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The article discusses earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, examining attempts to determine the size of earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 as well as earthquakes which occurred in the area after 1812. Seismologist Susan Hough studied terrain and reported quake intensities, historian Kent Moran studied accounts of the earthquakes, and seismologist Chris Cramer studied other intraplate quakes. Research on liquefaction and sand boils by seismologist Thomas Holzer is also examined.

Provides information on underground coal fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania. Problems with extinguishing underground coal fires; Environmental effect of coal fires; Elements of coal fires; Effect of the heat generated by coal fires on landscape; Forecast on underground coal fires in Centralia.

The article explores the possibility of an earthquake occurrence on the U.S. Pacific Coast following a series of major earthquakes below the Pacific Ocean, including the February 2010 Chilean earthquake, the September 2010 New Zealand earthquake, and the March 2011 Japanese earthquake. INSET: How do scientists measure the speed of tectonic plates?.

Reports on the development of a model which predicts the frequency of tornadoes for locations in the United States. Damage caused by tornadoes in the U.S.; Characterization of tornadoes by force; Role of Harold E. Brooks in the development of the model; Areas in the U.S. where tornadoes are the most common.

Discusses how researchers are studying how snow crystals change shape under fluctuating environmental conditions, causing avalanches. Analysis of how particles within these flows interact as they rush downhill; Implications of the research, including helping engineers design better protective barriers for areas at high risk for snowslides; Erroneous beliefs regarding what triggers avalanches; Research by the Montana State University's Department of Civil Engineering.

Looks at the problems facing the United States due to wildfires. Statistics on wildfires and the damage they caused in 2000; Reasons for the increase in fires, including warmer weather which created dryer underbrush, the La Nina effect, and population movement to the country; So-called intermix fires, due to population encroachment on wildfire-prone eras; Reasons why public does not the use of prescribed fires as a technique to fight wildfires. INSET: Warmth from a distant fire.

Discusses work done on the Smithsonian Institution's Triceratops exhibit in Washington D.C. Decision to take apart the dinosaur skeleton in order to strengthen the bones; Formation of the skeleton from bones of several different Triceratops; Use of digital imaging to better understand how the dinosaur stood and moved; Reassemblage of the dinosaur using plaster casts which will more accurately display what the living dinosaur looked like.

Discusses the theory that the Grand Canyon is younger than was previously thought. Idea of geologists that portions of the canyon were eroded in the last million years; Use of radioactive dating to determine the age of ash in layers of limestone in the area; Meeting of geologists in which theories concerning the erosion of the canyon were discussed.

Reports on the large amount of shipwreck exploration being done in United States inland waterways. Focus on various ships that have been discovered; The use of technology developed for exploring the ocean depths to identify these sites; The large amount of traffic that took place on inland waterways before locomotives and automobiles.

The article discusses the solar panel project of Georgia Hutchinson which won the Broadcom Mathematics, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars (MASTERS) competition for middle-school researchers in the U.S. in October 2018. Hutchinson invented a tracker that increases the energy collected by solar panels to help homeowners quickly pay the installation costs of the panels.

The article focuses on the 2017 Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars (MASTERS) competition that was developed by the Society for Science & the Public and sponsored by Irvine, California-based Broadcom Foundation for middle school science and engineering students in the U.S. Highlights are given on the underwater challenge faced by finalists in creating remotely-operated vehicles (ROV) through their engineering skills and teamwork.

The article reports that body armors provide better protection if its fabric were woven differently based on the research of Wetumpka High School 11th grader Lucas Lynn. Lucas has created two different weaves using a Kevlar fabric and tested its strength by shooting BBs, small projectiles fired from a gas-powered gun or rifle. His research was presented at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2017.

An interview with U.S. astronaut Chris Hadfield is presented. Hadfield, who wrote the book "An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth," discusses how his transition back to planet Earth been going, what inspired him to address mundane activities in zero gravity, such as nail cutting, in his videos and book, and the challenges of making the music video for the song “Space Oddity” on the International Space Station (ISS).

The article discusses the revival of longleaf pine forest in the southeastern U.S. Topics include the ecological diversity of longleaf pine forests, a collaboration between National Wildlife Federation (NWF) state affiliate, the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF), and landowners, such as Garrett Carstarphen, in central and southern parts of Alabama to restore long-leaf pine on their land, and fire's critical role in the longleaf pine ecosystems.

The article discusses radiative-forcing atmospheric constituents and mathematical simulations that account for greenhouse gases that heat the atmosphere and aerosols that cool it. Climate scientist Drew Shindell of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and his team are noted for modifying the NASA climate model to account for aerosols. Their report appears in the October 30, 2009 issue of "Science." INSET: Back Story.

The article discusses data that shows the loss of India's groundwater as a result of increased irrigation of crops. Satellite data from the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA) Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) revealed that the pace at which water from India's aquifers is being extracted is faster than the aquifer's ability to replenish itself. Also discusses are factors contributing to the increased demand for groundwater, such as population growth.

The article disputes the belief that some researchers have concluded that the Earth is cooling, not warming. The author cites articles published in earlier issues including: "Heated Dispute" from the 10/27/07 issue and "Don't blame the cities," in the 9/5/08 issue published online, which support his argument. Additionally, research is provided from the "Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society," which found only 7 published articles over a 14 year span which predicted global cooling.

The article reports that climatologists from the University of Arizona have found that tree rings in timber from the Colorado Plateau present evidence of a massive drought in the region lasting from 1118-1179. The arid conditions in the area preserve wood for centuries. The drought resulted in below average flow in the Colorado River for 13 years, far in excess of any dry period recorded since 1900.

The article looks at the management of environmental conditions at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Last November, the Grand Canyon experienced its largest flood in more than 8 years. The planned flood, designed and scheduled by scientists, was intended to rebuild the sandbars and beaches along stretches of the river near the dam. In the 4 decades since the massive dam was built, those river features have been, on average, losing more material than they gain. November's flood is the second artificial inundation in the last decade designed to shore up the all-too-ephemeral sandbars and beaches. Most of the silt and sand carried by the river now drops out of suspension when the current meets the still waters at the head of Lake Powell. Environmental conditions in the river have been altered significantly since the Glen Canyon Dam became operational. Despite the substantial growth of sandbars and beaches along several stretches of the Colorado as a result of the flood, the long-term stability of those features remains unclear.

Provides information on the La Brea tar pits, a fossil-bearing area located in Los Angeles, California. Animal bones discovered at the site between 1913 and 1915; Possible origin of the La Brea tar pits; Explanation given by paleontologists for the herbivores found trapped in the pits.

Focuses on the genetic analysis conducted by paleontologists on the fossilized dung of an ancient sloth in Nevada. Purpose of the genetic analysis; Findings of the study; Implications of analysis to modern sloths.

Twice each day at more than 1,100 sites around the world, scientists simultaneously loft weather balloons to collect data about Earth's atmosphere. If they could collect millions of daily measurements of currents, salinity, water temperature, chemical composition, plankton populations, and other features of the oceans, which cover 70 percent of Earth's surface, scientists could begin to model the vast, underwater world with finesse. Such instrument-crammed ocean rovers will free scientists from sea duty, says Daniel J. Fornari, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole, Massachusetts Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). Sensors measure water temperature, electrical conductivity, and pressure, which tells the probe its depth in the ocean, says W. Brechner Owens of WHOI. The new system will tap a source of energy readily available in most temperate-latitude oceans-the temperature difference between the warm water at the ocean's surface and the cold water thousands of meters below.

Reports that a mummified dinosaur fossil found in Montana may have revealed what the creature's muscles and other soft tissue looked like. Measurements and conditions of dinosaur fossil, dubbed Leonardo; How Leonardo is of the species Brachylophosaurus canadensis; What the presence of liverworts, which survives in humid conditions, tells scientists about the decomposition of Leonardo.

Focuses on the perception that Mount Rainier in Washington, the tallest mountain in the Cascade range that parallels the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern California, is the United States' most dangerous volcano. Scare produced by a landslide that occurred on the dormant volcano; Presence of pyroclastic deposits near the mountain; Dangers posed by the formation of lahars, which form from ash and other debris; Assessment of risk by Thomas Sisson, a volcanologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in California.

Reports on the prediction of the destruction of beach houses in the United States by erosion. Beaches lost each year to storms and rising water; Number of urban buildings expected to be lost; Effect of global warming on the level of the oceans.

The article discusses the chosen finalists fir the 2015 Intel Science Talent Search, a science research competition for high school seniors from the U.S. which will take place in Washington, D.C. from March 5 through 11, 2015. Topics include how the competition is organized and sponsored by the Society for Science & the Public, qualifying projects such as a portable blood disease detection device, and a list of the finalists including Lily Liu, Emily Lorin Ashkin, and Catherine J. Li.

The article talks about a study on the impact of smoke from fires in Mexico and Central America on the outbreak of tornadoes in southeastern U.S., particularly in April 2011, and how smoke from distant regions should be included in weather models.

The article focuses on a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as of October 2014 which revealed the existence of approximately 1,500 active volcanoes across the Earth. Topics discussed include eruption of about 500 volcanoes since its reporting by humans, out of which around 10 percent exist in the U.S., existence of large volcanoes above the surface of the planet Mars, and impact of the eruption on global climatic conditions. Also discussed is the formation of volcanoes.

The article announces that student Eric Chen received the $100,000 first place prize at the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search on March 11 for his computer analyses of flu-fighting compounds and lists the top ten other winners, including Kevin Lee in second place, and William Kuszmaul in third place.

The article announces that 40 high school age scientists were selected as finalists in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search, a contest administered by the nonprofit organization Society for Science & the Public, and will compete for a $100,000 grand prize in Washington, D.C., in March 2014.

The article examines the presence of fault zones in the Midwestern part of the U.S. Topics covered include the discovery of the faults in 1800s, occurrence of earthquakes in the region and level of the earthquakes. Also mentioned are the recorded aftershock of earthquakes in the area on December 16, 1811.

The article reports on the novel surfaces called omniphobic created by three scientist in the U.S. to repel liquids. It notes that material scientists Anish Tuteja and her team at the University of Michigan created the super-repellent fabric that may aid in removing spilled oil. It also cites that mechanical engineer Charlotte Barbier and his team designed a surface that trap air while material scientist Michael Rubner and his team designed surfaces that attract water droplets.

The article presents information on the findings of research conducted by U.S. teen researchers on germ-killing powers of copper. Florida's Polk State College Lakeland Collegiate High School student Summer Monroe has developed bandages. that include copper to kill bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Utah's Brandon Healey found that germs don't grow on surfaces containing copper.

The article reports that 100 high school and middle students met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in April 2013 to discuss their science and engineering projects.

The article discusses a study by Oner Sufri and colleagues reported at the annual meeting of the Seismological Society of America in Salt Lake City, Ohio which analyzed data recorded across the continental U.S. between October 18 and November 4, 2012. According to Sufri, seismic data could help fill the gaps created if a weather-gazing satellite fails before its replacement is traveling in the same orbit.

The article focuses on the camera-and-telescope combination used by solar physicists of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to discover that magnetic heating played a role in heating the sun's corona aside from the energy caused by wave heating. It says that the telescope could spot features in the solar atmosphere that were only 150 kilometers across, a six-fold improvement over other instruments orbiting the Earth.

The article discusses data from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Solar Dynamics Observatory about how the sun's shape is more spherical and steadier than previously believed. It is shown that the sun's midsection is slimmer and that the star's overall shape does not change much during the 11-year sunspot cycle. A study led by Jeffrey Kuhn and published online on the web site of "Science" on August 16, 2012 is also referenced.

The article reports on the discovery by scientists of three planets circling a star dubbed Kepler-30 using data gathered by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Kepler spacecraft. One planet orbits the star every 29 days while the other two orbit the star every 60 days and 143 days respectively. Analysis revealed a huge, dark starspot on Kepler-30. The planes of those orbits are found to be closely aligned with the rotational plane of the parent star.

The article reports that a high school student of the U.S. has won a competition related to pancreatic cancer test. It states that judges at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which was held on May 18, 2012 awarded cash prize of 75,000 dollars for a student who created a sensor. It highlights that the sensor looks for certain chemical in blood, which can help doctors detect cancer.

The article reports on a study published online in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" reveals that a substantial number of offshore wind turbines proposed along the areas in the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast of the U.S. could buckle and collapse if subjected to a hurricane-force winds.

The article reveals that agriculture accounts for about 92% of global consumption of fresh water based on a study published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," on February 13, 2012. The study is described by Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project, as the most comprehensive and finest-resolution analysis to date. It cites the U.S. as the biggest consumer of fresh water per capita with China and India following.

The article discusses a new study reported in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" on February 6, 2012 that reveals that ancient katydids sang at a single frequency at 6.4 kilohertz or 6,400 cycles per second. The conclusion was based on an analysis of katydid wing fragments from 165-million-year rocks in northern China that include well-preserved versions of the music-making structures.The study suggests that the newly described Jurassic species was also nocturnal.

The article present an overview of the causes and measurement of earthquakes and discusses the role that tectonic plates play in the development of earthquakes. A discussion of the prevalence of earthquakes in the U.S., and of U.S. areas, including the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central U.S., that are at high risk for earthquakes, is presented.

The article focuses on the possibility that the Eel River was blocked by a massive landslide from the Nefus Peak in California. It mentions that the Eel River has two types of steelhead trout that swim upstream from the ocean to spawn like many rivers in the western U.S. It says that the access to spawning grounds was blocked by the landslide for centuries, forcing many generations of trout from the two groups to interbreed on the downstream side of the natural dam.

The article reports new findings of carbon monoxide gasses emitted from the atmosphere of the planet Pluto as it completed its 248-years orbit around the sun. It cites other gasses previously discovered from telescopic observations including nitrogen and methane. Astrobiologist Janes Greaves also reports that its atmosphere has grown from 135 kilometers to 3,000 kilometers since it was first discovered 80 years ago to May 2010. It states that more can be learned as the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's New Horizon mission nears Pluto.

The article discusses research conducted by geophysicist Anthony Lowry and colleague Marta Pérez-Gussinyé and published in the March 16, 2011 online issue of "Nature," about the link between the quartz content of crustal rocks and large-scale deformations such as mountain ranges in the western U.S. The speed of compressive primary (P)-waves was compared with that of the temblor's secondary (S)-waves. It mentions the impact of a quartz-weakened patch of crust on the weakening of rocks.

The article discusses a budget proposal by U.S. president Barack Obama for higher level of science spending in fiscal 2011. Obama proposed over 100 billion dollars in federal spending on research and development (R&D) with much of it allocated to nondefense-related funding. A chart listing the government agencies that will receive funds, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), is presented.

The article discusses two studies presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society that blame the decrease in hot days and increased rainfall on the activities of farmers.

The article offers science news briefs. According to a report by researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Stanford, California, international trade contributed to increased global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the production of goods and services. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has begun using the Internet social networking site Twitter to gather data about earthquakes.