Collapsible Soils in Colorado

The Colorado Geological Survey has published another in their engineering geology series that is not only a great resource for the citizens of that state, but will be of value to many of us with similar problems.

"Collapsible Soils of Colorado" by Jonathan White and Celia Greenman, is #14 in the CGS Engineering Geology series. Its 108 pages cover the basics of what collapsible soils are, their properties, and geomorphology before describing collapsible soils and susceptible areas around the state. There are extensive sections on geological and geotechnical investigations, mitigation techniques, and how homeowners can reduce risk. Much of what is in here can be applied to Arizona and other areas with collapsible soils.

The CGS has an admirable track record in these publications. Their guide to swelling soils is a best-seller by any standard. Kudos to Vince Matthews and his team.

Arizona has $790M+ in highway projects ready to go

Arizona has an estimated $790 million in highway projects that could begin within 90 days of funding according to numbers from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and Stateline.org. Other estimates put that figure as high as $1 billion. [right, Arizona state highway system. Credit ADOT]

States are laying out options to fund as part of the proposed economic stimulus packages in Congress, with highway infrastructure being a major focus. The states identified 3,100 projects totaling $18 billion ready to go in the short term. Arizona has the 7th largest dollar value, with Texas having the most at $1.8 billion. Altogether, states are proposing $64 billion in highway projects over an 18-24 month period.

But state and local governments are arguing about whether it's more effective to funnel infrastructure funds through the states or give large amounts directly to local governments.

Voyage of the Beagle and Ascension Island

Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle from England 177 years ago on Dec 27, 1831 on the start of a 5-year voyage that continues to affect science and society today. Thanks to Michael at Palaeoblog for pointing out this anniversary. Most of us are thinking about the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth coming up in 2009, along with the 150th anniversary of publication of "Origin of Species."

This pair of events will be part of the "Year of Science" celebration that launches next week.

My own ties to the Beagle expedition involve tiny Ascension Island which lies just off the Mid-Atlantic ridge in the south Atlantic. HMS Beagle stopped there briefly on its return to England and Darwin made the first geologic observations and investigations of the volcanic island. Although uninhabited, it maintained a small garrison in the early 1800s to guard Napoleon on St. Helena, and since WWII has been a strategic communications center.

I started working on Ascension in 1987 as part of a geothermal exploration program. We were the 4th geologic party to work on the island, counting Darwin as the first. [top, Sisters volcanoes, Ascension Island. My photo. bottom, geologic map of Ascension Island, University of Utah Research Inst.]

My last trip there was in 2005, drilling samples for paleomag studies with Mike Valentine from University of Puget Sound. Every trip I discover something, many things, new. There's a sense of bonding with Charles Darwin and other explorers - the excitement of seeing something for the first time. The excitement of understanding something that others have seen but not understood. Knowing that those who come after will find the connections that we've missed.

Black Mesa coal permit revision approved

The U.S. Office of Surface Mining issued a revised permit that allows Peabody Coal to combine the Kayenta mine and now-closed Black Mesa mine despite opposition from environmental groups and members of the Navajo and Hopi tribes. The Kayenta mine supplies 8.5 million tons of coal to the Navajo Generating Station in Page.

The OSM decision doesn't automatically allow mining to resume at the Black Mesa mine but is a necessary step. It shut down in 2006 when the Mohave Generating Station closed in Laughlin, Nevada, which used the entire output of the mine.

Opposition to the mine has been over concerns about groundwater use and religious significance of the area. Proponents of expanding the Peabody operating area point to the jobs and economic benefits to the tribes. [right, dragline at Kayenta mine. Credit, Peabody Coal]

"NOVA" to air UA Phoenix Mars Lander program

Landmark moments from the UA's Phoenix Mars Lander mission will be featured on PBS' "NOVA" science program Tuesday night. "Is There Life on Mars?" will air at 9 pm Tucson on Tues, Dec. 30. The film crew reportedly was given 'fly on the wall' status throughout the 5-month long mission to capture the crises, successes, and scientific decision-making as they occurred.

On related note, we dropped relatives off at the Tucson Airport today and there was a full-size mock-up of the Lander in the baggage claim area [right], with a wall of pictures and posters of the mission.

Copper prices put pressure on Freeport

Declining prices mean that almost 1/3 of copper production by Phoenix-based Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold is unprofitable at current prices, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.com. If prices stay below $1.50 per pound (they're at $1.28 today), Freeport may institute a third round of cuts to production with resulting layoffs and even closures. [right, credit Freeport McMoRan C&G]

Geothermal PEIS released for western U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service issued the record of decision for the programmatic portion of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Geothermal Leasing in the Western United States, including Alaska.

This amends 114 BLM land use plans across the Western United States, including Alaska, to identify areas open for consideration for geothermal leasing. Stipulations, best management practices, and procedures for leasing are also provided in the decision.

There will be a series of workshops around the country in Spring 2009 to explain to how the PEIS cna be used for geothermal exploration activities.

The map at right shows 142 million acres of BLM lands available for leasing (yellow) and 106 million acres of Forest Service lands (green). The San Francisco volcanic field near Flagstaff should have a big potential for geothermal but was not included in the plan.

Happy holidays from all of us at AZGS!

Happy holidays from all of us at the Arizona Geological Survey

Hunting phytosaurs in Petrified Forest

Bill Parker over at Chinleana blog posted pictures today from his recent fieldwork with fossils in Late Triassic sediments in Petrified Forest National Park. I hadn't read this blog before but am adding to my sidebar list. We Arizona geo-bloggers gotta stick together.

[Bill Parker and Matt Brown carving out a phytosaur skull. Credit Chinleana.blogspot.com]

Use stimulus funds to clean up abandoned mines

The news of an illegal immigrant having to be rescued after falling into a 35-foot deep abandoned mine shaft near Douglas today, is a reminder of the hazard that faces all of us out in rural and remote areas.

While there are substantial federal monies available to clean up abandoned coal mines, it's almost impossible to get funding for hard rock mines, which are what we have in Arizona and many other Western states. [right, credit, Wickenburg.com]

It seems to me that there is a natural win-win situation here, given that filling in and boarding up these old mines requires construction workers, materials, and expertise, and the various stimulus bills being crafted in Congress are aimed at putting funds into infrastruction projects that can be started in 30-90 days. Many of Arizona's mines are known, and the construction efforts while sometimes tricky, are not rocket science.

Laurie Swartzbaugh, assistant to Joe Hart, the Arizona State Mine Inspector, sent me a copy of recent testimony from the Interstate Mining Compact Commission and the National Association of Mine Land Programs to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. They listed 80,000 abandoned openings in Arizona, second only to Nevada's 200,000.

Arizona identified 23 mine sites with 81 openings that could be readily closed in the next 24 months for a cost of $810,000. California, Montana, and Alaska have lists of ready for closure adding to tens of millions of dollars. I imagine the Arizona list could be expanded greatly with a bit more time to research and update the inventory.

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is reported saying that now is the time to take on important issues that have been sitting and waiting for funds or direction.

UA climate researcher warns of penguin loss

National Geographic interviewed UA climate researcher Joellen Russell about her work on a study that found 50% of emperor penguin and 75% of Adelie penguin colonies may disappear if the global climate warms 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.

The story says changes in winds that drive the ocean currents around Antarctica will prevent sea ice from forming especially in the continents northern latitudes where the penguin colonies are concentrated. [right, Adelies at Cape Adere]

The emperors raise their young on sea ice and the Adelies hunt for food among the broken sea ice.

Other bloggers on Grand Canyon, landslide, Upper Triassic

Other geobloggers cover Arizona geology topics with 3 recent posts.

Garry at Geotripper, just posted a set of scenic photos and comments from his swing through the area. [right Grand Canyon from Yaki Point. Credit, Geotripper]

Dave's Landslide Blog offers some obsservations on the "unusual morphology" of SR87 landslide.

Jeffrey at Paleo Errata published part 2 of his series on the Upper Triassic of Petrified Forest National Park.

Earth and planetary sciences dominate UA top 10 achievements for 2008

The University of Arizona's top 10 achievements for 2008 includes four accomplishments from the Earth and planetary science fields:

8. HiRISE Photographs Phoenix

The UA's powerful HiRISE camera, in low-altitude orbit over Mars, sends back stunning close-up images of the Martian terrain, including spectacular shots of the Phoenix Lander itself during and after its perilous landing on Mars. more >

[right, complex crater in Arabia Terra, HiRISE camera. Credit, NASA/JPL/UA]

7. Taking Mining to the 21st Century

Science Foundation Arizona and mining industry leaders choose the UA College of Engineering to become a world leader in advancing health, safety and environmental mining practices. more >

6. LBT First Light

The UA and its partners complete construction and begin operation of the world's most powerful telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope, atop southeastern Arizona's Mt. Graham. more >

1. Phoenix Mars Mission

The UA-led Phoenix Mars Mission makes a safe landing and astounding discoveries of water ice, intriguing soil composition and a subtly active atmosphere in a thrilling and historic five-month exploration of Martian surface. more >

Mineralogy of Sunset Crater fumarole deposits

The summit of Sunset Crater has been closed to hikers since 1973, and getting access to the fumarole deposits requires special permission. Sarah Hanson, a professor at Adrian College, has worked for the Park Service for the past 5 summers at the Monument and is lead author on a new report describing the mineralogy of the fumarole deposits. Sarah sent us a copy of Rocks & Minerals magazine, Nov-Dec issue with an 11-page article filled with SEM photos of the minerals.

The six fumarole deposits are narrow, elongate and parallel to the crater rim. Sarah and co-authors conclude the fumarole vents were active in the waning stages of volcanic activity (which began during the period of 1073-1090 A.D.) with cooling vapors and increasing oxygen fugacity, resulting in a zoning of minerals from gypsum-hematite-magnetite to gypsum-earthy hematite to gypsum-sulfur.

Tucson geologist Betancourt receives Presidential Rank Award

Tucson-based USGS scientist Julian Betancourt recently received a 2008 Presidential Rank Award. Betancourt, who conducts research in how climate variability affects ecosystems, is also an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona.

Recipients of the award are approved by the President.

USGS Director Mark Myers said, "The rigorous, cross-disciplinary investigations that Julio conducts - and encourages through his colleagues and students - is in the best tradition of the Survey's focus on applying science to understand the complexity of Earth systems. His work greatly benefits our organization and science in the broadest sense."

Highway 87 landslide moving

ADOT advised us on Friday that the landslide that closed State Route 87 between Phoenix and Payson last March for 6 days, is moving. AZGS and ADOT have been cooperating since the initial event to try to understand the feature better in order to mitigate its impact on the highway. The steel barriers buried at the base of the slope have shown some continuing deflection, but engineers noted a bulge in the slope above the road following last weeks storm that raises concerns about possible larger movement. [right, slide mass on March 22, 2008. Credit, ADOT]

Update 12-22-08: the photo at right shows the steel beams being buried at the base of the slope last May to form a barrier to the slide. The beams were emplaced below the projected slide plane based on drill holes. Reports are that the beams have been bent roadward due to movement/pressure from the slide mass.

The short life and hard times of Phoenix Mars Lander

Last week's cover story in Nature is a 6-page review of the UA's Phoenix Mars Lander mission, from how it came to be to the last . And despite my following the mission from the landing to the last message and aftermath, I learned a lot more about the mission from this article. The title for this post came from a line in the article.

There's an interesting section on NASA's stepping and taking over control of the mission when they had problems getting the scoops of soil into the TEGA for analysis. It turns out the brackets at the base of the cover were a hair's width too big and blocked the doors.

Obama offers science vision

In his radio address, Barack Obama said, “Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. It’s time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore America’s place as the world leader in science and technology.”

The video is of president-elect Obama's Saturday radio address.

Stimulus package to include science, energy, education

The $800+ billion economic stimulus package proposed by Obama and Congress includes expenditures for science, energy, education, among the expected areas.

The evolving measure will mix short-term social spending with longer-term infrastructure investment such as building roads, bridges and water projects.

There are growing discussions in the geoscience community about our role in dealing with the water resources and construction programs by providing the technical support for them and the follow-on data and sample analysis and eventual preservation from the projects.

UA merges 4 units into Colleges of Letters and Science

UA geology prof and science dean Joaquin Ruiz [right] will serve as Executive Dean of the new academic unit called the Colleges of Letters and Science that will be created through a merger of the colleges of Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities and University College.

UA says the reorganization "will build on the national leadership that the University has established in interdisciplinary areas where research in the social and physical sciences converge with work in the humanities such as borderlands studies and environmental concerns."