Aerosols dominate the uncertainty in the total anthropogenic radiative forcing. A complete understanding of past and future climate change requires a thorough assessment of aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions. This is one of the conclusions about aerosols and their impact on our climate from the the final report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the physical science bas ...[Read More]
Geology Jenga
The Earth’s protective shield
I came across this video, which very clearly explains how the Earth’s magnetic field protects us from Solar Storms. It then goes on to explain the link of these phenomena to our planet’s climate. The added bonus is that the images are very cool and I think the voice over is done by Liam Neeson…. Does anyone else think so? Anyway, I digress… For a written account of what i ...[Read More]
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Life and death, and money
Mel Auker is an Earth Sciences PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A mathematician by trade, Mel’s PhD uses numerical approaches to better understand past, present, and future global volcanic hazard and risk. The recent tragedy at Sinabung volcano, Indonesia, bought some interesting thoughts to light amongst some members of the volcanology group at Brist ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Guest Blog: Softer on the curves
Siân Hodgkins graduated from Cardiff University with a Master’s degree in Environmental Geoscience. Siân took part in a Geology for Global Development placement over Christmas, writing a literature review on landslides in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas. The report will soon by published on our website (open access). Here, Siân writes about her own trip to Ladakh last year, and the effect ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (114) – Aggregate Mining
Aggregate Mining in Rio San Francisco (Panajachel, Guatemala) The Rio San Francisco flows through Panajachel, one of the largest towns around Lake Atitlan, into the lake. In the current dry season, there is very little water, and you can see mining for aggregates occurring. Credit: Joel Gill (2014)
Geology Jenga
10 Minute Interview – Finding the right path
It turns out, I’m not so great at keep the promises I make our blog readers… I AM working on the next post for the Making the most of your PhD series. In the mean time, this 10 minute interview actually fits the theme of the Making the most of your PhD series quite well. This week, I bring you Hayley Dunning, of the Natural History Museum, London. Whilst Hayley’s current role is ...[Read More]
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Science Snap (#18): Tragic Sinabung Eruption
James Hickey is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A geophysicist and volcanologist by trade, his PhD project is focussed on attempting to place constraints on volcanic unrest using integrated geodetic modelling. Last Saturday (1st February 2014) an eruption at Sinabung volcano in Indonesia claimed the lives of 14 people. That death toll has since risen to ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
GfGD Conferences – Help Us!
Do you remember our National Conference, in October 2013? It was a great event, gathering over 150 people from across the UK and beyond to explore how geologists can help fight global poverty. Don’t forget, you can find a series of photographs from the event on our Facebook page. Whether you attended this event or not, we’re keen to gather some information that will help us shape and p ...[Read More]
Four Degrees
The Water-Energy Nexus
Flo Bullough writes on the concept of the water-energy nexus; its implications for energy and water security and the impact of climate change and future planning and regulation. I first came across the concept of the water-energy nexus when the former UK Chief Scientific Advisor John Beddington discussed the interdependence of food, water and energy as part of his tenure at government: something ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Eruption of Mount Sinabung and Poverty Reduction
Last week Mount Sinabung, an active volcano on the island of Sumatra (Indonesia), erupted killing at least 16 people. It is reported that a number of the deaths were people going back into the evacuated zone to see the eruption up close and to check on properties and land. This is a sad reminder of the power of volcanic processes and their lethal potential (see the images on the BBC News), partic ...[Read More]