GeoLog

Geosciences Column

Geosciences Column special: Planetary science, part 2

This month we have a special edition of our Geosciences column with two pieces on planetary science written by external contributors. Whereas the first piece, published yesterday, focused on Martian water, this second article examines the internal structure of the Moon. If you’d like to contribute to GeoLog, please contact EGU’s Media and Commmunications Officer, Bárbara T. Ferreira at ...[Read More]

Geosciences Column special: Planetary science, part 1

This month we have a special edition of our Geosciences column with two pieces on planetary science written by external contributors. The first article, published today, focuses on Martian water while the second, to be published tomorrow, examines the interior structure of the Moon. If you’d like to contribute to GeoLog, please contact EGU’s Media and Commmunications Officer, Bárbara T ...[Read More]

Geosciences Column: Why are jet streams not good wind energy sources?

Commercial airlines know jet streams well. Planes often hitch a ride on these strong, high-altitude atmospheric winds, which blow from west to east, to fly faster, and they are the reason why long-haul easterly flights (such as those between the US and Europe) are quicker than the corresponding westerly journeys. Scientists are also familiar with these fierce and persistent winds, which occur at a ...[Read More]

Geosciences Column: Iceland spar, or how Vikings used sunstones to navigate

Nowadays, we can rely on GPS receivers or magnetic compasses to tell us how to reach our destination. Some 1000 years ago, Vikings had none of these advanced navigation tools. Yet, they successfully sailed from Scandinavia to America in near-polar regions where it can be hard to use the Sun and the stars as a compass. Clouds or fog and the long twilights characteristic of polar summers complicate ...[Read More]