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California rattled by fourth quake in week

The magnitude 6.6 earthquake was about 300 miles northwest of San Francisco, California and did not generate a tsunami warning.

More Quakes, Larger Quakes

A cluster of earthquakes in California, some of which were of quite high magnitude, is probably not related according to experts, and probably does not predict a bigger one to come.

Next Indian Ocean tsunami matter of time -experts

The Dec. 26 tsunami, triggered by a magnitude 9.15 earthquake, is not likely to be the last, but scientists don't know when the next will be.

Tsunami May Have Spread Alien Species

Seeds of alien invasive species such as prickly pear cacti and salt-tolerant mesquite trees were swept inland from the coast of Sri Lanka by the December 26 2004 tsunami. UNEP and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources also found that areas with healthy coral reefs and mangroves were less affected by the tsunami. Over 500 million kilograms (1,100 million pounds) of rubble were created by the tsunami. Rebuilding is heavily using local resources such as sand, wood and firework, and some new settlements have been located too close to environmentally sensitive areas.

Retired Mechanic Finds New Flower Species

The newly-named Pelton's rose-gentian prefers a rare habitat and was found in the Ouachita Mountains in Saline County, Arkansas.

Colo. Town Battles Senator Over Wind Power

Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander describes wind power as contributing "puny amounts" of energy, authoring a bill to deny some of them tax credits. Residents of Lamar, Colorado have invited him to come and visit their wind farm

Russian, German Win Energy-Related Prize

This year's Global Energy Prize has been awarded to Russian physicist and Nobel prize winner Zhores Alfyorov and German academic Klaus Riedle, who worked on semiconductor converters of the energy applied in the solar and electric power industry and high-temperature gas turbines for steam-gas power installations respectively.

Forest Service Ending Some Recreation Fees

U.S. National Forest sites with few amenities will no longer be subject to fees for their use raising the percentage of free sites from 580 to 61.

Air Force Finds No Trace of Lost Nuke

A 7,600-pound nuclear bomb lost off the Georgia coast in 1958. A recent Air Force search found no trace of radiation from it and they have no clue where else to look. They have declared it "irretrievably lost".

Bugs Are Considered a Delicacy in Mexico

Bugs are traditional fare in Mexico, and have twice the protein content of beef. Ant eggs are also eaten. Some farmers are now finding it more lucrative to plant cheap corn and sell the bugs on it, than buy better corn for sale plus fertilizer.

Photo: courtesy of U.S.G.S.

Rare Chatty Songbird Spotted in Calif.

The least Bell's vireo family was found on a former ranch that was restored over the past 3 years by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with help from the state of California.

Feds Intervene for Endangered Wyoming Toad

Captive-bred tadpoles of the endangered Wyoming toad have been released on private land under a safe harbor agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Birders Upset Over Bridge-Tunnel Access

Access to three of the four islands along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has been limited in the name of national security, to the frustration of birders.

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