Alexandra Matiella Novak's Blog

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The USGS is responsibly spending its Recovery Act Funding by investing in technology and employing students, all while keeping America safer.

Department of the Interior Recovery Investments

Those that questioned why the USGS needed stimulus money are nowhere to be found as recent college graduates are hired and expensive monitoring equipment is bought from the small business that provide them.

Benefits

• modernize aging equipment needed for earthquake monitoring
• new equipment will lower future maintenance costs
• investments in earthquake monitoring meet criteria of being “temporary, targeted and timely” – spending that will flow directly into the economy
• new monitoring stations will be more energy efficient
• engaging students provides an educational experience that will help to develop future earthquake scientists
• modernization of our nation’s earthquake networks will deliver faster, more reliable, robust information
• this information will help to save lives in the wake of natural disasters that can strike at any time in many states across the nation
• many of these instruments were designed and developed right here in the U.S. by small businesses

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

It's job growth and industry versus pollution and fear of hazards. The mining industry and its experts are pushing for the expansion of mining in Minnesota. Many are calling the expansion an appropriate response to today's economic environment, especially since Minnesota is a state with high unemployment rates.

But our life-sustaining environments are also in trouble. The three major environmental systems - the atmosphere, the lithosphere and the hydrosphere - that work independently and together as systems to create a human-friendly environment are all suffering from pollution created by human activity.

Minnesota Public Radio's recent coverage on this new mining issue has highlighted what some of the environmental concerns are:

• Copper and nickel are found in sulfurs rocks. When sulfur comes into contact with air and water, a chemical reaction occurs and acids form.
• These acids can mix with groundwater and become part of watershed, lowering the pH balance of groundwater, which mixes with rivers and lakes.
• A dam near the mine is fed by this watershed. There is an accumulation of sediment behind the dam that contains a form of mercury not harmful to humans and animals
• When the sulfuric acid mixes with this sediment, a chemical reaction occurs and the mercury present in the sediments converts to a form that is hazardous.

Creating even more concern, is the fact that this watershed is part of the Lake Superior watershed system. Allowing mercury-tainted sediment and water to enter this inland hydrosphere could be disastrous for the animals and humans who depend on this lake for their survival.

The MPR piece provides a lot more information on how the Lake Superior watershed could be threatened by increased mining and how the mining industry is responding to these concerns.

Related Link:

What is a Watershed? - Environmental Protection Agency

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

Residents of Southern California were jolted Sunday night as a 4.7 earthquake with an epicenter 3 miles east of Los Angeles International Airport occurred. Because the earthquake happened in a populated urban area, many reports were sent into the USGS Did You Feel It? website. Residents living in Carson, Long Beach and Compton reported feeling moderate shaking. Residents living near the epicenter reported feeling light shaking. Californian's reported feeling the earthquake as far north as Bakersfield and as far south as San Diego. The USGS even recieved some reports from residents in Arizone, New Mexico and Nevada.

Geologists have determined that the fault responsible for the earthquake was the Newport-Inglewood fault. This fault is also responsible for the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. The fault was orginally identified because of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake in 1920 that had an epicenter very similar in location to the May 17 earthquake and for that reason was named the Inglewood fault. After the 1933 earthquake, geologists were able to determine that the fault ran continuously from Beverly Hills to Newport Beach, so renamed the fault the Newport-Inglewood fault.

Although along the same fault, the epicenter of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake was offshore. This earthquake caused $40 million in property damage and killed 115 people. Most alarmingly, many school building were completely destroyed, but because of the time the earthquake occurred - 5:55 pm PST - were uninhabited. Because of this, the earthquake initiated the 1933 Field Act, which was passed by the California State Legislature. The Field Act required public buildings, especially schools, to be earthquake resistant. This earthquake also initiated studies in earthquake engineering to avoid future hazards to Southern Californians.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The Red River has slowed her charge significantly and river levels are now receding. However, Grand Forks officials are still taking the flood mitigation efforts seriously and climbing up the flood wall and dikes to get a better look is now a ticketable offense punishable by a $1000 fine and 30 days in jail.

Things are calming down in the Red River Valley, but residents of Fargo are still keeping a close watch on the river as a second crest is expected in the coming weeks.

While doing research for an article I recently published on Suite 101 - Geology of the Red River Valley - I came across a very enlightening article by local geologist Donald P. Schwert of North Dakota State University. In this report he states,

"Through popular media, the public tends to apply this term “mistake” to the geologic

first to call for mitigation and compensation."

I thought this was the perfect description of how most people in flood plains view their vulnerability to this devastating hazard and wanted to share it with you all.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

Experiencing the anxiety and uncertainty that go with natural disasters has been tiring and exciting at the same time. I've never been this close to a natural disaster. I've climbed volcanoes and have straddled faults, but never did I feel like a disaster was looming and I was at risk. The most scared I've ever been on a volcano is on the morning of 9/11 when we had just ascended to the top of Lassen Peak Volcano in California. We were out in the middle of nowhere and had no cell reception for days. But at the top of Lassen Peak that morning, everyone was getting cell phone reception and checking in with friends and family. The news spread through our group and suddenly we were not in the mood for visiting the Destruction Zone of the last Lassen Peak eruption.

But this experience is much different because not only am I very near a hazard, I am also at risk. Luckily for us, the community of Grand Forks, we have engineering on our side with the help of our Flood Wall. Although the Red River is rising very quickly just a few blocks from us - and exactly one block from my home - everyone is looking to the wall for protection and relief. It's a lot of pressure to put on a wall, and coupled with the pressure from the rising river, it will be amazing if it can handle it. But I do believe Grand Forks will watch the Red River roll on by without any harm to the city.

Things in Fargo are much worse and we can only hope that their sandbagging efforts pay off. I think, with the generosity and spirit of all the young people who have been pouring into Fargo to lend assistance, they will build the best sandbag wall in all of human history. In fact, classes at UND were canceled today until Monday so that more students could travel to Fargo and places south of Grand Forks to help with sandbagging efforts.

We are now at Major Flood Stage in Grand Forks, meaning the River has reached a stage of 46 feet.

Picture Captions:

1. The Grand Forks Flood Memorial. Picture taken in October of 2008.
2. The Red River on March 24, 2009 at 6 pm CST. River level is at 38.22 feet.
3. The Red River on March 25, 2009 at 9 am CST. River level is at 42 feet.
4. The Red River on March 26, 2009 at 7:30 am CST. River level is at 45.7 feet.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The Red River is still rising.

Fargo is experiencing major flooding and the city is in defense mode organizing sandbagging and flood mitigation efforts. High school and North Dakota State University students in Fargo are being excused from class to help with these efforts. The University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks, has also excused students who wish to volunteer from class and is providing transportation to Fargo.

UND President Robert Kelley emailed the following statement to the UND community:

"Statement from UND President Robert Kelley On Students Helping Sandbag in Fargo:

Students wishing to volunteer should contact faculty members in advance if classes would be missed. Faculty members are encouraged to be supportive of students' volunteer efforts. Verification of volunteer work will be available from the Student Government Association."

Currently the Red River in Grand Forks is still at Flood Stage and the water level is at 36.51 feet. The National Weather service forecast has put the Red River at about 50 feet by the beginning of next week (5 more days).

Flood mitigation efforts continue and the Grand Forks Greenway is now closed to pedestrians. One bridge of three connecting East Grand Forks, MN to Grand Forks, ND has been closed with the other two expected to close in the next few days.

1. Icebergs on the Red River. Picture taken at 7 pm on 03/23/09 from the Grand Forks Greenway bike path. The river level is 32.9 feet in this picture.
2. Picture taken from same location the next day (03/24/09) at 7:30 am. The river level is 35.6 feet in this picture.
3. The Sorlie Bridge connecting East Grand Forks and Grand Forks with the Grand Forks Greenway bike path in the foreground. This picture was taken on the morning of 03/23/09.
4. The Sorlie Bridge on the morning of 03/24/09. Notice the bike path in the foreground is now submerged. This bridge is still open but is expected to close in the next few days.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

We just got back to Grand Forks after a great Spring Break in lower Michigan and Wisconsin and are very glad we decided to get flood insurance.

Our flood insurance went into effect yesterday, March 22. As of 7 a.m. on Monday, March 23, the Red River level is at 31.16 feet - about four feet above action stage. The National Weather Service has released a forecast that the Red River will crest to about 51 feet my next Monday, March 30. The flood wall going through Downtown Grand Forks and Downtown East Grand Forks, MN, is designed to hold a river level of 60 feet. After that, we'll see.

Living literally right across the street from the flood wall in Downtown Grand Forks has made this an interesting experience. For example, the open gateway that gave us access to the Grand Forks Greenway bike paths and parks along the Red River is now closed off - we have to walk our dog on the dry side of the wall now. Planks have been dropped into railings along the gate to seal off the wall in this location. It's obvious going around town that both Grand Cities are preparing for a flood.

Upstream, in Fargo, they are already experiencing moderate flooding and sand bag operations are currently taking place. The National Weather Service forecast for Fargo is not good - the Red River will crest to or slightly above the record crests this city experienced in 1997, when the Red River Valley last experienced major flooding.

Needless to say, I'm really comfortable with our decision to get flood insurance. I realize that the flood wall will do a very good job of holding back the Red River, but that's only a 60 foot protection plan. What about after that? I've been reading about natural hazard response and recovery for the last decade, and getting extra protection is always a good idea, no matter how much control over Mother Nature you think you have.

Picture Captions:

1. River observations from the National Weather Service for North Dakota. Notice how the observations get more hazardous as you follow the Red River upstream. The observations downstream are getting increasingly hazardous as the days go by. A few days ago Grand Forks was green (No Flooding).
2. An opening through the flood wall to gain access to the bike paths and parks along the Red River. It is currently being boarded up for flood preparation.
3. Flood mitigation efforts in Downtown East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
4. The Red River within feet of the Grand Forks Greenway bike path. Notice the submerged trees along the banks of the river.

I will be updating this blog periodically as the Red River flood forecast progresses.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

It's early March in Grand Forks, North Dakota and Blizzard Coyote has just finished its work.

Flooding is on everybody's mind, including mine. My husband and I recently sat down and discussed whether or not we should get flood insurance for our condominium. But first, some history:

In 1997, the cities of Grand Forks, ND - on the west bank of the Red River - and East Grand Forks, MN - on the east bank of the Red River - were flooded to the extent that the entire city of Grand Forks had to be evacuated. When people returned, some came back to homes in which only the basements flooded. Others came back to houses that were completely destroyed and whole neighborhoods had to be cleared out and are now parks, including a dog park and a golf course. When driving around these areas, it's almost eerie to see the neighborhood roads and cul-de-sacs that now go nowhere.

The 1997 flood was caused by a combination of many unfortunate events, but the three main ones were:

1. A high amount of precipitation in the fall, which caused the accumulation of thick ground frost in this flat area
2. Eight blizzards bringing a high amount of snow in the winter and early spring
3. An ice jam downstream (north) of Grand Forks in the spring when everything was melting

These events caused the Red River to swell and crest to about 54 feet. Well above the river's banks and any dirt levees that had been put in place to stop flooding. No one wants a repeat of the 1997 flooding event. It has scarred this peaceful upper midwest community. The cities and the states of North Dakota and Minnesota have spent millions of dollars building a flood wall along the Red River. This flood wall is 60 feet above the rivers normal flow level - about 6 feet above the 1997 crest.

Here we are in 2009 and, so far, the first two of the above events have occurred. The National Weather Service has recorded that the Fargo (also on the Red River) and Grand Forks areas are experiencing the wettest six-month fall and winter period on record.

So What About Flood Insurance?

I had just finished writing the article "How to Make a Flood Map" when my husband emailed me about some frustration he was experiencing regarding getting flood insurance for our condominium. We had already decided to get flood insurance for our own unit, but the condo association board - made up of nine residents, including my husband - was trying to decide whether or not to purchase flood insurance for the building. The greatest concern was the garage, which is located under the building.

Now, here's where this topic gets interesting:

The building we live in is located in Downtown Grand Forks on North 3rd Street exactly in an area that was most damaged by the flood. In fact, the flood and fire that destroyed this block is the reason that our building was eventually built in that location - it was an empty lot for almost ten years. Now our building is there and it's a beautiful building in a great location. One of my favorite things about it is that there is a very touching sculpture in front of the building of people getting helped into a boat - a memorial of the 1997 flood.

So, yeah, we want insurance. In fact, FEMA has advised people in the Red River Valley to get insurance. Some people have a lot of faith in the flood wall, and that's great, but if the opportunity is there to further protect yourself, you should take it.

Conflict of Hazard Communication

Unfortunately, and very frustrating to my husband and I, there were some on the board who see the wall as a magical force that would never let Grand Forks flood again. There were even some "geologists" who were volunteering their "expertise" and telling others that our building didn't need flood insurance because of the flood wall.

This upset me very much. How irresponsible for a geologist to actually advise people against getting flood insurance, or any kind of insurance, to protect against a natural hazard. It was very much like so many scenarios that I've read about in my research on natural and volcanic hazards. There's always an "expert" who is telling the community, "there's nothing to worry about." This happens almost every time there is a natural hazard and the community is trying to decide what to do.

The bottom line: flood wall or not, FEMA has advised our community to get flood insurance. It's very inexpensive. It's going to cost our building $2,600 to get $500,000 worth of coverage. There's 27 units in our building, so that comes to about $100 for each unit and can be easily paid for using a surplus in our condo fees. The insurance will cover any common areas, but not people's personal belongings - that's why we got our own individual policy for our unit. What we are mainly concerned about is the garage. Being below ground, and the fact that we are about 100 feet from the flood wall, it's possible that we could get water backing up into our garage from the sewers, even if the water doesn't come over the flood wall.

Hopefully, we will not need this insurance. I'm sure the flood wall will do it's thing and protect us from the Red River if and when the time comes. But to not further protect yourself when you have the opportunity is just downright irresponsible. And most appalling to me is that it was actually a fellow geologist who was advising people not to worry about flood insurance, despite what FEMA was advising. This confuses communities so much - when there is conflicting information coming to them from those that they think are experts on the subject - and it happens all the time when no one knows for sure what is going to happen. But not knowing for sure what would happen, wouldn't you rather get insurance and at least have peace of mind that you will be covered if anything does happen?

...May the winter be mild, may the spring thaw be gentle and even unexciting...

- Prayer from St. Michaels Church, Grand Forks

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published a report titled "Local Strategies for Addressing Climate Change." This report offers members of communities with recent scientific analysis on mitigating hazards that may be associated with climate change.

The communities and risks listed in this document are:

• Massachusetts - risk due to flooding and storms
• Florida - hurricane mitigation
• Texas - coastal erosion and sea-level rise
• Georgia - Using "green" growth planning principles for adapting to climate change
• Rhode Island - sea-level rise mitigation
• Maryland - coastal hazards, including sea-level rise
• Florida Keys' Reefs - the impact of rising sea temperatures
• Minnesota - monitoring Lake Superior's watershed and pollution problems
• Mississippi - risks from increasing hurricane intensity and impact on oyster harvesters

As director Margaret A. Davidson states in the opening letter of the report, "The time to address the impact of climate change is now."

This report offers the states listed above with information and strategies on how to cope with climate change. The release of a document of this type should convey a message that scientists are not in disagreement over whether or not climate change will happen - the consensus among the Earth science community is that it will definitely happen and is in fact already happening. Now we need to figure out ways to deal with the many hazards that will be a result of climate change.

Resources for more information about the hazards associated with climate change and the communities most vulnerable are listed in the report. There is also contact information for the scientists who conducted the studies on hazard mitigation.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

I recently wrote an article about the geology of Mt. Rushmore. The inspiration for this article came from me recently surfing the internet for information about national parks that I'd like to visit this summer. I am going to be taking a small road trip around the northern midwest, filling up my National Parks Passport with stamps from parks in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

The parks I will be visiting in order are:

1. Fort Union Trading Post National Historical Site (ND)
2. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ND)
3. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial (SD)
4. Jewel Cave National Monument (SD)
5. Wind Cave National Park (SD)
6. Badlands National Park (SD)
7. Pipestone National Monument (MN)

As I was clicking around these websites, I came across some great information about the geology in some of these parks. Hence the article "Geology of Mt. Rushmore". I also learned that the geology of some of these parks is connected. Limestone deposits around the outskirts of the Black Hills, where Mt. Rushmore is located, are part of the same limestone formations that make up Jewel Cave NM and Wind Cave NP.

I've always loved visiting national parks and have been collecting stamps in my National Park Passport for almost 20 years - it is one of my most prized possessions and I'm really excited to add seven more stamps this summer. One of the things I've always loved most about visiting these areas is exploring the geology, even as a child. One of the earliest stamps in my passport is from Arches National Park. I was fascinated by the structures created by erosion in the sandstones at Arches NP and the fine grained loose sand that was left behind in the thin, curving canyons. The best feeling ever is running barefoot on silky cool sand on a hot summer day in the desert.

I'm planning on familiarizing myself with the geology of the parks I'll be visiting this summer which should make my visits much more enjoyable. I encourage your family to do the same. It's so easy to find out what kind of geology prevails at any given park. This information is readily available through the parks' websites. It will add another dimension to your visit and another opportunity to explore the wonderful world of geology!

Remember, you can not take rocks or fossils out of a national park. In fact, at some parks, like Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, it is considered bad luck.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, coastal erosion, water contamination, landslides, floods, climate change, avian influenza, droughts and wildfires. What do all these things have in common? They are natural hazards studied by researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey. The mitigation of these hazards is what USGS scientists spend their entire career studying, helping to alleviate the loss of life and property in our country.

Unfortunately, and ironically, the current governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, does not have enough foresight to see how investing in natural hazard science is not only great for our economy, but great for the prosperity of our nation.

Following Pres. Obama's speech to Congress Tuesday night about the stimulus package, which includes a $140 million dollar investment into the USGS, Jindal said of the investment, "Instead of monitoring volcanoes, what Congress should be monitoring is the eruption of spending in Washington." This off-handed remark referred to a description of the USGS allocation stating that part of the money would be used for "volcano monitoring".

But it is not just Jindal's comment about volcano montoring that is so disturbing. What is also disturbing is that this politician, whom the state of Louisiana is trusting with their lives, seems to be uneducated about Earth science research and what it is exactly that the USGS does for America.

The USGS and Job Creation

When I read this story in the Washington Post, I thought that everyone should know about this. Here's an excerpt:

"Much of the actual preparation for the money is occurring down the ladder in smaller corners of the government. The U.S. Geological Survey, within Interior, is preparing for $140 million that, among other things, will go toward paying private firms to use new airplane-based laser technology to produce a more accurate topographical map of the country. The information is useful for such things as tracking sea-level rise and flooding. "

Basically, this supports what USGS scientists have been saying for years - money in scientific research is a worthwhile investment. In this example, it's going to a private firm and paying for technology. And this isn't an uncommon case. USGS research uses all kinds of technology for data collection and hazard monitoring. Someone has to make these high-tech instruments and many times they come from small companies based right here in the U.S. Isn't that a great way to spend tax-payer money - for expansion of private businesses and technology? Investing money into these kinds of projects will almost certainly create new jobs in the immediate future.

Moreover, having been a graduate student for most of my 20's, I can attest to the fact that the USGS also invests money further down the economic ladder. They help create jobs when they fund research through universities that will help to support graduate students. Not only is the education being paid for - so we don't have to graduate thousands of dollars in debt - but the students get paid for their research just like it's a job, so the local economy benefits as well.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's remarks about the stimulus package Tuesday night was aired immediately after Pres. Obama's address to Congress. Part of those remarks illustrate how Jindal has absolutely no idea how important natural hazard mitigation is. If I were a citizen of Louisiana, a recent victim of one of the most devastating natural disasters in the U.S., I'd be really nervous right now.

These comments came when Jindal tried to convince the American people that allocating $140 million to the U.S. Geological Survey, some of it for volcano monitoring, was an example of "questionable spending". He goes so far as to say, "Instead of monitoring volcanoes, what Congress should be monitoring is the eruption of spending in Washington."

Umm, excuse me? Does Jindal not realize that volcanic eruptions are among the deadliest natural hazards on Earth? Does he not realize that the U.S. is home to multiple active and very deadly volcanoes?

I'll give you a nightmare scenario that could very easily play out in this country: A volcano covered with snow has a small eruption. This small eruption goes unnoticed, but the deadliest consequence is just beginning to make its way down the volcano's flanks and valleys - this small eruption has melted snow at the top of the volcano causing a massive mudslide, or lahar, that contains everything from loose sediment to huge boulders.

Cities and villages nestled in the volcano's valleys are not warned of these deadly lahars. Without any warning, the lahar rages into these populated areas, smashing homes and burying everything it flows over in a hot thick sludge.

This scenario played out in 1985. The town of Armero, Columbia was swept away in the middle of the night by a lahar produced by a small eruption of Nevado del Ruiz Volcano. By the time the sun rose the next day, over 23,000 people had lost their lives. Men, women and children; the volcano did not care.

This exact same kind of disaster could very easily play out right here on American soil. CNN reports that one of the people most disturbed by Jindal's comments is Royce Pollard, the mayor of Vancouver, Washington. Washington is home to many active volcanoes belonging to the Cascade Volcanic Range. Mt. St. Helens is one of the more well-known volcanoes in this range, but right now, one of the deadliest is Mt. Rainier.

Mt. Rainier, very much like Nevado del Ruiz, is covered with snow. There are also many populated centers that live in the lower regions of valleys that drain off of Mt. Rainier. Some are smaller, like the city of Orting, Washington which has a population of about 7,000. Some are larger cities, like Tacoma, Washington, which has a population of almost 200,000.

Here's the most alarming fact about these two cities: they are both built directly on top of ancient Mt. Rainier lahar deposits. Lahars that were so massive, they emptied out into Puget sound nearly 50 miles away. If lahars from thousands of years ago could bury these areas, no doubt any lahar in the future has the potential to do the same.

In order to prevent a major disaster like the one in the town of Armero, Columbia, or more recently in New Orleans, the government needs to invest money into natural hazard mitigation. Not only will this money help to motivate the exact kind of research that saves lives, but the economy is stimulated by creating jobs and paying scientists to do this research.

No doubt, a stimulus for the USGS is absolutely a stimulus for our economy and has the added benefit of protecting American lives.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) satellite was on it's way to orbit this morning when something went wrong.

The lift off of the satellite on board the Taurus XL launch vehicle was successful, but complete separation of the launch vehicle from the satellite failed, causing the satellite to crash back to Earth somewhere near Antarctica in the ocean, according to NASA.

The OCO satellite was a $237 million project that took eight years to develop. Earth science researchers throughout NASA and the Earth sciene community at large are no doubt devastated by this failure.

The purpose of the OCO satellite was to collect data on one of the most important issues of our time - how carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere will affect the planet's climate and ecosystems. Specifically, the satellite would have mapped locations of carbon dioxide sourcese and sinks around the planet. This information would have helped scientists establish further conclusions of how anthropogenic and natural sources of carbon dioxide affect our climate.

According to NASA, a Mishap Investigation Board is to determine the cause of the launch failure.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

As of February 12, 2009, the latest word from the Alaska Volcano Observatory is:

"Redoubt Volcano has not erupted. Elevated seismicity is continuing, dominated by ongoing volcanic tremor and occasional small earthquakes.

"AVO staff members continue to monitor the volcano 24 hours a day."

Alaskans are on the edge of their seat, ready for an eruption. The last time Mt. Redoubt erupted in 1989, it was a very large eruption, preceded by the same kind of seismic signals that AVO volcanologists are currently seeing. Alaskans are doing everything to prepare for an eruption on the same scale as the 1989 eruption - including stocking up on face masks - and the Anchorage airport is on alert. But alas, no eruption has happened yet.

When we first heard about the increase in seismic activity, back in early February, it seemed we were within days of a volcano eruption. Here we are, two weeks later, and the excitement has died down while the volcano continues to behave in the exact same manner.

This is the hardest part of volcanology as a science - with all the data we've collected and all the patterns we think will help us forecast an eruption, in the end, there is just no way to tell exactly when one will happen.

It's a good thing for AVO that Alaska is full of such a rugged and versatile people. A little volcanic eruption to Alaskans is no big deal - they live in close proximity to some of the most active and explosive volcanoes in the world.

We'll be keeping a close eye on Redoubt, no doubt, as this seismic activity continues. For now, it's just wait and learn.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The last time Mt. Redoubt erupted - during a period from 1989-1990 - it caused some major problems for aviation operations in Alaska. In fact, a 747 encounter with the 1989 ash cloud caused all four engines to lose power. Luckily the pilot was able to restart the engines, but not until the aircraft had descended about 13,000 feet with no power to the engines. The plane landed safely and no one was hurt.

Now, with this new activity, volcanologists and aviation operators are keeping a close eye on Redoubt to make sure a repeat of the 1989 encounter does not happen. The Anchorage Volcano Ash Advisory Center will be keeping its eye on this volcano and surrounding air space until this event is over.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

I recently wrote a story about Earthquake Swarms at Yellowstone National Park. I was checking in with our friends at the USGS to see how the monitoring of this activity is progressing and they are now reporting that it has decreased substantially and may ever be over.

The USGS has also posted a very informative podcast on their website featuring Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Jacob Lowenstern. You can listen to this podcast at the USGS CoreCast website.

I got a few questions on the article I wrote about the earthquake swarms about what it means for future volcanic activity in the park or future earthquake activity in California. Well, just Iike I said in my responses to these questions, it's really hard to tell. Whatever was causing these earthquake swarms seems to have gone away, or maybe it's just quiet for now. Whatever the case, there's probably more questions about the future of Yellowstone now than there were before. One thing most geologists can agree on though: it's highly unlikely that there will be another VEI 8 eruption of Yellowstone - like there was 642,000 years ago - anytime in the near future.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

We are hearing about the consequences of climate change everywhere. Now the USGS is focusing some of its web content specifically on how current climate conditions are impacting water resources and glacier landscapes.

One of these websites is called Ground-Water Watch. This website makes current ground-water data readily available to the public over the internet. The ground-water database contains data from about 850,000 wells throughout the U.S. from hydrological studies over the past 100 years. The databases are split into three groups:

• Active Ground-water Level Network
• Climate Response Network
• Real-time Ground-water Level Network

You can click on a well in your area to see what the groundwater levels are near your home and see if climate conditions, such as drought our excessive rain, are affecting your water resources.

The other website is called Glacier and Landscape Change in Response to Changing Climate. This website introduces the reader to how glaciers, weather, climate and water resources are all linked. The site focuses on glaciers in Alaska since these glaciers have undergone the most dramatic changes in the last 100 years. Included with the informative text are some scenic, yet disturbing, photos of how the landscapes of Alaska have changed since the Earth's climate has warmed.

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak

The 2008 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco was a first for me. It was the first time I was there as an exhibitor and a lookey-loo instead of as a researcher. I got to connect with some of my friends from Michigan Tech and also a few familiar faces from my days at UCLA. Unfortunately, the week ended two days early for me as I had to leave San Francisco for a family emergency. But still, I got to visit some posters and sit in on a couple of talks before I left.

One of the posters I particularly enjoyed was presented by Matt Patrick of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. His poster highlighted the current increase in the Kilauea eruption. This is a very exciting time for volcanologists at HVO becausue Kilauea is the more active right now than it has been in about two decades. Usually, Kilauea Volcano is erupting gases and lava flows in a non-explosive way, which is still very useful - and safe - for collecting valueable information on volcanic activity. This information includes gas, seismic, deformation and lava extrusion data. But now, with explosive activity, the volcanologists at HVO can gather data on a more complex eruption. This data will provide great insight into what factors control the explosiveness - or non-explosiveness - of a volcano. 2008 might not have been a great year for the rest of us, but it was a great year for science at HVO.

For more information: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory