Category Archives: geology

Clues to Earth’s long history from diamonds

Guest post by Stefan Koester Scientists at the University of Bristol in England are finding clues to the earth’s carbon cycle by studying diamonds that were once 435 miles below the  earth’s surface. By examining the microscopic impurities within the diamonds, scientists are unlocking the many mysteries that remain regarding the carbon cycle and its […]

Where have all the honeybees gone?

Guest Blog by Liz Kline and Ross Holland Since 2005 Bee Keepers around the United States have noticed a significant decline in their honey bee hive colony population. It’s a development that has raised great concerns because bees pollinate an estimated 1/3 of the crops that are our source of food. An estimated 40-60 percent […]

Coal plants are a step in the wrong direction?

Guest Blog by Luke Wilson, Jasmine Woods, and Jaqueline Stogner The recent drought and influx of people in SC has caused the state-owned utility company, Santee Cooper, to propose the construction of two 660-megawatt coal-fired power plants in Florence County in order to keep up with SC’s growing electricity demand. Coal burning plants emit carbon […]

Hawaii Volcanoes

Guest blog by Shannon Maylath and Hanifah Paul Hawaii is home to some of the world’s most active and largest volcanoes.  The volcanoes that make up the Hawaiian islands are a chain of shield volcanoes that have formed over a hot spot in the pacific ocean, starting around 70 million years ago.  The islands have progressed […]