GeoSpectrum

What can be gained from a new mission to Earth’s twin planet? In the latest issue of Geotimes magazine, the mysteries of Venus are explored.

Venus is closer to Earth than Mars, yet little is known about this inhospitable planet. Its metal-melting temperatures and extreme pressure make research on the planet difficult, but Venus could hold keys to Earth’s evolution and future.

Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) was formed by NASA in 2005 to outline scientific goals for future missions to the planet. What technological advances need to be made to get an explorer to Venus’ atmosphere or even its surface? What research projects will the explorer be expected to do? Most importantly, what will the findings tell us about Earth? VEXAG is waiting for its opportunity to send a funded mission to Venus to answer these questions.

Learn more about the history and future of geologic exploration on Venus plus more on planetary geology, including the latest on the upcoming moon missions and an exploration of Jupiter’s closest moon, Io, in the latest issue of Geotimes magazine, available now on newsstands and on the Web at http://www.geotimes.org.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news by checking out Geotimes online at http://www.geotimes.org. Published by the American Geological Institute, Geotimes is your source for news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affect you every day. Sign up for E-alerts, our short, weekly e-mails that alert subscribers to new content posted on the Geotimes Web site, and subscribe to the magazine at http://www.geotimes.org.

Geotimes magazine examines Google’s efforts to develop affordable renewable energy in the April issue, available online and on newsstands now.

Google, Inc. launched RE<C: Renewable Energy cheaper than Coal in November 2007. The goal is to bring renewable energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal, to prices low enough to compete with coal within the next 10 years.

Energy from coal-fired power plants runs from 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, making it the cheapest energy source worldwide. Its price and availability make it the most used energy source in the world. But while it is affordable, it also accounts for at least 20 percent of the global greenhouse emissions. Currently, wind and geothermal energy cost on average at least 5 cents per kilowatt hour, while solar energy is even more expensive at 10 to 40 cents per kilowatt hour. To make these energy sources widely available and attractive to consumers, prices have to drop. Improved ways to efficiently harness these renewable resources to turn them into power are close at hand, but Google thinks a serious push is needed to develop these technologies to make them more accessible to the general public.

Learn about Google’s investments to improve technology on already existing renewable energy sources in the latest issue of Geotimes magazine, available now on newsstands and on the Web at http://www.geotimes.org.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news by checking out Geotimes online at http://www.geotimes.org. Published by the American Geological Institute, Geotimes is your source for news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affect you every day. Sign up for E-alerts, our short, weekly e-mails that alert subscribers to new content posted on the Geotimes Web site, and subscribe to the magazine at http://www.geotimes.org.

Dam removal is gaining popularity across the country and the March issue of Geotimes explores this new trend, and what happens when the dams come down.

The number of large and small dams being removed from U.S. rivers is few, but increasing, as both river restoration gains popularity and aging dams lose their license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. But with these removals come ecological and geological unknowns.

Geotimes follows the story of Marmot Dam in northwestern Oregon to learn more about what happens when a human-made structure is removed from a river after 94 years. Water flow, sedimentation fluctuations and ecological changes could occur but little is known about the natural processes involved when such a large structure is removed after a long period of time. By using the Marmot Dam as a case study, future dams can be removed more easily and efficiently.

Read learn more about changing landscapes, including what America’s developed coastlines can expect as the climate changes and how salinity is a growing problem in many of the world’s agricultural areas, plus read about dangerous contaminants in China’s water and follow the Appalachian Trail into Canada, in the March issue of Geotimes magazine, available February 29 on newsstands and on the Web at http://www.geotimes.org.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news by checking out Geotimes online at http://www.geotimes.org. Published by the American Geological Institute, Geotimes is your source for news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affects you everyday. Sign up for E-alerts, our short, weekly e-mails that alert subscribers to new content posted on the Geotimes Web site, and subscribe to the magazine at http://www.geotimes.org.

In the February issue of Geotimes magazine, now available on newsstands and online at http://www.geotimes.org, Geotimes examines the complicated issues surrounding Iraq’s oil exploration and production.

Iraq boasts the largest untapped oil reserves in the world. Unfortunately, the instability that comes with war, attacks on infrastructure and the outdated technology currently in use in Iraq has led to the lowest reserve-to-production ratio of all oil-producing countries.

Before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq was averaging 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in oil production. Currently, the average in the country is 2.0 million bpd. What will it take to bring production up to 6 million bpd by the end of the decade?

Exploration and development in Northern Iraq could easily, and quickly, increase production by 100,000 bpd. Because of this, the Kurdistan Regional Government has started the process of setting up oil exploration and production agreements with smaller foreign oil companies. But these agreements are in direct opposition to the wishes of the central government and may not have any legal standing without a country-wide Hydrocarbon Law. Still, will these developments make it easier for other oil companies to invest in Iraq?

Learn more about Iraqi oil plus read about oil exploration in sub-Saharan Africa and gas exploration in the United States, in the February issue of Geotimes magazine, available now on newsstands and on the Web at http://www.geotimes.org.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news by checking out Geotimes online at http://www.geotimes.org. Published by the American Geological Institute, Geotimes is your source for news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affects you everyday. Sign up for E-alerts, our short, weekly e-mails that alert subscribers to new content posted on the Geotimes Web site, and subscribe to the magazine at http://www.geotimes.org.