Shifting Magnetic Poles

Interesting article in the Tampa Tribune: "The airport has closed its primary runway until Jan. 13 to repaint the numeric designators at each end and change taxiway signage to account for the shift in location of the Earth's magnetic north pole."
Click here for more information.

Use this interesting fact to teach a mini- or maxi-lesson on the Earth's Magnetic Poles!
Click here for a great Pdf crammed full of good teaching ideas!
Click here for a video of the Tampa Airports situation, explaining the 10 degree shift!

Basic Ground-Water Hydrology

Basic Ground-Water Hydrology (.pdf)

To learn about basic ground water concepts you can download and print a free copy of USGS Water Supply Paper 2220, Basic Ground-Water Hydrology by Ralph Heath.

Big Night in Astronomy TONIGHT!

Deep-sea Volcano Video

Deep-sea Volcano Video just released:



(Courtesy NSF, NOAA, AIVL/WHOI)

Oceanographers using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason discovered and recorded the first video and still images of a deep-sea volcano actively erupting molten lava on the seafloor.

Jason, designed and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for the National Deep Submergence Facility, utilized a prototype, high-definition still and video camera to capture the powerful event nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, in an area bounded by Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Mayon Volcano Alert

20,000 evacuated as Mayon Volcano oozes lava

MANILA, Philippines -- Alert level 3 remained hoisted over Mayon Volcano as of Tuesday because of its highly restive state, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In a bulletin released by the agency on Tuesday, it said the alert level meant the enforcement of a six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano.

In addition, a seven-kilometer extended danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano is also off-limits.

These areas, Phivolcs said, “should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.”

“In addition, areas in the southeast that are outside the seven kilometer danger zone but within eight kilometers of the crater should be on extra alert for increased volcanic activity,” the agency said.