The Rich Historical and Geological Past of the Alabama Hills
The hills are known for their unique geological formations, including massive rounded boulders and natural arches, and their rich history and cultural significance.
The Volcanic History of Owens Valley and the Long Valley Caldera
Beneath the seemingly calm and serene landscape of Eastern California lies one of the planet’s most explosive features — a volcanic giant that has been slumbering for thousands of years. It’s the Long Valley Caldera.
Clair Patterson: The little-known California scientist who may have saved millions of lives.
At Caltech, Clair Patterson’s relentless determination to understand the health impacts of atmospheric lead changed the world for the better.
The Ancient Cycads: A Living Fossil Collection at Descanso Gardens
Imagine a world lost in deep time. The atmosphere held less oxygen than at any point since the Cambrian explosion,
Why are California’s redwoods and sequoias so big and tall?
California’s giant sequoias and redwoods are nature’s skyscrapers. Existing mostly in a few narrow pockets in Northern California (there are also some redwoods just over the border with Oregon and Washington State), these two tree species are wonders of the biological world. They are also some of the most magnificent things to behold on the planet.
The Majesty and Mystery of California’s Bristlecone Pines
Bristlecones are the longest living organism on earth. Gnarled and oftentimes squat, especially when compared to the majestic coastal redwoods and giant sequoias living near the coast further west, they hardly seem like mythical beings. But to scientists, they are a trove of information, offering clues to near immortality and to the many ways that the earth’s climate has changed over the last 5,000 years.
Animals, Biology, Climate Change, History of Science, People, Places
The Man Who Saved the Owens Pupfish
51 years ago today a man named Edwin Philip Pister rescued an entire species from extinction. Less than 2.5 inches
Mars helicopter Ingenuity is ready for its “Wright Brothers” moment
If all goes well, in late July, Nasa will do something it’s never done before. The agency will launch a new mission to Mars with the aim of landing a small helicopter on the surface that will perform several test missions to see if we can fly on the surface of the Red Planet.
Ancient Bristlecone Pines by Drone
Last week we had the opportunity to head up Highway 395 into Big Pine where we made a left up
Beautiful, but Deadly: Painting the Coronavirus
Pandemic as art. You’ve seen it. Probably a thousand or more times by now. It’s the image of a greyish
