Cycling on Sylt...

was absolutely delightful, as several staff and about a dozen passengers meandered from village to village across the sandy island:

Our local guide strategically placed refreshment stands at 4 km intervals along the route:

Most impressive to me were the quaint thatched roofs on all the tiny homes, usually accompanied with a similarly tiny but colorful  flower garden:

And here's a shot of a roof getting new reed thatch, reportedly good for about 50 years:

Enormous oil and gas drilling platforms...

were seen off the port side of the ship this afternoon as we reach the midpoint of the North Sea on our cruise toward the northern German coast (click to enlarge):

Since the entire day was spent at sea, four lectures were presented by the staff, with me wrapping up with a discussion about the physical geography of the Baltic Sea region.  Later that evening the captain introduced his officers to the passengers and hosted a cocktail party in a time honored tradition marking the beginning of a voyage:

It was a long day at sea, but tomorrow morning we arrive at Sylt, Germany, and will go ashore the entire day for various activities.  Stay tuned.

Congratulations go to...

Scott Tarbutton and Brenden Hayden, the outstanding graduates in geology and environmental science, respectively.  Sorry I can't be at commencement this year, but I'm occupied elsewhere in the world.  Nevertheless, best wishes for continued success!

A glacially eroded volcanic plug...

provides the foundation for the historic Edinburgh Castle, looming high above the city of the same name (click to enlarge):

Today's excursion had us climbing the long uphill approach on cobblestone roads that were constructed centuries ago, well before America was discovered:

After the fascinating tour of the ancient fortress we made our way by bus to the Port of Montrose, Scotland, and boarded the Clipper Odyssey. Shortly thereafter we heaved anchor and set an eastward course across the North Sea toward Germany:

Off we go, as the adventure has just begun! 

Walking in James Hutton's footsteps...

at Siccar Point this morning gave me goosebumps. An innocuous sign along a farm road points one to a grassy cliff top trail that ends at the outcrop that challenged centuries of Church doctrine that the Earth was only 6,000 years old (click to enlarge):

Although Hutton and his companions (John Playfair and Sir John Hall) arrived by wooden sailboat in 1788, the view from the cliff top is especially impressive, with the vertically-dipping Silurian greywackes jutting forth from the sea:

After negotiating a very steep down climb to the outcrop, the classic view of the angular unconformity is clearly presented, with the near horizontal beds of the Devonian red sandstones overlying the older tilted beds:

The index finger of my left hand points to the unconformable contact where 55 million years of Earth history is missing (unknown in 1788), but still suggesting to Hutton that a long expanse of time must have passed, and that the Earth was indeed very, very old:

Playfair later wrote about the visit to this now famous outcrop that "the mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time."  I can't say that I was giddy today, but I was certainly profoundly humbled, to have had the opportunity to visit this magnificently historic place.  Priceless.

I'm bound for the Baltic Sea...

as the geologist lecturer/guide on a Zegrahm Expedition trip that will circumnavigate the interior of the inland ocean.  Here's the itinerary for the next two and a half weeks, and I'll post as often as I am able.

But first I'm spending a couple of days in the area around Edinburgh, Scotland, dashing out to Siccar Point to examine Hutton's unconformity first hand, and then paying homage at his grave site in the city.  Perhaps I'll have time to find a Buchanan plaid kilt, and track down a good single malt, or two, before we sail.

UPDATE:  Arrived OK in the UK.  Funny place here:  they all talk funny and drive on the wrong side of the road.  Heading out to Siccar Point tomorrow to look at rocks after a good night's sleep.  Stay tuned.

The BNSF Railway re-fueling depot...

at Hauser, Idaho was a controversial project when it was proposed and built, especially since it lies atop the Spokane Valley - Rathdrum Prairie sole source aquifer.  Two tanks hold a total of 500,000 gallons of diesel fuel to dispense to locomotives along the main rail line (click to enlarge):

The fuel is brought to the facility in 30,000 gallon tank cars that are individually off-loaded to the larger storage tanks seen above:

My environmental science seminar students toured the complex today in order to examine the environmental protections integrated into the facility.  Above ground storage tanks, double-lined piping, epoxy-sealed concrete platforms with two HDPE liners beneath them, are all designed to minimize accidental releases to the underlying aquifer.  Special thanks go to BNSF for allowing us to visit the operating industrial facility.

Field work Friday...

on the Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho yielded groundwater level measurements showing the highest water table elevation in the aquifer in the past decade.  It's a great year for aquifer recharge.

A festive ending...

to the long academic year was enjoyed by students, staff and faculty of the EWU Department of Geology this afternoon despite the cool and rainy weather.  Big fun.

But where did everybody go now that I have to clean up?

The beginning of the end...

of the space shuttle program as Endeavour returns to Earth from its final mission early yesterday morning (seen above), and Atlantis rolls out to the launch pad for a scheduled July 8 liftoff.  Read more here about the end of American human spaceflight after more than 50 years of leadership.  Sad.

Image courtesy Space.com.

'Worms from hell'...

unearth possibilities for extraterrestrial life.  Teaser:

"For the first time, scientists have found complex, multi-celled creatures living a mile and more below the planet’s surface, raising new possibilities about the spread of life on Earth and potential subsurface life on other planets and moons."

Adaptation...

The Mystery of the Canadian Whiskey Fungus

Not only is this an interesting article, it illustrates how good science is done. (And also the lonely lives of some scientists.)

Let's hope for nice weather...

tomorrow afternoon for the end-of-year geo-barbeque, hosted by yours truly.  The faculty are providing all the burgers and dogs you can eat.  You: bring something to share, and BYOB.

Maps are available in the main office (SCI 130) that will guide you to my cabin in the pine forest.  The event commences at 4 pm.  Hope to see you all here.

Geology field camp meeting...

today at noon in SCI 118.  If you are enrolled in GEOL 490 this is a mandatory meeting.  Be there or, well, be left in the dark about the most important geology class of your undergraduate education.

Seismic witch hunt...

Italian Seismologists Charged With Manslaughter for Not Predicting 2009 Quake

Big telescopes at work...

at Cerro Paranal, Chili:   This Time Lapse Video of the Very Large Telescope At Work is the Coolest Thing You'll See Today.  Indeed, very cool.

The end-of-year geo-bbq...

will be held Thursday, 2 June, from 4 to 8 pm, at my scabland cottage southwest of the EWU campus.  We will also acknowledge the retirement of Professor Ernest Gilmour after a 44-year-long career as the paleontologist in the program.

Faculty, staff, students and friends are all welcome at the potluck event.  Be sure to stop by the main office (SCI 130) to sign up and indicate what you will bring, and pick up a map to the venue.  Hope to see you there!

Water, water, every where,...

nor any drop to drink: Scientists Detect Earth-Equivalent Amount of Water Within the Moon.

Pics from the past...

showing the evolution of the Eastern Washington University campus through time, with images retrieved from archives in Spokane while I was doing research there last week (click to enlarge):

And here's a more contemporary view, from Google Earth, showing 2009 imagery of the campus for comparison:

Spirit rover RIP...

NASA Concludes Attempts to Contact Mars Rover Spirit.

Elsewhere on Mars, Curiosity is still chugging along on its 2,554th Martian day, heading toward Endeavour crater, having driven more than 18 miles (29 km).

Uh oh...

Half-term hell on the way for holiday-makers as ash cloud due to cover the whole of the UK by FRIDAY. I fly into Edinburgh on Monday, the 6th. Hope this doesn't become a big problem.

UPDATE:  "We expect it to behave and slowly decline." Good.

Geology was his destiny...

as this photograph of Professor Ernest Gilmour in his early years clearly shows.  Please consider attending a reception this afternoon from 3-5 pm in PUB 206 to celebrate his long career in the EWU Department of Geology.  Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited to attend.

RELATED:   Here's a more contemporary image of Professor Gilmour to compare with his childhood photo shown above.

UPDATE:  The morning started with Ernie sharing tea with buddy and erstwhile professor WP, finding that their usual table in the Pence Union Building was reserved for the special day (click to enlarge):

Later in the afternoon at the reception, dozens and dozens of family, faculty, staff, administrators and students dropped in to wish Ernie well by signing a large poster:

That's Ernie's daughter on the left, and EWU President Arevalo on the right, and a group of geology students in the background hovering around the food:

And here's Ernie with his wife, Venera:

In sum, it was a very, very nice occasion for everyone.  We'll certainly miss your contributions and commitment to the success of the geology program, Ernie.

Black hole jets...

captured in stunning detail. Really, the high-res image of Centaurus A is spectacular, a combination of visible, microwave and x-ray wavelengths.  More technical information about the imaging of the supermassive black hole is here.

What I'm reading...

right now: The Man Who Found Time: James Hutton and the Discovery of the Earth's Antiquity by Jack Repcheck.  What would you be reading if you were a geologist and heading for Edinburgh?

Another Iceland volcano acting up...

Brace yourselves: Iceland's volcanic ash could reach Scotland in 48 HOURS and rest of UK by Thursday if eruption continues.  Quite a few dramatic images at the linked article.

Hmm. I have to fly to Europe in exactly two weeks.  Specifically, Edinburgh, Scotland.

UPDATE:  Cool video of Grímsvötn erupting can be found here.

49 million-year-old face...

of a spider found frozen in amber.  The detail revealed by the CT scan is extraordinary, and be sure to watch the video at the linked article.

Note that the specimen is contained in Baltic amber, a region that is known for its amber resource, and that I'll be exploring in several weeks with Zegrahm Expeditions.  Amber is often found in beach gravels along the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, and I'll be sure to watch for specimens during my travels.

Drawn to Doomsday?

Why People Look Forward to the End. It's because of the parties, no?

RELATED: 'Rapture Parties' Planned to Celebrate Doomsday Saturday May 21.

22 May UPDATE:  Still here. Still breathing.  I guess Judgement Day was a dud.

32,400 cubic feet per second...

of spring runoff is pouring over Spokane Falls this afternoon (click to enlarge):

It's impossible to cross on the foot bridges without catching some spray, and on this nice afternoon there were quite a few people enjoying the experience:

For comparison, the average flow on this date based on 120 years of record is 18,200 cfs.

Spokane River rises to flood stage...

as snowmelt and spring runoff continues.  Here's the real-time gaging information for USGS 12422500 SPOKANE RIVER AT SPOKANE, WA.

RELATED:  The  early May snowpack in the basin is between 130 to more than 180 percent of normal this year.

The CDC provides guidance...

for the next public health crisis: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse.  Really.  No joke.

UPDATE:  There's even a book for kids now: That's Not Your Mommy Anymore: A Zombie Tale.

Where were you...

when Mount Saint Helens blew, 31 years ago on this date?  I was working on my Ph.D. at Colorado State University, and found the thinnest film of ash on my windshield days later.

My soon-to-be colleagues in eastern Washington had to contend with a more significant fallout of ash, and here's a shot of EWU geology professor Eugene Kiver's back deck the day after the eruption (click to enlarge):

Image courtesy Eugene Kiver, taken 19 May 1980 south of Spokane, Washington.

RELATED: When volcanoes erupt.

Guest lecture in geology...

this coming Monday, 23 May, at noon in SCI 118.  Dr. Art Bookstrom (USGS, Spokane) will speak about economic geology and the Idaho cobalt belt.  All are welcome to attend the lecture.

Professor Ernest Gilmour is retiring...

after a distinguished 44-year-long career in the Department of Geology at EWU. He may be best known professionally for his contributions to the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, particularly in the Bryozoa.

A reception will be held next Tuesday, 24 May, from 3-5 pm in PUB 206.  Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited to attend. Contact the departmental secretary at 509/359-2286 if you have any questions.

Endeavour successfully lifts off...

on its final mission early this morning.  More here.

Meanwhile, components for the next mission to Mars were delivered to Kennedy Space Center late last week for a late 2011 launch of the Mars Science Laboratory, also known as the Curiosity rover.

UPDATE and BUMPED:  This article contains one very serendipitous and cool image: Student Balloon Photographs Shuttle Endeavour's Launch Into Orbit.  And here's another fantastic shot of the launch taken by a passenger on a commercial flight.  Hat tip: the Bu bro.

So would you study for final exams...

or not?  This guy certainly wouldn't: New York Man Spends Life Savings Ahead of May 21 Doomsday.

RELATED: Tick tock goes the doomsday clock.

New vertebrate paleontology course...

will be offered this coming fall term:  GEOL 496/BIOL 496 - Vertebrate Life Through Time, instructed by Dr. Judd Case (4 cr).  The course will meet in lecture on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1:15 pm, with lab on Monday afternoon from 2-5 pm.

How long are your telomeres?

The £400 test that tells you how long you'll live. But do you really want to know?

"Botany Washington"...

is an annual event organized by the Washington Native Plant Society, and this year it convenes this weekend in eastern Washington.  I'm heading out shortly to meet a group led by EWU botanist RO'Q at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, in the middle of the Cheney-Palouse Scabland Tract.  I'll speak about the catastrophic Pleistocene flood origin of the gravelly soils, and crawl around the ponderosa pine forest with the group for a while to see what's in bloom.

UPDATE:  Some of the showier plants included western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)(click to enlarge):

Common camas (Camassia quamash):

Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata):

And while the biologists crawled around on their hands and knees, keying out various mini-floras, one of the native fauna caught my attention:

Man-made deluge commences...

in the Atchafalaya River basin as the Morganza Floodway is activated for the first time in 38 years:  Mississippi River Floodgate Opens, Inundating Cajun Country in Louisiana.

Here's the forecast map issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that indicates the timing of flooding downstream from the spillway.  Sadly, family members of a good friend and colleague reside in the affected area.

RELATED: How It Works: The Spillways Trying to Control the Rising Mississippi

What I'm reading...

right now:  Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks by Andrea Lankford.