Earth Science

Early oceanographers from the Scandinavian countries would have included the Vikings as well as the Norsemen from the regions now known as the countries of Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark, as well as much of Finland. Explorers from this region…
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In recent years, scientists have noticed signs of damage in coral reefs. These signs are very widespread-in fact they can be seen almost everywhere in the oceans around planet Earth. Some reefs appear damaged, while others are “bleached”- turned white….
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Ocean drilling is the process by which scientists drill into the Earth’s ocean crust to collect sample cores of rock. This has allowed scientists to obtain samples of fluids, and microbes contained in the core samples. Scientific drilling is carried…
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Mention Hurricane Hazel to any Canadian of a certain age, and you will find that it still brings out strong memories. The only hurricane ever to hit Toronto left behind a trail of flooding and carnage that leaves a haunting…
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In a famous episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza seduces a woman by his supposed expertise on toilet paper.  George believes the product has never evolved: “It’s just paper on a roll.”   George forgot there are so many aspects of this…
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Most people have seen the fine grains of sand on a beach along a lake or ocean.  Sand is formed over millennia when larger rocks are broken down into smaller and smaller particles by mechanical erosion or weathering.  This is…
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While much of the western half of North America is covered by rank after rank of rugged mountains, the geologic history of the region is long, rich and complex. Although they may resemble one another in form and majesty, each…
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Geologists classify sediments and sedimentary rocks based upon several parameters, which include their chemical, biological and physical modes of deposition as well as the grain size of the particles comprising the sediment or sedimentary rock.  Clastic sediments are those that…
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Contradictory to common beliefs, a volcanic eruption does not just produce lava. Actually, in a volcanic eruption, the volcano spews out different gases, lava, and ash. The ash consists of volcanic rocks such as pulverized rock and pumice, known as…
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For many people, winter storms mean snow and frigid temperatures. Even still, for a few people it is a mad rush to the grocery store for milk, eggs, bread, and whatever else they feel they need to stock up on….
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