USGS Office of Communications Science Picks―Leads, Feeds, and Story Seeds May 2006 Edition For Release: UPON RECEIPT The chill is gone, and May Science Picks is full of the most current U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science news and information. Science Picks helps you cover ongoing earth and natural science research, investigations, and technology. Photos and Web links are provided to enhance your story. If you would like to receive Science Picks via email, would like to change the recipient, or no longer want to receive it, please email dmakle@xxxxxxxxx May Highlights: ・ Far Away Earthquakes Ripple Virginia Well ・ See Changes From Sea Ice ・ How Vulnerable are Our Communities to Tsunamis and Other Hazards? ・ Looking at the U.S.-Mexico Border From a New Height ? Satellite ・ Lead-Based Wheel Weights and the Environment ・ Forego Flu Fiction and more … LEADS: Earthquakes in Far Away Places Ripple Virginia Well: Why would seismic waves from an 8.0-magnitude earthquake near Tonga on May 3, 2006, cause water to slosh in a well in Chistiansburg, Va. It’s not the first time the well has rippled after a large earthquake on the other side of the world. Scientists aren’t sure why this mysterious activity occurs, but they have documented it many, many times. Most notably, it was recorded during the Sumatra-Andaman Islands earthquake on Dec. 26, 2004. The well also captured strong quakes occurring in Japan, Chile, the Aleutian Islands, Indonesia, Nicaragua and Pakistan. Want to learn more about this unusual event? For more information, contact Diane Noserale at (703) 648-4333 or dnoseral@xxxxxxxxx See Changes From Sea Ice: Dramatic reductions in Arctic sea ice during the past decade have been observed using satellite images, prompting scientist to ask questions. Is the recent sea ice decline caused by human activity, is it a natural phenomenon, or is it a temporary event that will eventually return the Arctic to prior conditions? These unanswered questions are being investigated by scientists worldwide. Specialists from the USGS, the Russia Academy of Sciences in Moscow and the University of Colorado are developing new satellite remote sensing methods to detect and quantify the magnitude of recent sea ice changes. For more information on the technology, contact David Douglas at (907) 364-1576 or david_douglas@xxxxxxxx, or Stephanie Hanna at (206) 220-4573 or at shanna@xxxxxxxxx How Vulnerable are Our Communities to Tsunamis and Other Hazards? Recently USGS scientists conducted an assessment of Oregon coastal-communities to determine their vulnerability to tsunamis using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). GIS-based results indicate that many businesses in high tsunami-hazard zones would be impacted, drastically affecting the regional economy. GIS-based visualizations from this study can support local hazard mitigation and preparedness planning efforts and illustrate methods for mapping societal vulnerability for other communities prone to hazards. GIS information can help prevent natural hazards from becoming natural disasters. To find out more, contact USGS scientist Nathan Wood at (360) 993-8951 or nwood@xxxxxxxx or Clarice Ransom at (703) 648-4299 or cransom@xxxxxxxxx Looking at the U.S.-Mexico border From a New Height ? Satellite: Scientists from the United States and Mexico are merging landscape and demographic data from both countries in hopes of developing nationally integrated datasets, including land-cover, contaminants, and hydrology, to assess environmental health issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. To view the interactive Web maps, documentation and links, visit the Web site http://borderhealth.cr.usgs.gov. For more information contact USGS geographer Jean Parcher at (512) 927-3523 or jwparcher@xxxxxxxx, USGS biologist Diana Papoulias at (573) 876-1902 or dpapoulias@xxxxxxxx, USGS hydrologist Jim Stefanov at (512) 927-3543 or jestefan@xxxxxxxx or USGS geologist Ric Page at (303) 236-1141 or rpage@xxxxxxxxx Lead-Based Wheel Weights and the Environment: Automotive buffs know lead-based wheel weights are needed for proper balance and a smoother ride but, what happens when the weights fall off? What are the associated environmental risks? What are the alternatives? A USGS scientist recently completed a study examining the contentious issue surrounding the use of lead-based wheel weights. Bleiwas tracked the flow of lead-based wheel weights from their manufacture, through their use, recycling, and disposal. He estimated that approximately 2,000 metric tons of lead contained in wheel weights may have been lost from vehicles in 2003. View the report at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1111/. For more information on this study examining lead wheel weight production, use, losses, and recycling, contact Don Bleiwas at (303) 236-4208, ext. 340 or bleiwas@xxxxxxxx or Diane Noserale at (703) 648-4333 or dnoseral@xxxxxxxxx FEEDS: Forego Flu Fiction: If the ABC movie, “Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America,” caught your attention, with its dramatic and fictitious worst-case scenario of human flu pandemic, USGS scientists want to help distinguish facts from fiction. See a list of important flu facts, answers to common questions about bird flu and links to more detailed information at http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_06_01.jsp. New USGS Book on the Wildlife-Human Disease Connection Available Now: Avian Influenza, SARS, Rabies, HIV-AIDS, West Nile Virus, Bovine Tuberculosis, and Lyme Disease are all wildlife diseases affecting human health. A new publication from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, “Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection,” focuses on concepts associated with disease emergence in wildlife, the general importance of wildlife as sentinels for disease emergence, and critical issues regarding diseases transmissible between humans and animals. An online version is available at http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov. Copies can be ordered from the USGS Publications Warehouse at http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/pubs and are also available from the USGS Branch of Information Services: 1-888-ASK-USGS. Ask for USGS Circular 1285. There She Blows! Newly Released Footage of Mount St. Helens Released: On May 18, 1980, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered the collapse of the summit and north flank of Mount St. Helens and formed the largest landslide in recorded history. Within three minutes, 230 square miles of forest were flattened. This year commemorate the anniversary of the eruption with the most recent b-roll footage, which includes, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging of the dome growth including the extruding lava "spine", time-lapse photography of dome growth from two camera sites, and scientists working inside the crater and maintaining monitoring equipment. The b-roll tape is available in most formats and is intended for use by all media including news, television programming, independent production and the web. To obtain copies of the footage contact Don Becker at (605) 594-6175 or at becker@xxxxxxxxx "Freeze Frame" Photos of Glaciers: A new USGS Web site, http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/repeatphoto/, features a collection of repeat photographs of glaciers in and around Glacier National Park, Montana. The striking images created by pairing historical photographs with contemporary photographs reveal significant glacial recession. USGS scientists began documenting glacial decline through photography in 1997. While less quantitative than other high-tech methods of recording glacial mass, depth and rate of retreat, repeat photography provides an effective visual tool to better understand how climate change contributes to the dynamic landscape of Glacier National Park. For more information, contact Marilyn Blair at 406-888-7996 or mrblair@xxxxxxxx or Lisa McKeon at 406-888-7924 or lisa_mckeon@xxxxxxxxx Lewis and Clark's Legacy of Science Continues: Who thought, more than 200 years ago, a small expedition into unknown territory would greatly influence the Nation's economy, navigation, and commerce? The answer, of course, is visionary President Thomas Jefferson. Today, USGS scientists continue to carry out Jefferson’s vision of pioneering natural science investigations. Along with more than 20 other federal agencies, the USGS is participating in the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Bicentennial, a three-year commemorative event that will end in St. Louis in September 2006. Among several special products for the bicentennial, USGS has developed a Web-based exhibit featuring satellite images of key places along the Lewis and Clark route at http://edc.usgs.gov/LewisandClark/. For more connections between Lewis and Clark and the USGS, see http://www.usgs.gov/features/lewisandclark.html or contact Jon Campbell at (703) 648-4180 or joncampbell@xxxxxxxxx STORY SEEDS: New Book Gives More on the Manatee: “The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation,” a newly published book, authored by Roger Reep, a neuroscientist and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida and Robert Bonde, USGS biologist, engages the reader with a tale of manatees that weaves facts and real life scenarios. The book explains what science has learned about the Florida manatee, spanning from microorganisms that cause manatee die-offs during red-tide blooms, to complex long-range migrations. The authors discuss the range of issues affecting manatee survival, their complex biology, landmark legislation of the 1970s and the resulting biolpolitics. For more information on the Florida Integrated Science Center, check out http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/. For more information on Florida manatee studies, contact Catherine Puckett at (352) 264-3532 or cpuckett@xxxxxxxxx Geomagnetic Observatory Celebrates 50th: USGS and NOAA officials and limited news media will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the geomagnetic observatory on May 23. The site in Corbin, Va., near Fredericksburg, is one of a handful of U.S. sites that keep track of the Earth’s magnetic field, and is also equipped as an Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) station that can measure even very small earthquakes anywhere in the world. Event speakers, include scientists who were present at the opening 50 years ago. For more information on the event, contact Diane Noserale at (703) 648-4333 or dnoseral@xxxxxxxxx Open House Features Natural Hazards Science: Following April’s commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, the USGS Menlo Park Science Center will showcase “The Science of Natural Hazards” during an Open House, June 3 and 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scientists will demonstrate many new interactive products, including a three-dimensional “virtual tour” of the Hayward Fault, quake motion simulations and the documentary “Shock Waves.” The Menlo Park Science Center is located at 345 Middlefield Road in Menlo Park, California. For more information, go to http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov. Watch out Hurricane Season Begins June 1: The beginning of the 2006 hurricane season, June 1, is nearly here. Keep an eye on the USGS Web site, www.usgs.gov, for up-to-date storm information.
