Geology
Earthquake Preparedness in the Bay Area
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred a couple weeks ago near Christchurch, New Zealand is yet another reminder for those of us living in the Bay Area about the inevitable seismic danger we face. While many details of the New Zealand earthquake are different than what we face in the Bay Area, there are a few aspects that are comparable.
Post on Sep 23, 2010 by Brian Romans
The Nature of Science
The process of communicating science can be difficult simply due to logistics. Educators on board the scientific ocean drilling vessel, the JOIDES Resolution, learned this first hand.
Post on Sep 17, 2010 by Andrea Swensrud
A Submarine Grand Canyon Offshore Central California
Not unlike on land, features of the undersea landscape – such as Monterey submarine canyon – have a significant influence on the quantities and diversity of animals.
Post on Sep 16, 2010 by Brian Romans
Career Fair: Jobs on the JOIDES Resolution
Science educators do their best to expose students to the numerous career options available in the sciences. On the JOIDES Resolution, there are scientists with expertise in chemistry and geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology, sedimentology and paleomagnetism.
Post on Sep 14, 2010 by Andrea Swensrud
Greater Bay Area Geo-Attractions: Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is not only a haven for birds and other wildlife but has a geologic story that is uniquely Californian. Learn about this area in the first in a series of posts highlighting the geology of the Bay Area's scenic landscapes.
Post on Sep 09, 2010 by Brian Romans
The Importance of Studying the History of Sea-Level Change in San Francisco Bay
Sea-level rise is happening and more than 100 million people could be affected globally over the next century even under somewhat conservative projections.
Post on Sep 02, 2010 by Brian Romans
A Record of the East Bay’s Past Revealed During Caldecott Tunnel Construction
If you use Highway 24 as part of your daily commute you are already familiar with the Caldecott Tunnel, which connects Orinda and Oakland, but do you know about the geology of the hills through which the tunnel was constructed?
Post on Aug 19, 2010 by Brian Romans
Home Sweet Serpentine
Serpentine soil is a tough environment, but some unique plants and animals call it home.
Post on Aug 16, 2010 by Jennifer Skene
Geologic Context and History of the San Joaquin River
The biggest river restoration project in California's history, however, is now underway for the San Joaquin River.
Post on Aug 12, 2010 by Brian Romans
Learn the Facts About Serpentinite Before It's Removed as California's State Rock
Why introduce a bill to the state assembly devoted to removing the state rock?
Post on Aug 05, 2010 by Brian Romans
Exploring the Lower Russian River
The Russian River originates in the redwood forests of Mendocino County and winds its way gently south thorough Sonoma County. One of the wildest spots on the main stem of the Russian River is towards the end, near its mouth. Here the waters widen, fresh water mixing with the tidal flows of the ocean, and the influences of two dynamic ecosystems merge.
Science Hike on Jun 04, 2010 by Chris Bauer from QUEST Northern California
The New Bay Bridge: Earthquake Makeover
The new self-anchored suspension bridge being built to replace the vulnerable eastern span of the Bay Bridge is scheduled to open in 2013 and will be seismically and aesthetically revolutionary in its design. QUEST explores the engineering features that will give the new bridge the strength and flexibility to withstand the next "big one."
Video on Apr 06, 2010 by Jon Fromer from QUEST Northern California
Lessons From Chile
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile last month may offer some clues for how California would withstand such a massive quake. Andrea Kissack spoke with one Bay Area engineer who just returned from Chile where he was looking at how U.S. building codes held up in the quake.
Audio Report on Mar 29, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Lessons From Chile
The next big one. Many of us are trying to avoid even thinking about it. But the reality is it is going to happen.
Post on Mar 26, 2010 by Andrea Kissack
What Went Wrong with the Buildings in Haiti?
Like a lot of people, I've been thinking about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti, seeing images of collapsed buildings and dead people on the news and in the newspapers.
Post on Feb 05, 2010 by Jim Gunshinan
Exploring the Pulgas Water Temple area
The San Francisco Peninsula Watershed, managed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, is home to trails that offer access to remote wilderness, Northern California geology, and opportunities to appreciate the complexity of providing 2.4 million people with a clean water supply.
Science Hike on Dec 30, 2009 by Craig Rosa from QUEST Northern California
Predicting the Next Big One
It's been twenty years since the Loma Prieta Earthquake ravaged downtown Santa Cruz and damaged San Francisco's Marina District and the Bay Bridge. QUEST looks at the dramatic improvements in earthquake prediction technology since 1989. But what can be done with ten seconds of warning?
Audio Report on Oct 12, 2009 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Mars Rock Talks, Opportunity Listens
Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity finds a meteorite on Mars that may shed more light on the history of Mars' atmosphere.
Post on Aug 15, 2009 by Ben Burress
Exploring the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail
Local nature lovers can enjoy the rare opportunity to hike, bike, or ride their horses through pristine stands of old growth Douglas Fir, evergreen and fragrant coastal scrub while enjoying ridge-top vistas of our watershed lands, reservoirs, the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. To protect our watershed, hiking on the trail is restricted to docent-led ventures three days a week, with advanced registration.
Science Hike on Aug 07, 2009 by Craig Rosa from QUEST Northern California
Scary Tsunamis
In 2004, a massive tsunami struck the Indian Ocean. More than 225,000 people were killed. Bay Area researchers raced to the scene to learn everything they could about these deadly forces of nature.
Video on Jul 28, 2009 by Chris Bauer from QUEST Northern California
