...Glaciers, a natural phenomenon. A glacier is a slowly moving mass of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow. Glaciers are truly amazing, and in this research paper I will explain why. I will give background on the Wisconsin Glaciation and the Des Moines Lobe, Glacial Meltwater, and Glacial Land Formations and What Certain Glaciers Left Behind. Glaciers go back thousands of years, in fact, 75,000 years ago was when the last glacial advancement started. 14,000 years ago was when the last glacial maximum occurred. And 11,000 years ago, the last glacier in Minnesota was melted completely. The Des Moines Lobe moved about 510 miles south of where it first started and it covered all areas of Minnesota except Central Minnesota...
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...Glaciers and Glaciation Jordan Leslie KAMSC Geology Term Paper Mr. Sinclair January 10, 2013 A glacier is basically a thick ice mass that originates on land from the accumulation, compaction, and recrystallization of snow. Since glaciers are agents of erosion, they must also flow. Similar to running water, groundwater, waves, and wind, glaciers are dynamic forces that are capable of accumulating, transporting, and depositing sediment. Glaciers are found in many parts of the world today. However, they are mostly found in remote areas. Thousands of relatively small glaciers exist in lofty mountain regions, where they usually follow valleys originally occupied by water. Unlike the rivers that previously flowed in these valleys, glaciers move very slowly, approximately a few centimeters per day. Based on their location, glaciers are narrowed down to two categories: valley glaciers and alpine glaciers. Each is a stream of ice, bounded by precipitous rock walls, that flows down valley from an accumulation center near its head. Like rivers, valley glaciers can be long or short, wide or narrow, single or with branching tributaries. Generally, the widths of alpine glaciers are small compared to the length. Some glaciers extend for just a fraction of a kilometer, whereas others go on for tens of kilometers. The picture above shows the Lateral moraine on a glacier joining the Gorner Glacier, in Switzerland. The Gorner Glacier runs along the bottom of the...
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...upper mantle. The boundary between the lithosphere and the underlying asthenosphere is defined by a difference in response to stress: the lithosphere remains rigid for very long periods of geologic time in which it deforms elastically and through brittle failure, while the asthenosphere deforms viscously and accommodates strain through plastic deformation. The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates. The uppermost part of the lithosphere that chemically reacts to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere through the soil forming processis called the pedosphere. The concept of the lithosphere as Earth’s strong outer layer was developed by Joseph Barrell, who wrote a series of papers introducing the concept.[2][3][4][5] The concept was based on the presence of significant gravity anomalies over continental crust, from which he inferred that there must exist a strong upper layer (which he called the lithosphere) above a weaker layer which could flow (which he called the asthenosphere). These ideas were expanded by Harvard geologist Reginald Aldworth Daly in 1940 with his seminal work "Strength and Structure of the...
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...work. It was his theory that the current would take him to the North Pole and then south toward Greenland (Adams 2014). While his name may never become a common household name without his brave and successful journey the world of oceanography may not be where it is today. All of these combined make him an excellent topic for an oceanography paper. Fridjof Nansen was more however then just an oceanographer. Before the Fram expedition he was already a well-recognized zoologist, and had been made the curator of zoology at eh Bergen Museum. As stated by Harald Sverdrup, “He wrote papers on zoological and histological subjects, illustrated by excellent drawings” (Sverdrup 2013). Shortly after this his interests moved to the physical side of oceanography. He became an oceanography instructor at the University of Kristina and on his two most successful artic expeditions most of the data was collected by Nansen himself (Sverdrup 2013). Before going on his famous expedition to the Arctic Ocean he had already began his work in oceanography by taking a group of five other men to Greenland’s icecaps to gain further knowledge on continental glaciers. Friftjof Nansen and his team of five men were successful in their expedition and became the first person to cross Greenland’s ice cap, and provided support to the isostatic rebound theory. This theory suggests that “when the Earth's crust sinks under a heavy weight, it will slowly return to its original position when that weight is removed...
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...one of my great pleasures. When I traveled around the country I would compare the natural wonders of each state to my own. Besides the rocky mountains in Colorado and the white mountains of New Hampshire few places match Connecticut’s regal terrain. Growing up in Bristol I would hike up to Pinnacle Mountain in Plainville, my friends and I would stand in awe of the magnificent rock structures. In the summer I would go on vacation to Old Lyme, it was there I fell in love with the earth’s most beautiful contrasts, the ocean meeting the rock and vice a versa. But until now I never educated myself on how all this magnificence came about. In this paper I will chronologically describe the eras and events that formed Connecticut’s geologic history. The oldest rocks provide a window through time telling a story of continental collisions so powerful that they raised mountains thousands of feet high. Others reveal evidence of a slow but constant attack from the elements that wore down those same majestic peaks (Mchone 2004). Giant monoliths stand testament to a time when the earths crust was cracked and lava flowed over the state. Beaches and enormous boulders are the remains of when Connecticut was frozen beneath a sheet of ice (Mchone2004). The Archeozoic era Archean period: The story begins about 400 million years ago when the North American continent was formed. It...
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...weather changes, devastating tsunamis, earthquakes in unusual places, seasons seemingly being skipped or prolonged, floods amongst several other abnormalities in the way the world we know have been occurring more frequently, more powerfully and more frighteningly. As humans, naturally we question, fear and seek to explain all of these deadly and destructive anomalies. Some claim an apocalypse is coming, some say we are heading toward an ice age, some believe we have accelerated a change in the Earth’s climate cycles by our own actions. Any view taken, is one of fear and trepidation. As a factual and unbiased paper, we will not take the Apocalypse theory into account for the fact that there are concrete facts or evidence. Regardless of why we believe something is wrong or changing, it is undeniably fact that the world is changing on many levels. The purpose of this paper is explore and attempt to find the reasons why this is happening, and what we, as mankind, can do to be prepared, and to attempt to mitigate any effect we may have on the acceleration of these changes Pollution and human consumption of fossil fuels, trees and other natural resources have been the scapegoat for “global warming” for several years now. How is it that, specifically, carbon emissions from vehicles allegedly has caused or sped the rate of global warming? Carbon emissions have been in existence since fossil fueled engines have been around, which is roughly between 150 and 200 years at this point....
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...Re-advance of the last British- Irish Ice Sheet during Greenland Interstade 1 (GI-1): the Wester Ross Re-advance, NW Scotland The importance and nature of glacial records in terms of global climate and environmental situations has become apparent in recent years, and over a century’s worth of investigation has greatly aided the scientific community in their understanding, and thereafter in the reconstruction of paleoclimate, environmental influences and extent thereof (Broecker, 2002). Glacial records are commonly known as proxies: Proxy data is the indirect measure of past environmental and climatic conditions, usually gathered from natural recorders of climate variability (NGDC, 2008). Glacial Landforms such as drumlins, ribbed moraines and end moraines provide a record of the nature, scale and timing of ice-sheet oscillations. There are many uncertainties surrounding the last British-Irish Ice-Sheet (BIIS), as extensive amounts of glacial records are hidden beneath the sea. Most evidence would suggest that two dynamic ice lobes came offshore across the shelf from both Ireland and Scotland, resulting in the entire North West shelf to be extensively glaciated during the ice age. Data shows that an extensive ice sheet margin extended offshore onto the shelf, and may have reached the shelf edge at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The deglaciation of the Last BIIS was helped by the Minch paleo-ice stream at the Late Devensian glaciation, which drained the North-West...
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...much faster than was expected even in their last report. Research by NOAA indicate that the effects of global warming are already irreversible. The IPCC reports attribute many specific natural phenomena to human causes. The expected long range effects of recent climate change may already be observed. Rising sea levels, glacier retreat, Arctic shrinkage, and altered patterns of agriculture are cited as direct consequences of human activities. Predictions for secondary and regional effects include extreme weather events, an expansion of tropical diseases, changes in the timing of seasonal patterns in ecosystems, and drastic economic impact. Concerns have led to political activism advocating proposals to mitigate, or adapt to it. Geoengineering is a further potential response, which could potentially reverse some effects that may otherwise be irreversible. It is notable that many of the effects of global warming are non-linear in nature, with potential for dramatic positive feedback effects. This means that the climate may enter a critical state where small changes can trigger runaway or abrupt climate change. Geoengineering has been suggested as a means of interrupting or reversing these effects. A notable example of a 'runaway' effect is the release of methane from clathrates (known as the clathrate gun effect). Climate changes characterized as global warming are leading to large-scale irreversible[5] effects at continental and global scales. The likelihood and magnitude of the...
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...Christine V. McLelland GSA Distinguished Earth Science Educator in Residence Reviewers and Contributors: Gary B. Lewis Director, Education and Outreach, Geological Society of America Contributing GSA Education Committee members: Rob Van der Voo University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Keith A. Sverdrup University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis. Mary M. Riestenberg College of Mount Saint Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio Virginia L. Peterson Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich. Wendi J.W. Williams University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark. Sandra Rutherford Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mich. Larissa Grawe DeSantis University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. Aida Awad Des Plaines, Ill. Stephen R. Mattox Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich. Steve Boyer Tacoma, Wash. Jo Laird University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H. Cover image: A basalt dike cuts through rocks of Permain age on Wasp Head, NSW Australia. Photo by Gary B. Lewis. Table of Contents What is Science? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scientific Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hypothesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Evaluation . . . ....
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...the earth’s surface Plate tectonics – a theory explaining the structure of the earth’s crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of the rigid lithosphere. Geomorphological hazard – an event causing harm to people or property, caused by Geomorphological processes e.g. plate tectonic movement. Francis Bacon 1620 As far back as 1620, Francis Bacon spotted that the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America looked as if they would fit together, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Between then and 1912 other people identified further similarities between other continental coastlines. Robert Mallet 1870s Robert Mallet was a nineteenth century scientist who managed to measure the speed at which earthquakes spread. Alfred Wegner 1911 While at Marburg, in the autumn of 1911, Wegener was browsing in the university library when he came across a scientific paper that listed fossils of identical plants and animals found on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Intrigued by this information, Wegener began to look for, and find, more cases of similar organisms separated by great oceans. Orthodox science at the time explained such cases by postulating that land bridges, now sunken, had once connected far-flung continents. But Wegener noticed the close fit between the coastlines of Africa and South America. Might the similarities among organisms be due, not to land bridges, but to the continents having been joined together at one time? As he later wrote: "A conviction...
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...Global Warming: Challenging the “Settled” Science In December of 1997, political leaders gathered in Kyoto, Japan to contemplate a world treaty restricting human production of “greenhouse gases,” in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). They worried that CO2 would result in a severe and sudden increase in earth’s temperatures, leading to environmental disasters on a global scale. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the preeminent body for the assessment of climate change, humans are responsible for the majority of global warming since 1900, including virtually 100% of the warming since 1970 (IPCC, 2007b, p. 39). In the years since Kyoto, there have been major efforts to bring about worldwide agreement to the treaty, including a recent climate summit—much publicized for its failings—held in Copenhagen. But not everyone is going along with the IPCC. Despite a continuing maelstrom of media hype and alarmist politics, the idea that the earth is warming at an unprecedented rate, due primarily to human influence, is quickly losing ground. This global warming backlash is due in large part to a growing chorus of skeptics and climate experts willing to challenge the prevailing science at the core of the movement. Over 31,000 scientists, including over 9,000 PhDs, have raised concerns over the IPCC’s findings. They have signed a petition stating that the organization’s claims are extreme, that the climate system is more complex than what is now known, and...
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...Associates * ALDO Group * Algonquin Power * Allied Shipbuilders * Alta Newspaper Group * Alterra Power * Angoss Software Corporation (software) * Appnovation * Arc'teryx (outdoor apparel/equipment) * Atimi Software Inc * Aritzia (clothing) * Army & Navy Stores (Canada) * Arsenal Pulp Press (publisher) * ATI technologies (semiconductors) * Atmosphere Visual Effects (movie special effects) * AVI Sound International (audio/visual equipment manufacture) B * Ballard Power Systems * Banff Lodging Co * Bank of Montreal * Bank West * Barrick Gold * Bard Ventures Company * BBC Kids (television) * BC Biomedical Laboratories Ltd. * BC Hydro * BC Research Inc * Becancour Silicon (silicon manufacture) * Bell Canada * Bennett Environmental * Becker's * Ben Moss Jewellers * Big Blue Bubble (software firm) * BigPark (software firm) * Biovail * BioWare (video games) * Bison Transport Inc. (Transportation) * Black Diamond Cheese Limited * Black Hen Music (record label) * Black Photo Corporation * BlackBerry (wireless devices) * Blake, Cassels & Graydon (law firm) * Blackburn Radio * Bleeding Art Industries (special effects) * Blenz Coffee * Blue Water Studios (recording studio) * Bombardier Inc. * Bombardier Recreational Products spun off as an independent company in 2003 * Boeing Canada * Boston...
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...Northern California Geolo Geology of Northern California Frank DeCourten Department of Earth Science Sierra College Standing more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above the surrounding terrain, Mt. Shasta is the largest volcano in northern California and symbolizes the dynamic geologic processes that have shaped a spectacular landscape. 63829_02_insidecover.qxd 11/25/08 12:53 AM Page ii ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO ASK Northern California.1 Introduction Ⅲ What are northern California’s physiographic provinces? Ⅲ What is the Farallon subduction zone? al Ⅲ What two types of plate boundaries exist in northern California today? th Ⅲ What are terranes, how do they originate, and why are they important in northern California? Northern California.2 The Sierra Nevada: California’s Geologic alifornia’s Ge Backbone Ⅲ What is the Sierra Nevada batholith? rra batholi Ⅲ What kinds of rocks surround the Sierra Nevada batholith? ra Ⅲ When and how was the modern Sierra Nevada uplifted? e Ⅲ What types of gold deposits occur in the Sierra Nevada? e? Ⅲ What is the Mother Lode? Northern California.3 The Klamath M Mountains t ath an Ne evada Ⅲ In what ways are the Klamath Mountains and the Sierra Nevada similar? ds ro o ath M Ⅲ What kinds of rocks comprise the ophiolites in the Klamath Mountains and what tectonic events do they signify? ineral occu th ntai Ⅲ What mineral resources occur in the Klamath Mountains? Northern California...
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...TITLE PAGE CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS IN SOUTH-SOUTH PART OF NIGERIA DEDICATION This term paper is dedicated to Almighty God, for His divine love, inspirations and care over the years. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My acknowledgement goes to my parents for their financial provision towards my academic and to my lecturer for his high level of punctuality and commitment to lectures. PREFACE This term paper is about the effects of climate change in South-South part of Nigeria. It has four chapters .Chapters one is about the introduction and definition of terms. Chapter two discusses Climate change and Environmental issues in South-South Nigeria, environmental degradation and Changes resulting from climate change, Socio-Economic Consequences of Climate Change in South-South Nigeria and Landslides as a consequence of climate change in south-South Nigeria. Chapter three narrates Erosion as a consequence of climate change in south-South Nigeria, Water Scarcity, Activities of Farmers that Contribute to Climate Change, and Patterns of Climate Change impact on agriculture. Chapter four is the summary and conclusion of the topic. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page - - - - - - - - - - -i Dedication - - - - - - - - - - -ii Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - -iii Preface - - - - - - - - - - - iv Table of contents - - - - - - - - - -v CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - 1.1 Definition of Terms - - - - - - - - - CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Dealing with Climate Change in South-South Zone - - - - - 2...
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...1 ESSAYS ON SUSTAINABILITY Thirteen Challenging Essays for Earthlings By Peter E. Black, 2008 Wheels and Water .......................................................page 1 Water and Humans on Planet Earth ................................... 2 Climate, Weather, and Global Warming ............................. 3 A Catastrophic Loss of Species ......................................... 4 The Naked Truth................................................................... 5 Asymmetrical Resource Distribution ................................. 6 Stormwater and Groundwater Runoff ................................ 7 Economy, Energy, Environment ......................................... 8 Drill in the ANWR? No Way! ............................................... 9 The Wonder of Water ......................................................... 10 Buffering Sands of Time.................................................... 11 Ecology and Civilization .................................................... 12 With a Bang, not a Whimper.............................................. 13 © 2008 Peter E. Black, PhD (US Copyright Registration TXu 1-580-484, July 13, 2008 as “Conservation is the Cornerstone of Sustainability”) Distinguished Teaching Professor of Water and Related Land Resources, Emeritus, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 peblack@esf.edu and www.watershedhydrology.com Essays on Sustainability Thirteen Challenging...
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