bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meteorites offer cosmochemical clues
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

‘One of the pleasant ironies of the Apollo program was that it took a trip to the moon to teach us how to uncover the secrets contained in primitive meteorites.’ That is Robert N. Clayton's way of saying that he believes techniques originally developed to analyze lunar material in minute amounts are at least partly responsible for the new resurgence in meteoritic research.

Clayton, chairman of the Department of Geophysical Sciences and professor in the Enrico Fermi Institute at the University of Chicago, uses an ion microprobe to study anomalous magnesium in tiny extraterrestrial dust grains. The ion microprobe bombards samples with a finely focused beam of charged particles to remove material to be analyzed. The instrument is unique in its capability to measure isotopic ratios in specks of matter as fine as 10 fim across; more than 2500 mineral grains this size would have to be placed end to end to span a single inch.
SEAN Report
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Frequent eruptions from the Northeast Crater of Etna (Sicily) continued through early January. Following the November 4, 1977, activity reported in February 1978 EOS (p. 78), brief eruptions occurred on November 7, 22, and 25. On December 6, lava flowed 4.5 km down the east flank in an 11‐hour eruption. Tephra was thrown 1000 m above the vent on December 24 and several hundred meters above the vent 5 days later, when small earthquakes were felt in nearby villages. A 1‐km lava flow was extruded January 2, 1978, and renewed tephra emission January 4 produced a cloud of several hundred meters.
The U.S. educational effort in unsaturated zone hydrology
Authors: Davidson James M. , Hornberger George M. , Molz Fred J.
Published: October 2011

The region of the earth below the land surface and above the water‐saturated zone plays a major role in determining the behavior of hydrologic systems. To help educators and other interested individuals evaluate and continue molding the U.S. educational effort in the hydrology of the unsaturated zone, the AGU Hydrology Section Committee on Water in the Unsaturated Zone conducted a study of the number and level of university educational programs involved in unsaturated zone hydrology.

The basis for this report was the questionnaire shown here as Figure 1. A total of 189 questionnaires were sent to departments in schools of engineering, earth science, and agriculture. Nine of the 114 returns were rejected because of mistakes or duplication. The remaining 105 could be divided almost half and half into those from departments in schools of engineering and schools of earth science (58) and those from schools of agriculture (47).
New mooring design allows deepwater floating breakwaters
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

A mooring system that makes floating breakwaters possible in deepwater harbors has been designed by Tokuo Yamamoto at Oregon State University (OSU) as a by‐product of his fundamental investigations of the interaction of waves and floating objects.

Yamamoto found that the waveweakening ability of circular floating breakwaters is almost independent of the type of mooring and that round breakwaters are consistently effective for smaller waves. However, his research has shown that the waveweakening capability of rectangular or elliptical breakwaters is strongly dependent on the type of mooring.
USGS gathering offshore data for OCS
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

During the 1977 fiscal year the U.S. Geological Survey acquired offshore geophysical and geological data from nearly 160,000 km of tracking in the Atlantic, the Pacific, offshore Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico in direct support of the outer continental shelf (OCS) oil and gas resource evaluation program.

Geophysical data, which include common depth point and high‐resolution seismic data, some gravity and magnetic data, and geologic data, are acquired by the USGS for use in selecting and evaluating promising tracts to be offered by the Bureau of Land Management for lease and in identifying geologic features which could be hazardous to subsequent drilling or production operations. Such data are obtained by surveys made from ships that follow a predetermined criss‐cross pattern and tow special signal‐generating and recording equipment.
Maine is first in series of state earthquake maps
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

A new series of maps illustrating the earthquake history of each of the conterminous 48 states is being published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The maps detail the history of recorded earthquakes, showing the location, date, time of day, latitude and longitude, severity, and area over which each recorded tremor was felt. The seismic map of Maine, first in the series, lists 82 earthquakes since 1817 that have been centered in Maine or just offshore.
AGU Midwest Meeting Report
Authors: Hinze William J. , Braile Lawrence W.
Published: October 2011

Approximately 150 Midwestern geophysicists attended the third annual AGU Midwest Meeting, which was held at Purdue University, September 26–28, 1977. The majority of the 75 papers presented were related to topical special sessions arranged by seven sections of the Union to be of particular, current importance to Midwestern geophysics. The interest shown in the meeting indicates not only the vigor of current geophysical research in the Midwest but also the desirability of continuing these meetings.

The majority of the papers presented were in the area of solid‐earth geophysics, and these primarily were concerned with the paleogeodynamics and contemporary geodynamics of the Midwest. They reflect the growing interest in deciphering the complex evolutionary history of the continental interior by utilizing a wide range of methodologies and the concepts of plate tectonics which have generally emphasized oceanic and continental margin features. The papers in the session on Geology and Geophysics of the Precambrian Basement Rocks of the Midcontinent Region demonstrated that geophysical data can be used to clarify and amplify our understanding of the basement geology in poorly exposed regions. By extension of the data base to include buried portions of the basement, it soon may be possible to determine the major structural, lithologic, and chronologic provinces of the basement in the Midwest fairly accurately. The session dealing with Geodynamics of Plate Interiors demonstrated that the structures present in the midcontinent reflect a long and complex midplate tectonism which is not completely understood. The 15 papers of the sessions on the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the 38th Parallel Lineament, and the Seismicity of the Midwest illustrate the rapidly broadening interest in and knowledge of the tectonic framework of the seismically active New Madrid area and environs. It was emphasized that this area is an excellent example of reactivation of ancient structures during the Phanerozoic and locally into the present. Interpretation of surface, air, and satellite geophysical and geological data suggests the presence of an ancient easterly striking rift south of the 38th Parallel Lineament and a northeast‐trending graben lying along the axis of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Microearthquakes together with historical seismicity are being used to delineate active faults of this area and estimate earthquake recurrence rates and the local stress state.
AGU Pacific Northwest Meeting Report
Authors: Johnson Ansel G.
Published: October 2011

The twenty‐fourth annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Region was held at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, on September 29 and 30, 1977. The meeting attracted 101 registered attendants, and 46 papers were given.

The program featured special sessions and a panel discussion on Problems in Low Flow Years. Both sections on water were prompted by the low rainfall, so they were very topical. In addition to the special sessions, sessions were held in oceanography, experimental tectonophysics, geomagnetism, volcanology, seismology, hydrology, and general geophysics.
1977 Fall Meeting Report
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The 1977 Fall Meeting was held December 5–9 in San Francisco, California, at the Jack Tar and Holiday Inn‐Golden Gateway hotels. Approximately 1100 papers were presented, an increase of 150 over the 1976 Fall Meeting. Total registration was 1835, of whom 1268 were members, 249 were students, and 318 were nonmembers. The meeting program and the abstracts of papers to be presented were published in the December 1977 issue of Eos, pages 1110–1257. This report includes program changes and postdeadline and revised abstracts.
OES solicits suggestions
Authors: Oliver Jack E.
Published: October 2011

The Office of Earth Sciences (OES) and its Advisory Board, Assembly of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Research Council, are again anxious to have the assistance of earth scientists in assuring that their responsibilities are fully met. These responsibilities include continued awareness and active concern for the health of the earth sciences, identification of opportunities for the earth sciences in meeting national needs, and fostering awareness of scientific advances that may help resolve national problems. Atmospheric, oceanographic, and solid earth scientists are invited to suggest activities at the national level to the OES and its Advisory Board.

In making such suggestions, individual earth scientists have an opportunity to affect science and technology related to national problems. For example, proposals submitted in 1977 covered a variety of topics including geologic processes and climate, physical and chemical properties of geologic materials, resource management for U.S. coastal oceans, disposal of industrial waste on land, new technology for mapping, and weather and climate forecasts with societal implications. These proposals have been incorporated with ongoing studies or are being considered for separate actions. Scientists are encouraged to submit proposals on subjects that may not be receiving sufficient attention at the national level.
Last winter chilled Gulf Stream System to unusual depth
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Last year's severe winter in the eastern United States caused the Gulf Stream system to give off unusually large quantities of heat to the atmosphere, according to a recent report by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oceanographer Ants Leetmaa.

Last year, the Gulf Stream system seems to have given up more heat than usual, leaving the northwestern Sargasso Sea chilled to depths as much as 100 m deeper than in more moderate years. ‘The main surprise here is that a single severe winter could so disrupt recent warming trends,’ Leetmaa said, describing the results of an exploratory cruise to the northwestern Sargasso Sea last spring.
Ocean current meeting proceedings available
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Proceedings of the Current Measurement Working Conference, a 3‐day meeting of 150 marine specialists, are available from the Sea Grant Office at the University of Delaware. The first two days of the meeting were devoted to presentations by invited speakers describing activities in scientific research, ocean engineering, environmental impact assessment, operational surveys, and current measurement system testing and development. Among the participants were Nicholas Fofonoff, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; George Z. Forristall, Shell Development Company; J . Dungan Smith, University of Washington; Paul Teleki, U.S. Geological Survey; and David Halpern, NOAA/Pacific Marine Environment Laboratory.

An ad hoc group was formed at the meeting to investigate the possibility of creating a permanent committee on procedures and standards affiliated with an appropriate professional society.
The real problem with using an array processor
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Recently developed $40,000 array processors possess computational power comparable to large multimillion dollar computers. John Newkirk and Jon Claerbout of the Stanford Exploration Project use one of these computers for research in reflection seismology. They purchased their array processor (AP) from the largest AP manufacturer, interfaced the AP to a popular mini‐computer (from the largest mini‐computer manufacturer), added a full complement of host memory, a fast disc, and selected what they believe to be the best operating system for supporting a dozen doctoral candidates doing research in geophysics and electrical engineering.
USGS metric maps are on the way
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The U.S. Geological Survey National Mapping Program is being shifted to metric as rapidly as possible. John I. Roney, Branch of Cartography, USGS, explained that ‘due consideration’ is being given to states and other map users who want some conventional‐scale mapping completed before the metric changeover.

‘The USGS policy provides that all new and completely revised small‐scale maps (1:250,000 and smaller) and intermediate‐scale maps (1:100,000 and 1:50,000) will be prepared in the metric system. Completely revised 1:24,000 scale maps (the basic large‐scale maps by the USGS) formerly published in the U.S. customary system will now be prepared and published in the metric system at 1:25,000 scale. ‘New standard quadrangle maps will be prepared in either system or a combination of the systems for the time being,’ he added, ‘depending on the particular situation in each state.’
The Sydney Chapman Memorial Fund
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Grants in partial support of the travel of young students to Chapman conferences will be made from income to this fund. The fund has been established by the contribution of the $1700 residue of the Sydney Chapman Memorial Lecture Fund to the AGU and by generous contributions of the membership for this purpose.
Treasurer's Report”1977
Authors: Aldrich L. T.
Published: October 2011

Below you will find the fiscal report of the AGU for 1977 together with the 1977 and 1978 budgets. If one reads the bottom line only, one sees that a modest addition was made to our reserves during 1977. However, a more detailed probe reveals that this gain was due primarily to reduced publication expenses that are attributable to shortfall in the number of pages published in Water Resources Research, Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics, Geophysical Research Letters, and, to a lesser extent, the Journal of Geophysical Research. That our journals do not seem to be fulfilling editorial aspirations is not viewed as a financial boon but rather is a problem very much in the minds of the Publications Committee and the officers as we look forward to the next biennium.
Fossil pollen reveals ancient weather
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Natural records trapped in fossilized pollen are revealing the first detailed picture of changing climatic conditions in the northeastern United States over the past 2,500 years.

Studying fossil pollen contained in lake sediments, J. C. Bernabo of the Environmental Data Service, NOAA, determined that recent decades are the warmest in the upper Midwest since 1200 A.D. Long‐term trends in the same area showed that annual rain and snowfall since 600 B.C. have increased 50% with some overall cooling. Reporting on his work at the 1978 AGU Spring Meeting, Bernabo said that his initial Research in Michigan shows that the past 30 years in this region have been warmer than any similar period in the last 775 years.
PAM System used in winter
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The Portable Automated Mesonet (PAM) system, developed by the NCAR Field Observing Facility, was successfully used to support a Colorado State University (CSU) weather modification study. Under the direction of Lewis Grant and Donald Cobb, the CSU scientists conducted a series of studies to examine the transport and dispersion of cloud seeding materials over a large area. In addition to measurements taken by the PAM stations, CSU scientists measured snowfall, ice nucleus counts, and silver iodide in the atmosphere.

The entire PAM system consists of 30 remote stations capable of measuring such atmospheric parameters as pressure, wet‐and dry‐bulb temperature, rainfall, and wind speed and direction. The stations are battery‐powered; once a minute, each station transmits data by radio to a minicomputer in a base station trailer.
Scientific drilling
Authors: Wasserburg G. J.
Published: October 2011

I was very pleased to read the support given to a new program of future scientific drilling on the President's Page of April 1978 EOS. There was, however, a matter which deeply concerned me and which was omitted in the discussion. Experience has shown that it is imperative to identify the science function as an intrinsic part of an enterprise such as this. Unless there is proper support for the scientific studies both on board ship and in the land laboratories, there will not be an adequate scientific return. It is very easy to place large efforts in the exploration and technical aspects without sufficient regard to the ‘post mission’ scientific work that must be done. This matter is particularly serious when the status of most research groups is severely limited by lack of funds for the construction and purchase of equipment and the lack of support for research and operating staff on a prolonged time basis. There is also some concern on my part for the long‐time curation of the materials which are returned from deep‐sea exploration. I am certain that Mr. Maxwell is sensitive to the importance of supporting and carrying out vigorous scientific researches as an inherent part of a new generation JOIDES project.
NOAA monitoring deep ocean mining tests
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Operational test mining of the deep ocean floor in the central Pacific Ocean is underway. Manganese nodules are being pumped from the seabed at a depth of more than 3 mi. Ocean Mining, Inc., a group of U.S., Canadian, West German, and Japanese companies, is testing a system by which the nodules are collected, separated from other ocean floor material, and lifted up to a converted ocean oil‐well drilling ship.

During the early stages of the test period, the NOAA ship Oceanographer worked nearby to observe the effect of the plume of materials along the ocean floor generated as the collector draws in and separates the nodules and other materials, and the effect of a surface plume caused by shipside disposal of excess materials brought to the surface along with the nodules. Previously placed ocean bottom instruments did the former, while the latter was done by sampling the surface discharge.
Water Data Committee meets
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The Interior Department's Advisory Committee on Water Data for Public Use met in Houston, Texas, from November 29 to December 1, 1977, to consider methods for obtaining information to solve current and future water problems. The committee represents the interests of the nonfederal sector, advising the department and the U.S. Geological Survey on plans and policies relating to water data programs and needs.

The program included a review of the progress made over the past year in implementing Office of Management and Budget Circular A‐67, which provides guidelines for coordinating federal water data acquisition activities. Reports by working groups formed at the meeting recommended that the USGS move as rapidly as possible toward use of SI metric units in its reports, starting with data reports for international boundary stations; that a national groundwater quality monitoring program be immediately implemented and a standing nonfederal working group on groundwater quality assessment be organized; and that the USGS expand its water use data system, especially in developing guidelines for quality control of collected data, and inform the public about the system by cosponsoring with some appropriate professional organization(s) a symposium on the National Water Use Data Program.
Geophysicists
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The 1978 Spring Meeting was held April 17–21 in Miami Beach, Florida, at the Deauville and Carillon hotels. Approximately 1220 papers were presented. Total registration was 1632, of whom 1127 were members, 242 were students, and 263 were non‐members.

The meeting program and the abstracts of papers were published in the April 1978 issue of EOS, pages 215–418. This report includes program changes and postdeadline and revised abstracts.
Awards presented at the Spring Meeting: Second Presentation: Robert E. Horton Medal to Harold A. Thomas, Jr. for outstanding contributions to the analytical development of hydrology and for unselfish cooperation in research through education
Authors: Matalas Nicholas C. , Fiering M. B. , Thomas Harold A.
Published: October 2011

Hydrology has had the good fortune of attracting the intellectual interest of Harold A. Thomas, Jr. Ever appreciative of the work of others, he claims to be no more than a part‐time hydrologist. But only under the narrowest definition of hydrology does the claim have merit. The momentum provided by the Harvard Water Resources Program spurred hydrology to reach beyond its traditional interests in physics, chemistry, meteorology, and geology and to embrace the economic, social, and political sciences. Thomas was one of the principals of that program, instrumental in helping to lay the quantitative foundation that today supports the nation's water planning and management activities.
Fellowships available for graduate women
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The American Association of University Women through the Educational Foundation has been giving fellowships to both American and international graduate women since 1888 and will be continuing the program for the 1979–1980 academic year.

For women in the United States the AAUW Educational Foundation awards dissertation and postdoctoral fellowships to those individuals who have achieved distinction or promise of distinction in their fields of scholarly work. There are no restrictions on the age of the applicant, the academic field, or the place of study. However, great importance is attached to the project on which the applicant wishes to work, its probable significance as a contribution to knowledge, and the applicant's qualifications to pursue it. There are approximately 70 dissertation fellowships available and several awards for postdoctoral fellowships; stipends range from $3500 to $6000 (up to $9000 for postdoctoral fellowships). Applicants must be citizens of the United States or hold permanent resident status at the time of application and must intend to pursue their professional careers in the United States.
Abstracts [Spring Meeting: Postdeadline Abstracts, 1978]
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The 1978 Spring Meeting was held April 17–21 in Miami Beach, Florida, at the Deauville and Carillon hotels. Approximately 1220 papers were presented. Total registration was 1632, of whom 1127 were members, 242 were students, and 263 were non‐members.

The meeting program and the abstracts of papers were published in the April 1978 issue of EOS, pages 215–418. This report includes program changes and postdeadline and revised abstracts.
Abstracts [Geophysical Abstracts in Press, 1978]
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The 1978 Spring Meeting was held April 17–21 in Miami Beach, Florida, at the Deauville and Carillon hotels. Approximately 1220 papers were presented. Total registration was 1632, of whom 1127 were members, 242 were students, and 263 were non‐members.

The meeting program and the abstracts of papers were published in the April 1978 issue of EOS, pages 215–418. This report includes program changes and postdeadline and revised abstracts.
President's Page: AGU and the body politic
Authors: Cox Allan
Published: October 2011

The role of AGU in areas of social concern and political activity is an evolving one. Most of us probably have mixed feelings as to whether AGU should be involved in these matters at all. On the one hand, many of us would prefer to keep science and politics as separate as possible. On the other, we would like to be effective in matters that concern our futures as scientists and human beings. Moreover, we're aware that different scientific societies have opted for vastly different levels of involvement from political activism to disengagement, so our range of options is quite broad. What kind of a ‘political’ organization do we want AGU to be?
Heliohistory is HAO seminar topic
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Heliohistory experts are meeting at the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) this month to explore ways to recover the history of solar variability from indirect data. The organizing committee sought scientific participation from a variety of disciplines, including geophysics, geochemistry, and dendrochronology. The 40 selected participants will be looking at the indirect evidence of the sun's past behavior, especially during the Quaternary period, or since the last ice age (approximately 20,000 years ago).

Indirect, or ‘proxy,’ evidence includes auroral and geomagnetic records and evidence from isotopes found in meteorites. Isotopic abundances and flare particle tracks in moon rocks have also been useful. Other indirect evidence is provided by observations of comet tails and of changes in the brightness of the moon at eclipse, of the planets, and of zodiacal light. The best secondary evidence is provided by the radiocarbon abundances derived from tree rings. Other secondary evidence may be found in ice cores taken from the earth's Polar Regions. A knowledge of terrestrial paleoclimate establishes bounds on solar change. Finally, the history of the sun can be deduced from observations of other stars of solar type.
Gametag flights yield new data
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The ongoing Global Atmospheric Measurements Experiment on Tropospheric Aerosols and Gases (Gametag) is beginning to produce some unexpected results. One result is the observation that ozone levels differ greatly at different heights and locations over the Pacific Ocean. Another is that carbon monoxide concentrations in the troposphere do not change as much from the northern to the southern hemisphere as had been suspected from earlier measurements.

Gametag, a cooperative effort among nine institutions, has now completed two series of observational flights aimed at acquiring a detailed accurate picture of the global distribution of many gases. Data processing from the second Gametag flight should be completed by the end of the year.
James T. Wilson Memorial Fund
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Immediately after the untimely death in May 1978 of James T. Wilson, well‐known geologist and seismologist and Director of the University of Michigan Institute of Science and Technology, a memorial fund was established through the Department of Geology and Mineralogy of the University of Michigan to perpetuate his memory and spirit within the university and the larger community of geophysicists.

Contributions should be made to the James T. Wilson Memorial Fund, Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
President's Page: A code of ethics for earthquake predictors?
Authors: Kisslinger Carl
Published: October 2011

On June 22, President Carter submitted to the Congress a plan for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. This plan was prepared in response to the requirements of the Earthquake Hazards Act of 1977 (PL95‐124), which was signed into law in October 1977. Of particular significance to AGU is the following passage from the section of the plan, Evaluating Earthquake Predictions: ‘… Scientific societies such as the Seismological Society of America, the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union are urged to develop ethical and scientific guidelines to be followed by individual scientists and scientific institutions in issuing earthquake predictions.’ Thus AGU is thrust into a serious and delicate problem, one that is no longer merely philosophical and academic.
Satellite rainfall monitoring
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Imagery from earth‐orbiting satellites can be used to estimate rainfall from convective clouds according to researchers at NOAA. William L. Woodley and Cecilia Griffith see this as a possible method of monitoring rainfall constantly around the world.

The technique, developed for estimating rainfall from convective weather systems in the tropics for NOAA's cloud‐seeding experiments in south Florida, differentiates young, rain‐producing clouds from dying, rainless systems.
Reduced rate on AIP Journals
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

It is the policy of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) to offer reduced rate subscriptions to its own journals to members of affiliated societies.
Alan T. Waterman Award
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

In August of 1975, Congress established the Alan T. Waterman Award to mark the twenty‐fifth anniversary of the National Science Foundation and to honor the first director of the foundation, Alan T. Waterman.

This annual award recognizes an outstanding young scientist. In addition to a medal and other recognition, the recipient receives a grant of up to $50,000 per year for a period of up to 3 years for scientific research or advanced study in mathematical, physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, or other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.
Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill to be subject of U.S.‐French Joint Study
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

A long‐term scientific study of the ecological consequences of the massive Amoco Cadiz oil spill in the stormy English Channel that made cleanup operations on the French Brittany coast so difficult will be undertaken by a joint U.S.‐French scientific commission. Signing the joint agreement highlighted a mid‐term review of the U.S.‐French Cooperative Program in Oceanography that has been underway since 1970.
Landslides on Pillar Mountain
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Scars from past landslides on Pillar Mountain above the harbor of Kodiak, Alaska, serve as reminders of the past—a past that could herald the future, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey report. Reuben Kachadoorian and Willard H. Slater cite several factors as being indicative of landslide movement in the area. These include widening cracks seen from aerial and field observations, subsurface movement noted in two observation holes, and surface movement showing a range of downslope movement from 1.3 to 165 mm between 1972 and 1976. There is also geologic evidence, they add, that ‘the current earth movement on the Pillar Mountain landslide appears to be part of an ancient landslide on the mountain that has been reactivated.’
Under sea floor seismic sensor to be tested
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The World‐Wide Seismic Net may someday be truly global, extending under the oceans to offer a type and quality of data previously unattainable. That is the hope of Fred K. Duennebier, University of Hawaii, in his plan to install a seismic device 457 m under the sea bottom.

The hole is scheduled to be drilled in the 1219‐m‐deep waters at the mouth of the Gulf of California in November by the Glomar Challenger. The instrument package, to be left for long‐term data collection, is an adaptation of seismic devices that have been placed on the ocean bottom in the past. It will be wired to a recorder on the ocean bottom that can be brought to the surface when needed for data recovery.
CIRES Fellowships
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) offers 1‐year visiting fellowships to scientists with research interests in the areas of atmospheric science, solid earth science, atmospheric and terrestrial electromagnetic wave propagation, paleomagnetism, and rock magnetism. Recipients of these awards are completely free to pursue their own research programs. Selection is made on the basis of the likelihood of an active exchange of ideas between the visiting fellow and the scientists in CIRES and other local research groups. Stipend is scaled to research experience, and the program is open to scientists of all countries.
CTIO observations suggest different galactic ages
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The first visiting astronomer to use the 4‐meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter‐American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile has reported finding that one of our nearest neighbor galaxies may be very much younger than the universe itself. Harvey Butcher of Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona explained that this discovery may cause difficulty for the generally held belief that all galaxies were formed at approximately the same period early in the history of the universe, that is, 10–15 billion years ago.

Astronomers using the CTIO telescopes in the southern hemisphere can study many celestial objects, including the central region of our Milky Way galaxy, that cannot be observed from northern sites. Among the celestial objects visible from CTIO are the Magellanic Clouds, our closest galactic neighbors, which lie some 200,000 light years from the Milky Way. The Large Magellanic Cloud and its companion the Small Magellanic Cloud are two hazy areas in the sky discovered by Magellan's crew when they sailed far south on the historic voyage around the world between 1520 and 1522. The hazy areas subsequently were found to be galaxies.
Sesame 79 ready for spring observations
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Project Sesame (Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment) 79 will focus on obtaining data to evaluate three‐dimensional thunderstorm simulation models. Conceived as a collaboration among government agencies (NOAA and NASA) and groups funded by these agencies and by NSF (the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the university atmospheric science community), Sesame will lay the foundation for improved prediction of severe convective storms. Sesame's focus is on storms accompanied by extreme winds, tornadoes, and hail, particularly those occurring in ‘family’ outbreaks.

Investigators interested in participating in Sesame should discuss their ideas with Richard Dirks of the NSF Atmospheric Sciences Division as soon as possible. Although they may be using the agency‐supplied observation systems, experimenters must obtain their own funding resources for specific projects.
Core of globular clusters viewed by IUE: Evidence for black holes found
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite reveals conditions inside globular clusters that may be used to test for the presence of black holes.

Ultraviolet instrumentation on the IUE allowed a team of astronomers led by Andrea Dupree and Herbert Gursky, both of the Harvard‐Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, to observe the cores of globular clusters. The team is studying six globular clusters, three of which are X ray sources. Globular clusters are, in effect, miniature galaxies. Each contains tens of thousands of tightly packed stars. Scientists believe that globular clusters which are distributed above and below the pinwheel disk of the galaxy in the galactic halo are as old as the galaxy. They may even have contained the first stars to appear in the galaxy. Many astronomers have suggested the possibility that a massive black hole—perhaps as large as a thousand solar systems—is at the core of some globular clusters in our own galaxy and that these black holes are responsible for the intense X ray emission and X ray bursts found to emanate from them.
Geodetic and steric leveling: Together at last
Authors: Douglas Bruce C.
Published: October 2011

One of the most durable scientific controversies has been the disagreement between physical oceanographers and geodesists concerning the slope of mean sea level along the west coast of the United States. By means of spirit leveling, geodesists of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (formerly the National Ocean Survey (NOS)) noticed in the 1920's that mean sea level in southern California appeared to be a number of decimeters below the equipotential surface passing through a control tide gage in Washington. Over succeeding decades this result was disputed by oceanographers, who based their results on detailed analyses of ocean circulation and physical data taken at sea (steric leveling). Geodetic leveling data reduced to a 1969 epoch gave a slope along the west coast of almost exactly 1 m, 65 cm occurring between San Francisco and San Diego.
The Everett D. Jackson memorial scholarship fund
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

A fund has been established in memory of Everett D. Jackson. The fund is in the care of Eldridge M. Moores, Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
Computerized data bank
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The State of New Mexico is setting up a computerized information bank to store data on the quality of groundwater in New Mexico. The data will be available to all users and will be screened in a general way as to its accuracy and usefulness. The records will be stored by location and will include chemical, well construction, aquifer, and other data. Anyone who has obtained or knows of data that should be in this information bank, and who would like to assist in this effort, should contact either Environmental Improvement Division, Water Pollution Management and Evaluation Unit, P.O. Box 968, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503 (phone: 505‐827‐5271, extension 239), or Lee Wilson & Associates, P.O. Box 931, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 (phone: 505‐988‐3929). A short form will be provided which can be filled out in a few minutes; this form provides space in which to describe the general character of the data which are available.
NRC research opportunities
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The National Research Council (NRC) announces the NRC Research Associateship Programs for 1979.

These programs provide opportunites for research in many fields of atmospheric and earth sciences, chemistry, engineering, environmental sciences, life sciences, mathematics, physics, and space sciences.
The Oaxaca earthquake
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Karen McNally of the Seismological Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) came from the field in Mexico to the AGU Fall Meeting with preliminary data gathered during the Oaxaca earthquake.

Explaining that, after the University of Texas pointed out the existence of the Oaxaca gap, ‘We thought it urgent to get some baseline data with simple equipment.’ She and colleagues from the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Mexico (UNAM) under the direction of Lautaro Ponce, had an array of smoke paper recorders in place by November 1. The event of November 29 occurred within the array.
A glimpse of atmospheric, space, and Earth physics in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Cole Keith D.
Published: October 2011

By an arrangement between the Australian Academy of Science and the Academia Sinica I was privileged to visit Peking from March 1 to 8, 1978. I met a great number of upper atmosphere and space physicists in Peking including many who had come from the space science center at Tsien and the ionosphere group in Wu Han University. Although extremely able translators accompanied me, I found that many of the scientists understand and speak English. The visit has left a lasting impression on me not only from the impact of learning something of what is happening in solarterrestrial physics in China, and the fleeting impressionistic view of the society, but also by my exposure to Chinese customs and my great delight in Chinese hospitality. An interesting feature of each introduction to the various groups I met was the tea drinking in a usually beautifully appointed room (the one at the University of Peking being particularly memorable).
International Monsoon Study begins
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The familiar Indian monsoon is a summer phenomenon which brings nearly 100% of India's rainfall during the months of June, July, and August. Less well known is the winter monsoon which, from December through February, brings 75% of the rainfall to the Malay peninsula along the South China Sea and to the Indonesian Islands ‐ a region sometimes called the ‘Maritime Continent.’

‘Both the summer and winter monsoons are crucial in providing moisture for agriculture in these heavily populated regions of the world, yet we really understand very little about how these monsoon systems operate,’ says Joachim Kuettner. Kuettner, as the director of the United States Monsoon Experiment (Monex) Project Office, has been helping to develop plans for a major field experiment designed to understand and ultimately to predict the monsoons and their rainfall.
Clues to past climates
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Recent climate ‘predictions’ have stretched both forward and backward in time. Leona Marshall Libby of the University of California at Los Angeles has tracked back nature's records, in some cases to 100 A.D., using painstaking chemical analysis to decipher the past. Libby and Louis J. Pandolfi investigated five separate indicators to identify the periods of former climate cycles and report surprising agreement among all of them. The two scientists and their colleagues have related measurements of sediment cores from the bottom of the Santa Barbara Channel, tree rings from cedars in Japan and from giant sequoia in King's Canyon National Park, cores from the Greenland ice cap, and annual variations in the catch of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay.
Policy questions
Authors: Carver Philip H.
Published: October 2011

I agree with J . W. Chamberlain (October 1978 EOS, pp. 900–903) that evidence that no other civilization has followed our present course and survived should have important policy implications. Where we disagree is in the need for an expensive 100‐year program to learn this. The evidence to this effect is now available. Furthermore, even the evidence Chamberlain proposes to collect is unlikely to have an impact on policy decisions.

An extrapolation of current rapid growth trends in population, GNP and technology for a couple of thousand years would indicate the necessity of constructing space stations (probably populated) to capture a significant percentage of the sun's total energy output. Such a situation would create an easily discernible infrared source. Since we can see no such sources, no civilization must have followed our course much past our present position, indicating our present path is not viable.
Federal R&D for FY 1980
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

… the federal government must lead the way in investing in the Nation's future. Despite necessary overall constraints, this budget continues my policy of providing real growth in Federal support of basic research. Such support is a relatively small fraction of the total budget—$4.6 billion in 1980, but is vital to the future of our Nation. The knowledge created through basic research holds the potential for breakthroughs to the solution of problems we face or will face in such critical areas as health, environment, energy, defense, and the overall productivity of our economy. Higher productivity gains in the future, moreover, will make an important contribution to reducing inflation.

This passage from President Carter's budget message does not seem to be just idle words. Table 1 shows federal obligations for basic research, and even excluding HEW from the totals, one finds an increase of more than 25% over fiscal year 1978. Furthermore, basic research is faring much better than total R & D and than the budget as a whole; for 1980, total R & D will be up 6.8% over 1979, or a total of 16% over the 2 year period.
Southern California anomalies
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

Geodetic and geophysical crustal anomalies in southern California came in for a lot of attention at the 1978 Fall Meeting. In a paper titled ‘Regional Elevation and Gravity Changes in the Palmdale Bulge Area,’ John D. Bossier of the National Geodetic Survey reported on the Survey's efforts to relevel nearly 5000 kilometers of southern California because of the anomalous vertical crustal deformation. The magnitude of the current leveling effort is without parallel in the United States in the distances involved in such a short time frame.

From roughly 1930 to 1978, repeat surveys of southern California were done to redefine the relative locations of points on the earth's surface following earthquakes such as those in Long Beach (1932), Kern County (1952), and Sylmar (1971). This work, however, revealed a crustal uplift known as the Palmdale Uplift that was eventually followed by an episode of rapid subsidence, amounting in most cases to half the original uplift amplitude.
American Tentative Society 1979 Awards
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

The American Tentative Society (ATS) invites nominations for its 1979 Rennie Taylor Awards, established to recognize and honor persons displaying flexibility of thinking.

The ATS, founded by science writers, commemorates one of their number, the late Rennie Taylor. The awards are presented for ‘intellectual flexibility which has contributed to human progress and knowledge.’ The ATS, a nonprofit educational foundation, holds that ‘it is the essence of science and common sense to regard our present knowledge as subject to growth, addition or revision and, therefore tentative.’
National professional societies join for metrication in water resources
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

A Joint Committee of National Societies for Metrication in Water Resources was formed on September 29, 1978, at Reston Virginia. It will advise the parent societies on metrication matters and explore the impacts of metric conversion on the societies' professional areas involving water resources. The Joint Committee will also actively seek to have a say in national metrication affairs concerning water resources to ensure that the interests of the professional are represented in matters such as units and sizes.

The Joint Committee hopes that all water resources groups will agree to use the same units. Typical among the concerns of the Joint Committee is the selection of appropriate units for water measurements under the SI (Système International) metric system being adopted in the United States. For example, the base unit for length is the meter, and the common derived unit for volume is the cubic meter. While this may be a very convenient volume unit for dealing with earthwork and concrete, being sufficiently close in size to the familiar cubic yard to find ready acceptance, it may not serve for water use by municipalities and industries or in agriculture. The liter or kiloliter may represent a more understandable, practical, and acceptable reference size for city use; the cubic decameter or the hectare‐meter may represent a more practical reference size for irrigation.
UFO's
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2011

It's a bird! It's a UFO! Or maybe it's simply a flock of moths setting off a St. Elmo's fire‐like corona discharge. This is the message of recent correlations between a series of nocturnal UFO sightings in Utah between 1965 and 1968 and known infestations of spruce bud‐worm moths in that area.

Philip S. Callahan and R. W. Mankin with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research Laboratory in Gainesville, Florida, recently reported in Applied Optics on their work showing that when insects are placed in an electric field, an electrical discharge can occur in the immediate vicinity. That discharge, they explain, is accompanied by the emission of visible light that could be mistakenly attributed to a UFO. Likening the process to the phenomenon known as St. Elmo's fire, the USDA researchers point out that ghost stories and tales of apparitions surrounded past sightings of the corona discharge typically seen in stormy weather at church steeples and prominent points of sailing ships.