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Peer review is useful for providing students with formative feedback, yet it is used less frequently in STEM classrooms and for supporting writing-to-learn (WTL). While research indicates the benefits of incorporating peer review into classrooms, less research is focused on students' perceptions thereof. Such research is important as it speaks to the mechanisms whereby peer review can support learning. This study examines students' self-reported approaches to and perceptions of peer review and revision associated with WTL assignments implemented in an organic chemistry course. Students responded to a survey covering how they approached peer review and revision and the benefits they perceived from participating in each. Findings indicate that the assignment materials guided students' approaches during both peer review and revision. Furthermore, students described various ways both receiving feedback from their peers and reading their peers' drafts were beneficial, but primarily connected their revisions to receiving feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper reviews existing literature on South Asian ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) and identifies how community participation can be used to plan and implement ecosystem-based DRR approaches. Design/methodology/approach: The literature review methodology involved several stages. Firstly, the research objective was determined. Secondly keywords for the literature search were determined. Scopus, Google Scholar, JSTOR and AUT online library were utilized for the literature search. After the search, the literature was screened. The study design, methodology, results and limitations were identified and documented. After data extraction, the literature was analyzed. The patterns, trends and inconsistencies in the literature were identified based on the research question. Later the gaps, controversies and future research needs were identified. Then, a comprehensive and structured literature review that summarizes the relevant literature, synthesizes the findings and provides a critical evaluation of the literature was documented. After writing the document, it was reviewed and edited to ensure its clarity, accuracy and coherence. Findings: The paper identifies four different themes recurrently emerging in literature on the importance of community participation in ecosystem-based DRR in South Asia. The themes are local community participation in ecosystem-based DRR governance, knowledge production, livelihood enhancement and increased public acceptance. Originality/value: The paper also illustrates the challenges in integrating community participation with the dominant physical scientific approaches ecosystem-based DRR and proposes a five-element framework to facilitate the integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current community-led conservation (CLC) actions support present and future biodiversity. Present-day conservation volunteer efforts are measurable; however, future CLC activity is uncertain. Understanding what motivates volunteers to take part in CLC activities is therefore essential. This study investigates the relationships between hope, conservation attitudes, current conservation action, and future conservation intention. We use Snyder's adult hope state scale to explore the relationship between hope, conservation attitudes, self-reported current conservation actions, and future conservation intentions (planting, weeding, predator control) of 243 adult Aotearoa New Zealand participants. The relationship of hope and conservation attitudes to current conservation action and future conservation intention is complex. Specifically, hope relates to future conservation intention but is not associated with current conservation action. Furthermore, hope negatively correlated with intending volunteer belief that nature could heal itself. Volunteers with future conservation intentions hold conservation attitudes that actively connect people to nature and other people and show commitment to the natural world. Intending volunteers also feel able to help others learn about the natural world, value scientific and technological interventions, and the relative importance of individual effort, teamwork, and collaboration. Volunteers currently active in conservation solely held attitudes of connection to nature, connection to other people, commitment to the natural world, and helping others learn about the natural world. Understanding what motivates volunteers to undertake conservation action is critical to designing sustainable CLC projects that deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geoscientists are involved in both the upstream and downstream side of the extractive industries. As explorationists and field geologists, they are often the first technical people related to extractive industries that communities meet. It is imperative in an increasingly globalized and holistic world that geoscientists gain greater awareness of the socio-economic impact of extractive industries and become a more proactive part of improving outcomes for all with respect to extractive industries. When Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the King of Bhutan, first suggested the concept of 'Gross National Happiness' (GNH) in 1972, it was met with widespread cynicism and puzzlement. Was the concept meaningful in a hard, economically competitive world? A series of measures, including the Human Development Index (HDI), the Gini Coefficient (GC), and the now annual World Happiness Report (WHR), are evolutionary responses to the 1972 GNH and are widely accepted as proxy measures of holistic human progress. These measures go beyond the narrow confines of Gross Domestic Product and similar economic proxies, placing economic parameters alongside the social, environmental, spiritual, human rights, health, and holistic societal issues. The broad conclusions of the plethora of metrics are that 'happiness' links to issues and ideas such as equity, minimal economic inequality, excellent governance, human rights, individual freedom, and so forth. We ask the question: what is the relationship between extractive industries (EIs) and GNH? We present a wide range of data and analytical diagrams/text examining potential correlations and associations between GNH and EIs. We examine potential relationships using global data and case studies for Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, the DRC, and Jamaica. The conclusions of this analysis of course suggest a complex relationship between EIs and GNH. We acknowledge that in situations of weak governance and institutions, EIs struggle to make any tangible difference with respect to GNH. A counter conclusion that EIs may even be a major cause of weak governance, which in turn suppresses happiness, must be seriously considered. We document examples where EIs have made a definitive positive improvement to GNH. Data suggest that hydrocarbon-rich countries have made better progress with respect to GNH than mineral-rich countries. However, the main conclusion is that the link between EIs and GNH remains a work in progress, and that a narrow focus on profit and shareholder return is an antithetical approach to the GNH paradigm. A key recommendation is that industry must adopt a far more active role (rather than merely a passive role) with respect to translating the many potential benefits of EIs into GNH than has hitherto been the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambitle in the Feni Island Group is located within the NW trending Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni (TLTF) volcanic island chain, Melanesian Arc, northeastern Papua New Guinea. The TLTF chain is renowned for its alkaline magmatism, geothermal activity, copper–gold mineralization, and world-class gold mining. Although its geochemical patterns indicate island arc signatures (i.e., high LILE and depleted HFSE), TLTF volcanism is not directly related to the older Melanesian Arc subduction system. However, it may have been influenced by source mantle metasomatism linked to the older subduction. The purpose of this study is to (1) present and interpret the petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical data from Feni within the context of the tectonic evolution of the TLTF and (2) propose a geodynamic, petrogenetic model for the Feni volcanic rocks. The key methodologies used in this study are field mapping and sampling, petrographic analysis using the optical microscope, whole-rock geochemical analysis via XRF and ICP MS, and mineralogical analysis using an electron microprobe. The main rock types sampled in this study include feldspathoid-bearing basalt, trachybasalt, phonotephrite, trachyandesite, and trachydacite. Minerals identified include forsteritic olivine, diopside, augite, labradorite, andesine, anorthitic plagioclase, nepheline, and leucite in the primitive mafic suites, whereas the more evolved intermediate and felsic hypabyssal suites contain amphibole, albite, orthoclase, biotite, and either rare quartz or feldspathoids. Amphibole composition is primarily magnesiohastingsite with minor pargasite formed under polybaric conditions. Accessory minerals include apatite, titanite, and Ti-magnetite. We propose that limestone assimilation followed by fractional crystallization are plausible dominant processes in the geochemical evolution of the Ambitle volcanics. Clinopyroxene fractionation is dominant in the mafic volcanics whereas hornblende fractionation is a major petrologic process within the intermediate suites proven by the enrichment of LREE and depletions in MREE and HREE. Feni magmas are also highly enriched in REEs relative to neighboring arcs. This study is globally significant as alkaline magmas are important sources of Cu, Au, and REE as critical elements for green energy and modern technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feni is located at the southeastern end of the NW-trending Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni (TLTF) volcanic island chain, in northeastern Papua New Guinea. This island chain is renowned for hosting alkaline volcanics, geothermal activity, copper–gold mineralization, and mining. There is no agreed consensus on the tectonic and petrogenetic evolution of Feni. Thus, the purpose of our paper is to present the geology of Feni within the context of the regional tectonic evolution of the TLTF chain and offer a succinct and generic geodynamic model that sets the stage for our next paper. The methodologies used in this study include a critical review of published and unpublished literature in conjunction with our geological observations on Feni. The Pliocene-to-Holocene TLTF chain is a younger arc situated within the greater Eocene-to-Oligocene Melanesian Arc bounded by New Ireland to the west, the Kilinailau Trench and Ontong Java Plateau in the east, and the New Britain Trench to the south. The geological units mapped on Feni include a large volume of basaltic lava flow and trachyandesite stocks intruding a limestone and siltstone basement. Younger units include the trachyte domes, pyroclastic flow, and ash fall deposits. The major structures on Feni are normal or extensional faults such as the Niffin Graben. Feni magmatism is attributed to the petrogenetic processes of polybaric or decompression melting and crystal fractionation of magmas previously influenced by sediment assimilation, mantle wedge metasomatism, slab tears, slab melts, and subduction. Deep lithospheric normal faults provide the fluid pathways for the Feni alkaline magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geoheritage value in the Thames District, North Island, New Zealand, is notable for its over 50 epithermal gold deposits associated with the Coromandel Volcanic Zone, significant to the region's geological, cultural, and mining heritage. This case study was conducted in collaboration with the Thames School of Mines and Mineralogical Museum to develop a series of web-based applications for public outreach and an accessible museum experience through the utilization of specimens from the mineralogical museum. This research applies a conceptual framework of ex situ geoheritage to explore links between local geology with cultural and mining heritage. Minerals and rock specimens collected for the Thames School of Mines Mineralogical Museum were used to create 3D virtual models demonstrating the epithermal mineralization in the Thames Goldfield. Outputs of this project consist of two digital products, including a digital mineral and rock repository and the dissemination of the geological collection through integrating the photogrammetric models into a user-friendly outreach, ArcGIS Storymaps, to depict the geoheritage relationship of the specimens to regional gold mining, and at the same time, to be developed to be implemented in geoscience education and communication. The results of this paper are intended to promote the use of digital tools for enhancing and raising awareness of the geoheritage values of the Thames Goldfield. This approach has relevance for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands in raising awareness of geological, mineral, and mining heritage within widely distributed and often isolated communities across island archipelago nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 70% of global tsunamis are generated within the pan Pacific Ocean region. This paper reports on detailed analysis of civilian video footage from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan. Comprehensive scientific analysis of tsunami video footage can yield valuable insights into geophysical processes and impacts. Civili22an video footage captured during the 2011 Tohoku, East Honshu, Japan tsunami was critically examined to identify key tsunami processes and estimate local inundation heights and flow velocity in Kesennuma City. Significant tsunami processes within the video were captured and orientated in ArcGIS Pro to create an OIC (Oriented Imagery Catalogue). The OIC was published to ArcGIS Online, and the oriented imagery was configured into an interactive website. Flow velocity was estimated by quantifying the distance and time taken for an object to travel between two known points in the video. Estimating inundation height was achieved by taking objects with known or calculable dimensions and measuring them against maximum local inundation height observations. The oriented imagery process produced an interactive Experience Builder app in ArcGIS Online, highlighting key tsunami processes captured within the video. The estimations of flow velocity and local inundation height quantified during video analysis indicate flow speeds ranging from 2.5–4.29 m/s and an estimated maximum local run-up height of 7.85 m in Kesennuma City. The analysis of civilian video footage provides a remarkable opportunity to investigate tsunami impact in localised areas of Japan and around the world. These data and analyses inform tsunami hazard maps, particularly in reasonably well-mapped terrains with remote access to landscape data. The results can aid in the understanding of tsunami behaviours and help inform effective mitigation strategies in tsunami-vulnerable areas. The affordable, widely accessible analysis and methodology presented here has numerous applications, and does not require highly sophisticated equipment. Tsunamis are a significant to major geohazard globally including many Pacific Island states, e.g., Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. Video footage geoscientific analysis, as here reported, can benefit tsunami and cyclone storm surge hazards in the Pacific Islands region and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian predators are threatening New Zealand's endemic species with extinction. Community-led predator control may contribute to a predator-free nation by 2050. An individual's present and future thoughts about, and subsequent actions for, conservation rely on their current and projected motivations and concerns. Innovative approaches to conservation action theme elicitation and analysis were developed through this visual arts based qualitative study to better understand how people feel about the present and future and their place within. Twenty-five males and females from New Zealand's rural and urban communities, aged between 12 and 75 years, from primary, secondary and tertiary student, environmental education and community conservation backgrounds, each created two collages of themselves situated in today's and a future world. Interviewer-led open-ended laddering questions elicited participant responses to their collages. A further open-ended question elicited actions participants would take to move from their perceived present to a projected future world. Trello, a web-based list-making application, facilitated reflexive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. The following six common themes resulted: connectivity, commitment, learning cycle, practical actions, unconditional belief and group action. These themes, presented as eight-point Likert-type scale items in a Qualtrics digital survey, contributed to the quantitative aspect of this mixed-methods study and may facilitate understanding of future New Zealand volunteer community conservation participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian predators are threatening New Zealand's endemic species with extinction. Community-led predator control may contribute to a predator-free nation by 2050. An individual's present and future thoughts about, and subsequent actions for, conservation rely on their current and projected motivations and concerns. Innovative approaches to conservation action theme elicitation and analysis were developed through this visual arts based qualitative study to better understand how people feel about the present and future and their place within. Twenty-five males and females from New Zealand's rural and urban communities, aged between 12 and 75 years, from primary, secondary and tertiary student, environmental education and community conservation backgrounds, each created two collages of themselves situated in today's and a future world. Interviewer-led open-ended laddering questions elicited participant responses to their collages. A further open-ended question elicited actions participants would take to move from their perceived present to a projected future world. Trello, a web-based list-making application, facilitated reflexive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. The following six common themes resulted: connectivity, commitment, learning cycle, practical actions, unconditional belief and group action. These themes, presented as eight-point Likert-type scale items in a Qualtrics digital survey, contributed to the quantitative aspect of this mixed-methods study and may facilitate understanding of future New Zealand volunteer community conservation participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mt. Taranaki is an andesitic stratovolcano in the western North Island of New Zealand. Its magmas show slab-dehydration signatures and over the last 200 kyr they show gradually increasing incompatible element concentrations. Source basaltic melts from the upper mantle lithosphere pond at the base of the crust (∼25 km), interacting with other stalled melts rich in amphibole. Evolved hydrous magmas rise and pause in the mid crust (14–6 km), before taking separate pathways to eruption. Over 228 tephras erupted over the last 30 kyr display a 1000–1500 yr-periodic cycle with a five-fold variation in eruption frequency. Magmatic supply and/or tectonic regime could control this rate-variability. The volcano has collapsed and re-grown 16 times, producing large (2 to >7.5 km3) debris avalanches. Magma intrusion along N-S striking faults below the edifice are the most likely trigger for its failure. The largest Mt. Taranaki Plinian eruption columns reach ∼27 km high, dispersing 0.1 to 0.6 km3 falls throughout the North Island. Smaller explosive eruptions, or dome-growth and collapse episodes were more frequent. Block-and-ash flows reached up to 13 km from the vent, while the largest pumice pyroclastic density currents travelled >23 km. Mt. Taranaki last erupted in AD1790 and the present annual probability of eruption is 1–1.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of "Interconnected Geoscience" to a disaster and risk reduction (DRR) case study at SECMOL College, near Leh, Ladakh, N. India. Interconnected geoscience is a model that advocates holistic approaches to geoscience for development. This paper reports research/practical work with Ladakhi students/staff, undertaking community-oriented DRR exercises in hazard awareness, DRR themed village/college mapping, vulnerability assessments and DRR management scenario development. The geoscientific hazard analysis work is published within a separate sister paper, with results feeding into this work. This work addresses aspects of, and contributes to, the DRR research(science)-policy-interface conversation. Design/methodology/approach: Interconnected geoscience methodologies for DRR here are: the application of geoscience for hazard causality, spatial distribution, frequency and impact assessment, for earthquakes, floods and landslides, within the SECMOL area; the generation of community-developed DRR products and services of use to a range of end-users; the development of a contextual geoscience approach, informed by social-developmental-issues; and the active participation of SECMOL students/teachers and consequent integration of local world-views and wisdom within DRR research. Initial DRR awareness levels of students were assessed with respect to earthquakes/floods/landslides/droughts. Following hazard teaching sessions, students engaged in a range of DRR exercises, and produced DRR themed maps, data, tables and documented conversations of relevance to DRR management. Findings: Students levels of hazard awareness were variable, generally low for low-frequency hazards (e.g. earthquakes) and higher for hazards such as floods/landslides which either are within recent memory, or have higher frequencies. The 2010 Ladakhi flood disaster has elevated aspects of flood-hazard knowledge. Landslides and drought hazards were moderately well understood. Spatial awareness was identified as a strength. The application of an interconnected geoscience approach immersed within a student+staff college community, proved to be effective, and can rapidly assess/build upon awareness levels and develop analytical tools for the further understanding of DRR management. This approach can assist Ladakhi regional DRR management in increasing the use of regional capability/resources, and reducing the need for external inputs. Practical implications: A series of recommendations for the DRR geoscience/research-policy-practice area include: adopting an "interconnected geoscience" approach to DRR research, involving scientific inputs to DRR; using and developing local capability and resources for Ladakhi DRR policy and practice; using/further-developing DRR exercises presented in this paper, to integrate science with communities, and further-empower communities; taking account of the findings that hazard awareness is variable, and weak, for potentially catastrophic hazards, such as earthquakes, when designing policy and practice for raising DRR community awareness; ensuring that local values/world views/wisdom inform all DRR research, and encouraging external "experts" to carefully consider these aspects within Ladakh-based DRR work; and further-developing DRR networks across Ladakh that include pockets of expertise such as SECMOL. Originality/value: The term "interconnected geoscience" is highly novel, further developing thinking within the research/science-policy-practice interface. This is the first time an exercise such as this has been undertaken in the Ladakh Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper places a college at the centreof a multi-hazard assessment (earthquake, flood and landslide). The college is within a less studied, rural area of Ladakh, North India. Research focusses on a case study (Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) College), close to Leh, Ladakh, and extends to incorporate/apply thinking from/to the wider Ladakh region. The approach adopted, centring on the hazard assessment of a single entity/local area, allows a rapid uptake of hazard recommendations within a college environment planning to continue its existence for decades ahead. A sister paper (Petterson et al., 2019) documents the active involvement of college staff and students in the principles of geohazard assessment and the development of student-centric hazard assessments of the college and their home village. SECMOL is a self-sufficient, alternative, college, organised along strong environmentally sustainable principles. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: This work has adopted different strategies for different hazards. Fieldwork involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data (e.g. shape and size of valleys/river channels/valley sides, estimation of vegetation density, measurement of sediment clasts, angle of slopes, assessment of sediment character, stratigraphy of floodplains and identification of vulnerable elements). These data were combined with satellite image analysis to: define river catchment character and flood vulnerability (e.g. using the methodology of Collier and Fox, 2003), examine catchment connectivity, and examine landslip scars and generic terrain analysis. Literature studies and seismic database interrogation allowed the calculation of potential catchment floodwater volumes, and the collation of epicentre, magnitude, depth and date of seismic events, together with recent thinking on the return period of large Himalayan earthquakes. These data were used to develop geological-seismic and river catchment maps, the identification of vulnerable elements, and disaster scenario analyses. Findings: This research concludes that SECMOL, and much of the Ladakh region, is exposed to significant seismic, flood and landslide hazard risk. High magnitude earthquakes have return periods of 100s to c. 1,000 years in the Himalayas and can produce intense levels of damage. It is prudent to maximise earthquake engineering wherever possible. The 2010 Leh floods demonstrated high levels of devastation: these floods could severely damage the SECMOL campus if storms were centred close by. This study reveals the connectivity of catchments at varying altitudes and the potential interactions of adjacent catchments. Evacuation plans need to be developed for the college. Northern ridges at SECMOL could bury parts of the campus if mobilised by earthquakes/rainfall. Slope angles can be lowered and large boulders moved to reduce risk. This work reinforces recommendations that relate to building quality and urban/rural planning, e.g. using spatial planning to keep people away from high-risk zones. Practical implications: The frequency of hazards is low, but potential impacts high to very high. Hazard mitigation actions include engineering options for hazardous slopes, buildings to be earthquake-proofed, and evacuation management for large floods. Originality/value: Methodologies undertaken in this research are well-tested. Linkages between disciplines are ambitious and somewhat original. The application of this work to a specific college centre site with the capacity to rapidly take up recommendations is novel. The identification of catchment inter-connectivity in this part of Ladakh is novel. This work complements a sister paper (Petterson et al., 2019) for community aspects of this study, adding to the novelty value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 24 January 2012, a fatal landslide with an estimated volume of 3 Mm hit villagers and infrastructure in the Tagali Valley, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Although a moderate event by PNG standards, the associated human casualties and infrastructure destruction give a human as well as a scientific need to review the potential causes for the event. PNG experiences numerous landslides annually, most of which are trigged either by rainfall events or seismic activity. Here, we review the short-term rainfall patterns leading up to the slope failure at Tumbi Quarry and compare the rainfall accumulations obtained over durations of 30, 60 and 90 days prior to the landslide, with comparable rainfall accumulations obtained for other failures observed in PNG over a 12-year period. Additionally, a review of long-term rainfall over a period of 6 months prior to the failure is completed as well as an assessment of seismic activity. Based on our analysis, we believe a seismic trigger to be very unlikely, while the increase in rainfall in the 2 weeks prior to the failure in conjunction with a high-intensity rainfall event at the end of October 2011 could have had a greater influence in enhancing rather than restraining slope failure. This, in addition to natural denudational processes, geological structure and the anthropogenic activity in the vicinity of the landslide, could all have served to affect slope stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective.To describe a new pulse oximetry technology and measurement paradigm developed by Masimo Corporation. Introduction.Patient motion, poor tissue perfusion, excessive ambient light, and electrosurgical unit interference reduce conventional pulse oximeter (CPO) measurement integrity. Patient motion frequently generates erroneous pulse oximetry values for saturation and pulse rate. Motion-induced measurement error is due in part to wide spread implementation of a theoretical pulse oximetry model which assumes that arterial blood is the only light-absorbing pulsatile component in the optical path. Methods.Masimo Signal Extraction Technology(SET®) pulse oximetry begins with conventional red and infrared photoplethysmographic signals, and then employs a constellation of advanced techniques including radiofrequency and light-shielded optical sensors, digital signal processing, and adaptive filtration, to measure SpO2 accurately during challenging clinical conditions. In contrast to CPO which calculates O2 saturation from the ratio of transmitted pulsatile red and infrared light, Masimo SET pulse oximetry uses a new conceptual model of light absorption for pulse oximetry and employs the discrete saturation transform (DST) to isolate individual “saturation components” in the optical pathway. Typically, when the tissue under analysis is stationary, only the single saturation component produced by pulsatile arterial blood is present.In contrast, during patient motion, movement of non-arterial components (for example, venous blood) can be identified as additional saturation components (with a lower O2 saturation). When conditions of the Masimo model are met, the saturation component corresponding to the highest O2 saturation is reported by the instrument as SpO2. Conclusion.The technological strategies implemented in Masimo SET pulse oximetry effectively permit continuous monitoring of SpO2 during challenging clinical conditions of motion and poor tissue perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) relies on the thermal differences between ocean surface waters and cooler waters at c. 1000 m depth. The highest and most reliable thermal differentials are in the low latitudes, 20° either side of the equator, including the Pacific Islands region. Whilst in theory OTEC can utilize an inexhaustible amount of stored energy within the oceans, in practice the industry remains in its technical infancy, but with an increasing relevance to a post-fossil-fuel, environmentally conscious world. OTEC does not only produce electricity. OTEC-seawater utilization technologies produce high demand ocean minerals, desalination, a range of waters for aquaculture and hydroponics, and have the potential to produce large quantities of green hydrogen. OTEC is a green energy and could revolutionize the energy and economic landscape of Pacific island countries, providing reliable low-C electricity and a basis for a range of industry. This paper analyses the economics of using OTEC in combination with existing and potential future industries of importance to the Pacific (and other oceanic) regions, including tuna fisheries, seabed minerals and green hydrogen. The conclusions of these analyses suggest that OTEC has the potential to minimize carbon emissions, increase efficiencies, and create new high-quality green-technology industries and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific Island States and Territories are traditionally described as 'small island' nations. However, they are also 'large ocean' nations with jurisdiction over substantial maritime spaces stretching to at least 200 nautical miles. The article addresses issues related to baselines along the coast on which these broad maritime claims depend. The article then examines geodynamic considerations coupled with sea and land level projections in the Pacific leading to an assessment of the vulnerability or resilience of atolls in particular. The article then discusses potential implications for the coastlines and baselines of the Pacific Island States and Territories, the limits of their maritime entitlements and both delimited and undelimited maritime boundaries. Potential response options, prospects, and concluding thoughts are then offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At 07:45 a.m. on 2 April 2007, a tsunami hit Ghizo Island, western Solomon Islands in the south-west Pacific. Thirty-three people died on Ghizo, of whom 31 originated from a relatively small migrant Gilbertese community (transmigrated in the 1950s–1970s from Kiribati), while only two were from the majority Melanesian community. This paper documents an extensive 4-year study that addresses the potential core reasons for this asymmetrical casual impact. Community-participatory social science research was undertaken in two Gilbertese villages and two Melanesian villages. The four villages had similar spatial vulnerabilities due to their coastal location, although they had variable access to the safer higher ground. Gilbertese villages had less diverse ocean-reliant livelihoods, a limited knowledge of hinterland bush resource utilisation, uncertainties regarding land rights, and perceived ethnic discrimination. Melanesian villages had strong wantok and kastom social reciprocity cultures, a diverse set of livelihoods, wider social capital with other Melanesian communities, and greater security regarding land rights. This paper argues that these key factors—linked to the lower status as a migrant community of the Gilbertese, a limited sharing of knowledge between communities, government blind spots and power hierarchies—explain both the disproportionate impacts of the disaster and issues that impact longer-term aid intervention and social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne magnetic and radiometric datasets have, over the past few years, become powerful tools in the identification of porphyry systems which may host economic porphyry copper–gold–molybdenum ore bodies. Magnetisation contrasts with the unaltered host rocks, coupled with the elevated radiometric signature, compared to the host rock, makes identification of large-scale porphyry copper systems possible. Integrating these two different datasets with stream sediment data and other geochemical exploration methods results in a higher degree of confidence. Stream sediment data were analysed to see the distribution of copper and gold elements throughout the study area, located within the Eastern Papuan Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. Airborne geophysics data over the same area were also processed for magnetic and radiometric responses. The processing of the magnetic data revealed several magnetic anomalies related to concealed intrusive rock units, with associated radiometric signatures. The distribution of gold and copper anomalism was correlated with the geology and geophysical signatures. Results indicate varying degrees of correlation, with some areas showing a strong correlation between gold/copper occurrence and geophysical signatures, compared to other areas. Some factors that we believe impact the level of correlation may include tectonic history, volcanic cover, and weathering patterns. We recommend caution when applying multi-data exploration for porphyry copper systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From over three decades of close contact with Pacific Islands geoscience, the author reflects on key issues (what he wished he had known earlier) about the nature of islands, their landscapes and their peoples. Experience elsewhere in the world rarely prepares you for the Pacific, from its youthful and often tectonically unstable landscapes to the understandings of its inhabitants, which are sometimes time-consuming and difficult to access yet frequently illuminating. Mysteries abound in Pacific geoscience, often in places as difficult to access as they ever were, yet which have the potential to inform global ideas about earth-surface evolution. Geoscience research and enterprise remain largely foreigner-driven in the Pacific Islands, which is often anathemic to sustainability, privileging ideas that are uncritically assumed to be shared by their peoples. An opportunity exists for Pacific peoples to own the geoscientific knowledge and potential of their islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on sustainable development of nonrenewable mineral resources. It is noted that the development involves extraction and usage of resources for present use which is bound to cause a reduction in the resources for the future generation. The application of sustainable mineral development requires that the geoscientific information be reinterpreted. It stresses the need to ensure that past mining practices and their negative impact on the environment are not repeated.

The effect of room acoustics on microphone placement and selection for teleconferencing systems and current approaches to electroacoustic feedback and echo control in teleconferencing systems will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]