J. Brian Balta
@drjbbalta.bsky.social
Planetary Scientist and Petrologist, dog parent.
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
The #HayliGubbi eruption came after a period of unrest that started in June-July 2025 with a large dike intrusion in the southern sector of the Erta Ale rift. Our InSAR study will be out soon but you can have a summary at the link below. @earth-science.bsky.social #geoscience
Basaltic dike in Erta Ale triggers explosive eruption in Hayli Gubbi. Read our new paper!
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ear...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ear...
Frontiers | Segmented dike intrusion linked to multi-level magma storage during and before the 2025 eruption at Erta Ale (East Africa)
Dike intrusions can assist continental rifting and plate divergence. However, our understanding of the magma dynamics during diking and the architecture of t...
www.frontiersin.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:11 AM
The #HayliGubbi eruption came after a period of unrest that started in June-July 2025 with a large dike intrusion in the southern sector of the Erta Ale rift. Our InSAR study will be out soon but you can have a summary at the link below. @earth-science.bsky.social #geoscience
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Cool inset map from this "Geologic Map of the San Francisco Bay Region," by Graymer, et al. (2006). ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngm-bin/pdp/...
It shows the blocks of crust sliced & diced by Bay Area faults, and how much & in what direction they have moved in the past 34 million years.
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It shows the blocks of crust sliced & diced by Bay Area faults, and how much & in what direction they have moved in the past 34 million years.
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November 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Cool inset map from this "Geologic Map of the San Francisco Bay Region," by Graymer, et al. (2006). ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngm-bin/pdp/...
It shows the blocks of crust sliced & diced by Bay Area faults, and how much & in what direction they have moved in the past 34 million years.
⚒️
It shows the blocks of crust sliced & diced by Bay Area faults, and how much & in what direction they have moved in the past 34 million years.
⚒️
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Some stunning footage of ongoing pyroclastic flow activity at Semeru #volcano (Java, Indonesia). Screen capture shows a lightning strike at ~16:07 UTC. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txgr...
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Some stunning footage of ongoing pyroclastic flow activity at Semeru #volcano (Java, Indonesia). Screen capture shows a lightning strike at ~16:07 UTC. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txgr...
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
"The idea was that it would last five to seven years, but as you can see, about half of it is gone." on.nbcboston.com/27D5O3r
A year after $10M project added sand to Mass. beach, ‘about half of it is gone'
Sandwich’s Town Neck and First Beach have lost 15 to 20 feet of new sand added by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2024 in a project expected to last 5-7 years.
on.nbcboston.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:13 PM
"The idea was that it would last five to seven years, but as you can see, about half of it is gone." on.nbcboston.com/27D5O3r
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Gift article. Terrifying, devastating reporting on the Texas flood tragedy.
“In our minds, the cabins were built on high ground”…”even after a 2011 FEMA map placed most of the cabins within a 100-year flood zone”—a map the camp’s owners successfully contested.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
“In our minds, the cabins were built on high ground”…”even after a 2011 FEMA map placed most of the cabins within a 100-year flood zone”—a map the camp’s owners successfully contested.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Swept Away (Gift Article)
Never-before-published videos, data from smart devices, a crash report and the first interview that Camp Mystic's owners have granted since the July 4 disaster offer the most detailed account yet.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Gift article. Terrifying, devastating reporting on the Texas flood tragedy.
“In our minds, the cabins were built on high ground”…”even after a 2011 FEMA map placed most of the cabins within a 100-year flood zone”—a map the camp’s owners successfully contested.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
“In our minds, the cabins were built on high ground”…”even after a 2011 FEMA map placed most of the cabins within a 100-year flood zone”—a map the camp’s owners successfully contested.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
New contender for the worst ever disaster TV show! I'm only on S1E1, but it's about Mauna Kea, located in Oahu, erupting. They figured it out from ground observations in the tropical forest ~80 miles north. The complex topography looks similar to the Alps, complicating where to drop the bombs. 🌋
November 16, 2025 at 4:27 AM
New contender for the worst ever disaster TV show! I'm only on S1E1, but it's about Mauna Kea, located in Oahu, erupting. They figured it out from ground observations in the tropical forest ~80 miles north. The complex topography looks similar to the Alps, complicating where to drop the bombs. 🌋
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
Negotiators for seven states say they're making progress in negotiations aimed at addressing the Colorado River's chronic water shortages. But they missed an initial deadline.
www.latimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned Tehran may face evacuation. Water reserves have fallen to just 5% after months without rain.
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned Tehran may face evacuation. Water reserves have fallen to just 5% after months without rain.
If this baseball game gets to 2:00 am Toronto time, we will see it shift back to 1:00 am in the middle of the game.
November 2, 2025 at 4:02 AM
If this baseball game gets to 2:00 am Toronto time, we will see it shift back to 1:00 am in the middle of the game.
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
I've had to update the plot of the strongest tropical cyclones by ocean basin all too often in recent years, since climate change increases the number of high-end storms. Melissa has joined the club, tied with Dorian (2019) as strongest Atlantic hurricane recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico.
October 28, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I've had to update the plot of the strongest tropical cyclones by ocean basin all too often in recent years, since climate change increases the number of high-end storms. Melissa has joined the club, tied with Dorian (2019) as strongest Atlantic hurricane recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico.
Due entirely to this baseball game I just took the dog out and spotted Orion for the first time this fall.
October 28, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Due entirely to this baseball game I just took the dog out and spotted Orion for the first time this fall.
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Great article on Earthquake Insurance costs rising very quickly in Missouri due to better understanding of New Madrid risks and pricing out lower-risk homes so more burden falls on higher risk homes.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Why are earthquake insurance premiums skyrocketing in the middle of the country?
Insurance costs for some Missouri residents have skyrocketed since 2000, and coverage has shrunk to just 10% of homes.
www.marketplace.org
October 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Great article on Earthquake Insurance costs rising very quickly in Missouri due to better understanding of New Madrid risks and pricing out lower-risk homes so more burden falls on higher risk homes.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Let's unravel the mystery of Saturn's polar hexagon.
A jet stream speeds around the pole at 320 km/h (200 mph). That’s common among planets, but what's not is that it oscillates up and down *very* stably. Each low point of this sine wave becomes a corner of a hexagon, when projected onto a sphere:
A jet stream speeds around the pole at 320 km/h (200 mph). That’s common among planets, but what's not is that it oscillates up and down *very* stably. Each low point of this sine wave becomes a corner of a hexagon, when projected onto a sphere:
October 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Let's unravel the mystery of Saturn's polar hexagon.
A jet stream speeds around the pole at 320 km/h (200 mph). That’s common among planets, but what's not is that it oscillates up and down *very* stably. Each low point of this sine wave becomes a corner of a hexagon, when projected onto a sphere:
A jet stream speeds around the pole at 320 km/h (200 mph). That’s common among planets, but what's not is that it oscillates up and down *very* stably. Each low point of this sine wave becomes a corner of a hexagon, when projected onto a sphere:
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Olivine is my second fav mineral after pyropic garnet and am super loving this forsteritic olivine ring. Peridotite xenolith in phonotephrite is from the classic location of the San Carlos volcanic field.
#olivine #xenolith #peridotite
#olivine #xenolith #peridotite
October 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Olivine is my second fav mineral after pyropic garnet and am super loving this forsteritic olivine ring. Peridotite xenolith in phonotephrite is from the classic location of the San Carlos volcanic field.
#olivine #xenolith #peridotite
#olivine #xenolith #peridotite
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
“The International Energy Agency now projects that global demand for coal, oil, and gas will all peak before 2030, marking the beginning of structural decline rather than resurgence.
The illusion of a fossil revival has unraveled under market realities.” www.forbes.com/sites/we-don...
The illusion of a fossil revival has unraveled under market realities.” www.forbes.com/sites/we-don...
Russia’s Coal Collapse Marks The End Of Fossil Fuel Post-War Illusion
Russia’s Coal Collapse signals the end of the fossil era. From bankrupt mines to battery booms, the global energy transition is accelerating. Facing political resistance.
www.forbes.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:13 PM
“The International Energy Agency now projects that global demand for coal, oil, and gas will all peak before 2030, marking the beginning of structural decline rather than resurgence.
The illusion of a fossil revival has unraveled under market realities.” www.forbes.com/sites/we-don...
The illusion of a fossil revival has unraveled under market realities.” www.forbes.com/sites/we-don...
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
From Fall 2023, my first view of Bryce Canyon's surreal hoodoos combined with a forest of Bristlecone Pines, Ponderosa Pines, and Douglas Firs at Rainbow Point.
#Scape #ForestFriday #Landscape #Nature #NationalParks #Utah
#Scape #ForestFriday #Landscape #Nature #NationalParks #Utah
October 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
From Fall 2023, my first view of Bryce Canyon's surreal hoodoos combined with a forest of Bristlecone Pines, Ponderosa Pines, and Douglas Firs at Rainbow Point.
#Scape #ForestFriday #Landscape #Nature #NationalParks #Utah
#Scape #ForestFriday #Landscape #Nature #NationalParks #Utah
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
We just drove by the site of this GigaPan that I shot in 2013, and the outcrop has been bulldozed. This image is now the best record of the site.
viewer.gigamacro.com/view/JFKylee...
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viewer.gigamacro.com/view/JFKylee...
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Angular Unconformity, west of El Paso, Texas
Explore this 568 megapixel image.The Boquillas, Fort Hancock, and Camp Rice formations are exposed here in a classic example of an angular unconformity.
For an annotated view of this same scene, try ...
viewer.gigamacro.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
We just drove by the site of this GigaPan that I shot in 2013, and the outcrop has been bulldozed. This image is now the best record of the site.
viewer.gigamacro.com/view/JFKylee...
⚒️
viewer.gigamacro.com/view/JFKylee...
⚒️
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
El Capitan in the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, close to the New Mexico boundary: a Permian reef complex. ⚒️
October 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
El Capitan in the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, close to the New Mexico boundary: a Permian reef complex. ⚒️
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Dry Falls from Above: Interpreting Washington's Iconic Floodscape
dancoecarto.com & @joelgombiner.bsky.social
www.flickr.com/photos/wasta...
#NACIS2025
dancoecarto.com & @joelgombiner.bsky.social
www.flickr.com/photos/wasta...
#NACIS2025
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Dry Falls from Above: Interpreting Washington's Iconic Floodscape
dancoecarto.com & @joelgombiner.bsky.social
www.flickr.com/photos/wasta...
#NACIS2025
dancoecarto.com & @joelgombiner.bsky.social
www.flickr.com/photos/wasta...
#NACIS2025
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Plastic is everywhere.
On today’s dive, the E/V Nautilus/ ROV Hercules encountered a crushed plastic bottle on the abyssal plain- in the remote Pacific (Cook Islands @ 5,198 meters).
♻️ I challenge everyone to swap at least one single-use plastic item. Small steps for more eco habits. 🌊🧪🌎
On today’s dive, the E/V Nautilus/ ROV Hercules encountered a crushed plastic bottle on the abyssal plain- in the remote Pacific (Cook Islands @ 5,198 meters).
♻️ I challenge everyone to swap at least one single-use plastic item. Small steps for more eco habits. 🌊🧪🌎
October 16, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Plastic is everywhere.
On today’s dive, the E/V Nautilus/ ROV Hercules encountered a crushed plastic bottle on the abyssal plain- in the remote Pacific (Cook Islands @ 5,198 meters).
♻️ I challenge everyone to swap at least one single-use plastic item. Small steps for more eco habits. 🌊🧪🌎
On today’s dive, the E/V Nautilus/ ROV Hercules encountered a crushed plastic bottle on the abyssal plain- in the remote Pacific (Cook Islands @ 5,198 meters).
♻️ I challenge everyone to swap at least one single-use plastic item. Small steps for more eco habits. 🌊🧪🌎
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
A great new analogy just occurred to me. ⚒️
October 1, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A great new analogy just occurred to me. ⚒️
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Canyon view from the South Rim trail of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. See the ALT notes.
🧪🌿🌎🐡 #Yellowstone #geothermal
🧪🌿🌎🐡 #Yellowstone #geothermal
September 30, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Canyon view from the South Rim trail of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. See the ALT notes.
🧪🌿🌎🐡 #Yellowstone #geothermal
🧪🌿🌎🐡 #Yellowstone #geothermal
Reposted by J. Brian Balta
Last week I was co-leading a field trip in Utah, to check out some fluvial and eolian rocks. It was exhausting but fun and forced me to think more carefully than before about complex bedforms. This is a 3D model of one of the many stunning exposures of the Navajo Sandstone near Escalante 🧪⚒️
September 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Last week I was co-leading a field trip in Utah, to check out some fluvial and eolian rocks. It was exhausting but fun and forced me to think more carefully than before about complex bedforms. This is a 3D model of one of the many stunning exposures of the Navajo Sandstone near Escalante 🧪⚒️