Soil structure is the result of the spatial arrangement of the solid soil particles and their associated pore space. Aggregation mainly depends on the soil composition and texture, but is also strongly influenced by other factors such as biological activity, climate, geomorphic processes or the action of fire. Structure is a typical morphological soil property, which …[Read More]
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Open call for scientific sessions (EGU 2014) and more from the Soil System Sciences Division
From April 27th to May 2nd 2014 the EGU 2014 will be held in Vienna. See here more information http://www.egu2014.eu The Scientific sessions that will be held in Vienna are being uploaded now, and they will be reviewed and approved in the next council meeting of the EGU (Munich, October 10-12th 2013). The Soil System Sciences …[Read More]
Geosciences Column: Dating a bivalve
Just as the rings on a tree can be used to determine its age, the bands on a bivalve’s shell can tell us the how long it’s been around for. Warm, food-filled waters lead to greater growth in the summer and low plankton abundance (the principle food source for filter-feeding molluscs) leads to limited growth …[Read More]
Friday Photo (92): Working on Mount Etna
GPS and leveling on Mt Etna with Dr John Murray from the Open University. Credit: Rick Wall (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Sweeping soot out of the atmosphere
Efforts to slow the rate of global temperature rise in the 21st Century have for some time focussed on non-CO2 species or so-called ‘short-lived forcers’. As far as aerosols are concerned, black carbon (often referred to as soot) has been the main avenue to explore due to its capacity to warm the atmosphere by absorbing …[Read More]
Science snaps (1): Africa’s Ups and Downs
Each week we’ll be featuring our favourite ‘science snaps’ on the blog. These posts will showcase images, photos, films and figures that we encounter on a day-to-day basis, as well as things which we simply think are cool and should be gawped at. All of the contributors to Between a Rock work in various veins …[Read More]
EGU 2014 – got an idea?
Have a great idea for a conference session but haven’t quite put it into practice? Now’s your chance! Until this time next month (13 September) you can submit your session ideas and take part in organising the scientific programme for the EGU General Assembly in 2014. What you need to do: Take a look at …[Read More]
GfGD News and Updates
The summer is a busy period for many people and it can be hard to keep track of all that is going on. We’re taking the opportunity today to give you an update on GfGD’s work, and key ways in which YOU can get involved… Blog & Image Competition There is still time (just!) to …[Read More]
Guest Blog: A Summer of Volcanic Observation in Ecuador (3)
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 …[Read More]
Feeling blue: A lesson in perseverance
Mel Auker is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol and is a regular contributor to Between a rock and hard place. In her own words, she’s an “applied mathematician bumbling my way through a geology PhD”. Here she provides us all with some Monday afternoon inspiration. Read …[Read More]