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Number of Dead California Sea Otters Recovered in 2011 a Record High

By Guest PostFebruary 25, 2012Natureattacks by sharks, bacterial infections, boat strikes, brian hatfield, california, california coast, california sea otter, carcharodon carcharias, cayucos, enhydra lutris nereis, extinction, gun shot wounds, harmful algal toxins, heart disease, infectious diseases, lilian carswell, marcia mcnutt, michael harris, monterey bay aquarium, population growth, population mortality, sea lions, sea otter, seals, shark bites, southern sea otter, strandings, tim tinker, tooth fragments, u s geological survey, white sharks

*Evidence Builds for White Shark Factor in Otter Mortality*

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The California or southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) appears to be experiencing an unprecedented increase in mortality from attacks by sharks, according to federal and state scientists.

Since 1968, biologists and veterinarians at the U.S. Geological Survey and California Department of Fish and Game have documented and examined all reported sea otter “strandings” — counting the number of dead, sick or injured sea otters recovered along California’s coast each year. (more…)

NASA Shows Topography of Tsunami-Damaged Japan City

By Guest PostMarch 13, 2011Environmentcoastal plain, earthquake, Japan, miyagi prefecture, NASA, national geospatial intelligence agency, nga, ohu mountains, pacific ocean, radar image, sendai, shuttle radar topography mission, srtm, subduction plate boundary, topography, tsunami, u s geological survey

The topography surrounding Sendai, Japan is clearly visible in this combined radar image and topographic view generated with data from NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) acquired in 2000. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck offshore about 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of Sendai, the capital city of Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture, generating a tsunami that devastated the low-lying coastal city of about 1 million residents.

The city is centered in the image and lies along the coastal plain between the Ohu Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The eastern part of the city is a low-lying plains area, while the city center is hilly (the city’s official elevation is about 43 meters, or 141 feet). Sendai’s western areas are mountainous, with its highest point being Mt. Funagata at an elevation of about 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level. (more…)

Haiti Earthquake Shaking Amplified by Local Landforms

By Guest PostOctober 19, 2010Sciencegeological conditions, geophysicist, haiti, hazard zone maps, january 2010 m7.0 earthquake, landforms, petionville, port au prince, seismic monitoring, seismic provisions, soft rocks, susan hough, u s geological survey

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The severe damage and loss-of-life caused by the devastating January 2010 M7.0 earthquake in Haiti was exacerbated by amplification of shaking due to local geological conditions and landforms in Port-au-Prince, according to a study published online today in Nature Geoscience. (more…)

Potomac River: Ten-fold Increase in Native Submerged Vegetation Reflects Improved Water Quality

By Guest PostSeptember 7, 20101 commentEnvironmentalgal blooms, chesapeake bay, d c, ecosystem, exotic, henry ruhl, heteranthera, hydrilla, milfoil, myriophyllum, nancy rybicki, national oceanography centre, noc, nutrients, potomac river, sav, southhampton, stargrass, submerged aquatic vegetation, submerged vegetation, u s geological survey, uk, Washington, wastewater treatment plant

The Potomac River in Washington, D.C. is showing multiple benefits from restoration efforts, newly published research suggests. Reduced nutrients and improved water clarity have increased the abundance and diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the Potomac, according to direct measurements taken during the 18-year field study.

(more…)

Are Wolves Saving Yellowstone’s Aspen Trees from Elk?

By Guest PostSeptember 3, 2010Naturearthur middleton, aspen, aspen tree, carnivores, cheetahs, ecology, elk, erik jules, hunting strategies, jedediah brodie, landscape of fear, matthew kauffman, predators, u s geological survey, wolves, yellowstone national park

LARAMIE, Wy. — Previous research has claimed that the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 is helping restore quaking aspen in risky areas where wolves prowl. But apparently elk hungry for winter food had a different idea.

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Glaciers Retreating in Asia

By Guest PostAugust 30, 20101 commentEnvironmentasia, caucasus, climate change, gangotri glacier, glaciers, glaciers in china, glaciers of the world, himalaya, jane ferrigno, jr, nepal, retreat, richard s williams, russia, satellite image atlas, scientist, sea-level rise, shuji iwata, u s geological survey

*Could Impact Water Supplies for Millions and Cause Flood Conditions*

Many of Asia’s glaciers are retreating as a result of climate change.

This retreat impacts water supplies to millions of people, increases the likelihood of outburst floods that threaten life and property in nearby areas, and contributes to sea-level rise.

(more…)

Tag Archives: u s geological survey

Number of Dead California Sea Otters Recovered in 2011 a Record High

NASA Shows Topography of Tsunami-Damaged Japan City

Haiti Earthquake Shaking Amplified by Local Landforms

Potomac River: Ten-fold Increase in Native Submerged Vegetation Reflects Improved Water Quality

Are Wolves Saving Yellowstone’s Aspen Trees from Elk?

Glaciers Retreating in Asia