I learned a lot this week from your presentations on past earthquakes and volcanoes. Great job everyone. The MA and OH's Chilean volcano coverage and LL and JL's Tongshan earthquake presentation really had me engaged throughout the twenty minutes.
Nepal
Nepal had a second major earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 7.3. It's been very difficult for help to reach the more remote areas of the mountains, and the transportation of emergency supplies has been slow as a result. An article was brought to mind as BL was performing his presentation where he creatively prepped us as volunteers: random volunteers of students, church congregations or anyone else who go to help out but who also lack skills or coordination can actually slow down the aid process. Sending money is the best thing we can do according to this article at the Guardian. Read this reflection on how volunteers who attempted to help out in Haiti may have slowed down the process.
Texas
1 earthquake in 58 years prior to 2008. Once fracking began, there have been over 100 mini earthquakes reported since 2008. An interesting correlation, is it not? Read more at CNN
A Refreshing Perspective
Finally, a creationist has stood up in our class to counter the views - albeit on paper, and not in class. One day, I hope to see a serious, respectful discussion regarding how a creationist views some of these scientific ideas we learn about. Nevertheless, here's a very different perspective - a geologist, who understands and believes in the stories that rocks tell us in terms of age (4.5 billion year old earth) and is bent on trying to reconcile Noah's great flood story with the rocks he studies. Read more here on his journey.
The Tables have Turned
Our current theory and understanding of planetary formation has been called into question by Australian National University as they have found found a larger exoplanet orbiting a smaller sun. Check it out here, on discovery.com!
