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Researchers find that unusual volcanic episode rapidly triggered Little Ice Age

30 January 2012
AGU Release No. 12-05
For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, DC—New evidence from northern ice sheets suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered the multiple-century cool spell known as the Little Ice Age, and pinpoints the start of the climate shift to the final decades of the 13th century.

According to the new study, the Little Ice Age began abruptly between 1275 and 1300 A.D., triggered by repeated, explosive volcanism and sustained by a self-perpetuating sea ice-ocean feedback in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Indiana House Speaker kills bill that would let creationism be taught in science class

The Indiana House Speaker has effectively killed a bill moving forward in the Indiana Legislature that would have allowed creationism to be taught in K-12 science classrooms. See http://www.indystar.com/article/20120215/NEWS05/202150309/Indiana-House-speaker-kills-bill-would-let-creationism-taught-science-class?odyssey=tab for more information.

Heartland Institute Seeks to Develop Climate Skeptic Curricula

A firestorm erupted recently when documents were leaked showing that the Heartland Institute, a prominent conservative think tank, is seeking to support development of K-12 curricula designed to promote teach skepticism about global warming. More information about this can be found at the following websites:

Observing Discovery’s Glory

Submitted by Pamela Whiffen, NESTA Southwest Regional Director

Japan Earthquake Upgraded to 9.0 Magnitude

The USGS and Japanese seismologists both upgraded the magnitude of Japan's March 11, 2011 quake to 9.0 on March 14.

Massive 8.9 Magnitude Earthquake and Tsunami Hits Japan

A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, on 3/11/11 at 02:46:23 PM local time at the epicenter. The quake occurred on a thrust fault at or near the subduction zone interface plate boundary between the Pacific and North America plates. The earthquake was preceded by a series of large foreshocks over the previous two days, beginning on March 9th with an M 7.2 event.

Galileoscope Observing Contests

Three student contests are now open through January 21, 2011. Details may be found at: https://www.nestanet.org/cms/content/galileoscope-observing-contests.

Arsenic Eating Bacteria!

Think all life survives on the same few elements? Think again. The Why Files takes a look at arsenic eating bacteria:
http://whyfiles.org/2010/bathed-in-poison

Elimination of the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum

Arizona currently boasts a top rated earth science museum, the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum which includes K-12 education programs. Arizona governor is eliminating this museum, but NOT to cut cost as people will assume. Millions are being spent to convert it into the Arizona Centennial Museum which will feature cotton, cows, etc. K-12 earth science education will be badly damaged. The mineral museum is still open, but only because the Arizona Historical Society has not yet raised enough money to convert it to the Arizona Centennial Museum featuring cotton, cows, etc.

University of California rejects Earth Science

The University of California eliminated the Earth Sciences from the “d” laboratory science requirements for enrollment in UC schools.

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Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well.

Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley

The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.

Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education

A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of sustainability.
Here is a link to the one-page bill:

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