Hydroelectric power plants are being developed across the Himalayas. Here, a small-scale system is used to store energy during times of peak supply from other sources, and deliver energy during times of peak demand. This system relies on the shuttling of river water (seen in the background) between different elevations. (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Science Snap (5): Volcan de Colima’s lava dome
This photograph, taken from a helicopter, is of the lava dome at Volcan de Colima volcano, Mexico in November 2009. Volcan de Colima has been active throughout history with over 40 eruptions since the sixteenth century. The last explosive Plinian eruption was in 1913 blasting out the summit crater. Nowadays, eruptions tend to be effusive with eruptions of lava flows and the gradual build up of the ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Dialogues for Disaster Anticipation and Resilience – Your Help Needed!!
Following a recent discussion with staff at the Humanitarian Futures Programme, an independent policy research initiative based at King’s College London, an important opportunity emerged for YOU to support one of their programmes. The ‘Dialogues for Disaster Anticipation and Resilience’ project is designed to bridge the gap between those who make science and those who use science ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Film Review: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Rosalie Tostevin reviews ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’, the on screen adaptation of Paul Torday’s novel. A visionary Sheikh (Amr Waked) dreams of bringing his beloved sport, fly-fishing, to his home in the Yemeni desert. He seeks help from a consultant (Emily Blunt), who turns to Britain’s leading fisheries expert, Dr Fred Jones (Ewan McGregor). The project seems both abs ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Guest Blog: A Summer of Volcanic Observation in Ecuador (4)
David Litchfield completed a second undergraduate degree in Geosciences with the Open University and is currently studying part-time for an MSc in Geophysical Hazards at UCL. He has a broad interest in hazard monitoring methods and how geoscientists communicate their findings with those who need it, and retains a strong connection with the Andean highlands of Ecuador. This summer, David is volunte ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Blog Competition (1st Prize) – Philip Irwin: In Unity We Trust
For our Blog Competition 2013, we asked for people to submit articles addressing one of two topics. Philip Irwin’s article makes an argument for the inclusion of development education in geoscience courses, and it won first prize in its category. Philip did BSc Geology at Durham University where he developed an interest in environmental hazards. He then spent some time travelling to places ...[Read More]
Polluting the Internet
Biomass burning birthday
Last September I spent a month in Brazil for a research project aiming to study the pollution produced by deforestation fires in the Amazon Basin. The fires are mainly started by people for agricultural needs or land clearing for buildings and infrastructure. These fires produce huge amounts of smoke that blanket vast regions of South America during the “dry” season, which can lead to ...[Read More]
Four Degrees
Climate change: it’s just a matter of time!
Natural or man-made: what factors are responsible for the climate changes we are seeing today? Ahead of the release of the latest IPCC report next week, Marion Ferrat discusses the different factors affecting climate change and shows that who takes the blame all depends on timing… Over the past century, our planet’s climate system has been changing. Changes in the composition of the atmosphere, ho ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (97): Solar Power in Ladakh
Energy resources are a key issue in the mountainous Ladakh Region of India – all oil has to be imported by lorry over windy mountain passes that are often blocked by landslides. Any methods by which Ladakh can produce its own energy are very welcome. Solar panels can provide a significant amount of energy during the summer, but they are expensive and difficult to maintain due to the high lev ...[Read More]
Geology Jenga
Reporting on a recent visit to the NERC Radiocarbon Facility (East Kilbride, Scotland)
I (Daniel) recently had the opportunity to visit the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Radiocarbon Facility – Environment (NRCF-EK), hosted at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), a collaborative facility between the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The lab is located in East Kilbride, a 30-minute train ride south of Glasgow city centre. The opportunity ...[Read More]