Current Geology News and
Earth Science Articles

Geology news and current earth science articles from around the world. Stories are archived monthly.

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November 20, 2009

Underground CO2 storage test approved in the Netherlands
A small town in the south of Holland will become the testing ground for a new experiment, in which carbon dioxide is pumped into exhausted gas fields, which are more than one mile under the ground. The aim of the effort is to reduce the emission of CO2, which is believed to contribute to global warming. But both local residents and environmental organizations have expressed concern.

Russia makes surprise CO2 pledge
Russia made a surprise pledge to cut back on CO2 emissions at a summit with the EU in Sweden. Russian diplomats said the country is ready to cut emissions by 20 to 25 per cent below 1990s levels by 2020, up from a previous commitment of 10 to 15 per cent.

November 19, 2009

Solving history's largest mass poisoning
Researchers in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering believe they have pinpointed a pathway by which arsenic may be contaminating the drinking water in Bangladesh, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists, world health agencies and the Bangladeshi government for nearly 30 years. The research suggests that human alteration to the landscape, the construction of villages with ponds, and the adoption of irrigated agriculture are responsible for the current pattern of arsenic concentration underground. The findings also indicate that drinking - water wells drilled to a greater depth would likely provide clean water.

University of Illinois gets $897K grant to study effects of underground injection of carbon dioxide
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded an $897,225 grant to the University of Illinois for a three-year research project to find out the environmental impact of injecting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from a source such as a coal-fired electric generating power plant into Illinois' deep underground water reservoirs for long-term storage. Researchers will use field work and modeling to determine the effects of CO2 sequestration on groundwater aquifers. The plan is to see whether CO2 injection could cause changes in reservoir pressure and possibly result in salt water migrating from deeper groundwater and contaminating fresh water near the surface.

Iran won't ship uranium abroad
Iran's foreign minister said this week that his government would not ship its stockpile of low-enriched uranium out of the country, making him the highest ranking official so far to declare that Iran would renege on a deal aimed at defusing a confrontation with the West over its nuclear program.

November 18, 2009

Oil sands industry hiring again, but Alberta's economy isn't quite back in the game
Jobs are slowly being created as oil sands players are gradually starting up developments delayed by the recession. It would be premature, however, to herald the end of job losses and a turnaround of the provincial economy, says ATB Financial economist Dan Sumner.

Moa genetics reveal New Zealand geology
DNA recovered from fossilized bones of the moa, a giant extinct bird, has revealed a new geological history of New Zealand. A team of scientists led by the University of Adelaide has reconstructed a history of marine barriers, mountain building and glacial cycles in New Zealand over millions of years, using the first complete genetic history of the moa.

November 17, 2009

Presence of water on moon raises stakes for exploration
NASA scientists said last week that smacking the moon with a satellite on Oct. 9 unequivocally demonstrated that there is water there. When the satellite hit the surface at a speed of 1.5 miles per second, it sent up a plume of dust and vapour. The discovery raises fundamental questions about the geology of the moon and perhaps about the origins of water. It will raise practical issues as well, including greater interest in establishing bases on the moon for research, exploration and other purposes.

Canada must develop oil sands to create a green future
Canadians are uneasy with their country's status as an energy superpower. Alberta's oil sands, the largest hydrocarbon deposit in the world, would be a blessing to many nations yet too many of our citizens see them as a burden. Now that the Obama administration in the U.S. is championing a greener energy future, Albertans - the owners of the oil sands - and Canadians must learn to lead. Our geology has thrust leadership upon us; we cannot evade this responsibility.

November 16, 2009

2009 Leonid meteor shower: "strong outburst" expected
During the 2009 Leonid meteor shower, you may see anywhere from 30 to 300 shooting stars an hour, depending on whether you're in the right place to see the showy peak on November 17, experts predict. With the highest number of meteors streaking across the skies around 4:45 p.m. ET, the Leonids peak will be effectively invisible for viewers in North America and Europe.

Diamond exploration experts to speak at Royal Alberta Museum
Three of Edmonton’s foremost diamond exploration experts will reveal their secrets as part of the new Diamonds: Mined, Refined and Designed travelling exhibit at the Royal Alberta Museum. Shear Minerals’ CEO Pamela Strand’s presentation Thursday covers the hunt for Canada’s next diamond mine; Roger Morton, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, will talk about the new diamond frontiers in Brazil Nov. 26; and Roy Eccles, a geologist with the Alberta Geological Survey, will explain how important volcanoes are to the diamond process Jan. 14. All presentations are at 7 p.m.

Hawaii's famed white sandy beaches are shrinking
Geologists say more than 70 percent of Kauai's beaches are eroding while Oahu has lost a quarter of its sandy shoreline. They warn the problem is only likely to get significantly worse in coming decades as global warming causes sea levels to rise more rapidly. The loss of so many beaches is an alarming prospect for Hawaii on many levels. Many tourists come to Hawaii precisely because they want to lounge on and walk along its soft sandy shoreline. These visitors spend some $11.4 billion each year, making tourism the state's largest employer.

Links between oil activity and Alberta quakes being studied
A Calgary scientist is looking for links between oil and gas activity and earthquakes in Alberta. Alberta isn’t known for its tremors, but small ones do happen and can be missed because of a lack of monitoring equipment in the province. The study could have a big impact on the emerging carbon-capture industry in the province. Alberta has set aside $2 billion to fund such projects.