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Rocket the Rocket Frog Out of Cotopaxi!

10/15/2015

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After lying dormant for nearly an entire century, the Cotopaxi volcano located in Quito, Ecuador is now a major threat to hundreds of thousands of people and species due to it's recent activity. In August, the volcano let out steam and ash and has only been rising in magma levels since. An eruption is looming near (months or even weeks away) that would melt the mountains snowcap, trigger massive floods, and overall cause grave danger to the surrounding species of the area. One species in particular is being looked after when in preparation for the predicted disaster's effects. 
The small, chocolate-striped rocket frog is an endangered species that was once very common to the Quito area. For unclear reasons, there is only one population left with less than 100 adults and an unknown number of juveniles and tadpoles. This species lives along the river located next to Cotopaxi, a river that gets it's main water source from the mountain's snowcap run off. ​If the volcano were to erupt, the lava and mud barreling that would overflow the river, along with ash settling on the land, would most certainly wipe out this rare species. Because there is only one very small population left in the entire world (that is located in Quito), scientists are currently working to capture the frogs and bring them to safety. So far, only 25 tadpoles and juvenile frog have been brought to safety, but the search is still on. With a third or more of Ecuador's amphibian species endangered, these scientists are doing all that they can to protect these species by collecting, housing, and breeding them in a safe environment. The plan is to capture all rocket frogs before the eruption, bring them to safety, breed and rebuild their species, then release them back into an environment in which they can thrive.

The Cotopaxi eruption is a massive threat to all living in it's surrounding areas. The effects of the eruption will be detrimental not only those residing there, but the volcano's surrounding environment. Many people are doing all that they can to prepare for this predicted eruption.
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Where is Joaquin Headed?

10/1/2015

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Hurricane Joaquin satellite image.
National Geographic's article," What Makes Hurricanes Like Joaquin Tick?" speaks of the current growing and unpredicted hurricane, Hurricane Joaquin, which is currently located in the western Atlantic near the Bahamas. The hurricane is intensifying faster than forecasters predicted. It moved to a category 3 hurricane two days ahead of predictions on Wednesday evening and will soon become a category 4 hurricane by this evening or Friday. It's rapid growth is part due to a drop in wind shear and an unusually warm pool of water surrounding the storm. The evaporation of warm water causes a hurricane to intensify - with the surrounding water of the storm warming, more water is evaporating, sending more and more energy to the storm. Joaquin has formed slowly. This slow growth rate has given the storm more time to gain energy, which helps to account for the storms explosive growth. Many are very unsure of the hurricanes direction. Some have predicted it to hit land between the Carolina's and New Jersey, while others have predicted it to bypass the shore and head east over the Atlantic. No matter the storms path, it will have an impact on the east coast, bringing a good amount of rain and moisture to the land or worse, causing flash floods. 
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Tough Sequoias Take on Rough Fire

9/17/2015

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With the Rough Fire having burned 138,053 acres of land located around Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks in the Sierra Nevada and at only 40 percent containment, many are not only concerned about the lives of those living in this area, but the life of California's natural wildlife. Many are concerned about the threat of this fire to the giant sequoias and a famous trunk called the Chicago Stump, both of which are treasured greatly. But, as stated in the article "Sequoias and Historic Stump in Path of California Wildfire", the Chicago Stump is wrapped in fire-resistant material and has three sprinklers spraying on it, so it will be safe. Thankfully, the sequoias are safe to the fire as well. The species are well adapted to survive burns; well enough so that the species is assisted to begin the next generation of trees while in fires. This is possible because the fire forces the trees to drop their cones all at once. Because the fire kills off all other plant life, fertilizer is produced in the form of ash. Sequoias also have a chance of withstanding fire due to their fire-resistant bark that tends to grow up to two feet thick. Not only do the trees have a chance to survive, but they also can prevent the spread of fire. Their massive size and canopy help cut down the undergrowth around them, which in turn reduces fuel for fire. The fire is a danger to all in the area and those risking their lives to try and prevent the spread of it and put it out. Thousands are helping in any way that they can, even the sequoias are helping (at least maybe a little bit)! 

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Radioactive Contaminants in Coal Ash

9/10/2015

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According to a recently led Duke University study, it was revealed that the coal ash released from all three major United States coal-producing basins contains radioactive contaminants. The levels of radioactivity found in this ash is five times higher than that of normal soil due to the the way combustion concentrates radioactivity. Because of these findings, the team at Duke was led to search for radium isotopes and lead-210 in the ash. Coal naturally holds these radioactive elements, but once the coal is burned, these elements become even more radioactive. Currently, coal ash disposal sites are not monitored for radioactivity, so no one is aware of the amount of these containments released to the environment. This alone is a risk to environment and human health. 


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The article spoken of above is from from Science Daily.
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The Three Lurking Eyes

9/3/2015

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Hurricanes Kilo, Ignacio, and Jimena in the Pacific Ocean
According to National Geographic's "3 Pacific Cyclones, A Hurricane Off Africa: What's Going On?", three category 4 hurricanes (Kilo, Ignacio, and Jimena) are taking storm in the central Pacific. These cyclones and the tropical depression fourteen-e, taking form southwest of the Baja California Peninsula, are all attributed to El Niño. El Niño, an atmospheric phenomenon that takes place every five to seven years, brings the central and eastern Pacific ocean above average water temperatures. Due to the fact that cyclones build off of warm waters, hurricanes have been especially active in the Pacific this year- so active that it is the second most active hurricane season for the central Pacific on record. Multiple storms at once are also part due to the narrow atmospheric band that has become unstable and spawn off several storms that have come into contact with warm waters. These conditions are predicted to continue, making more active hurricane seasons for the central and eastern Pacific very likely. This change in conditions is something for all in contact with the Pacific to be aware of. Although these hurricanes are not predicted to hit land, they are still to be watched after and taken into consideration for preparation in regards to safety. 
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The Sea is Rising Faster than We Think

8/27/2015

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In the NBC Article, "NASA Warns Sea-Level Rise Will Only Get Worse in the Future", the conditions of changing sea levels are spoken of. On August 26, NASA officials released a computer visualization of data collected since 1992 that reveals that sea levels are quickly rising, unevenly, throughout the globe. NASA has been tracking sea levels and the reasons for the rapid rise using satellites in space and sensors on the ocean. It has been concluded that as Earth continues to rise in temperature, the rise in sea level is due to the expansion of sea water as it is warmed, melting ice sheets, and melting glaciers. It is uncertainly predicted that because of these rapid conditions, the rise in sea level could go beyond 1-3 feet (the predicted amount in 2013) by the end of the century. 

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NASA's Sea-level data revealing large rise in levels since 1994.
This rise in sea-level is important for all humans to be aware of because it effects us in many ways. Not only does it create a threat for floods, but it massively affects daily life. As sea water rises, in many places the ocean water seeps into freshwater sources in the ground. This contaminates the water, making it unsafe to drink as well as unsafe to use for farming. The rise also threatens the life of coastal wildlife and plant life populations, which will directly effect some of our ecosystems. As the sea levels quickly rise, those on Earth are majorly effected.
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