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Great Lakes evaporation study dispels misconceptions, points to need for expanded monitoring program

By Guest PostJanuary 22, 2014Environmentandrew suyker, ann arbor, arctic blast, christopher spence, climate change, climate variability, environmental consulting firm, evaporation study, glisa, granite island, great lakes, great lakes evaporation, great lakes ice, high evaporation rate, impact, indicator, john anderton, john lenters, lake michigan, lake superior, lake water balance, light station, limnotech, michigan state university, peter blanken, solar radiation, stannard rock light, university of michigan, water level, weather station, white shoal light

ANN ARBOR — The recent Arctic blast that gripped much of the nation will likely contribute to a healthy rise in Great Lakes water levels in 2014, new research shows. But the processes responsible for that welcome outcome are not as simple and straightforward as you might think.

Yes, extreme winter cold increases ice cover on the Great Lakes, which in turn reduces evaporation by preventing water vapor from escaping into the air. But this simplistic view of winter ice as a mere “cap” on Great Lakes evaporation is giving way to a more nuanced conception, one that considers the complex interplay among evaporation, ice cover and water temperature at different times of year. (more…)

New CU-Boulder led research effort dates oldest petroglyphs known in North America

By Guest PostAugust 17, 2013Environmentarchaeologists, benjamin aleck, boulder, boulders, carbonate coating, cave in oregon, elevation, emerson pass, eugene hattori, fossilized human excrement, lahontan basin, larry benson, limestone, maximum height, native american artifacts, North America, northeast of reno, oldest petroglyphs, pyramid lake, university of colorado, water level, western nevada, winnemucca lake, winnemucca lake petroglyphs, winnemucca lake subbasin

A new high-tech analysis led by a University of Colorado Boulder researcher shows the oldest known petroglyphs in North America, which are cut into several boulders in western Nevada, date to at least 10,500 years ago and perhaps even as far back as 14,800 years ago.

The petroglyphs located at the Winnemucca Lake petroglyph site 35 miles northeast of Reno consist of large, deeply carved grooves and dots forming complex designs on several large limestone boulders that have been known about for decades, said CU-Boulder researcher Larry Benson, who led the new effort. Although there are no people, animals or handprint symbols depicted, the petroglyph designs include a series of vertical, chain-like symbols and a number of smaller pits deeply incised with a type of hard rock scraper. (more…)

3-D Mapping of Isaac Water Levels

By Guest PostSeptember 1, 2012Environment, Science360 degree, 3d mapping, 3d model, alabama, athena clark, bounce back, data points, flood hazard, flood inundation, geological survey, gulf coast, hurricane isaac, isaac, louisiana, map, marcia mcnutt, Mississippi, objects, point clouds, Science, t lidar, terrestrial lidar, three dimensions, tls, toby minear, topographic data, urban flooding, US, view, water level

A new technology is being deployed by U.S. Geological Survey scientists this weekend to map urban flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac. Called “terrestrial lidar,” or “T-lidar”, this new capability will enable scientists to collect highly detailed information in select population areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama where the hurricane had the greatest impact.

The portable instrument allows scientists to quickly generate 3-D maps of buildings, dams, levees and other structures, and can show areas of storm damage as well. In a four-to-five minute scan, the instrument collects millions of topographic data points in a full 360-degree view to quickly produce highly accurate topographic information and can map areas up to two-thirds of a mile away. (more…)

Tag Archives: water level

Great Lakes evaporation study dispels misconceptions, points to need for expanded monitoring program

New CU-Boulder led research effort dates oldest petroglyphs known in North America

3-D Mapping of Isaac Water Levels