Earth Notes

Earth Notes: Caddisflies Inspire Medical Innovation

Alexandra Murphy — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:20:42 +0000

Imagine an adhesive that could take the place of pins and plates when fixing broken bones, or that could replace staples and sutures during surgery. But creating a glue that sticks to a wet surface is no easy task. That's why University of Utah researchers are taking their cues from a proven master of the art - the diminutive caddisfly.

Earth Notes: Glen Canyon Dam - The Future

Peter Friederici — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Those who manage and use reservoirs in the western United States are used to cycles of boom and bust: wet periods fill reservoirs, while droughts empty them. But as the Southwest enters what looks like an uncertain future of climate change, there's evidence that Lake Powell may be in for a particularly hard time.

Earth Notes: Glen Canyon Dam - Lake Powell's New Fish

Rose Houk — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:31:29 +0000

Before Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, native fish lived in the free-flowing Colorado River. They had unique physical adaptations that allowed them to thrive in the river's often murky water.

Earth Notes: Glen Canyon Dam - What Flows In (And Not Out)

Alexandra Murphy — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:52:55 +0000

Two hundred miles upstream from Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River roars through Cataract Canyon in a rust colored tumult, thick with silt and clay. Each year, the Colorado and its tributaries carry, on average, some 61 million cubic yards of sediment into Lake Powell, enough to fill more than 200,000 railroad boxcars.

Earth Notes: New Mexico's Bisti Badlands

Rose Houk — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:16:32 +0000

In the northwest corner of New Mexico, not far from Chaco Canyon, there's a geologic wonderland that's weird even by the amped-up standards of the Colorado Plateau...

Earth Notes: Rio Grande Silvery Minnow

Rose Houk — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:04:00 +0000

The Rio Grande silvery minnow may sound like it has a name out of a children's book. But the problems it faces are unfortunately real.

Earth Notes: Maple Syrup's Local Cousin

Rachel Turiel — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:24:33 +0000

The sugar maple might get all the attention for it's sweet syrup. But it's southwestern cousin the box elder also has a sweet side...

Earth Notes: Del Rio Spring's Green Oasis

Rose Houk — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:45:34 +0000

In many parts of the country Del Rio Springs wouldn't get much attention. But because it's a reliable spring in an arid quarter, this little oasis has been attracting people for a long time.

Earth Notes: Protecting The Plateau's Ancient Walls

Diane Hope — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:03:00 +0000

In the latest installment of KNAU's environmental series, Earth Notes, we hear about some of the best practices for preserving ancient rock buildings on the Colorado Plateau.

Earth Notes: Campus Composting

Elizabeth Blaker — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:28:03 +0000

This is a story about a young man, horse manure, vegetable peels and beer...