EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Warning! Snow Squall Slices Through Utah

January 27, 2022

Slcsnow612c_27dec21

Photographer: Ray Boren

Summary Author: Ray Boren

While out or a winter walk along the east shore of Utah’s Great
Salt Lake on December 27, 2021, I heard the oddest intermittent squawk.
The sound was a new kind of text alert sent out by the National
Weather Service. The alert warned a hazardous “ snow squall” was
coming our way. I snapped a few photos of a low, roiling band of clouds
from the lake shore and headed home — even as two more alerts sounded
on my phone. The turbulent clouds inevitably diverted me to a higher
vantage in the suburban community of Bountiful, Utah, where I snapped
this photo of a low, beveled shelf cloud chiseling its way
southeast across the lake directly toward Salt Lake City. The
National Weather Service Salt Lake City later confirmed this shelf
cloud occurrence on its Twitter account, tweeting subscribers and
photographers to “send us your ’shelfies!’”

News reports later explained the first-ever alerts were issued because
the intense cold front was moving extremely quickly and was
approaching Utah’s Wasatch Front cities and interstate freeways
during the evening rush hour. The National Weather Service further
clarified the snow event was indeed the first such squall warning
issued for the Wasatch Front. They also described that snow squalls are
limited duration weather events involving moderate to heavy snowfall
accompanied by high surface winds that together lead to reduced
visibility and near whiteout conditions. In conjunction with the
snow and wind, rapidly tumbling temperatures can cause dangerous
conditions for motorists. Like other occurrences of squalls, winter
snow squalls are similar in appearance to those that accompany
strong summer thunderstorms.

The snow was flying well before I made it home — right behind a
snowplow truck much of the way — but I made it there before the worst
of it. The swift blizzard only dropped about 3 inches (7.62 cm) of snow
on my yard, then departed as quickly as it came.

Photo details: NIKON D3200, f/4, ISO- 640, 1/60 second exposure
* Bountiful, Utah Coordinates: 40.8894, -111.8808

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Severe Weather Links

* World Severe Weather Information Center
* Enhanced Fujita Scale
* A Lightning Primer
* More About Thunderstorms
* Staying Safe Outdoors in Severe Weather
* NOAA Storm Prediction Center
* Patterns of Lightning Activity
* US National Weather Service

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 7 weeks, 4 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Running Man

April 27, 2022


Running_Man

Photographer: Greg Parker:
Summary Author: Greg Parker; Jim Foster
This nebulous, heavy-armed running man looks like he’s in a full
sprint mode, possibly trying to escape the pull of his own gravity.
Observed here from the New Forest Observatory in Brockenhurst,
Hampshire, U.K, the Running Man Nebula, some 1,300 light years
away, was first discovered in 1786 by William Herschel. He’s made
up of three separate nebulas associated with the Great Nebula ( M
42) in the constellation of Orion. His reddened form is a result of
faint red emission from hydrogen atoms, outlined in blue by a
reflection nebula that reflects the light of relatively close by,
young blue stars. Photo taken in January 2022.
* Brockenhurst, Hampshire, U.K. Coordinates: 50.819444, -1.59

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Night Sky Links

* Space Weather Live
* Space Weather Live Forum
* About the Moon
* American Meteor Society
* Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
* Global City Lights
* Heavens Above Home Page
* The International Meteor Organization
* Lunar and Planetary Institute
* MoonConnection
* NASA Eclipse Web Page
* Understanding The Moon Phases

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 8 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Recent Eruption of Piton de la Fournaise

May 27, 2022

Piton de la Fournaise Christian Holveck 2

Piton de la Fournaise Christian Holveck

Photographer: Christian Holveck

Summary Author: Christian Holveck

Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island in the western Indian
Ocean is one of the most active shield volcanoes in the world.
During its last eruption, from December 22, 2021, to January 17,
2022, very fluid lava flows were observed, the longest being more than
1.3 miles (2 km) in length. Fortunately, this fiery flow was confined
to the summit region, which is completely uninhabited. Bottom photo
shows a closeup view. Photos taken in January 2022.
* Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island Coordinates: -21.2425,
55.7089

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Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 12 weeks, 4 days, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


The Resin of the Cherry Tree

June 27, 2022

RESINA EP

Photographer: Teresa Molinaro

Summary Author: Teresa Molinaro

When trees experience stressful conditions, they react by producing a
rubbery material called resin. These environmental stresses can
cause injuries to the trees created by climatic factors, such as
temperature and water availability, or biological factors, like
pathological attacks by fungi or larvae that insinuate themselves
inside the plant. Alternatively, resin production could simply be due
to tree aging.

In the photo above, I have captured the resin produced by a cherry tree
growing near Madonie Park in Sicily, Italy. Although the gummy
material that comes out of the bark is not a good sign for the health
of the plant, it is undeniable that the brilliance of the resin under
the sunlight produces a very interesting appearance. Once dried, resin
turns into a material called amber that protects the tree from
future stresses or injuries. Photo taken on September 14, 2021.

Photo details: NIKON D3400 1/320 sec. f / 13 160 mm ISO 200 75mm lens
* Madonie Park, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.877, 14.026

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Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 17 weeks, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Tadpoles - Early Amphibian Life Cycle

July 27, 2022

IMG_20220501_161653308_epod

Photographer: Michela Meda

Summary Author: Michela Meda

The photo above shows tadpoles of the common toad (Bufo bufo) found
in Eurasia and in the north-west of Africa. These unique creatures are
recognizable by their black color and tail that is relatively
undeveloped compared to its body.

The tadpole is the larval stage of annular amphibians, such as
frogs and toads. This early life stage more closely resembles a small
fish than to an amphibian. During tadpole stage, the body is
characterized by two distinct traits: a roundish form- including the
head- that is paired with a long, flexible tail. In contrast to adult
amphibians, tadpole breathes through gills and generally eats
vegetables. Following the tadpole stage of life, an amphibian will have
to undergo a process of metamorphosis that will lead it to the final
adult form.

Some species of frogs that lay a gelatinous mass of eggs in the
water will hatch within about two weeks. Following hatching, the
tadpoles will gather in many nearby banks. This is a survival strategy
since the coordinated movements of a large cluster of tadpoles can
scare off a potential predator. In the time following hatching, the
tadpole will grow, begin to develop hind limbs followed by front legs.
In addition, the amphibians will change their physiology and diets
shifting from vegetarian to carnivorous as well as develop
rudimentary lungs during the time their gills begin to be absorbed.
* Comerio, Varese, Italy Coordinates: 45.8378, 8.7449

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Animal Links

* Animal Diversity Web
* ARKive
* BirdLife International
* Bug Guide
* Discover Life
* Integrated Taxonomic Information System
* Microbial Life Resources
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the
-
Universities Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 21 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Crepuscular Rays Observed from Turin, Italy

September 27, 2022

Crepuscular rays_resize

Photographer: Piero Armando

Summary Authors: Piero Armando; Jim Foster
The setting Sun behind the peaks of the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Massif,
cast this impressive set of crepuscular rays over Turin, Italy.
Though most often associated with clouds, gaps in mountain peaks can
also produce lanes of shadow and sunlight. However, there must be
sufficient aerosols in the atmosphere in order to result in the
dramatic effect shown above. Note it's perspective that seems to
make the rays converge near the horizon. Photo taken on September 9,
2022.

Photo details: Canon EOS 600D camera;1/1250 sec. exposure; f/7; ISO
100; 180 mm focal length.

Turin, Italy Coordinates: 45.0703, 7.6869


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Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 30 weeks, 1 day, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Glacial Striations in Victoria, British Columbia

November 25, 2022


L1005811

Photographer: Joe LaCour

Summary Author: Joe LaCour

Just a few hundred meters southeast and across the street from where
the Coho ferry docks in downtown Victoria, British Columbia,
you can see a great example of the power of the glaciers from a
previous ice age. Some 15,000 years ago, a glacier flowed over what
is now Victoria. The surface of the outcrop shown above was
grooved, scratched, and polished by the cutting action of pebbles
and boulders dragged along like a piece of giant sandpaper frozen to
the bottom a glacier. This fascinating ice age relic might be easy to
miss as the attention of many passers-by is captured by the striking
Legislative Parliament Building (not in photo). Note that the
bronze plaque in the foreground - Glacial Grooves and Striations
- acknowledges Victoria's glacial history.

Photo details: Leica M9 Digital camera; 35mm Summicron lens; f13; 1/60
second exposure; ISO320; processed with DxO PhotoLab.


Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Coordinates: 48.4284, -123.3656


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Geography Links

* Atlapedia Online
* CountryReports
* GPS Visualizer
* Holt Rinehart Winston World Atlas
* Mapping Our World
* Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
* Types of Land
* World Mapper

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 38 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Patterns in the Dieffenbachia Plant

December 27, 2022

Menashe_varegation_Picture1

Menashe_varegation_Picture2

Photographer: Menashe Davidson

Summary Author: Menashe Davidson

In our apartment-garden, located in the city Rishon-LeZion, Israel, we
grow in containers about 100 species of plants. Annuals and perennials,
low plants, bushes, climbers and trees. Most of them flowering
ornamentals, for the beauty of their seasonal bloom. But the most
prominent plant, all the yearlong and not just seasonal, is the
Dieffenbachia seguine plant, known as dumb cane from the family
Araceae. The focal point of a dieffenbachia is the beautiful patterns
of the foliage, which are variegated, all year long if properly
cultivated.

Variegation is the appearance of differently colored zones pf a
plants’ leaves. Dieffenbachia leaves, are generally large and ovate,
have irregular areas of splotches with lighter green, yellow or even
cream color. In the first picture we already see the patterns appear on
the eternal juvenile leaf of the vegetative bud. It then maintains this
same appearance regardless of the plants’ age (second picture).

The variegation is caused by mutations that affect chlorophyll
production. This is 'built' into the plant DNA. Note that in some
portions of the leaf tissues there’s a lack of chlorophyll pigments.
The purpose of variegation is still a matter of debate. Regardless,
gardeners enjoy harnessing the pattern traits that produce the most
desirable, eye-catching plants.


Rishon-LeZion, Israel Coordinates: 31.9730, 34.7925


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Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 43 weeks, 1 day, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)