Are New Orleans’ post-Katrina flood defenses strong enough?

This 8.5 minute video from PBS Newshour explains the current situation in New Orleans. Experts examine the new man-made defenses, and look at the causes and impacts of delta erosion as well. - Lots of interesting Earth Science here.

Video of a Microburst near Tucson, AZ

To hear/see a TV meteorologist explain what causes a microburst CLICK HERE (Facebook). To learn more about what causes the air to get cold, CLICK HERE.

Very Cool Weather Video!

Its called "The Chase" - by Mike Olbinski (Thanks to Rick Dees for passing this on to me.)

Astronomy Interactives/Animations from U. of Nebraska

Here is an incredible collection of astronomy resources for you to examine (play with) in your spare time this summer. This motherlode of animations and interactives is provided by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. One of my favorites is their Planetary Orbit Simulator, which demonstrates Keppler's first and second laws of planetary motion. Be sure to play with the settings!

Also, here's another fun site that shows the current location of the planets. CLICK HERE to take a look. You can change the settings in the windows beneath the image. The site is developed and maintained by Chris Peat of Heavens-Above.

NOTE: This will be the last post for awhile. School is winding down and my days will soon be spent hiking, kayaking, etc. Have a great summer!

To view a convenient list of all the resources that have been posted on this "Earth Science Guy" blog site, CLICK HERE.

Watch the New Meteor Shower Friday Night (May 23)

This might be worth staying up for. This NASA ScienceCast video provides all the details. Hopefully the skies will be clear where you are. The shower will happen as Earth passes through debris from Comet 209P/LINEAR. Experts aren't sure whether it will be a dud or a magnificent event.

Go "Retro" - Retrograde Animation

Diagram courtesy of San Jose Astronomical Association

Retrograde motion is a tough one to explain to students without some sort of visual aid. This animation by the University of Nebraska is a very helpful tool. CLICK HERE to watch it.

To learn more about retrograde motion, including the Ptolemaic model and the Copernican model, CLICK HERE (courtesy of LaSalle University).

Glaciers of the American West

Glaciers of the American West is a great resource for anything related to glaciers in the "Lower 48". The project was created by students and staff from the Geology and Geography departments at Portland State University with funding from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the US Geological Survey, and the National Park Service. CLICK HERE to see what's on the menu. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Timeline of recent Ice Ages (use the green arrows at the top and bottom to interact).

2. Virtual Glacier (select green links to interact)

3. Glacier Re-photography of the American West (select one of the red boxes and then red dots to view the collection)

Photo: Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould in Glacier National Park - Courtesy of the USGS

Speaking of glaciers . . .
Contrary to popular belief, the glaciers in Glacier National Park are NOT remnants of the last ice age that ended roughly 10,000 years ago. There is little doubt that ice age glaciers WERE responsible for carving the majestic peaks and valleys of the park (horns, cirques, aretes, hanging valleys, etc.), but experts believe those glaciers completely melted away during an especially warm period 9,000 to 5,000 years ago (Holocene Climate Maximum). On the other hand, glaciers present in the park today formed during a more recent cold period called "The Little Ice Age" (not a true "ice age") - a cold period that lasted from 1550 to 1850. According to evidence from moraines, tree rings, layers of volcanic ash (Mazama, etc.), and radiometric dating, these "Little Ice Age glaciers" formed in cirques that had been carved by glaciers during the last REAL ice age(s). To learn more about this AND to find out about the glacier that has formed in the crater of Mt. St. Helens, CLICK HERE.

Interested in a summer workshop in Glacier Park? Check out these offerings from the Glacier Institute I plan to take the course titled "Geology of Glacier: A Walk Through Earth's History".