A new global S-wave model has recently been published in Geophysical Journal International. While this sounds exciting enough to tomographers and geodynamicists, this model has been constructed in a rather avant-garde way, too. It is one out of only two global tomographic models ever to be made based on the Earth’s background oscillations, that is long-periodic …[Read More]
Division blogs
Cryospheric Sciences
Image of Week: Blue Ice in East Antarctica
The blue ice areas of Antarctica are one of the most fascinating parts of the ice sheet. In these regions, snowfall is so low that the ice is laid bare by the wind and consequently sublimates. This exposes beautiful, blue ice surfaces, like an ocean frozen in time. This picture was taken at a site …[Read More]
Cryospheric Sciences
Image of the Week — Greenland ice sheet and clouds
A new study combining satellite observations and model simulations shows that clouds increase meltwater runoff in Greenland by one-third compared to a cloud-free scenario. Precipitation effects not considered, clouds above the Greenland ice sheet reduce its Surface Mass Balance (SMB) [red in figure] compared to clear-sky conditions [blue in figure]. Because clouds trap the outgoing …[Read More]
Seismology
Goodnight, sleep tight.
Is this concept bed taking earthquake-safety to the next level? The fact is that an earthquake can happen at any time of day. Unfortunately, the reality is that many die trapped under the rubble of their own homes. The featured beds (shown here via YouTube) show various earthquake-proof bed designs. The beds have strong metal …[Read More]
Energy, Resources and the Environment
Communicating Contested Geoscience at EGU 2016
Communicating with the public is increasingly an issue for geoscientists both in research and in industry, but how do we deal with communicating those aspects of our work that are controversial? Many scientists shy away from those issues that are likely to draw the attention of an angry public, because, quite reasonably, they don’t want …[Read More]
Seismology
Peer review: Single-, double-blind, or open discussion
Within the scientific community, it is common practice that the peer-review process for a submitted article to a journal is kept anonymous. That is, only the journal Editor selects (and knows) who the referees are, usually three. This is also known as single-blind review. One of the main reason behind this custom is to allow the referees give genuine …[Read More]
Cryospheric Sciences
Image of the Week — Happy New Year
December 2014, 11:50 p.m., the sun licks the horizon on Derwael ice rise; It’s time to go back to the tent … The shot was taken during the 2014 IceCon Field campaign in East Antarctica (read Brice’s blog post telllling about his first journey to Antarctica). Here, you can also read about the 2016 field season of …[Read More]
Seismology
Important upcoming deadlines for EGU 2016
As many return to their desks to continue on their research, take note of these imminent deadlines for the upcoming European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016. Wednesday 13th of January: EGU2016 call for papers (open until 13:00 CET). Submit your short course ideas. Early Career Scientists are encouraged to run their own short courses either as individuals or as …[Read More]
Energy, Resources and the Environment
Opportunity for Early Career Scientists
The Energy Resources and Environment Division of the EGU are looking to appoint an Early Career Scientist (ECS) representative in 2016. ECS make up a significant proportion of the EGU membership and it’s important to us that their voices are heard. ECS representatives are the link between the Union and its ECS membership. They give …[Read More]
Cryospheric Sciences
Image of the Week — Greetings from Antarctica
Christmas greetings from people at Rothera Research Station, Adelaide Island, Antarctica. Rothera, which is the British Antarctic Survey’s largest base in Antarctica, is a centre for marine biology and gateway for getting scientists into their deep field camps. Christmas Day is a regular working day for the staff of around 90. However the chefs will …[Read More]