The Why Files » Geochemical cycles

Gulf oil spill: It’s a gusher – one mile deep!

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:08:49 +0000

What kind of ecological damage can we expect from a sustained blowout in the Gulf of Mexico? What are the lessons of Exxon Valdez, and how well do they apply to the current outbreak of oil? Is prevention really the only strategy?

Electric Cars: Meet the plug-in Hybrid

schulte — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:36:31 +0000

Hybrid cars and plug-in hybrids boost auto efficiency and reduce pollution, but it's a long struggle from the idea to the reality.

Understanding Volcanoes

schulte — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 16:28:00 +0000

How do volcanoes work (p. 2)? How do we predict them (p. 3)? How do they change the landscape (p. 4)? How does life return after the eruption (p. 6)?

Food Pyramid Gets Facelift

schulte — Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:15:17 +0000

The U.S.D.A. Food Pyramid has been in place since 1992, but many nutritionists believe it’s time to re-think the old standard.

Galapagos: The Evolution Islands

schulte — Thu, 11 Jan 2001 21:30:29 +0000

Are the Galapagos islands the birthplace of evolution theory and evolution science? What did Darwin learn there, and how are they being preserved nowadays?

Natural Gas: Vast New Supply?

schulte — Thu, 05 Oct 2000 18:28:25 +0000

Gas hydrates under the ocean may contain an almost unlimited supply of energy, but they’re hard to get, and using them could make global warming even worse. Now a UC-Riverside professor says quick releases of frozen methane could cause a climate catastrophe. So is this gas a blessing, a curse, or both?

Climate: Fast Change Is Real. Deal with It!

schulte — Mon, 10 Jul 2000 19:15:32 +0000

New research shows that climate of the entire North Atlantic region cooled abruptly and repeatedly during the Holocene period. Drill hole reveals rapid temperature change during past few thousand years. If climate could change so much back then, what about today?