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April 20, 2017
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Geography in Action
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Meltwater from Canadian glacier finds new river, scientists say
The Kaskawulsh glacier in northern Canada receded so far that meltwater changed course last year, causing the Slims River to dry up, researchers say. In a case of what scientists call "river piracy," the drainage stopped going into the Slims River and started flowing into another, sending the meltwater to the Gulf of Alaska instead of the Bering Sea.
The Guardian (London) (4/17)
How climate change inflames global tensions
Climate change is a "threat multiplier" that can exacerbate political and economic issues and spur migration, writes Jessica Benko. This article explores the relationship between climate change and other issues in regions around the world.
The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers) (4/19)
Crowdsourced project tracks urbanization
Boston (William B. Plowman/Getty Images)
A team of researchers launched the Worldwide: Mapping Urbanization campaign to identify human-built structures in satellite imagery. The crowdsourced project started with 20,000 daytime images taken in India and the US, and the team hopes to use the responses to refine an algorithm for recognizing built-up environments.
CityLab (4/14)
/ What can we learn from natural disasters?
The updated edition of Natural Hazards includes new frameworks for understanding human resilience; cutting-edge topics like chronic disasters and international aid controversies; and fresh case studies including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Read a free chapter!
Research, Education and Global Change
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New crack in Greenland glacier seen in NASA photos
NASA's Operation IceBridge research aircraft has taken the first photos of a mysterious new crack in Greenland's massive Petermann Glacier, first spotted in satellite images. The crack has opened near the center of the ice shelf and is close to another larger crack that has been slowly growing toward the ice shelf's center.
The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (4/15)
Report: Poaching, trafficking threaten rare species at UNESCO sites
Poaching, illegal fishing and logging, and rare-species trafficking threaten wildlife at nearly one-half of world heritage sites designated as environmentally important by UNESCO, according to a World Wildlife Fund report. "Not only does this threaten the survival of species, but it's also jeopardizing the future heritage of these precious places and the people whose livelihoods depend on them," said WWF-UK campaigns head Chris Gee.
The Guardian (London) (4/17)
Other News
- WHO: 2B people drinking polluted waterThe Independent (Uganda)/Agence France-Presse (4/13)
- Study: Sea-level rise could drive US residents from coastsReuters (4/18)
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Technology and Applications
Automated system can determine rockfall risks, scientists say
A newly developed automated "rockfall activity index" system can determine the potential for rocks falling onto roads, scientists say. The system, based on light detection and ranging technology, can assess risks quickly and safely, and could replace the need to personally review small parts of cliffs, according to findings published in Engineering Geology.
ScienceDaily (4/12)
Other News
- Digital reconstruction gives Stone Age woman a faceLiveScience.com (4/17)
Association News
AAG opens office to March for Science participants
Geographers participating in the March for Science on Earth Day (April 22, 2017) are invited to gather at Meridian Place, the AAG office located at 1710 16th St. NW in Washington, DC. Meridian Place will be open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as a gathering place and information center for marchers. AAG will provide coffee and refreshments throughout the day and will host a happy hour reception at 5 p.m. Commemorative "Geographers March for Science" hats will be available for $7 each. View the AAG Schedule for the March for Science.
Geography and the New Administration: Twitter Chat
The AAG will host the next installment of its Twitter Chat series on May 17, 2017, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. "Geography and the New Administration" will focus on the first 100 days of the Trump administration and how new and proposed policies impact geography and geographers. To participate in the chat, follow @theAAG on Twitter using the #AAGChat hashtag. Learn about previous Twitter Chats.
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Money doesn't change men. It merely unmasks them.
Henry Ford,
industrialist
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