Current Events

  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
  • Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley
    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Io...Read more

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    Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley

    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. On May 20th, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, devastating communities - destroying over 100 homes and hitting two elementary schools and a hospital - with many casualties and deaths. Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues suffering from these storms. For more on the May 20th storms, see the NOAA Storm Prediction Center Storm Report.
  • Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education
    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of ...Read more

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    Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education

    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of sustainability. Here is a link to the one-page bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2366_00_0000.pdf. See report on Bloomberg News.
This is a drawing of lithospheric motion of the Earth.
Click on image for full size

Motions of Venus' Lithosphere

A thick lithosphere would supress motions of the surface of Venus. It is not yet clear whether the lithosphere of Venus is thick or thin. The shape of the volcanoes of Venus suggests that over its history, Venus has built a thick lithosphere, like that of Mars.

On the other hand, features found on the surface, listed below, are all evidence that a planet's surface may be in motion. For Venus, these features are present but sparse, suggesting that the lithosphere does not move with the same speed, or in the same way, as that of the Earth, but is in motion nonetheless.


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Science, Evolution, and Creationism

How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable....more

The Venus Lithosphere

Like the Earth's lithosphere, the lithosphere of Venus is the not-so-rigid part of the crust of Venus which is cooler than the interior of Venus, somewhat like the film on top of a cup of hot cocoa. Unlike...more

Volcanic Formations of Venus

Unlike Mars, it is not the size but the shape of the volcanoes which suggests that over its history Venus has built a thick lithosphere. The shape of the volcanoes suggests that there has been no slumping...more

Venus Mountains

The four main mountain ranges of Venus are named Maxwell Montes, Frejya Montes, Akna Montes, and Danu Montes. These are found on Ishtar Terra. Mountain ranges are formed by the folding and buckling of...more

Volcanism of Venus

The Magellan and Venera...more

Venus Tessera

Tessera is a unique feature of Venus, and is also known as "complex ridged terrain". These features are found on some of the Venus Plateau Highlands. Tessera is created is by a shortening of the lithosphere....more

Venus Faulting

This picture shows an example of folding and faulting on Venus. The different patterns of faulting provide evidence of the stress and strain, or crustal deformation taking place on the surface. Types of...more

Venus Coronae

The feature of Venus' topography called a "Corona" is a deep, curving, trench surrounding an elevated plain. Coronae is the plural term for corona. This is an image of Artemis Corona which is found on...more

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