VOL. 101 | NO. 4 When PG&E Turns Out APRIL 2020 the Lights on Science A Dream Spacecraft for Neptune Welcome to the Chibanian Age (770,000 Years Ago)

FROM Science THE Spill Ten years after the Deepwater Horizon blowout dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf, a massive investment in science has been the silver lining.

FROM THE EDITOR Editor in Chief Heather Goss, AGU, Washington, D.C., USA; [email protected] Editorial Manager, News and Features Editor Caryl-Sue Micalizio Deepwater Horizon’s Legacy Science Editor Timothy Oleson Senior News Writer Randy Showstack News Writer and Production Associate Kimberly M. S. Cartier of Science News and Features Writer Jenessa Duncombe

n 20 April 2010, a bubble of methane shot up an oil Production & Design and gas well in the Gulf of Mexico and ignited when it Manager, Production and Operations Faith A. Ishii Senior Production Specialist Melissa A. Tribur Oreached the surface, killing 11 crew members and Editorial and Production Coordinator Liz Castenson starting an uncontrollable fire on the Deepwater Horizon Assistant Director, Design & Branding Beth Bagley drilling rig. Given the catastrophic emergency, it wasn’t until Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Friedman Graphic Designer J. Henry Pereira the rig sank 2 days later that anyone realized oil was being released into the Gulf. Not just spilling—gushing out from the Marketing well at the seabed at an enormous rate. Director, Marketing, Branding & Advertising Jessica Latterman That’s when Jerry Miller—Eos’s science adviser representing Assistant Director, Marketing & Advertising Liz Zipse AGU’s Ocean Sciences section—was called to action. Miller was Marketing Program Manager Angelo Bouselli Senior Specialist, Digital Marketing Nathaniel Janick serving as assistant director for ocean sciences at the White Digital Marketing Coordinator Ashwini Yelamanchili House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), a leader of the team developing the first National Ocean Policy. Advertising Miller, who had previously lived on the Gulf Coast, and his coworkers were surprised by the Display Advertising Dan Nicholas [email protected] initial scale of the explosion. He was heartened, however, by the broad government response, Recruitment Advertising Heather Cain including several science agencies, and that was only the beginning. “Shortly after the event, [email protected] and especially after a couple of weeks passed and the enormity of the oil spill started to become Science Advisers apparent, we began to receive offers of assistance from colleagues throughout the scientific Geomagnetism, Paleomagnetism, Julie Bowles community,” Miller told me as he recalled the events. “Our scientific community stepped up and Electromagnetism and reshaped their own carefully designed research plans to focus on the Deepwater event.” Space Physics and Aeronomy Christina M. S. Cohen Cryosphere Miller remembered one day a few weeks after the explosion, when OSTP needed experts to Ellyn Enderlin Study of the Earth’s Deep Interior Edward J. Garnero brief the White House and agency leaders. “On less than 24 hours’ notice and at their own Geodesy Brian C. Gunter expense, several dozen scientists flew into Washington to provide their advice,” said Miller. History of Geophysics Kristine C. Harper “Person after person for hours on end, old hands and new stepped to the podium and offered Planetary Sciences Sarah M. Hörst Natural Hazards Michelle Hummel their expertise to serve the nation’s needs.” Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology Emily R. Johnson The very worst situation brought out the very best in the science community. It’s certainly Societal Impacts and Policy Sciences Christine Kirchhoff the theme of the story we tell on page 18 in “Modeling Under Pressure,” when hydrologist Paul Seismology Keith D. Koper Tectonophysics Jian Lin Hsieh was called on to work through the night, by himself, to make an expert call on whether Near-Surface Geophysics Juan Lorenzo the cap BP had placed on its well would hold. Earth and Space Science Informatics Kirk Martinez This month, on the tenth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, we dedicate this Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Figen Mekik Mineral and Rock Physics Sébastien Merkel issue of Eos to this community that not only pulled together in the moment but created mas- Ocean Sciences Jerry L. Miller sive collaborations dedicated to research in the Gulf that continue today. Education Eric M. Riggs Tens of billions of dollars came out of lawsuit settlements and other penalties against the Global Environmental Change Hansi Singh Hydrology Kerstin Stahl companies involved, and a sizable amount of that was set aside to fund research. The Deep- Tectonophysics Carol A. Stein water Horizon Project Tracker is following more than 1,200 projects using some of the $4.14 Atmospheric Sciences Mika Tosca billion allocated for science and related environmental and educational programs. Nonlinear Geophysics Adrian Tuck Hydrology One of the organizations created to run these projects is the Gulf of Mexico Research Initia- Adam S. Ward Earth and Planetary Surface Processes Andrew C. Wilcox tive, or GoMRI. In “Deepwater Horizon and the Rise of the Omics” (p. 28), read more about Atmospheric and Space Electricity Yoav Yair one of these GoMRI projects. In that article, Joel E. Kostka and his coauthors write, “The DWH GeoHealth Ben Zaitchik spill was also the first major environmental disaster for which genomics technologies had matured to such an extent that they could be deployed to quantify microbial responses over ©2020. AGU. All Rights Reserved. Material in this issue may be photocopied by large spatial and temporal scales.” Microbes were already part of the environment’s natural individual scientists for research or classroom use. Permission is also granted to use short quotes, figures, and tables for publication in scientific books and response to oil spills. Today scientists have the gene sequencing techniques to properly study journals. For permission for any other uses, contact the AGU Publications Office. the role microbes play and the mechanisms with which they break down oil—with the hope Eos (ISSN 0096-3941) is published monthly by AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA. Periodical Class postage paid at Washington, D.C., that one day we might be able to deploy them deliberately to protect or restore the environ- and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Member ment around a spill. Service Center, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA Member Service Center: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern time; Tel: +1-202-462-6900; Visit Eos.org throughout April for more coverage of the science and community efforts that Fax: +1-202-328-0566; Tel. orders in U.S.: 1-800-966-2481; [email protected]. came out of what’s now considered to be the largest oil spill in history. Our thanks go to Miller Submit your article proposal or suggest a news story to Eos at bit.ly/Eos-proposal. and the other scientists who have made this issue possible, and we hope you’re inspired by Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official positions the bravery and vision shown by everyone who rose to this challenge. of AGU unless expressly stated. Christine W. McEntee, Executive Director/CEO

Heather Goss, Editor in Chief

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 1 CONTENT

24

18 28

Features

18 Modeling Under Pressure 24 Making Sense of Local By Mark Betancourt Climate Projections As oil gushed from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico By Derek H. Rosendahl et al. in June 2010, a lone hydrologist was called in to Practice makes perfect. This new role-playing activity make the call if a cap would hold—or create an even gives community leaders more comfort in using bigger disaster. climate information to make decisions.

On the Cover 28 Deepwater Horizon A thick layer of oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill floats atop the Gulf of Mexico on 17 June 2012. Credit: David L. and the Rise of the Omics Valentine, University of California, Santa Barbara/NSF By Joel E. Kostka et al. Multimedia Gallery Gene sequencing meets environmental disasters in this research under the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative.

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8 11

Columns

From the Editor Research Spotlight 1 Deepwater Horizon’s Legacy of Science 47 Where Does the Carbon Go When Permafrost Coasts Erode? News 48 Fault Dips Figured in Kīlauea’s Caldera Collapse 49 Anaerobic Activity Is a Big Contributor in Marine 4 River Ice Is Disappearing Dead Zones | Atmospheric Drag Alters Satellite 5 Body-Based Jargon Can Be Harassment Orbits When It Turns Sexual 50 Ordinary Security Cameras Could Keep an Eye 6 Japan Puts Its Mark on Geologic Time on Rainfall | Previous Research Has Underestimated with the Chibanian Age Black Carbon Emissions 7 Oil-Exposed Mahi-Mahi Less Likely to Avoid Oil 51 The Tropical Atmosphere’s Balancing Act 8 The Ice Giant Spacecraft of Our Dreams 52 Oceans Vented Carbon Dioxide During 10 Helping Alaskan Communities Face Climate Risks the Last Deglaciation 11 An Ice Sheet’s Footprint on Ancient Shorelines 12 Power Outages, PG&E, and Science’s Flickering Future Editors’ Highlights 13 How to Launch a Satellite During a Blackout 53 Skywatchers Spy Rippling Waves in the Northern Lights | Slow Slip By Any Other Name | Why Does Opinion Ocean Warming Pattern Matter? 15 8 Lessons I Learned Leading a Scientific “Design Sprint” Positions Available AGU News 54 Current job openings in the Earth and space sciences 34 Award and Prize Winners Honored at AGU’s Postcards from the Field Fall Meeting 2019 56 Greetings from the jungles of Ghana, where a Curtin University team is hunting migmatite.

AmericanGeophysicalUnion @AGU_Eos company/american-geophysical-union AGUvideos americangeophysicalunion americangeophysicalunion

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 3 NEWS

River Ice Is Disappearing

s rivers snake and slice through land- scapes, the ever moving water under- Agoes seasonal changes that have impacts on ecosystems, water systems, agri- culture, and economies. In middle to high latitudes, rivers can form ice shells, capping the underlying flow. This river ice is a multifaceted powerhouse: It influences nutrient cycling in rivers, can function as winter roads for travel, and can help block greenhouse gases from escaping from stream surfaces. The importance of river ice has long been clear, but researchers have now peered into how global river ice cover might be changing in a warming climate. Using 400,000 satellite images from 1984 to 2018, the scientists found that on average, ice cover declined by almost a week over those decades. The Zdobnice River in the Czech Republic will likely experience fewer days of ice in the upcoming century. They also projected ice cover losses for the Credit: Tadeáš Gregor, CC BY-SA 4.0 (bit.ly/ccbysa4-0) turn of the next century and found that as temperatures increase, global river ice cover will continue to decline by about 16 days. This loss of river ice will affect the hydrology and but its use at the global scale to establish the these rivers are very significant when it ecology of rivers and hurt those who rely on extents of ice cover is novel.” comes to river ice processes, small rivers are ice for transportation. also strongly affected by river ice processes.” Climate Modeling He also noted that Landsat sometimes has A Novel Way to Measure Change The researchers also developed a model for trouble telling the difference between In winter, ice does more than blanket the the future of river ice based on temperature smooth, clear ice and open water. “Although ­riverine system. “River ice plays an important and the seasons. “We used climate simula- these areas were excluded from the study to role in the hydraulics, geomorphology, and tion data to predict what will happen to river reduce errors, it may have also excluded ecology of rivers,” said Ian Knack, a cold ice,” said Yang. “What we found was that in important rivers in the overall conclusions regions hydraulic engineer at Clarkson Uni- a business-as-usual scenario, in terms of cli- about the rate of change of river ice extents.” versity in Potsdam, N.Y., who was not involved mate simulation, we’re expecting to see 16.7 in the new research. days’ decline of river ice.” Future of River Ice In their paper in Nature (bit.ly/river-ice), He added that this is an average value for Yang said that although there is a plethora of the researchers looked at the history of river all rivers globally. If you factor out the rivers research on sea ice and ice sheet monitoring ice cover around the world. The team used that never experience ice, the number of lost with regard to climate change, he hopes that Landsat imagery from 1984 to 2018 to calcu- river ice days rises considerably. “The actual his team’s research might spur more atten- late the percentage of river ice cover. The ice duration decline for rivers that have ice tion to freshwater ice changes. decades-long record provided the team with will probably be over a month,” said Yang. “Lakes and rivers are actually the hot spots “global coverage and multitemporal obser- Knack said he was “surprised how strong for a lot of geochemical processes happening vations,” said Xiao Yang, a paleoclimatologist the relationship is between surface air tem- on the landscape,” said Yang. “And a lot of at the University of North Carolina at Chapel perature and river ice extent.” He added that the things that we care about—for example Hill and lead author of the study. although temperature and ice formation are greenhouse gas emission from these sys- The researchers used 400,000 images in “strongly linked physically, river ice is also tems—are an important contribution to the their analyses, said Yang. “By analyzing influenced by precipitation and solar radia- global carbon budget.” 34 years of data, we estimated that about 56% tion.” Yang noted that wintertime is an integral of the rivers globally are affected by seasonal “Rain or snow events and clear spring days part of the annual cycle of the river but is ice,” he said. In addition, the team estimates have led to significant ice breakup and jam- often understudied. “It’s really important “that there is a 2.5-percentage-point decline ming events in the past few decades, and I that we understand how the hydrology, the in river ice globally during this time.” would have expected that those factors would ecosystems, and the climate associated with “The paper presents an interesting means have reduced the relationship with air tem- these systems operate,” he said. of evaluating global changes to river ice perature alone,” Knack explained. extent and timing,” said Knack. “The use of Although Knack found the approach to be Landsat for evaluating river ice conditions has an interesting start, he said the researchers By Sarah Derouin (@Sarah_Derouin), Science become quite popular in the past few decades, focused on relatively large rivers. “While Writer

4 Eos // april 2020 NEWS

Body-Based Jargon Can Be Harassment When It Turns Sexual

that raising awareness through personal sto- Content warning: This article contains examples of body-based and sexual terms applied to ries helps a great deal but that quantitative geoscience concepts. In some cases, this language has been used to harass and discriminate data will help define the scope of the problem against people with marginalized identities. and bolster efforts for change at an institu- tional level. “It’s very much in the culture to talk about eoscientists frequently use body-­ that gets used, and it makes people uncom- geology in this way,” she said. “But once related terms to describe scientific fortable.” Gconcepts, but body metaphors that During her poster presentation, Pico gath- become sexual may contribute to the high risk ered dozens of examples of gendered, bodied, of sexual harassment and assault in fieldwork. and sexualized language used in the class- “It’s not a problem to say a rock looks like room, in field research, and in other profes- Bodied language can at a head,” said Tamara Pico, a postdoctoral sional settings like conferences. times help communicate scholar studying the last ice age at the Cali- The responses contained some com- fornia Institute of Technology in Pasadena. mon­alities: “sexy” scientific results; “por- complicated science, Pico “I’m not saying that in itself is dangerous but, nographic” images of a field site; a photo of said, but it is important to rather, that it might create a framework that breasts in a bra to describe rock cleavage; the makes sexual analogies more prevalent. And ocean, Antarctica, or the wilderness described understand that the then the use of sexual language is dangerous.” as a mistress to be tamed and conquered; the language scientists use has Pico wanted to quantify how common it is mineral cummingtonite said with a wink and to use body or sexual metaphors to talk about a nudge. shaped generations of geoscience concepts, so she asked attendees scientific culture. of AGU’s Fall Meeting 2019 to share their per- Unsafe Environment sonal experiences. She found that people of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 all genders and ages could recognize and protects students from sexual and gender-­ identify this type of language and give exam- based harassment, including “verbal, nonver- ples of when they had heard it in the field or bal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” that becomes sexually explicit, that’s what classroom. “Using that type of sexualized language, crosses the line in terms of violating univer- that in itself constitutes a hostile environment sity policies.” Pervasive and Uncomfortable and in itself can constitute sex- or gender-­ ​ Bodied language has been entrenched in how ­based harassment,” Pico argued. scientists have described geologic concepts Moreover, a recent study found that nor- By Kimberly M. S. Cartier (@AstroKimCartier), for hundreds of years. Landscapes are naked malizing such language fosters physi­cally un- Staff Writer or bare. Scars mar the face of a plateau. Soil is safe environ­ ments.­ fertile, barren, or sterile. Glaciers go through In a 2014 survey, binge-purge cycles. 71% of women re- Bodied language can at times help commu- sponded that they nicate complicated science, Pico said, but it is had experienced Hear the Stories important to understand that the language sexual harassment scientists use has shaped generations of sci- during a field re- Behind the Science entific culture. Moreover, the use of body search experience, metaphors can often be sexualized. and 26% reported Pico recalled an early field experience in a physical assault. which the instructor related geologic dikes to The geosciences are Subscribe wherever the homophonous homophobic slur. “At the no exception to that you get your podcasts. time, [I] and a few other mostly women in the statistic. field talked about how it made us feel uncom- Pico is collecting fortable that the instructor would make jokes more examples of about the dikes that we saw, like, ‘Oh, check gendered, bodied, @thirdpod out that dike on dike action,’” Pico said. and sexualized lan- “When I was an older grad student, I heard guage in the geo- younger grad students complaining about sciences to better [that] type of language, and that’s when I track its use in the realized, ‘Oh, I don’t think this is a one-off classroom and in thing,’” she said. “This is pervasive language the field. She says

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 5 NEWS

ence and Technology and an IUGS executive Japan Puts Its Mark on Geologic Time member who participated in the discussions. “The Chibanian section is certainly the most with the Chibanian Age well preserved paleomagnetic reversal tran- sition from Reversal (Matuyama) to Normal (Brunhes).… We are grateful to put a GSSP at the site that is the Brunhes-Matuyama geo- magnetic reversal horizon.” The Brunhes-Matuyama reversal is esti- mated to have taken place about 775,000 years ago, but its duration is disputed. A 2019 study in Science Advances by researchers in Japan and the United States estimated that the flip took approximately 22,000 years to occur (bit.ly/last-reversal). Stanley Finney, a professor of geological sciences at California State University, Long Beach and the IUGS secretary general, noted the importance of the Chiba site in light of findings that the current magnetic field is changing, possibly signaling another polarity reversal. “In that section in Chiba, you have one of the best records of the reversal interval of The name Chibanian derives from strata like this, discovered in Ichihara in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. The anywhere in the world,” said Finney. “It’s a Chibanian geological age spans from 770,000 to 126,000 years ago. Credit: Kyodo News/Getty Images significant record of past Earth history that helps us see what may happen now.”

Source of Local Pride arth’s newest geologic time interval rate reaching 2 meters per thousand years on The effort to name the interval after Chiba has been named after a jurisdiction average,” said Makoto Okada, a professor of passed multiple screening processes, over- Eoutside Tokyo. The International Union paleomagnetic studies at Ibaraki University came charges by a Japanese group that related of Geological Sciences (IUGS) recently ratified in Mito, Japan. “It is probably the unique case documents had been falsified, and beat out the name Chibanian, for a period of time in the world that a deep-sea deposit formed two rival sites in Italy. stretching from 770,000 to 126,000 years younger than 1 million years ago (especially The IUGS ratification has become a source ago, during the Pleistocene epoch. around the Matuyama-Brunhes geomagnetic of pride in Chiba, with Ichihara mayor Joji Equating to the Middle Pleistocene sub­ reversal boundary) can be observed continu- Koide commenting in a special city leaflet, epoch, the Chibanian is named after Chiba, ously on land. Moreover, this sequence pro- “Above all, I would like to share the joy of one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and marks the vides us reliable geomagnetic polarity signals becoming Japan’s first GSSP-certified place first time a Japanese name has been used in and abundant marine microfossils.” with our community. We expect worldwide the geologic timescale as well as in a Global attention in the future. As a city, we will move Boundary Stratotype Section and Point Magnetic Field Reversal Record forward with efforts to prepare the environ- (GSSP). GSSPs are reference points defining The nomenclature is significant for Japan not ment for visitors.” the lower boundary of a time interval in the only because it puts the country on the geo- A temporary visitor’s center was erected at geological timescale. There are dozens of logical map but also because of an important the site in December 2019 ahead of the con- GSSPs around the world, with most in Europe event that occurred eons ago. The Chibanian struction of a permanent facility. A dedication and some in North America and China. is when the last reversal of Earth’s magnetic ceremony will be held at the stratum site to The name was chosen following the dis- poles took place, and the section in Chiba has recognize the work of the researchers covery of a stratum in Chiba’s Ichihara City, one of the best records of that event. The involved in the naming effort, and a GSSP about 55 kilometers southeast of central Brunhes-Matuyama reversal is named for bronze disk, known as a golden spike, will be Tokyo. The stratum lies in a cliff along the geophysicists Bernard Brunhes of France and placed in the cliff face. Yoro River flowing through the Bōsō Penin- Motonori Matuyama of Japan, who was the “At many of these sites, we have great sula, which separates Tokyo Bay from the first to discover that the north and south monuments for illustrative purposes or pan- Pacific Ocean. The stratum consists of thick magnetic poles had changed places in the els or geoparks,” said Finney. “These are layers of late Cenozoic marine silt or clay- past. The polarity era that came before the international geostandards, and you can’t bearing marine deposits, minerals, and vol- current one is named the Matuyama Chron in take them into a museum; it’s something canic ash deposits. his honor. there in the field.” “This sedimentary sequence, called the “As a Japanese geologist, I am happy they Kazusa Group, has a total thickness of 3 kilo- made a good decision,” said Hiroshi Kitazato, meters with an anomalously high deposition a professor at Tokyo University of Marine Sci- By Tim Hornyak (@robotopia), Science Writer

6 Eos // april 2020 NEWS

Oil-Exposed Mahi-Mahi Less Likely to Avoid Oil

n the aftermath of oil spills, photographs often depict oil-drenched pelicans and sea Iotters, but under the water and away from the public eye, fish species are also affected. Federal, state, and tribal authorities esti- mate that between 2 trillion and 5 trillion fish were killed following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which spewed nearly 5 mil- lion barrels of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico (bit.ly/gulf-spill-restoration). Lela Schlenker, a fish physiological ecolo- gist at the University of Miami in Florida added that this estimate “didn’t account for the sublethal effects of exposures” on such fish as red snapper and mahi-mahi. These effects, which can include reduced cardiac output, visual acuity, and swimming speed, don’t immediately kill fish but can cause harm or eventually lead to their deaths. The Deepwater Horizon spill overlapped with the prime location and timing of mahi- mahi spawning, said Schlenker. To investi- gate whether affected mahi-mahi could still detect and avoid oil exposure (and its unhealthy effects), she and her colleagues conducted behavioral and electrophysiologi- cal tests on juvenile fish in captivity. Each fish was either exposed to an oil mixture (within the concentration range measured after the Lela Schlenker, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Miami in Florida, tags a mahi-mahi prior to releas- Deepwater Horizon disaster and prepared by ing it. Credit: The RECOVER consortium diluting oil collected from the spill) or held in control conditions.

cia Meredith, an assistant research professor this change could be due to central nervous studying olfaction in elasmobranchs at Flor- system damage in exposed fish and also noted ida Atlantic University, who wasn’t involved that more work is needed to understand how It’s “alarming that even with the study. oil exposure in one generation of fish affects though the fish can “This may be due to a lack of peripheral future generations—research that scientists impacts or it may be due to some other factor, at the University of Miami are currently con- apparently detect oil in the like the duration or concentration of the oil ducting. water, they don’t seem to exposure, the particular odorants chosen for Meredith expressed some surprise at the the experiment, the EOG protocol used, or the study’s dual results. It’s “alarming that even avoid it after just a day of type of oil used,” added Meredith. though the fish can apparently detect oil in exposure.” the water, they don’t seem to avoid it after Lack of Avoidance just a day of exposure,” she wrote. Behavioral testing, however, showed that The new research was published in Environ- mahi-mahi in the exposed group were less mental Science and Technology (bit.ly/oil-fish). likely than those in the control group to avoid Remarkably, oil exposure didn’t damage additional exposure to oil. the sense of smell in mahi-mahi, according During the behavioral experiments, the By Rachel Crowell (@writesRCrowell), Science to the results of electro-olfactogram (EOG) fish were tested with seawater containing Writer experiments, which measured and recorded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). changes in electrical potentials in tissues of PAHs are toxic components of oil that have the fish’s nasal cavities. previously been shown to affect behavior pat- “It was surprising to me that 24 hours of oil terns in different fish species. u Read the latest news exposure did not seem to impact EOG The oil-exposed fish were neither attracted at Eos.org responses to oil or other odorants,” said Tri- to nor avoidant of the oil. Schlenker thinks

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 7 I 8 the accelerates field electric nuclear-powered xenon gas as fuel: The xenon is ionized, a the farreachesofsolarsystem. flungthemto thatquickly engine chemical powersource used buthydrazine fuelina allusedaradioisotope andNewHorizons sini, - Cas 2, Voyager 1, scarce.Voyager is sunlight for traveling theoutersolarsystemwhere source energy thepreferred is which nium, pluto- of decayradioactivethe energy from forward. thrusttomovethevehicle provides and change achemical undergoes it where Thepowermovesfuel through theengine, engine.thestartonboardand thesystems torun the energy Abatteryprovides vehicle. (REP). sion - propul electric calledradioisotope engine, proven technologiesintoonebrand-new twospace- combines The dreamspacecraft Engine Ion Nuclear-Powered The Ice Giant Spacecraft of Our Dreams to science instruments.” to science youcouldput that’sanextrakilogram need, kilogramless ofspacecraft structure that you certainamounta mass,” of hesaid,every “so on boardthe spacecraft. “Arocketcanlaunch shavecan systems andsave offweight room themostup-to-date Using chips. computer like usingsmaller and lighter hardwareand Hofstadtersaid, technology, ofexisting tions 2019. Meeting atAGU’sFall discussed he which study, JPL an authoroftheinternal able tofly10yearsfromnow.”Hofstadteris they’dbeavailadena. “It’snotcrazytothink - and California Institute of Technology in Pas (JPL) Laboratory attheJetPropulsion scientist envelope,’” said Mark Hofstadter,senior a the they’repushing ‘Well, we reallythought, technologies. andcutting-edge vations innoincorporatednewestthe - it if like look toUranuswould what thatdreamspacecraft our in planets explored solarsystem.They giant toone oftheice mission hypothetical thesolarwind? with interactions strange planet’seach about What rings? clumpy Uranus’s moon Miranda? Or Neptune’s oddly Eos like? Uranus or Neptune, what would it look designyoucouldf your dream missionto The dream spacecraft’s ion engine uses engine ion The dreamspacecraft’s Indreamthe spacecraft,its batterythegets anyotherA spacecraftworksmuchlike Some of the innovations arenaturalSome oftheinnovations - itera that oftechnologies “We wantedtothink recentlydesignedaPlanetary scientists all? onewhenyoucoulddoit just Why pick Would you explorethe funky terrainon NEWS // april2020 - alsonavigate around unexpected hazards like Itwould chaosterrain. like ofinterest points altitude path over the surface that visits example. It would then plot its own low- flybya Uranus’sdoof to moonforOphelia needs Itwouldknowthatit car. self-driving attempt. retrieval sample abort its beabletodetect hazardsand (OSIRIS-REx) will Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer Resource Interpretation, Spectral Origins, the and betweendestinations, toplotapath ability NASA’sCuriositycraft. roverhassomelimited - onaspace before attempted hasn’tbeen tion more than5-hour delay. communications paringflybys fromthemercyEarth” a at of - whenyou’repre thanyoucan closer much get can “you said, he satellite,” the miss butstill close get can sothatit orbit its adjust and is own cameratoseewherethesatellite it.” don’t crashinto and the thing you’re looking at just so you healthya distance betweenyour spacecraft youalwayswanttokeep of thatuncertainty, exact orbits remain unclear. “And so because fromafar, anddetails abouttheir size and of Uranus’s satellites have been seen only Most Hofstadtersaid. tothemoon],” [relative or the spacecraft ofUranusis, or asatellite autonomousnavigation. needsonboard craft the engine, really makethemostofion exposure, Butto images. high-resolution long- thecraftcouldtakestable, slow speed, ata Moving engine. combustion chemical 10 times slower than acraft withtraditional a rings,moons, and the planet itself about With REP,the dream spacecraft could fly past Spacecraft A Self-Driving flexibility.” beautiful usthis gives spend asmuch timeaswewantthere….It said. “Wecangowherever wewant.Wecan Hofstadter allaroundit,” magnetosphere andeventhe thesatellites, system: therings, giant allareasofanice REP “letsusexplore ofthemission. thefuellifetime lengthens which canister, acompressed amountin large operated. missionsthose where system, solar inner the in best work which panels, solar large by powered were but engine of type this used 1andDawnmissions Space TheDeep exhaust. xenon ions,and the xenonexitsthe craftas The dream spacecraft would be more like a a wouldbemorelike The dreamspacecraft That levelofonboardautonomousnaviga - touseits youtrustthespacecraft “But if wherethemoon don’tknowprecisely “We verystable.Acraftcancarrya Xenon gasis ­ ­ three different satellites.” three different alanderon we’dratherput there we’lldecide Ormaybewhenweget and studytheinterior. tolookformoonquakes network seismic little a make to satellite one on landers the all put there.untilget wait we mightWe decide to “Wecan hesaid. themon,” weput satellites thelanders. the bestwaytodeploy across. 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Kimberly by Article mission?” this do that wouldenhance the scientific return of to hope you could things new what nologies, “We weresaying, Ifyou adoptednewtech Triton. moon, largest Neptune’s ofJupiter and Neptune and witha focus on flybys including planets, theouter explore to Trident investigations. Program aproposal is four asoneofits mission Discovery possible craft. innovationsspacesuchaugment- coulda exciting icegiant science, he said. These deliver andJunocancertainly New Horizons, thathasflownonCassini, tested technology Hofstadter said.Moreover, existing space- wouldofinvolvelotrisk aandofcost,lot a technologies intoone mission.Doing so alistic to incorporate all of these innovative unre- probably thatit’s study acknowledged The scientists who compiled the internal aCake on “Ice”ing “We don’t have to decide in advance which “We don’thave todecideinadvancewhich The dream spacecraftcould survey all27 of three carry to mission a designed “We “It’s almost like icing on the cake,” he said. “It’s almost likeicing on the cake,”he said. theTrident NASAshortlisted In February, -

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Helping Alaskan Communities Face Climate Risks

Turner said her community is exploring whether to expand or relocate to the Alaskan mainland.

Matching Science with Needs Scientists on the panel said although climate research and models are providing valuable information about what’s going on in Shish- maref and elsewhere, more needs to be done to help local people and communities. “We all know that the planet is warming and altering the environment in ways that have never been seen in the history of mod- ern human beings. A big question for all of us is, How do we respond?” said Brendan Kelly, executive director of the Study of Environ- Shishmaref is a town on Sarichef Island off the coast of Alaska threatened by erosion and sea level rise. Credit: mental Arctic Change, a program focusing on Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, CC BY 2.0 (bit.ly/ccby2-0) developing scientific knowledge that is rele- vant to decision-making. “We need to adapt how we do our science to meet this need.” Kelly said that the needs are multifold, arlene Tocktoo Turner fondly recalls native and community issues, spoke as part including adjusting science to the urgency of growing up in Shishmaref, Alaska, a of a recent panel about how rapid environ- climate change, working with Indigenous Dcommunity on Sarichef Island, just mental changes in the Arctic are prompting knowledge holders to include their under- north of the Bering Strait. She remembers, questions about the most effective ways of standing, and communicating with policy for instance, venturing out with her family informing policy with scientific knowledge. makers in a way that can make a difference in and the dog team to the spring camp where The panel was part of the National Council for terms of disaster mitigation and other issues. her father would hunt for bearded seals. Science and the Environment’s annual con- “We need to structure and frame the way “It was fun,” she said, reminiscing about ference held in Washington, D.C. we ask and answer questions in a way that will a time before they used snowmobiles and Turner said she wants the world to know truly be useful. The buzzword is ‘use-inspired when sea ice better buffered waves from hit- about Shishmaref’s predicament. “With the research,’” Kelly said, noting that agencies ting the coast. “That was kind of like vaca- changes that we have seen with our hunting including the National Science Foundation tion.” patterns and our weather patterns, I’d like to are putting more focus on this. Everything is changing in Shishmaref, bring the message that we are vulnerable to “We also need people to address the however, with Alaska warming twice as erosion. Our community can easily disappear, meteor coming at us,” he added, referring to quickly as the global average and faster than because our foundation is permafrost. If that rapid climate change in Alaska. any other U.S. state. disappears, then, because we are on a sand Twila Moon, a research scientist at the Shishmaref, on the front lines of climate barrier island, we’re gone. Our culture is National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, change, faces increased flooding, erosion, and gone. Our existence is gone in the community Colo., agreed that scientists need to do better thawing permafrost, and a December 2019 that we grew up in. That would be my mes- at providing useful information for society. assessment prepared for the Denali Commis- sage: that we’re here right now and we’d like “It seems clear that the way that science and sion ranked it as the second most threatened to remain here.” policy have interacted in the past has not led community in Alaska. (The Denali Commis- to really fruitful, long-term relationships in sion is a federal agency that provides utilities, which scientifically sound and well-­ infrastructure, and economic support established information is always getting into throughout Alaska.) “We all know that the the hands of policy makers and that policy At a recent forum, Turner wondered what makers have science-appropriate questions will become of her hometown, and scientists planet is warming and they are asking,” said Moon. pondered how they can better use their knowl- altering the environment in She urged a change “so that the back-and- edge to help Shishmaref and other at-risk forth between science and policy is more pro- communities. ways that have never been ductive, and especially more productive on “The changes, especially now, are very seen in the history of shorter timescales” that could prove useful rapid. It’s like, what’s next? What do we do in places like Shishmaref. next? How do we survive? How do we prepare modern human beings. A for these changes?” asked Turner, an educa- big question for all of us is, tional aide and librarian at the Shishmaref By Randy Showstack (@RandyShowstack), Staff School. Turner, who is involved in various How do we respond?” Writer

10 Eos // april 2020 NEWS

An Ice Sheet’s Footprint on Ancient Shorelines

ix years ago, Christine Chen stood on not involved in the new research. “It com- The researchers used their updated shore- the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonne- bines the field I look at, which is global line elevations to model the deformation of Sville, a body of water that once rivaled response to ice sheet change, with this local the crust due to the lake alone. When they Lake Superior in size. The largest remnant of response to the lake loading that you have in removed the lake-induced deformation data Lake Bonneville, which stretched throughout the western U.S., with a couple of different from the equation, they could still see a the eastern Great Basin, is Utah’s Great Salt techniques to understand more about both residual tilt in the topography that they sus- Lake. the Earth’s structure [and] the history of the pected was due to the weight of the Lauren- Chen, now a geology postdoc at the Califor- lake loading and the ice history. I’m just jeal- tide Ice Sheet thousands of kilometers to the nia Institute of Technology in Pasadena, was ous that I didn’t do it myself.” north. tracing Lake Bonneville’s shoreline deposits The study was published in Earth and In addition, the lighter load of the lake has throughout the state, carefully measuring ­Planetary Science Letters (bit.ly/​­ancient​ long provided researchers with information their elevation with GPS. Researchers have -­shorelines). on the viscosity of the structure of the crust long known that the weight of the massive directly beneath the lake, but isolating the tilt lake compressed Earth’s crust, which Investigating Earth’s Crust from the heavier ice sheet allowed research- rebounded as the lake drained over time. Chen The team knew that if the weight of the lake ers to draw conclusions about the viscosity of and her colleagues also found the footprint of could compress the Earth’s crust, the weight deeper structures in the wider region. the Laurentide Ice Sheet, the behemoth glacier of a massive ice sheet would also compress “Here, because they’ve got two loads of that once covered much of northern North the Earth beneath it—and cause the crust to different sizes, then you can separate that to America. bulge around its edges. some degree,” said Whitehouse. “So they’ve got constraints on the shallow structure and, A New Angle on an Old Site independently, the deeper structure, which is Lake Bonneville reached its maximum size really rare in our field.” (about 51,000 square kilometers) roughly 18,000 years ago, when the Great Basin From Shorelines to Ice Sheets enjoyed a much wetter climate than it does The researchers used ice sheet models to find today. But even at its largest, islands broke out what size of ice sheet could produce the through the surface of the lake, leaving behind shorelines we see today. However, the team peaks with the telltale signs of ancient shore- had to account for another factor long ignored lines. The ancient lake has long been a beacon in rebound studies of Lake Bonneville: Earth’s for geologists. gravitational field. Researchers studying lake “This is a very classic study site,” said Jac- load deformation didn’t have to look at the queline Austermann, an assistant professor at water body’s effect on the gravitational field Columbia University in New York and lead because it was negligible, but the ice sheet, author on the new study. with its much greater mass, does impact the In the late 19th century, Grove Karl Gilbert, gravity field. a titan of geology, traced these ancient shore- The team expected to find that a larger ice lines on horseback, taking careful measure- sheet would indicate a bigger bulge and thus ments of their elevations. In 1885, Gilbert a steeper tilt, but they found that the ice noted that curiously, the shoreline elevation sheet’s effect on the gravity field would have of the islands was higher than the perimeter counteracted some of the bulging effect. “The of the lake. Perhaps, Gilbert suggested, Earth’s findings that I hope will be useful are the con- crust was viscous, compacting and then straints that this data and model can put on rebounding as the water level dropped and the the shape of the Laurentide ice sheet and the weight of the ancient lake disappeared. viscosity of the upper 1,000 kilometers of the The rebound phenomenon at Lake Bonne- mantle,” Austermann said. ville provides researchers with insights into Although researchers have been studying the structure of Earth’s shallow interior. this site for more than 100 years, it may not Austermann’s team revisited the arid be preserved for much longer. “A lot of the shores of both Lake Bonneville and another paleoshoreline features on Lake Bonneville massive paleolake, Lake Lahontan, in what is now are being mined for gravel,” Chen said, now western Nevada. “What’s new in the work “and so a lot of these features are actually that we’ve done,” she said, “is not just how Christine Y. Chen stands next to a deposit of tufa being actively removed and might not be able the lake has deformed the shorelines but also formed on top of bedrock at Utah’s Antelope Island to be studied in the future.” how ice sheets have deformed the shorelines.” in 2012. Tufa, a type of porous carbonate rock, “It’s a really neat study,” said Pippa White­ formed within the waters of Lake Bonneville and house, an associate professor of geography serves as additional evidence left behind by the now By Kate Wheeling (@katewheeling), Science at Durham University in the United Kingdom relict lake. Credit: Adam C. Maloof Writer

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 11 NEWS

Power Outages, PG&E, and Science’s Flickering Future

awmakers on Capitol Hill met in January “In science, you always take into account and lost samples as well as a new source of to discuss the cascading effects of wild- that something can go bad,” said Sara Moli- uncertainty in their work. Lfires on the nation’s power grids as a nari, a postdoctoral researcher at Rice Univer- University of California, Berkeley Ph.D. new wildfire season approaches. sity who was visiting LBNL in October 2019 student Stefanie Engert couldn’t use a batch Members of the U.S. House of Representa- during the shutoffs. “Shutting down the of fruit flies she’d been raising before the tives spoke about the wide-reaching conse- power every time the wind blows? It’s surely shutoff. Engert raises Drosophila melanogas- quences of the public safety power shutoffs not a sustainable solution.” ter to study how the brain processes sensory initiated by California utilities and pressed for information like taste. She grows batches of answers about short- and long-term solutions A “Planned Disaster” fruit flies and then images their brains using to maintaining electric utility infrastructure. Massive wildfires swept through California neuronal activity imaging, but during shut- “It is crazy to think that [we’re] living in a from 2017 to 2019, killing more than 100 peo- offs, she said, “we couldn’t get to our ani- modern society where one must constantly ple and burning over 4 million acres. Sparks mals.” Each generation of flies takes about worry whether the lights are on,” said Rep. from PG&E’s power lines led to California’s 20 days to reach maturity, she said. Fred Upton (R-Mich.). deadliest wildfire, the Camp Fire, in 2018. In “It wasn’t horrible, but I think if it keeps The solutions could have an impact on the fact, one half of California’s most disastrous on happening, and keeps on happening, lives of millions who live in California and fires are linked to electric utility infrastructure, then it becomes a problem,” she said. other western states, as well as on scientists said Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) at the hearing, Postdoctoral researcher Molinari lost a who live or work in blackout-prone areas. The held by the House Committee on Energy and week of work to the first shutoff. Molinari University of California, Berkeley and Law- Commerce. was visiting LBNL to learn how to grow a new rence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) To avoid another disaster, PG&E enacted the type of bacterium but had to restart the both sit in the footprint of California’s largest largest public safety power shutoff in the experiments after the shutoffs. “PG&E utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company state’s history, leaving 2.5 million people in makes it hard to work,” Molinari said. (PG&E), and their researchers lost both time the dark for several days in October. Later that At LBNL, the power outage affected hun- and data due to PG&E’s shutoffs in 2019. month, PG&E and the Southern California Edi- dreds of scientists who use the lab’s special PG&E said that the outages will likely occur son utility issued another shutoff, which equipment, like its nanoscience facility and for the next 10 years. As lawmakers debate the affected half a million people. supercomputer, according to lab spokes­ web of local, state, and federal regulations The shutoffs succeeded in protecting person John German. The lab said that the needed to upgrade the country’s aging infra- human life, but those left in the dark paid power shutoffs “significantly” affected its structure, intermittent power may be a new another kind of price: They drove on roads science mission. reality. without working traffic lights, came home to The shutoff came at a particularly tricky refrigerators without power, and found cell time for one lab: Researchers at the Space phones without service. People with medical Sciences Laboratory had a scheduled satellite devices bought generators or went to emer- launch the same week that PG&E cut power gency shelters, and schools and businesses in mid-October. (See “How to Launch a Sat- closed their doors without knowing when ellite During a Blackout,” p. 13.) The lab had they’d reopen. to MacGyver a solution to keep its status of PG&E president and CEO William Johnson mission control with NASA. said in his testimony at the hearing that “the shutoffs were the right thing to do for public Grid Independence safety, even as [such actions are] not the way As lawmakers discussed the effects of the PG&E wants to serve its customers.” shutoffs, microgrids rose to the surface as Irwin Redlener and Jeff Schlegelmilch, one way to make California’s communities director and deputy director, respectively, of more resilient. the National Center for Disaster Preparedness David Eisenman, director of the Center for at Columbia University, said that the shutoffs Public Health and Disasters at the University were a type of “planned disaster.” of California, Los Angeles, said that public “PG&E is, in effect, conducting a controlled safety power shutoffs have many “cascading burn on the people of California to prevent a hazards.” These cascading effects “will only larger disaster,” they wrote in The Hill. Even increase as our sociotechnical systems grow though the shutoffs were not a natural disas- in interdependency and complexity,” Eisen- ter, they had many of the symptoms of one. As man said. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) said, the shutoffs Some communities in California already “have just caused hell in people’s lives.” have access to their own power, and PG&E is exploring the use of resiliency zones that can Barriers to Science be isolated during shutoffs. For scientists working in areas affected by The Blue Lake Rancheria tribe in Hum-

the shutoffs, the outages meant lost time boldt County runs on a microgrid powered by Opposite: National Archives Catalog

12 Eos // april 2020 NEWS

solar panels and storage batteries. During the PG&E shutoff, the tribe served more than How to Launch a Satellite 10,000 people, inviting nearby residents to pump gas, set up a makeshift newsroom, and During a Blackout house critically ill patients, according to the Washington Post. Borrego Springs in Southern California can go off San Diego Gas and Electric Com- pany’s grid during outages, thanks to its mix of energy from renewable and other sources. The rural community draws power from solar panels, energy storage, and diesel genera- tors, as well as from the grid. The independence that microgrids offer is enticing: The Santa Barbara school district is assessing the feasibility of solar power and batteries to get off the grid, reports the Santa Barbara Independent. The district is interested in part due to the public safety shutoffs becoming the “new norm.” University of California, Berkeley has the ability to provide power in-house, though its capacity can’t meet the campus’s full elec- trical demand. The university’s cogeneration plant produces steam for its buildings and burns fuel—mostly natural gas—to provide a portion of the campus’s power needs. During the shutoffs, the university used the plant to keep the lights on in student dorms and power some essential buildings. The NASA’s ICON satellite is helping scientists study the effects of Earth and space weather on the ionosphere. Space Sciences Laboratory successfully Credit: NASA Goddard’s Conceptual Image Lab/B. Monroe launched the satellite, thanks in part to the university’s power plant. But the cogeneration plant will need to be replaced in the next 10 years. The university he same week that scientists at the The power shutoffs were a Hail Mary from a declined to comment on future plans for the Space Sciences Laboratory at the Uni- utility plagued by a laundry list of safety issues. cogeneration plant but said that a task force Tversity of California (UC), Berkeley PG&E provides power to 16 million household has been assembled to “create a plan for planned to launch a satellite with NASA, lab customers across central and Northern Cali- Berkeley that works for students, faculty, director Steve Beckwith got news that the fornia, but its low-tech infrastructure, long and staff.” power might go out. transmission lines, limited personnel, and a For Berkeley Ph.D. student Whitney Loo, California was in the midst of its fall fire myriad of other problems have left it vulner- going through the shutoffs “just put every- season, and the utility that delivers power to able. The investor-owned utility sparked the thing into perspective.” UC Berkeley’s campus, Pacific Gas and Electric Camp Fire in 2018, which left 85 dead and “Anything can come and disrupt your Company (PG&E), feared that high winds, hot destroyed the town of Paradise. In January research plan at this point, is what we’ve air, and dated equipment could spark a fire. 2019, a judge suggested the utility preemp- learned,” Loo said. “I don’t think anyone Just in case, the utility sent out word: They’d tively cut power to customers during high who said, ‘I’m going to go to Berkeley and get preemptively cut power to 800,000 customers winds as a stopgap measure while the com- my Ph.D. in chemical engineering,’ was the following day, Wednesday, 9 October 2019. pany fixes its larger, more systemic safety expecting to have to deal with the power The outage would be the largest in the state’s concerns. going out.” history. Ten months later, California residents in Loo urged the university to find solutions Beckwith knew his team had a problem. The 34 counties felt the consequences when the for the upcoming year. “Fire season is com- spacecraft carrying the Ionospheric Connec- utility shut off power. Those living or working ing. We can’t push that back,” Loo said. “If tion Explorer (ICON) satellite was scheduled to in the footprint of PG&E’s grid had to answer they don’t come up with an alternative solu- launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., that week, new questions about how to be resilient: How tion for what they did last year, we’ll be back and Beckwith’s lab needed to be online to long could they go without power? What at the same place before we know it.” act as mission control when the spacecraft backup power did they have? Beckwith needed deployed the instrument in orbit. To do that, something more concrete: extension cords. the lab would need not only power but also a High-capacity, heavy-duty, 50- to 100-foot By Jenessa Duncombe (@jrdscience), Staff viable source of backup power. “At first, I extensions cords. And he needed them imme-

Opposite: National Archives Catalog Writer didn’t think we could do it,” Beckwith said. diately.

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 13 NEWS

Time to Improvise Replacing natural gas is In addition, the cogeneration plant burns The Space Sciences Laboratory sits on a hill in natural gas, and the University of California the Silver Lab Addition Building, on the north- the “hardest nut to crack to system is just 5 years away from reaching its eastern corner of UC Berkeley’s main campus. achieve carbon neutrality.” sustainability pledge of carbon neutrality. The lab had emergency power outlets, located The sustainability plan, announced in 2013, in each floor’s clean rooms. The trick would be declares that UC buildings and vehicles must connecting the emergency outlets with work- have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by stations in the building’s library, where scien- 2025. Presently, three quarters of UC Berke- tists would crunch numbers in real time as the As the makeshift mission control at the ley’s emissions come from powering the cam- satellite made its first pass over California. Space Sciences Laboratory counted down to pus’s buildings, according to the university’s After dropping about a thousand dollars on deployment on Thursday night, fueled by Office of Sustainability. For the university to extension cords from Home Depot, Beckwith Costco snacks and 400-gallon water tanks, the reach carbon-neutral levels, it will need to said, they had the library powered. team could rest easy with two sources of power reduce total emissions by 80%. The next step was determining where the to rely on: the cogeneration plant and their Replacements for natural gas are expensive power would come from. The team members extra generators. Under a watchful team of and hard to come by. As E&E News reported, had one backup generator, but they ordered a electricians, “we were able to acquire the sat- the university’s sustainability director, Mat- second and lined up a contact in San Jose with ellite that night and verify [its] health and thew St. Clair, called replacing natural gas the a truckload of diesel fuel ready to drive their safety,” said Beckwith. “hardest nut to crack to achieve carbon neu- way at a moment’s notice. “We were confident Pulling off the launch was “like watching a trality.” we could pull it off on generators if we had to,” choreographed performance turn into a jazz UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore Beckwith said. But they had another option, a improvisation as problems came up and the said that the university has convened a task backup power source that could become a life- individual team members solved them in real force for addressing future power shutoffs. UC line for UC Berkeley in years to come: the time feeding off one another’s talent and Berkeley declined to comment on long-term school’s cogeneration plant. energy,” said Beckwith. plans for the cogeneration plant or the impacts The plant originally had a boiler that sent of burning natural gas on the 2025 carbon-​ steam to the campus’s buildings, but the uni- Future Questions neutral pledge. versity expanded it to burn natural gas for The launch’s success relied in part on the cam- Beckwith said that the experience made electricity. The plant operates around the clock pus’s cogeneration plant, which has an uncer- him and his team more resilient. “If we had but can supply only part of the campus’s elec- tain future. (See “Power Outages, PG&E, and another blackout,” he said, “I don’t think tricity demand. Science’s Flickering Future,” p. 12) [working through it is] going to take an enor- Fortunately for Beckwith’s team, the Space University chancellor Carol Christ said at a mous effort on my part.” Sciences Laboratory was on the shortlist of graduate student assembly meeting in 2019 As to the launch? “We never had a power emergency labs that stayed on power. Once that the aging facility needs to be replaced in glitch,” Beckwith said. PG&E shut off power Wednesday night—after the next 10 years. PG&E has said the power delaying much of the day—the campus’s shutoffs are likely to occur over that time cogeneration plant picked up the slack. period. By Jenessa Duncombe (@jrdscience), Staff Writer

A gripping history of A definitive account the polar continent, of how we have come from the great to understand the discoveries of the fundamental processes nineteenth century behind global warming

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14 Eos // april 2020 OPINION

8 Lessons I Learned Leading a Scientific “Design Sprint”

Participants in the design sprint dine out together. Developing a supportive, open, and enjoyable team culture is an important element in a successful sprint. Credit: Ryan McGranaghan

ven a cursory glance at how Google This article shares advice and lessons science + [insert your favorite Silicon Valley operates will uncover the secret sauce learned from my experience leading the first buzz phrase here] = radical new understand- Ebehind many of its innovative ideas and of two design sprint–­ ​­inspired meetings— ing. In this relatively undefined space, the products: the design sprint, a regimented held in February 2019 at ISSI’s headquarters possibilities that lay in front of us were huge ­5-day process intended to accelerate progress in Bern, Switzerland—that could be relevant and sprawling. toward key business questions, product across scientific disciplines. This was the first time I would be leading a development, or other goals. According to GV group of people from across the world on a (formerly Google Ventures), which developed Warming Up for the Sprint project that we had envisioned. That kind of the concept, the design sprint is “a ‘greatest The proposal we wrote to ISSI was to study responsibility comes with stress. As I’m the hits’ of business strategy, innovation, behav- how energy from the Sun reaches and dis- type to overprepare, my response was to ior science, design thinking, and more.” rupts the near-­ Earth​­ space environment. The spend long hours leading up to the first week Design sprints have been used primarily myriad processes through which this occurs, thinking of all the possible paths our team by companies, but could this approach be which sometimes have deleterious effects on might go down, preparing materials to sup- useful for, say, the Earth and space science our well-­ ​­being, are known colloquially as port each one, and familiarizing myself with community? space weather. We specifically proposed to the specifics. None of this time was wasted That’s a question a colleague and I enter- investigate how electric currents carried by per se, as I learned a great deal, but it was not tained recently after finding out that our pro- particles in Earth’s magnetic field transport efficient, nor did much of my preparation end posal to the International Space Science energy and momentum between the magne- up directly facilitating the team. Institute (ISSI) to lead a team on an ambitious tosphere and the upper atmosphere. This is and ­fast ​­paced project (not quite a “loon- one of the great unresolved questions in space LESSON 1. shot,” but not far off) studying the space science—so, you know, a small undertaking You can’t predict everything. environment had been accepted. The scope for two weeklong meetings. of challenges confronting the project seemed The angle that won us the award from ISSI You don’t know where a team will go during similar to those that Google and other prod- was that of embracing a “new frontier” at the a design sprint. (That is the whole point, uct developers face, so I decided to test intersection of traditional approaches to really—to break away from the expected.) For whether the sprint could work for space sci- space weather research and innovation from sprint leaders, efficient preparation is key, so ence. data science. In other words, big data + data spend your time planning for what you know

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 15 OPINION

will help your team and avoid a “just in case” surprising directions. For instance, although designers, amalgamating old and new infor- mentality that has you planning for what you we thought we understood team members’ mation in novel ways and making new con- think might help. interests and positions on the basis of mate- nections, arrangements, and relationships— Although it might not be apparent at the rial in their publications, conference presen- all in the name of creating. outset of a sprint week, know also that each tations, and more formal interactions, they Learning the art of asking better questions day during the sprint will bring unexpected raised many unexpected and insightful ideas and fostering a ­design​­centric environment twists and turns, which will require sacrifices seemingly disparate from their traditional will create fertile ground to sow new ideas. on the part of the leaders. Be prepared to lines of thought, even on the first day. These ideas need support to bear fruit, pivot, adapt, and develop new plans on the Day 2 is about wandering around in your though, which means having ­solution-​ fly—staying up late and getting up as early as new understanding of the problem space and ­oriented people on your team. You can facil- needed—to help the group succeed. ideating as a team, as subgroups, and as indi- itate this mindset with best practices from As important as topic-­ specific​­ preparation viduals. This exploratory brainstorming ses- other fields, such as the neurological and is, the importance of team dynamics and sion should be as exhaustive as possible, with behavioral sciences and the study of team sci- logistics cannot be overstated. I suggest ­off-​ everyone contributing—this is when the best ence. We used the morning ­stand-​­up, a con- ­loading logistical planning to others to the ideas emerge. It is important for everyone to cept adopted from ­start-​­up culture that was maximum possible extent. Find a facility that be aware of the characteristics of questions new to the scientists on our team but drew provides meeting rooms, amenities, and sup- that best help ideation. Sometimes the best their praise by the end of the sprint. port staff. Mark my words, there will be chal- way to get more out of a discussion is to turn lenges to overcome, and you will have difficul- a question on its head. LESSON 4. ties with and tension among team members, Be open-minded and stay together. but constructive team dynamics flow better LESSON 3. and are more easily managed when schedul- Become an artist of the question. You can also make life easier on yourself by ing and logistics run smoothly. working with individuals who are open to new In the context of our topic, for instance, we ideas rather than with those unlikely to budge. Sprint Week began with a counterquestion. Instead of ask- Select your team from among the early adopt- We arrived at ISSI’s headquarters early on ing what we know now about space weather ers and the ­early-​­accepting majority rather 18 February 2019 ready to sprint. According to electric current systems, we asked, What do than the late and laggard adopter groups. GV’s design sprint process, day 1 should be we not know about the current systems? It’s Day 2 made it clear that we had to rely on devoted to developing a common under- a slight but nuanced difference. Suddenly we the dedication and commitment of the team. standing among the group, with participants were thinking less like traditional space We were sprinting in Switzerland, with ­jet-​ providing their relevant perspectives and physicists and more like entrepreneurs and ­lagged team members who had come from engaging in freewheeling discussions.

LESSON 2. Start with an icebreaker.

Start the week off in an unexpected way to create new ground for your group, and do not steer the discussion. It’s important not to jump right into technical material. We instead began with a unique icebreaker meant to foster comfort with one another, have some fun, and generally avoid the common scripts to which individuals and groups default. In short, we wanted to preempt nor- mal conversation. Some of the great inter- viewers of our time (e.g., Terry Gross) do the same, and the technique seems to have a way of creating better conversations. In that spirit, I asked each person, What is one thing outside of your field of study or work that you are fanatic about? This question should be ­open-​­ended, novel, and lighthearted. After all my preparation for the week, it was difficult to resist directing the conversation. Doing so would have been a mistake. I often bit my tongue when my mind told me to Design sprint team members, both those assembled in Bern (top row, second from left) and those participating intervene, opting instead to let these discus- remotely, take part in the team’s hackathon on day 3 of the sprint week, as seen in this screen capture. The plots sions go where they would. I was floored by show data collected and used to describe the temporal and spatial states of particle transport through the mag- what I learned as the discussion unfurled in netosphere and ionosphere. Credit: Ryan McGranaghan

16 Eos // april 2020 OPINION

nine different time zones. On top of this, ­hands-on​­ work helped us to push through our a stopping point but instead had created a some misfortunes meant that a few people fatigue. That afternoon was one of the most “community of practice:” an open, extensible, who’d intended to join us in Bern had to par- productive of the week. and ­cross-​­disciplinary group that achieves ticipate remotely, often at odd or inconve- deep knowledge integration and benefits from nient times for them. One team member, for LESSON 6. methodology transfer. Our focus in conclud- example, punctually joined our meetings Stick to successful new practices. ing the sprint was therefore not only on pro- from 3:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. her time, break- viding the near-­ ​­term deliverables related to ing only to teach an ­hour-​­long graduate By day 4, the fruits of adopting and enjoying the particle transport models we’d discussed course. She was instrumental. what were new and (initially) uncomfortable but also on curating the week’s resources, Finally, if you are like me, you seek solitude approaches for team members were showing. making them usable into the future, and iden- after long days in deep discussion—and you There was a visceral change in the meeting tifying long-­ term​­ directions. will be exhausted after day 2. But avoid the room during that morning’s ­stand-​­up as temptation to let your team disband that eve- excitement and coherent plans replaced the LESSON 8. ning and instead schedule a group dinner so reticence and uncertainty of previous ­stand-​ Capture knowledge in the moment. that everyone can be together away from the ­ups. It was not always a fluid process, but our sprint. Group dinners are an important aspect success that day was validation that our per- Capturing the results of the week and chart- of team culture, which needs to be supportive, sistence with these new practices was key. ing a path forward gave our team a basis to open, and enjoyable for your sprint to work. Day 4 is for poking holes in your approaches benefit our field over the coming months and We spent Tuesday night at a brewery along- and solutions, patching those holes, updating years. Do not risk the progress you have made side the River Aare, about a 2.­5-kilometer​­ walk your solutions, and “red teaming” proto- by believing you will remember everything from our accommodations. Over the next few types. Then you repeat, repeat, and repeat that occurred during the sprint. Hold a con- days, I realized how important this evening that process. As exhaustion sets in and the cluding discussion and make detailed notes was in helping us sustain our camaraderie. week wears on, it is important to build regular and slides that capture all the valuable input Day 3 of a design sprint involves building progress checkpoints into your efforts, such from the week. Make the learning and prog- solutions around ideas produced during the as roundtable lightning presentations before ress explicit. first 2 days. The goal is to arrive at a small sub- breaks to collect status updates. There will set of the most valuable solutions, with paths certainly be problematic issues by this point. Post-sprint Reflections to those solutions laid out as storyboards. Checkpoints can help identify these issues The design sprint requires an openness to In our case this step could occur only by before they derail the entire sprint. nuance and to reconsidering our own individ- working with data. So we introduced yet ual design philosophies. During our sprint another relatively new concept for space LESSON 7. week, team members were exposed to many ­scientists: the hackathon (see “Hackathon Chart your own path. new ideas and approaches, and as a result, we Speeds Progress Toward Climate Model Col- experienced lasting unexpected benefits. We laboration,” March 2020). Most projects will The normal, ­business-​­oriented design sprint perceived, adopted, and adapted to these require some activity like this that dictates regimen spells out a customer review of a pro- ideas, coalescing our shared experience into ­side-by-​­ side​­ teamwork beyond group discus- totyped solution on the final day of the sprint. a new and dynamic team culture. sions. Tailoring this activity to your project Until this point, we had followed the standard Our success with the design sprint suggests and preparing for it by collecting necessary design sprint plan, but by day 5, this no longer an alternative approach for other scien- elements (e.g., data and technologies) are exactly fit with our goals as a science team. tists—a radically interdisciplinary one—in vital for getting your group to buy in and ulti- Over the preceding several days, we had which the intersection of disparate disci- mately for its success. discussed “prototypes” of new particle trans- plines (i.e., science and design) can yield new port models that might explain the complex and innovative outcomes. This is new terri- LESSON 5. magnetospheric processes we are interested tory for many scientists, but I hope it will spur Embrace the hackathon. in illuminating. But armed with agility and the kind of progress for others that we wit- capability from the fresh approach of the nessed firsthand in our group. The hackathon does two things. First, it facil- week, we had become wildly ambitious. No itates rapid assessment of an immense num- longer was a solution to just one grand chal- Acknowledgment ber of possible solutions, allowing everyone lenge in space weather enough. We also Our team thanks the International Space Sci- to quickly realize what is and is not possible. wanted to position this sprint as a foundation ence Institute, Bern, Switzerland, for provid- Second, it creates action. for future efforts to tackle other unresolved ing financial support, meeting facilities, and On day 3, participants typically begin to feel questions in our field of space science as well generally fantastic support of the Earth and worn and tired, which hurts productivity. Our as more broadly across other disciplines. space sciences. group returned from a team lunch lethargic So the ultimate deliverable we premiered to and at risk of falling short of our goal to select colleagues was an ­experience-​­based set of two candidate solutions with corresponding guidelines for how to achieve radical progress By Ryan McGranaghan (rmcgranaghan@­ ​ plans to achieve them. But we embraced the in addressing scientific questions. On the final ­astraspace​.­net), Atmosphere and Space Tech- hackathon. Team members worked together day, we shared these guidelines, alongside the nology Research Associates, Louisville, Colo. in small groups, sharing data and code to technical solutions we had developed, with build new data sets and software to help colleagues outside our team who joined our u Read the article at bit.ly/​­Eos​-­design meet our solutions. The directed action and meeting virtually. Our sprint had not led to -​­sprint

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 17 MODELING UNDER PRESSURE to calculatethewell’s aquifersupport. holed upinhisofficeandpulledan­ of theworld’s worstoilspills,onescientist At acriticalmomentintheefforttoendone all-​­ nighter

Opposite Page: XXXXXX; This Page: Top Right: XXXX MODELING UNDER

Opposite Page: XXXXXX; This Page: Top Right: XXXX Credit: DigitalGlobe/ScapeWare3d/Getty Images Deepwater Horizonoilrigexplodedin April2010. Oil floatsintheGulfofMexicosixdays afterthe By MarkBy Betancourt SCIENCE NEWS BY A GU

// E os.org

19 Paul came recommended as the person who had the n June 2010, all that Paul Hsieh knew night in July hugely influenced the capping best ability to do modeling about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in of the leaking well. the Gulf of Mexico was what he had read The U.S. government, led by the Nobel of flow in reservoirs. As a in the news. Then Marcia McNutt, direc- ­Prize–​­winning physicist who happened to team of one, he could do tor of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) be secretary of energy at the time, Steven at the time, left him a voice mail. Chu, had assembled a diverse group of sci- the work when push came “Monday morning, I got a phone message entists to help find a way to mitigate the to shove. from the previous Friday,” recalled Hsieh. unprecedented environmental crisis. The I“[McNutt] called and said, you know, ‘Can alternative was to rely solely on experts at you come to Houston to help us?’” BP, the company ultimately responsible for Hsieh, a hydrologist now retired from the disaster. Many of the scientists, includ- USGS, was researching groundwater con- ing McNutt, had set up shop near BP’s tamination at the time. He knew that an oil offices in Houston, where they could moni- rig in the Gulf had exploded and sunk and tor what was going on in the Gulf. that every day for 2 months, tens of thou- “The way I think of us is the staff,” said sands of barrels of crude oil had been flow- Hsieh, who made several trips to Houston in ing freely into the sea. Oil had begun the weeks after McNutt’s call. “We were washing up along 1,700 kilometers of the often given assignments to calculate some- Gulf Coast, threatening delicate marshes thing or evaluate something or read through and estuaries in four states. what BP had done and evaluate it.” Hsieh, whose research focuses on mathe- The first thing they needed to figure out matical modeling of how groundwater was how fast the oil was coming out of the interacts with the surrounding geological well. As an expert in modeling underground features, had never worked with oil before, reservoirs, including how various conditions but he would come to play a key role in the in and around a reservoir affect the rate of effort to mitigate the Deepwater Horizon flow through a well, Hsieh was well suited to spill. The geoscience community responded the task. quickly and effectively, with many scientists Hsieh also had an outstanding reputa- contributing extraordinary efforts. Among tion: USGS hydrogeologist Steve Ingebritsen them was Hsieh, whose solitary work one described him as “a zealous and unselfish collaborator, motivated entirely by the goal of achieving ­high-quality​­ science” when nominating him for an AGU Ambassador Award in 2014. “Paul came recommended as the person who had the best ability to do modeling of flow in reservoirs,” said McNutt, now presi- dent of the National Academy of Sciences. “As a team of one, he could do the work when push came to shove.”

A Reservoir Under Pressure By the time Hsieh was brought on, all attempts to stop the flow of oil had failed, and the army of oil industry engineers and government scientists had settled on using a relief well—drilled at an angle to cut the orig- inal well off at the base, then injected with a plug of cement—to stop the flow of oil once and for all. But it would be several months before the relief well would be completed. In the meantime, Hsieh and several col- leagues were tasked with verifying BP’s assessment of the oil reservoir into which the Deepwater Horizon had been drilling, a part of the informally named Macondo prospect. (A prospect describes a site where hydrocarbons have the potential to accu- mulate in a reservoir.) The Macondo pros- Paul Hsieh pect sits nearly 4,000 meters below the

20 Eos // april 2020 The problem was the seafloor, deep enough that the oil there is Modeling the Reservoir no-man’s-land between heated to about 116°C by radioactive decay in Until the end of the 20th century, well 6,000 and 7,500 psi. There Earth’s interior. It lies beneath a basin integrity calculations were done analyti- called the Mississippi Canyon, and—partic- cally. The equations were necessarily sim- weren’t enough data to say ularly relevant to Hsieh’s assignment—it’s ple, assuming the reservoir was box shaped conclusively what a under a good deal of pressure. and the permeability around it was uniform. Most oil reservoirs sit within permeable Later, complex computer algorithms were pressure reading in that layers of rock. Just as a wet sponge squeezed developed to model the reservoir itself, zone would mean, and all between your hand and a table leaks water making it easier to account for all kinds of onto the table, the reservoir is squeezed by factors, like the varying permeability of the the scientists could do was the weight of the rock above it, and the formation or the relationship between an hope the capped pressure pressure can reach equilibrium as liquid irregular shape in the reservoir and the escapes into the surrounding formation. location of a well. they measured wouldn’t But for millions of years, the Mississippi Hsieh had never put together a model for fall in that range. River and its ancestors have dumped sedi- an oil well, but he knew that the same hydro- ment from the continent onto the floor of logical principles that governed water reser- So, of course, it did. the Gulf—all kinds of sediment, from coarse voirs would apply to petroleum reservoirs. sand to fine silt. Over time, the silt has been His team spent several weeks determining compressed into dense layers of rock, effec- what the current pressure of the reservoir tively sealing reservoirs like Macondo under was likely to be, given how long and at what an impermeable barrier. As the river keeps rate it had been draining into the Gulf. The piling on sediment, pressure within the res- idea was that once the well was capped, that ervoir has nowhere to go. baseline pressure could be compared with So when the Macondo well blew, oil didn’t the pressure readings at the top of the well. just leak into the ocean; it was ejected at a The team members settled on two key rate of more than 50,000 barrels per day. numbers. If they saw anything above 7,500 Soon after Hsieh’s first trip to Houston, pounds per square inch (psi) (about 51,710 the question of whether the well could be kilopascals at the well head), the well was contained from the top, like replacing the sound—there was no leak in the casing— cap on an exploding soda bottle, arose. and the full pressure of the reservoir was BP had maintained for weeks that cap- pushing up on the well cap. The cap could ping the well was a bad idea. Without a stay in place, and the oil spill would be over. release of pressure at the wellhead, engi- Less than 6,000 psi would mean the pres- neers thought, oil would leak through open- sure was being released somewhere else, ings in the damaged well casing and into the and oil eventually would find its way to the surrounding rock formation. From there, it surface through that breach. In that case, could end up pushing up through the rock the cap would have to be opened again to and eventually find its way to the seafloor. relieve the pressure, spilling oil into the The constantly gushing well was an Gulf for another 2 months until the relief unprecedented environmental disaster, but it well could be completed. would pale in comparison to such a wide- The problem was the no-man’s-land spread underground blowout. There would be between 6,000 and 7,500 psi. There weren’t no way to contain the spread of oil, which enough data to say conclusively what a could flow from multiple places. The natural pressure reading in that zone would mean, gas mixed with the petroleum could liquefy and all the scientists could do was hope the the seafloor into a kind of hydrocarbon capped pressure they measured wouldn’t quicksand. Eventually, the pressure in the fall in that range. wellhead would have equalized with the water So, of course, it did. pressure at that depth and the flow would have stopped, but by then the reservoir could Determining Aquifer Support have emptied as much as 4 times more oil On 15 July, hours after the cap was in place, than it already had, Hsieh now estimates. well pressure had risen to 6,600 psi and But then BP engineers changed their was only creeping up. There was a decision minds. Now, they said, capping the well to make. “For the first time in almost could work. Or rather, they could try it, and 3 months, there was no oil flowing into the use pressure measurements taken in the Gulf of Mexico,” said McNutt. “And every- crucial first hours to determine whether the one was devastated at the thought that we oil could stay shut in. might have to open that up again.” Hsieh and his colleagues were asked to The safest thing would have been to let ­double-​­check that analysis. the oil continue to flow and wait for the

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 21 A USGS colleague who was at BP’s headquarters relief well. The potential consequences of an would have preferred to have many months snapped a photo of the underground blowout weren’t exactly to arrive at a publishable model, with plenty known at the time, but it was clear that that of discussion with colleagues and, eventually, pressure curve and texted scenario was unacceptable. “If it actually peer review of the finished results. But Hsieh it to Hsieh. hydrofracked to the surface through other had only hours, by himself. channels, there was no way we could control “If I were to call up somebody and explain that,” said McNutt. “We would have actu- [it] to them, that would have taken so much ally actively made a bad situation worse.” time,” he said. “It was just something that I But maybe the well was sound, and there had to do.” was an explanation for the low pressure First he needed data. BP had not been readings. If someone could make a convinc- sharing direct readouts of pressure gauges ing argument for the latter, the cap could at the wellhead, fearing that advance stay in place, at least until more data could knowledge of how the mitigation effort was fill in the uncertainties. The group needed going could leak out and lead to insider to come up with an answer within 24 hours, trading. But Hsieh had to know how the before a potential underground oil leak pressure had changed over time, so a USGS would have time to reach the seafloor. colleague who was at BP’s headquarters To do that, scientists and engineers would snapped a photo of the pressure curve and needed to know whether it was plausible texted it to Hsieh. that the initial threshold of 7,500 psi was Hsieh loaded the photo into an Excel wrong. Could the pressure in the reservoir spreadsheet and superimposed it onto the be lower? All they could do was plug the graph from a rough model he’d built. Then known conditions into a computer model he adjusted the variables in his model—for and fiddle with the variables until the model example, the compressibility of the rock sur- produced out a pressure reading like the one rounding the reservoir—until his graph fit they were seeing on the wellhead. They now the curve in the photo. He had a number of had the extra parameter of how fast the ways to make his curve match the pressure pressure had changed after the well was readings at the wellhead, assuming there was shut, and it might be just enough to narrow no underground leak. He just had to determine the possibilities. which scenario was actually possible. The only person on the government sci- “The thing that made the biggest differ- ence team with modeling experience was ence was the aquifer support,” said Hsieh. Hsieh, who wasn’t even in Texas at the time. Aquifer support describes a phenomenon It was already evening at his office in that sometimes occurs when oil reservoirs Menlo Park, Calif., by the time Hsieh was are surrounded by a larger region of water, tapped to build the pressure model, and he causing higher well pressure than if no needed to present his results first thing in the water were present. morning, Central time. Knowing he wasn’t BP had used seismic reflection, a method going home anytime soon, he got to work. He similar to sonar, to survey and map the geo-

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22 Eos // april 2020 logical vicinity of the reservoir and had Matching the Model “I tried to kind of take myself out of the determined that the volume of water in the The Sun came up. Hsieh wrapped up his picture,” he said. “I think being a scientist, aquifer surrounding the well was 4 times model, threw together a PowerPoint, and you are kind of trained to do that.” that of the oil. That number had been a presented his results to the group in Hous- He added that Earth scientists in particular determining factor in the science team’s ton via conference call. When he finished, are used to not being able to give a definitive initial estimate of the 7,500 psi baseline. there were no questions—just silence. answer to any question. There are just too But interpreting seismic reflections can “I didn’t know what happened,” he said. many variables, too many unknowns. They so be tricky. What if the BP engineers had “People were just, like, thinking about it.” often deal with the invisible and the hidden missed the mark, and there was far less Within a few hours, Chu’s scientists and therefore only the plausible, the likely. water in the aquifer than they thought? agreed with BP to keep the cap in place. “The actual working environment and Hsieh dialed down the aquifer support to Underwater drones would monitor the sea- mental condition was something that I am zero, and sure enough, that could easily floor for any signs of erupting hydrocar- very used to,” said Hsieh, citing plenty of explain the 6,600 psi showing at the well- bons; research ships would do daily seismic marathon modeling sessions during which head. reflection runs; and at the first sign of an he took breaks only to eat and sleep. As the night wore on, Hsieh ran the underground blowout, the team would open Although the future of the Gulf of Mexi- model three times, once in the English units the well again. co’s ecosystems and its vast economy could the oil industry uses (barrels of oil), once in That didn’t happen. As pressure readings be affected by decisions based on the accu- metric (cubic meters of oil), and once using continued to come in, they closely matched racy of his analysis, it wasn’t that different different code. He checked and rechecked with Hsieh’s model. The well stayed shut. from his normal job assessing aquifers and his math, recalling an ­ill-​­fated Mars mis- Nine weeks later, the relief well perma- other groundwater resources. sion in which engineers’ failure to properly nently ended the crisis. “In a strange way, it could be almost rou- convert units led to the loss of a $­125-​ In the end, Hsieh saw his role as that of tine.” ­million spacecraft (see bit.ly/​metric​ an accountant, not a ­decision-​­maker. He -­mistake). was concerned mostly with getting his Author Information “In our field of work, timelines are so model right, not with how it would be used Mark Betancourt (mark.betancourt@gmail​ spread out that if you make a mistake, you and what the consequences could be. As .­com), Science Writer can catch it, there’s peer review and all of long as he’d done the calculations correctly, that,” Hsieh said. “And here…if you make a all he had to do was present the likely sce- u Read the article at bit.ly/Eos​ mistake, you’re screwed.” nario based on the data he had. -Deepwater­ Horizon Nomination Deadline: 15 April agu.org/nominations Recognize a colleague, mentor, peer, or student for a Union Award, Medal, Prize, and Section Award.

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 23 CAL SE OF LO CLIMA G SEN TE PR S AKIN OJECTION M

24 Eos // april 2020 CAL SE OF LO CLIMA G SEN TE PR S AKIN OJECTION M B y De rek n, H. rso Rosen cPhe dahl, Renee A. M A dr ien s, ne W ullen ootten, Esther M Je ssi ca an Blackband, and Alex Bry

Hands-​­on training, collaboration with scientists, and practice using ­real-​­world challenges give planners and ­

hugolacasse/Depositphotos decision-​­makers confidence to work with climate model information.

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 25 any planners and ­decision-​­makers to use multiple emissions disciplines, backgrounds, and professions; ­decision-​­makers—some scenarios, global climate models, initial their specialties included energy policy, of whom have already conditions (i.e., for natural variability), and hydrology, air quality, conservation biology, experienced clear downscaling techniques in creating an environmental planning, and health care. impacts of climate “ensemble” of projections that represent a Some participants had no prior experience change firsthand—hope realistic range of uncertainties in our future using climate projections; others had Mto adapt to or mitigate future impacts by climate. applied projections in several projects. using climate model projections to improve This task is daunting for practitioners, At each table, CASC facilitators played the outcomes for their organizations or jurisdic- who typically lack the necessary time and roles of climate scientist and science trans- tions. However, these practitioners may be climate science staff to create such ensem- lator (i.e., someone who both understands frustrated to find there is not one “best” bles. Plus, each application depends on the relevant science and is capable of clearly climate projection available for their partic- ­organization-​­specific factors (e.g., risk tol- communicating it to nonspecialists). Partic- ular application. How does a nonscientist erance, time horizon, geographic region). ipants each played the role of district water practitioner choose among—or combine— Therefore, the combined expertise of cli- managers who had to recommend whether various climate model projections and mate scientists and practitioners is desir- their state governor should sign a ­50-​­year determine how much confidence to place in able to identify, interpret, and apply a useful contract to sell water from a regional aquifer the results? and scientifically justifiable subset of future to a growing, ­water-​­hungry metropolis in a Another problem practitioners face is projections. How do we encourage these neighboring state. that these climate model projections typi- collaborative relationships? Our activity sheets detailed the challenge, cally must be downscaled from ­coarse-​­scale including physical (e.g., watershed attri- global models to higher spatial resolutions butes) and societal (e.g., water needs) infor- if they are to provide meaningful, spatially mation, along with a suite of climate plots. detailed local information on future tem- These plots included annual and springtime peratures, precipitation, or other variables. precipitation from historical climatology For example, water managers may use (­1981–​­2010) and future regionally down- downscaled precipitation projections to scaled projections (­early, middle, and late plan for future changes in drought or heavy 21st century) from three global climate rainfall events that affect water quantity models, three downscaling techniques, and and quality in their municipality or state. two future emissions scenarios (e.g., Fig- How can practitioners identify which down- ure 1). We omitted state boundaries on the scaled climate projections are appropriate plots to expand the applicability of the for their application? activity to multiple regions. Scientifically justifiable interpretations Participants were not expected to gain a and applications of climate projections can complete understanding of climate projec- aid planning decisions and ultimately result Practitioners from various disciplines participate in a tions. Rather, they saw a glimpse of how to in more resilient communities, businesses, group exercise during a training session on using use projections in their own planning and peoples. On the other hand, misappli- climate projections. Representatives from the U.S. efforts. We also demonstrated the benefits cation could be costly at best and maladap- Department of the Interior’s regional Climate Adap- of building relationships among practi- tive at worst [e.g., Nissan et al., 2019]. tation Science Centers train planners and ­decision-​ tioners, science translators, and climate In 2017, our team developed and offered a ­makers to work with downscaled climate projections researchers, encouraging collaboration ­role-​­playing activity to better equip practi- by solving a ­real-​­world management challenge. among these groups. tioners in their efforts to include down- Credit: Jessica Blackband scaled climate model projections in their What We All Learned adaptation planning efforts. We have now During the activities, we found that a par- implemented this activity multiple times ticipant’s prior experience using climate with various participants and have found In our hands-­ ​­on training for practi- model projections was the most important that participant groups are more comfort- tioners, our CASC team aimed to build par- factor in having successful group discus- able using climate projections and working ticipants’ confidence in working with sions. If small groups comprised both expe- with climate scientists as a result. downscaled climate projections by solving a rienced and inexperienced users, our facili- ­real-​­world management challenge. tators struggled to keep every participant A Daunting Task engaged. Group members with similar lev- Our collective experiences at the U.S. Training Structure els of experience with projections spoke Department of the Interior’s regional Cli- Our team first conducted the ­hands-​­on with one another; they disengaged from mate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) activity at the 2017 National Adaptation discussions when information was either have shown us the frustration that practi- Forum in Saint Paul, Minn. After a brief, too basic or too advanced for them. tioners face when multiple sources of nontechnical presentation that introduced Science translators at the trainings had to uncertainty [e.g., Wootten et al., 2017] con- the scientific uncertainties in climate pro- use strong facilitation skills to direct con- front them with the need to use many pro- jections, we simulated a ­real-​­world water versations and strike appropriate balances jections. For example, current best practices management challenge in breakout groups between discussions of climate factors and at the South Central CASC encourage of six to ten people. Participants varied in other related and tangential topics. Some

26 Eos // april 2020 Fig. 1. Example plots from one training activity represent (a) 1981–­ 2010​­ average annual precipitation across a selected area as well as (b) the average projected change in annual precipitation by 2070–­ 2089​­ relative to the earlier period using a lower emissions scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6) and (c) a higher emissions scenario (RCP 8.5). In Figures 1b and 1c, projections are based on three different global climate models (GCM) and three different downscaling techniques (DS) and are represen- tative of the sources of uncertainty in such climate projections. Dots represent the location of the city providing water (yellow) and requesting water (blue). The yellow rectangles represent the regional aquifer. Credit: Adrienne Wootten

participants, for example, focused signifi- homa with ­all-​­hazards preparedness plan- For more information, contact info@​ cant attention on nonclimatic details of the ning. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, we conducted ­southcentralclimate​.­org. management challenge (e.g., how water the ­role-​­playing activity for undergraduate would be moved or how elections or water students in climate science internship pro- Acknowledgments prices might affect the agreement), dis- grams and climate change courses at the The Department of the Interior’s South tracting others from the primary goal of University of Oklahoma. In addition, mem- Central CASC funded this activity under applying the climate projections. However, bers of Natural Resources Canada and Envi- Cooperative Agreement GA12AC00002 from participants with more climate projection ronment and Climate Change Canada the U.S. Geological Survey. The contents experience benefited from the added real- (ECCC) held a training at the Eighth Annual herein are solely the responsibility of the ism of discussing these nonclimatic factors. National Roundtable on Disaster Risk authors and do not necessarily represent After the activity, we asked participants Reduction and Canada’s Climate Change the views of the CASCs or USGS. We thank what they had learned. The most common Adaptation Platform Plenary—developed Ryan Bisel for his helpful guidance in com- responses were that climate projections after an attendee of our 2017 National Adap- munication and organizational culture. We have multiple sources of uncertainty, so tation Forum session expressed interest in appreciate the work of science translators policies and plans should be designed flexi- adapting the activity for their constituents. across the CASC network. And to our partic- bly to accommodate multiple possible out- Since then, modified versions of the activity ipants, we say, thank you! We could not comes, and that climate science translators have been held in Madison, Wis., at the 2019 have been successful without you. (e.g., at the CASCs) can assist practitioners National Adaptation Forum and for Cana- in using projections. dian audiences through the Canadian Cen- References Many practitioners were unaware that tre for Climate Services at ECCC. Nissan, H., et al. (2019), On the use and misuse of climate change projections in international development, WIREs Clim. Change, these science translators are available as a In response to participant feedback, we 10, e579, https://doi​ .org/​ 10​ .​ 1002/­ wcc​ .​ 579.­ resource; thus, the climate science commu- will expand our water ­management–​ Rumore, D., T. Schenk, and L. Susskind (2016), Role-­ play​­ simu- nity must continue building bridges to prac- ­centered activity to other management chal- lations for climate change adaptation education and engage- ment, Nat. Clim. Change, 6, 745–­ 750,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​ .​ 1038/­ ​ titioners. Overall, participants stated that lenges, such as emergency management or nclimate3084. they better understood how to interpret the public health. Eventually, we will design Wootten, A., et al. (2017), Characterizing sources of uncertainty from global climate models and downscaling techniques, ensemble of climate projections, would use introductory and advanced versions of our J. Appl. Meteorol. Climatol., 56, 3,245–­ 3,262,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​ ​ them for their own planning, and would trainings to reduce the difficulty in facilitat- .1175/­ JAMC​­ -​ D­ -​ 17­ -​ 0087.1.­ seek climate science translators to help ing groups with different experience levels. them. These outcomes are similar to those We also intend to transfer our team’s knowl- Author Information of Rumore et al. [2016], who have organized edge and materials to others who desire to Derek H. Rosendahl ([email protected]), community engagement activities related to partner with practitioners by developing a Renee A. McPherson, and Adrienne Woot- climate information, adding more evidence “­train-​­the-​­trainer” short course. ten, South Central Climate Adaptation Science that ­role-​­playing activities can improve the With the continuing development, shar- Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman; scientific literacy and collaborative capacity ing, and implementation of such ­hands-​­on Esther Mullens, Department of Geography, of participants. trainings, we hope to foster improved University of Florida, Gainesville; Jessica understanding of climate projections among Blackband, George Washington University, Moving Outward and Forward as many local and regional planners as pos- Washington, D.C.; and Alex Bryan, Williams Our activity has been adapted for multiple sible so they can confidently apply this College, Northampton, Mass. venues. In 2018, we conducted a training at knowledge to improve the flexibility and the ­Inter-​­Tribal Emergency Management resilience of their communities in the face u Read the article at bit.ly/Eos​ Coalition Summit to assist tribes in Okla- of a changing climate. -­climate-projections

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 27 MICS

28 Eos // april 2020 DEEPWATER HORIZON AND THE RISE OF THE

Microbial genomics techniques came of age following the Deepwater Horizon spill, offering researchers MICSunparalleled insights into how ecosystems respond to such environmental disasters.

By Joel E. Kostka, Samantha Joye, and Rita Colwell

Photograph of oil beneath the surface of the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon spill (background). In the inset, microscopic speci- mens of Candidatus Macondimonas diazotrophica are visible both inside and around the edges of oil droplets (large round shapes) in this micro- scope image. Credits: Rich Matthews/AP images (photo); Shutterstock/CoreDESIGN (DNA illustration); and Shmruti Karthikeyan (inset)

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 29 lmost everywhere scientists gas) that enters the marine environment The DWH spill have looked on or near through natural mechanisms like seeps was also the first Earth’s surface—from ­ice-​ [Leahy and Colwell, 1990]. major environ- ­buried Antarctic lakes to As researchers began unveiling the com- mental disaster for arid, ­ultraviolet-​­baked des- plexity of microbial communities and illu- which genomics erts and ecosystems ranging minated fundamentals of how they operate technologies had from pristine to heavily polluted—they have in recent decades, though, much remained matured to such Afound abundant and often highly diverse unclear about their structure and function- an extent that they populations of microorganisms. Microor- ing in nature. The reason for this was in part could be deployed ganisms, or microbes, are everywhere; they because of a shortage of techniques for to quantify micro- are adaptable, and they play key roles in ele- studying them. Because of their small size, bial responses ment cycling and ecosystem functioning in microbes evade easy observation, and most over large spatial nearly every environment on Earth. cannot be cultured in the laboratory. At the and temporal Microbes are the great decomposers in time of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, for scales. As a result, ecosystems, breaking down dead and dying example, environmental microbiology was a the field of envi- organic matter and recycling major nutrients relatively nascent field. But in the past ronmental for use by plants. And by reacting rapidly and decade, a variety of ­so-​­called omics tech- genomics matured adapting to changing conditions, they act as niques, focused on parsing the genetic during the past first responders in helping restore balance makeup of cells, have emerged and offered decade in parallel and stability to ecosystems after such distur- researchers powerful new ways to study with the DWH bances as pollution or catastrophic storms. microbial communities and the roles played response. Techni- Microbes are, for example, intimately by specific groups of microbes. cal advances in involved in ecosystem responses to oil spills. genomics enabled Like organic matter derived from Omics Emerge direct, compre- modern-­ day​­ primary production, oil The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill hensive analyses formed over geologic time can act as a car- in the Gulf of Mexico is the largest acciden- of the microbes in bon source that fuels microbial growth and tal oil discharge into a marine environment their natural habi- metabolism. Hydrocarbon-­ degrading​­ for which a proportional emergency tat, be it ­oil-​­contaminated or uncontami- microbes have been studied for decades response effort was mounted. In contrast to nated seawater or sediments. Researchers and are thought to be ubiquitous and the Valdez spill, the last major spill affect- studying the effects of the DWH spill pre- diverse and to have adapted to consuming ing the United States before 2010, the DWH sided over an explosion of microbial oil over millions of years [Head et al., 2006]. discharge occurred in deep water, with genomics data that enabled major advances And biodegradation mediated by indige- extraordinarily large volumes of chemical in oil spill science and allowed scientists to nous microbial communities is considered dispersant applied during emergency answer the question, What microbes are the primary fate of most petroleum (oil and response efforts. there?, in complex communities in unprec- edented detail. Metagenomics, the sequencing of all genes for all organisms in a sample, enabled determinations of the full range of micro- bial species present. It also provided assess- ments of these organisms’ metabolic potential to carry out important ecosystem processes like photosynthesis and the deg- radation of certain carbon compounds. Application of metatranscriptomics, the sequencing of active or expressed genes, provided opportunities to decipher the functions or activities of those same microbes in nature, essentially answering the question, What are they doing? Gene sequences are collected from the environment in fragments. Recent improvements in bioinformatics tools, which use ­high-performance​­ computing to stitch these fragments back together into the genomes of individual microbial spe- This sand core (left) collected on 30 June 2010 at Pensacola Beach, Fla., contains a pronounced oiled layer cies, have allowed scientists to reconstruct (dark brown). More than 50% of the microbes in that layer belonged to genus Marinobacter (in the Alteromonad- microbial genomes over large scales, reveal- ales order), a known hydrocarbon-degrading microbial group, far more than in sands below and above the oiled ing the incredible diversity and complexity layer. Credit: Markus Huettel of microbial communities.

30 Eos // april 2020 scientific partner- et al., 2011; Yang et al., 2016; Kleindienst et al., ships enabled 2015]. Genomics research revealed that dif- transformative ferent microbial species are adapted to discoveries detail- degrade specific types of hydrocarbon ing how microbes compounds (e.g., natural gases, ­straight-​ respond to petro- ­chain aliphatics, or aromatics) depending leum discharges on environmental conditions like tempera- and facilitate eco- ture and nutrient availability. These dis- system recovery. coveries underscore the natural capacity of Many of these microbes in the Gulf of Mexico and else- partnerships were where to bioremediate petroleum hydro- supported by the carbons. Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative How Oil Affects Ecosystems (GoMRI), created Scientists have long hypothesized that the with a $500 mil- fate and impacts of oil in ecosystems are lion, ­10-​­year com- determined by interplays between the mitment from BP physical and chemical characteristics of the to fund an inde- environment and by hydrocarbon chemistry pendent scientific and biogeochemical processes largely medi- research program ated by microbes. However, the complexity dedicated to of these interactions has impaired our abil- studying oil spill ity to decipher exactly how ecosystem func- impacts and miti- tioning is affected by oil. gation, particu- Oil can be a food source for some larly in the Gulf of microbes, but it can be toxic to others, Jonathan Delgardio and Will Overholt of the Georgia Institute of Technology sam- Mexico. GoMRI has resulting in adverse effects on microbially ple sand layers on 20 October 2010 at Pensacola Beach, Fla., which was heavily funded 17 interna- mediated ecosystem services like the break- polluted by weathered oil after Deepwater Horizon discharge. Researchers used tional consortia down of organic matter and the regenera- genomics to track how microbial communities changed in response to the oil by and thousands of tion of nutrients. Following the DWH comparing oiled sand layers to pristine sands. Credit: Markus Huettel investigators (bit​ discharge, GoMRI researchers observed .ly/GoM​­ -​ Research).­ through multiple lines of evidence that liq- Armed with genomics tools, Through a systems approach that incor- GoMRI researchers showed that ­oil-​ porates genomics along with knowledge and ­degrading microbes are, indeed, nearly tools from a range of other disciplines (e.g., ubiquitous, found almost everywhere In the wake of the biogeochemistry and oceanography), around the world in low abundance even researchers can now monitor and assess when crude oil is absent. These microbes, Deepwater Horizon spill, ecosystem health—and identify distur- part of the pool of low-abundance species bances that might otherwise go unnoticed— known as the rare biosphere, harbor a spe- multidisciplinary scientific by analyzing microbial populations that cialized metabolic capacity to use oil as a partnerships enabled both act as stewards for and represent bio- food source—a capability that can be rapidly indicators of ecosystems. With these activated upon exposure to oil [Kleindienst transformative discoveries efforts, global ecosystems can be better et al., 2015]. detailing how microbes protected and, when necessary, restored in From deep ocean waters to shallow the face of diverse environmental stressors. coastal sediments, ­hydrocarbon-​­degrading respond to petroleum bacteria responded profoundly to oil con- discharges and facilitate Transformative Discoveries tamination after the DWH spill, increasing Prior to 2010, most studies of microbes in abundance and expressing genes involved ecosystem recovery. associated with oil spills were conducted by in hydrocarbon metabolism over days to growing them in the laboratory using pure months. It was shown in some cases that cultures or enrichments. Consequently, we microbial communities were composed of uid and gaseous hydrocarbons from the spill had a very limited understanding of the up to 90% ­oil-​­degrading species after expo- rapidly entered the microbial food web and types and distribution of oil-­ ​­degrading sure to hydrocarbons [Kleindienst et al., 2015; persisted for years [­Fernández-​­Carrera et al., microorganisms—and of what they actually Huettel et al., 2018]. 2016; Rogers et al., 2019; Chanton et al., 2020], do—in the environment, because the vast Over time, successions of microbial pop- with major implications for carbon and majority of microorganisms in the natural ulations bloomed as they consumed the dif- nutrient cycling through the environment. environment have yet to be cultured. But in ferent hydrocarbon compounds of oil and ­Genomics-​­enabled research revealed, for the wake of the DWH spill, multidisciplinary responded to environmental factors [Kostka example, that ecosystem functions related

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 31 A sheen of oil coats the surface of the Gulf of Mexico in June 2010, as ships work to help control the Deepwater Horizon spill. Credit: kris krüg, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (bit.ly/ ccbyncsa2-0)

to the microbial nitrogen cycle were drasti- compounds disappeared. In addition, the dual capability to fix nitrogen and degrade cally affected by oil. abundances of genes related to degradation oil. Petroleum is made mostly of carbon and of specific hydrocarbon classes, such as contains relatively small amounts of major alkanes and polycyclic aromatics, could be “Superbug” Discovered nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. directly correlated with concentrations of Fertilizing water with nitrogen and phos- Thus, scientists expected that oiled envi- the corresponding classes. phorus to stimulate microbial growth is a ronments would likely become limited in Genomic data were corroborated by common bioremediation strategy for oil major nutrients, with negative effects research using isotopic tracers, which spill cleanup; it was used, for example, potentially rippling through entire food showed the incorporation of inorganic during the Valdez spill in 1989 [Bragg et al., webs. In numerous investigations of ­DWH-​ nitrogen into the microbial food web 1994]. But fertilizers are costly and difficult ­contaminated seawater and sediments, [­Fernández-​­Carrera et al., 2016]. ­Nitrogen-​ to apply over large scales and may result in genes for nitrogen fixation—a process car- ­fixing microbes, also called diazotrophs, unintended ecosystem consequences. ried out by some microbes that involves are well known to support crop growth in Thus, practitioners charged with cleaning converting inorganic nitrogen gas into fixed agricultural ecosystems and photosyn- up after oil spills dream of a “superbug”— forms like ammonium, which can be used thetic production in the open ocean [Zehr one that’s native to the contaminated by all organisms—were shown to increase et al., 2016], but nitrogen fixation by oil environment and capable of removing all many times relative to pristine conditions, degraders in response to hydrocarbon components of oil while also generating its even when adjusted for the overall abun- exposure is a new discovery. The recogni- own nutrients. dance of microbes present. tion that ­oil-​­degrading bacteria can supply Nature may have provided just such an For example, a metagenomic time series themselves with nitrogen indicates that organism. Guided by metagenomic field revealed an increase in the abundance of the microbial food web can compensate, at data, GoMRI researchers patched together genes that encode for nitrogen fixation (via least to an extent, for influxes of ­nutrient-​ the genomes of microbes thought to be the enzyme nitrogenase) that coincided ­poor oil. Studies by GoMRI researchers fur- diazotrophs that also degraded oil in marine with an increase in genes related to hydro- ther revealed that as overall microbial sediments. After looking at the potential carbon degradation pathways [­Rodriguez-​­R. diversity declined in oil-­ contaminated​­ metabolisms of these microbes, they iso- et al., 2015]. This increase then dissipated environments, the oil selected for a few lated a particular microorganism from the when the oil and associated hydrocarbon very abundant microbial species with the field samples. They used hexadecane, a

32 Eos // april 2020 hydrocarbon, as present in microbial communities, entific expertise, microbiologists can the sole carbon researchers can take the pulse of an ecosys- quickly and inexpensively analyze field and energy source tem and identify functional deficits or gains samples to provide essential information and did not pro- in the communities that affect the overall about microbial ecosystems before, during, vide any nitrogen health of the ecosystem. Such genomic and after spills. [Karthikeyan et al., indicators serve as biomarkers to guide mit- We envision a future in which omics 2019]. Sequencing igation strategies, much like blood tests can measurements enable assessment of envi- confirmed that the point physicians to disease diagnosis and ronmental risks, identification of ecosystem genome of the treatment options. deficits, selection of appropriate mitigation newly isolated During the DWH response, microbial plans, and monitoring of ecosystem recov- microbe, ­KTK-­01, genomics techniques have demonstrated the ery and in which scientists play key roles in contains genes potential to develop effective genetic proxies informing practitioners to improve that encode for or biomarkers for recording oil inputs, expo- response and restoration preparedness for nitrogen fixation sure regimes, and hydrocarbon degradation. future environmental disasters. and hydrocarbon ­Oil-​­induced ecosystem disruptions were degradation path- identified by a reduction in community References ways as well as for diversity; an overgrowth of certain species; Bragg, J. R., et al. (1994), Effectiveness of bioremediation for the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Nature, 368(6470), 413–­ 418,​­ https://doi​ ​ biosurfactant pro- or the emergence of novel genes, metabolic .org/10​­ .​ 1038/­ 368413a0.​ duction, all of pathways, and ecosystem functions. For Chanton, J. P., et al. (2020), Mapping isotopic and dissolved which together example, Macondimonas was shown to domi- organic matter baselines in waters and sediments of the Gulf of Mexico, in Scenarios and Responses to Future Deep Oil Spills, facilitate growth in nate microbial communities in oiled beach pp. 160–­ 181,​­ Springer, Cham, Switzerland, https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ ​ a ­nitrogen-​ sands, and a large increase in the abundance .1007/­ 978­ -​ 3­ -​ 030­ -​ 12963­ -​ 7_10.­ Fernández-Carrera, A., et al. (2016), Deep Water Horizon oil and ­limited, oiled of nitrogen fixation genes signified nutrient methane carbon entered the food web in the Gulf of Mexico, environment. limitation and disruptions to the nitrogen Limnol. Oceanogr., 61(S1), S387–­ S400,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1002/­ lno.​ 10440.­ Comparisons cycle initiated by oiling [Karthikeyan et al., Head, I. M., D. M. Jones, and W. F. M. Roling (2006), Marine micro- with genomes 2019]. Further, a decline in the abundance of organisms make a meal of oil, Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 4, 173–­ 182,​­ from publicly chemolithoautotrophic nitrifying microor- https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1038/­ nrmicro1348.​­ Huettel, M., et al. (2018), Degradation of Deepwater Horizon oil available data sets ganisms in oiled sediments followed by the buried in a Florida beach influenced by tidal pumping, Mar. collected in other rebound of these microbes in recovered Pollut. Bull., 126, 488–­ 500,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1016/­ j​ .​ marpolbul­ ​ studies revealed that the newly isolated sands provided evidence of ecosystem recov- .2017­ .​ 10­ .​ 061.­ Karthikeyan, S., et al. (2019), “Candidatus Macondimonas microbe—provisionally named Candida‑ ery [Huettel et al., 2018]. diazotrophica”, a novel gammaproteobacterial genus domi- tus Macondimonas diazotrophica for the nating crude-­ oil-​­ contaminated​­ coastal sediments, ISME J., 13, 2,129–­ 2,134,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1038/­ s41396­ -​ 019­ -​ 0400­ -​ 5.­ Macondo oil that was discharged during the Preparedness for Response Kleindienst, S., et al. (2015), Diverse, rare microbial taxa responded DWH disaster—represents a novel genus of and Restoration to the Deepwater Horizon deep-­ sea​­ hydrocarbon plume, Gammaproteobacteria, a class that includes Efforts supported by GoMRI to characterize ISME J., 10, ­400–​­415, https://​doi​.org/​­10​.­1038/​­ismej​.­2015​.­121. Kostka, J. E., et al. (2011), Hydrocarbon-­ degrading​­ bacteria and Escherichia coli and Salmonella, among many responses of microbial communities in Gulf the bacterial community response in Gulf of Mexico beach others. The screening also revealed a of Mexico ecosystems following the DWH oil sands impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 77, 7,962–­ 7,974,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1128/­ AEM​ ​ remarkable distribution of sequences iden- spill generated knowledge with ­far-​ .05402­ -​ 11.­ tical or almost identical to those in ­KTK-​­01 ­reaching impacts and spurred a wealth of Leahy, J. G., and R. R. Colwell (1990), Microbial-­ degradation​­ of in ­hydrocarbon-​­contaminated sediments discoveries. And newly developed tools and hydrocarbons in the environment, Microbiol. Rev., 54, 305–­ 315,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1128/­ MMBR​ .​ 54­ .3​ .​ 305­ -​ 315­ .1990.​ from coastal ecosystems across the globe: approaches have shown the proof of princi- ­Rodriguez-R,​­ L. M., et al. (2015), Microbial community succes- Microbes with genomes matching this ple for deployment as part of the emergency sional patterns in beach sands impacted by the Deepwater sequence often made up about 30% of their response tool kit. Horizon oil spill, ISME J., 9, 1,928–­ 1,940,​­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1038/­ ​ ismej.​ 2015­ .​ 5.­ total communities but were almost absent The need for ongoing research on these Rogers, K. L., et al. (2019), Sources of carbon to suspended in pristine sediments or seawater. Macon- fronts is great because the risk of future oil particulate organic matter in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Elementa Sci. Anthropocene, 7(1), 51, https://​doi​.org/​­10​.­1525/​ dimonas thus appears to play a key ecologi- spills like DWH remains as the petroleum elementa​.389. cal role in the natural responses to oil spills industry continues tapping ultradeep Yang, T., et al. (2016), Pulsed blooms and persistent oil-degrading in coastal environments around the world marine wells for oil and gas production and bacterial populations in the water column during and after the Deepwater Horizon blowout, Deep Sea Res., Part II, 129, 282–­ ​ and could prove to be a useful model because chemical dispersants—which may 291,­ https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1016/j­ .dsr2​ .2014​ .01​ .014.​ organism for further studying such be toxic to organisms—remain the major Zehr, J. P., et al. (2016), Unusual marine unicellular symbiosis with the nitrogen-­ fixing​­ cyanobacterium UCYN-­ A,​­ Nat. Microbiol., 2(1), responses. response strategy. But lessons learned from 16214, https://doi​ .org/​ 10​­ .​ 1038/­ nmicrobiol​­ .​ 2016­ .​ 214.­ DWH research so far can be applied to Oil Contamination Biomarkers developing new mitigation strategies and Author Information The ultimate goal of ­GoMRI-​­supported improvements in predictive capabilities for Joel E. Kostka (joel.​ kostka@biology­ .​ gatech­ ​ genomic research is to translate genomic responding to future environmental distur- .­edu), Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta; findings into actionable information to help bances, such as those caused by extreme Samantha Joye, University of Georgia, Athens; scientists monitor and restore ecosystem weather events or climate change. and Rita Colwell, University of Maryland, Col- health in the face of natural or ­human-​ For the first time, a ­data-​­driven approach lege Park ­made disasters. Through examination of the for oil spill response and mitigation is pos- organisms, genes, and metabolic pathways sible. With advanced genomic tools and sci- u Read the article at bit.ly/Eos­ -​ omics­

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 33 AGU NEWS

Award and Prize Winners Honored at AGU’s Fall Meeting 2019

Jobbágy and Wysession Receive source and available at cost to local Missouri schools. 2019 Spilhaus Ambassador Award Grants It is imperative that all American students, regardless of income, race, or other demographics, have access Esteban Jobbágy and Michael Wysession were awarded the 2019 Spilhaus Ambassador Award Grant at the AGU to high-quality science, technology, engineering, and Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The grants support work from mathematics (STEM) education, and this is where the previous Ambassador Award recipients that addresses one or more of the following areas: societal impact, service ISP program is revolutionary. to the Earth and space community, scientific leadership, and promotion of talent/career pool. The program is very inexpensive, to the point that over 250 elementary and middle schools in the Response by ties acknowledge and understand problems can St. Louis region (Missouri and Illinois) have now Esteban Jobbágy appropriable solutions emerge. An open presenta- adopted it. Schools rent modular curricular “kits” for Over the past 2 decades tion of the science and an honest treatment of its around $200/semester (largely to replace consum- we have learned that na- uncertainties are the necessary first step that this ables). At four to five kits per grade, the entire cost tive vegetation replace- project takes. of a school’s yearly science program is less than ment with annual crops —Esteban Jobbágy, Universidad Nacional de $1,000/grade. The ISP staff even drop off and pick in the extremely flat land- San Luis, San Luis, Argentina; also at Consejo up the kits. The program now has over 9,000 kits scapes of the Pampas and Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, used by over 2,500 local K–8 teachers to reach over Chaco in southern South San Luis, Argentina 100,000 St. Louis area students per year. However, Esteban Jobbágy America has pushed the the program runs on a shoestring budget, and this system into a new hydro- Response by grant will make a positive impact on the continued logical state of shallower water tables and more fre- Michael Wysession development of the program. quent waterlogging and salt buildup in surface soils I will be working with I will be contributing to the program in a variety of and waters. Following an “alternative state dynam- Washington University’s pro bono advisory roles, particularly in the way of ics,” these plains engaged in positive feedbacks that Institute for School Part- scientific professional development for St. Louis reinforce flooding or drying depending on the frac- nership (ISP) to support region K–12 science teachers, helping them to tion of the territory that is cultivated and the decision them in their revolution- increase their understandings of the fundamental big rules and options of farmers. Not only farming but ary approach to bringing ideas of science, new cutting-edge scientific discov- also infrastructure and rural settlements are affected. modern high-quality sci- eries, best practices in science education (particu- Seen as a regional emergency, most actions so far Michael Wysession ence to St. Louis regional larly in phenomenon-based learning and the impor- have been focused on pure hydraulic solutions that elementary and middle tance of developing engaging storylines of instruc- ignore the overwhelming importance of land use and schools. This nonprofit science program involves a tion), and the goals of the Next Generation Science land cover in the generation of water excesses and complete curriculum of phenomenon-based scien- Standards. floods. Conceptual models linking agronomy, ecol- tific storylines designed from the ground up around —Michael Wysession, Washington University ogy, and hydrology are crucial to guide any land use the Next Generation Science Standards that is open in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo. decisions and adaptative management aimed at con- trolling the flooding and salinization. A shared nar- rative of the process, problem, and likely solutions is Basu, Ismail-Zadeh, Leinen, Millar, and Wu Receive crucial to progress in the science-policy link but is 2019 Ambassador Awards still missing. This grant will help to fill this gap by supporting Sunanda Basu, Alik Ismail-Zadeh, Margaret Leinen, Connie Millar, and Lixin Wu were awarded the 2019 Ambassador ongoing work that I initiated 2 years ago, including Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is (i) coverage of the science of hydrological changes for “outstanding contributions to one or more of the following areas: societal impact, service to the Earth and space in national and provincial newspapers, (ii) produc­ community, scientific leadership, and promotion of talent/career pool.” tion and release of short documentary films, and (iii) coproduction workshops with key stakeholders. Citation for In service to the community, Sunanda cochaired The grant will be specifically used to fund travel costs Sunanda Basu the Scientific Organizing Committee for the Interna- for two meetings with policy makers at the state and Dr. Sunanda Basu has tional Heliophysical Year−Space Weather Science province level from farming regions of the plains of strived tirelessly to pro- and Education Workshop (Ethiopia) under the aus- Argentina and Paraguay that are currently subject to mote the talent pool and pices of the United Nations Basic Space Science fast and very widespread flooding and salinization diversity of early-career Initiative. The workshop was followed by a meeting processes. The goal of the meetings is to develop a scientists across the in Zambia, culminating in the prestigious interna- unified vision of what has so far been coined “the globe, advocated nation- tional AGU Chapman Conference in Ethiopia, the hydrological crisis of the plains.” Better narratives of ally and internationally first of its kind in space science in Africa. She served the flooding and salinization processes that are tak- Sunanda Basu for space weather sci- on the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial ing place in several agricultural hot spots of the ence, and reinvigorated Physics’s Long-Range Planning Committee and plains will be developed. Only when local communi- international collaborations in emerging nations. executive committees for the International Union

34 Eos // april 2020 AGU NEWS

of Radio Science (URSI), chaired the Climate and evolved into helping the international community Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, including for con- Weather of the Sun–Earth System (CAWSES) Steer- of scientists and, particularly, the next generation in trolling underground nuclear explosions through the ing Committee, and was an active leader of the whatever capacity I can. Growing up in a develop- Comprehensive Nuclear-­ Test-​­ Ban​­ Treaty Organiza- National Science Foundation’s Coupling, Energet- ing country and moving to the United States as a tion. In addition, he has initiated a number of out- ics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) National Research Council postdoctoral scientist, I reach and education efforts, including the Interna- program. At AGU, she was chair of the Development was able to realize how lucky I was to get this oppor- tional Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Board and served on the Board of Directors and tunity and how important it is to share my good for- Science Grants, Science Education, Science Publi- award committees. tune with others. My mother, if she were alive, would cation, and Science Policy programs. Sunanda’s philanthropic contributions are of par- be, like AGU, 100 years old this year, and she instilled Dr. Ismail-Zadeh’s impact is long-lasting. In one ticular note. She and her late husband endowed the in me an obligation to try to meet the educational illustration, when he started the work on the forma- Basu International Early Career Award for scientists needs of young people with lesser opportunities. tion of AGU’s Natural Hazards focus group in 2009, in developing countries, recognizing outstanding My science and my life were a partnership with only a few professed interest. Today, the Natural Haz- contributions to research in Sun–Earth systems sci- my late husband and colleague, Santimay Basu. In ards section unites thousands of researchers. To wit, ence. This AGU Space Physics and Aeronomy sec- addition, both of us had been educated in India. both IUGG and AGU have selected issues of natural tion prize has recognized talented scientists from Thus, with our global mindset and passion to help hazards and disasters as key foci of their centennial China, India, Peru, South Africa, and Nigeria. She the next generation, we were able to endow through scientific themes and celebrations. later endowed the U.S. version of this award, fol- AGU annual early-career awards for scientists from Two telling statements from other highly recog- lowed by an URSI early-career endowment and two developing countries within the space physics and nized researchers in our fields reflect on Dr. ­Ismail-​ awards for early-career scientists living and working aeronomy community, starting in 2008. Santi and ­Zadeh’s singular characteristics: “What has been in Africa. The African Geophysical Society bestowed I had spent our entire careers involved in space achieved in these areas has been due in no small a fellowship in recognition of her substantial contri- weather research and studying the societal rele- measure, to Alik’s inputs and unique qualities. His bution to Earth and space sciences in Africa. vance of the associated impacts on satellite-­ based​­ efforts are tireless and characterized by a willing- Her service and philanthropy took place in paral- communication and navigation systems. By defini- ness to use his own time in order to save yours.… lel with her excelling as an outstanding international tion, this research was global in scope and lent itself Above all, I value his mature judgment and guid- scientist, representing the core of AGU’s mission. well to involving young scientists from developing ance.” And “the sense of pride about his upbringing The impact of her scientific leadership is recognized nations. Tim ­Fuller-Rowell​­ has provided a lively com- and family truly shows the human values he cher- by her general lectures at international associations, mentary of our forays into other parts of the world. ishes. Judging from his passion and commitment such as “Impacts of Extreme Solar Events” at the Suffice it to say that being able to enhance the size to our profession, this also reflects his feelings and URSI General Assembly, the International Associa- and diversity of AGU’s talent pool has been an award unqualified commitment towards his scientific family, tion of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy Association unto itself. Being recognized with the Ambassador which has made him an ideal ambassador for Earth Lecture on CAWSES science in Toulouse, and the Award is the icing on the cake! and space sciences.” CEDAR Distinguished Scientist Lecture. Her research —Sunanda Basu, National Science Foundation, There are many more such sentiments. Dr. ­Ismail-​ into the ionosphere, its structure, and its irregulari- Alexandria, Va. (Retired) ­Zadeh’s contributions have been “seismic” on many ties has huge societal relevance associated with levels. His formal recognition as an ambassador is a impacts on communications and satellite navigation. Citation for Alik credit to the vision of AGU and most significantly Sunanda contributed to the inception and very foun- Ismail-Zadeh attests to the power of employing science to help dation of the U.S. National Space Weather Program Dr. Ismail-Zadeh has the secure the safety and sustainability of our societies Strategic Plan, now recognized at the highest levels requisite research record, and systems. in the Office of Science and Technology Policy. citations, and visiting pro- —Roger S. Pulwarty, National Oceanic and Sunanda is an ambassador in every sense and fessorships and fellow- Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, Colo. a worthy recipient of AGU’s Ambassador Award ships that we expect of through her service and scientific leadership, her high-performing mem- Response tireless and unwavering promotion of international bers of our fields. He is I am honored to receive an AGU Ambassador Award Alik Ismail-Zadeh scientific talent, and her advancing awareness of that and much more. and am grateful to Roger Pulwarty for nominating societal impacts of space weather. His scientific work is me and to Harsh Gupta, Yuan Tseh Lee, Özlem Adi- —Tim Fuller-Rowell, University of Colorado truly interdisciplinary, involving applied mathemat- yaman Lopes, and Soroosh Soroshian for supporting Boulder ics, geophysics, natural hazards, science diplomacy, the nomination. I am honored twice to receive the and history across regions from the central Apen- award in 2019, the year of the AGU Centennial and Response nines to the Tibetan Himalayas. His engagement my ­25-year membership in the Union. It is a humbling experience to receive the AGU and leadership­ across the national and international Graduating as a mathematician, I moved to geo- Ambas­sador Award, and for this I am very grateful geophysical­ scientific community are immense: He physics and dedicated my life to studies of dynam- to AGU. My nominator, Tim Fuller-Rowell, and my has helped promote geosciences from Earth obser- ics of the lithosphere and mantle and their manifes­ colleagues Louis Lanzerotti, Roderick Heelis, and vations and applications in the atmospheric, climate, tation in sedimentary basin evolution and, later, in Archana Bhattacharya all took time from their busy and hydrological sciences to volcanology and space earthquakes and volcanic activities. It was the time schedules to write letters of support. For this I owe weather for the United Nations (UN) Educational, of eureka, when scientific discoveries brought satis- them a big debt of gratitude. Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Mete- faction, enjoyment, and happiness. The beginning I have now spent about 4 decades in the United orological Organization, the Group on Earth Obser- of the 21st century, however, changed my profes- States, coming from my native India. At first, my vations, and others. More broadly, he has supported sional life from pure science to science for society. ­interest was to be immersed in science and use disaster risk assessment and management efforts After the 2004 great Indian Ocean earthquake and my insights to help others. Gradually, my passion for the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and the UN tsunami, I asked myself, “What is the value of the

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­science I am doing if this science cannot protect peo- ing national and international portfolios that provide solutions to vexingly complex problems as well as ple against disasters? What is a missing link between financial support for basic and applied research. generate basic scientific discovery at the frontiers. science and society?” My scientific adviser and col- Leinen is a trendsetter on multiple issues at the inter- The human impact on the planet—whether a result league V. Keilis-Borok liked to say that “a scientist face of science and society. of how many of us there are or a result of what we is not merely a person who conducts scientific re- Leinen’s influence has significantly enhanced transform and add to the air, sea, and land or a result search; a scientist is a person who cannot live with- organizations in academia, government, the private of what we remove—is straining the basic habitabil- out doing so.” So true…I would only add that a scien- sector, and world policy-­ making​­ bodies. Throughout ity of Earth and results in demands for new knowl- tist is a person who should help society to improve all her work, she brings her considerable intellect edge and new approaches. ­well-​­being. and gracious generosity to ensure that all parties­ These demands are calling all of us to rethink the “An instant understanding, the efficiency of are enfranchised and engaged. Her work at the Uni- way we educate Earth and space scientists and com- thought and action, and a good feeling that comes versity of Rhode Island, the National Science­ Foun- municate with the public. We are also being asked when the like-minded people work together…” dation, ­Climos, the Harbor Branch Oceano­graphic­ to break barriers of participation so that innovative (F. Press, as quoted by V. I. Keilis-­ Borok​­ in One Hun- Institute, other institutions such as the State Depart- ideas from everyone and everywhere can be incor- dred Reasons to Be a Scientist, p. 124, Abdus Salam ment, and now as the director of the Scripps Insti­ porated into our thinking. We are being asked to International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, tution of Oceanography and vice chancellor at the engage those outside of our fields to bring creative Italy, 2004). For the past 2 decades, I have tried to University of California, San Diego is replete with ideas and connections from other disciplines. Our work together with natural and social scientists and examples of her tenacious and unrelenting positive universities are rushing to try to keep up with this engineers in solving challenging problems of soci- approach to provide ­cutting-edge​­ solutions over the transformation. Our companies place a premium on ety, including disaster risk reduction, and to speak years. As but one specific example, her multiyear being nimble and creative. Our governments are try- to representatives of industry and international non- terms as part of AGU leadership as president (and ing to develop less bureaucratic approaches. governmental and intergovernmental organizations associated offices) resulted in new policies that With AGU’s students, educators, researchers, as well as to national and regional policy makers to drew ­long-overdue​­ attention to misbehaviors asso- business, and government, as well as our large inter- convince them that science is available and ready ciated with harassment and bullying. Under Lein- national membership, AGU represents many human to be used in their daily activities to benefit human- en’s leadership, such actions were classified as “sci- resources to generate geoscience knowledge. But ity. What brings me the biggest satisfaction after sci- entific misconduct,” thereby linking—for the first AGU is also being challenged to serve this diverse entific discoveries are the results of my voluntary time in the geosciences—professional and personal membership during a time of incredible global and work in various capacities on behalf of AGU, the (mis)conduct. cultural change. Being an ambassador for our fields European Geosciences Union, IUGG, and the Inter- A common thread of Leinen’s accomplishments has never been more important. We who know and national Science Council. Creating new knowledge is her laudable ability to be involved in somewhat understand Earth and space science need to ensure and delivering it to society, being an ambactus of tense situations, capture the essence of the debate, that we reach out to all possible participants and the scientific community, and bridging nations via and then offer tractable solutions. She is a prime partners to bring them into this commitment to a sus- science are my credo. I am pleased that AGU recog- example of what it means to be a true ambassador, tainable future. We also need to ensure that all can nizes the contribution to service to the Earth and whether addressing issues related to selection of participate in an equitable way. I know that there are space science community and science policy lead- sites for global change research in the early Joint many AGU ambassadors out there and hope that ership with the award and happy to join AGU Ambas- Global Ocean Flux Study or the participation of this award can begin to show them the importance sadors. underrep­resented racial and ethnic groups in ocean of their work. —Alik Ismail-Zadeh, Karlsruhe Institute of Tech- sciences. She offers many examples as a role model —Margaret Leinen, Scripps Institution of nology, Karlsruhe, Germany; also at Russian Acad- for women scientists, and indeed for all scientists, Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. emy of Sciences, Moscow in promoting efforts to increase participation of women and minorities in the geosciences. Citation for Citation for Our world of geosciences is a better place Connie Millar Margaret Leinen because of Margaret Leinen. Dr. Connie Millar, who is Dr. Margaret Leinen’s —Richard W. Murray, Woods Hole Oceano- fluent in genetics, paleo- insightful and bold lead­ graphic Institution, Scituate, Mass.; and John R. ecology, forest ecology, cli- ership, enduring scienti­ Delaney, University of Washington, Seattle matology, glacial geology, fic contributions, national landscape ecology, and and international impacts, Response wildlife biology, consis- and focus on quality and What a privilege to be among the 2019 Ambassador tently integrates these dis- Connie Millar equity are virtually unique Awardees! I have been a member of AGU for over ciplines to reveal insights Margaret Leinen in our modern society of 40 years (time flies when you are having fun). During about the dynamic bioge- researchers, educators, that time I have watched AGU grow from an organi- ography of mountain ecosystems. As a scientific and policy designers. She has played many roles in zation that was primarily about publishing import- ambassador, she has built a community in mountain important institutions, bringing a powerful integra- ant journals for our fields—and organizing an annual science and has catalyzed climate change adapta- tive mind-set to her myriad positions in professional meeting—to an organization that is committed to tion on federal lands. organizations while remaining a champion of high-­ ​ enhancing every aspect of members’ educational, Connie’s 2007 paper “Climate Change and Forests ­quality, societally relevant inquiry into how best research, and professional experiences. And just of the Future: Managing in the Face of Uncertainty” to approach our future as a global society. She has in time. The cultural and organizational structure of was recognized by the Ecological Society of America ­conducted excellent research, has administered our science in the past is no longer appropriate for (ESA) in 2015 as “one of the most notable papers ever ­programs empowering cutting-­ ​edge scientific a diverse, international, interdisciplinary community published” in an ESA journal (i.e., since 1920). In Sci- ­inqui­ries, and has been intimately involved in design- of scientists that must respond to urgent calls for ence in 2015, in “Temperate Forest Health in an Era

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of Emerging Megadisturbance,” Connie and coau- create problems of a wicked nature. These require or Australia. He initiated the Global Ocean Summit thor Nate Stephenson outline how her research has nimbleness, access to diverse and ­high-​­quality in 2014 to provide a regular platform for institu- turned traditional forest management on its head. knowledge, and assertive action with uncertain out- tional leaders to enhance institutional coordination Combining deep understanding of paleontology and comes. Where there is urgency for solutions, temp- of global ocean observations. He launched a multi­ genetics with observations of recent forest diebacks, tations may arise for scientists to overstep study disciplinary research program known as Transpar­ they explain that there is no “ideal natural forest” to results, adopt inappropriately alarmist attitudes, and ent Global Oceans in 2013 to build comprehensive restore, and instead, managers must employ a tool communicate information beyond available data. observation systems for understanding ocean cli- kit combining “resistance,” “resilience,” and “realign- Now more than ever we need to embrace strict mate processes. “A Transparent Ocean” is now a ment,” including identifying regions of climate refu- objectivity in interpreting our research results goal of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sci- gia and facilitating species change and adaptation. and translating them faithfully into defensible ences. He established a workshop series, the Inter- Connie pioneered the needed multidis­ciplinary approaches for land management. Where commu- national Symposium on Western Boundary Currents, research in these ecosystems for global change, nities of practice emerge, such as our western North that has been promoting interdisciplinary study of including founding and fostering collaborations American moun­tain climate consortium, scientists boundary current systems, particularly in a chang- through interdisciplinary groups such as the Consor- and resource managers working together enforce ing climate. He played a key role in the Northwestern tium for Integrated Climate Research in Western reciprocal transfer of best available and transparent Pacific Ocean Circulation and Climate Experiment, Mountains and the Global Observation Research science in the context of environmental and man- designed to observe, simulate, and understand the Initiative in Alpine Environments, to provide the agement challenges. Involving students and young dynamics of the northwestern Pacific Ocean circula- foundation for needed guidance for forest manag- scientists in on-the-ground projects with resource tion and its climatic impact. More recently, Dr. Wu ini- ers. staff provides valuable mutual benefits and serves tiated the Centre for Southern Hemisphere Oceans Connie’s work on climate adaptation, particularly to maintain realistic understanding and lessen risks Research, combining the research capability of the with reference to fire and planning, has resulted in in decision-making. For addressing problems of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research shifts in the U.S. Forest Service identity. Agency lead- changing climate and related pressures on mountain Organisation, Qingdao National Laboratory for ers regularly quote Connie’s work and rely on her landscapes, I am greatly encouraged and inspired Marine Science and Technology (QNLM), and Aus- to weave together various disciplinary ideas in a by the courage, knowledge, and dedication of the tralian universities to study Southern Ocean climate way that land managers can use. For this work, she rising generations of scientists who are committed variability and change, and the International Lab­ received the Forest Service Chief’s Excellence in Sci- to harnessing new knowledge for the protection and oratory for High-Resolution Earth System Prediction, ence and Technology Award in 2013 for “developing resilience of mountain ecosystems. integrating the world-class capability of QNLM, and delivering scientific principles, partnerships, and —Connie Millar, University of Washington, Seattle Texas A&M University, and the National Center for actions for adaptation to climate change in national Atmospheric Research, to better predict and project forests” and the 2016 Distinguished Science Award Citation for extreme weather in the present-day and future cli- for “leadership and exceptional scientific productivity.” Lixin Wu mate. Connie is an outstanding mentor. She works tire- Lixin Wu is widely recog- In summary, Dr. Wu’s sustained scientific accom- lessly to promote ­early-​­career, female, and minority nized as a prominent plishments and influential leadership truly embody voices in the Mountain Views newsletter she edits, leader in the field of mul- the code of a successful AGU ambassador. His con- as well in the many AGU sessions and MTNCLIM tiscale ocean dynamics tribution has had, and will continue to have, a sub- meetings she organizes. and climate change re- stantial impact. He is an ideal and worthy recipient Connie once remarked, “Interdisciplinary moun- search. He pioneered the of AGU’s Ambassador Award. tain research is for people who like steep learning use of partial coupling —Weijian Zhou, Institute of Earth Environment, Lixin Wu curves.” Just as John Muir worked across disciplin­ systems (or model sur- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, China ary boundaries to establish protected mountain gery) to unravel causative areas for future generations, so has Connie worked mechanisms operating in the ­complex oceanic and Response tirelessly to establish both the key science and the atmospheric feedback and ­subtropical–tropical​­ link- I am honored to receive the Ambassador Award on future talent pool to guide how we should manage age. He has made major original contributions to un- the 100th anniversary of the founding of AGU, and I and protect those areas through times of unprece- derstanding the response of interannual, decadal, am grateful to the Union for this recognition. dented change. and interdecadal variability to greenhouse warming. I started my career in physical oceanography after —Jessica Lundquist, University of Washington, He developed the first successful observation-based education in computational fluid dynamics. I have Seattle estimation of ocean mixing using ­high-​­resolution been fascinated by cross-scale interactions in the Argo floats in the Southern Ocean. He has discov- ocean and climate system, its complexity, and the Response ered global warming “hot spots” along western pressing need to observe, understand, and predict I send deepest thanks to my citationist, Jessica boundary currents over the 20th century. His contri- its change in a concerted way. That fascination con- Lundquist, and the colleagues who supported my bution has transformed the way we study these im- tinues to be my motivation. nomination. Their selflessness and willingness to portant issues. My first cruise was to the western Pacific in the prepare the nomination package humble me and While his scientific achievements are truly out- summer of 2008 after a decade-long period of work- bear witness to a genuine concern for our commu- standing, his contribution to ocean sciences in ing on modeling and theoretical studies of ocean nity of scientists. The honor of this award compels enabling international collaboration is what makes circulation and climate. The severe seasickness, over me to seek greater responsibilities in applying inter- him richly deserving of this Ambassador Award. The much of the cruise, provided a moment to think disciplinary science in novel ways to the challenges modern research landscape, science complexity, about integration of observations, theories, and pre- of land stewardship. Especially in mountain regions, and limitation in resources present a plethora of chal- dictions so that our ocean is more transparent. Soon complexities of terrain, climate, biodiversity, land lenges for scientists in any single country to tackle after the cruise, we established observational net- use, and diverse stakeholder interests combine to them alone, whether it is in the United States, China, works in the western Pacific and started to build

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a “Transparent Ocean Community.” Now, after a organizations meet and discuss global partnership build a community of shared future for mankind. As decade of progress, the community has become for ocean observations. In part as an outcome of an AGU Ambassador Award honoree, I look forward internationally famous, and the mission of Transpar- these summits, we have established two interna- to working with colleagues and partners to accom- entizing Global Oceans echoes resonantly with the tional centers, the Centre for Southern Hemisphere plish this great cause. sustainable goal of the United Nations Decade of Oceans Research and the International ­Laboratory My sincere gratitude goes to Weijian Zhou, my Ocean Science. for High-Resolution Earth System Prediction, which nominator, and supporting colleagues, as well as my A Chinese proverb goes, “The ocean is vast create opportunities and a platform for Southern family, friends, and students. With your support, I feel because it admits all rivers.” To facilitate the imple- Ocean research and high-resolution Earth system a lot more can still be achieved. mentation of Transparent Ocean, we have held a modeling and prediction, respectively. These collab- —Lixin Wu, Ocean University of China, Qing- series of biennial Global Ocean Summits since 2014, oration hubs help galvanize concerted efforts and dao; also at Qingdao National Laboratory for in which leaders of major marine institutions and encourage broader participation in the endeavor to Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China

James E. Broda Receives 2019 Edward A. Flinn III Award thrilled that this extraordinary man is finally being awarded the great honor that he so richly deserves. James E. Broda was awarded the 2019 Edward A. Flinn III Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held —Paul A. Baker, Duke University, Durham, N.C.; on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for an individual or small group who personifies and Lloyd D. Keigwin, Woods Hole Oceano- AGU’s motto of ‘unselfish cooperation in research’ through their facilitating, coordinating, and implementing graphic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass. activities.” Response Citation tion” to describe Jim’s role in these expeditions. He It is indeed an honor to be recognized by this award Dr. James Eugene Broda was and is, in most cases, vital to the success of the from AGU. I humbly express my deepest gratitude perfectly fits the criteria expeditions, from the earliest stage of planning, to all those who supported my nomination. Thanks for the Edward A. Flinn through the realization of the cruise, and afterward, also to the innumerable colleagues and shipmates III Award. He is truly one through his indispensable role in curating in perpe- with whom dedication to dreams and love of explo- of those “unsung heroes tuity the samples and data. ration were shared. who provide the ideas, Many of Jim’s accomplishments have been more In the spirit of cooperation, part of the creed of motivation, and labors “extraordinary” than “ordinary.” One that stands this award, these others should share much of the of love that build and out is his design of the WHOI “long corer,” originally praise for the contributions accredited to me. They James E. Broda maintain the infrastruc- installed on the R/V Knorr in 1997 (now also installed enabled concepts to grow with funding and techni- ture without which our or planned for installation on Korean and German cal challenges. My career spanned over some of the science could not flourish.” For (an incredible) research vessels). That system allowed scientists to greatest breakthroughs in ocean engineering, and 49 years, Jim has served hundreds of oceanogra- retrieve many large-diameter piston cores of 30- to I was blessed to be surrounded by those engaged phers, particularly marine geologists and geophys- ­40-meter length with nearly perfect recovery and in changing the way we look at and understand the icists, who have relied on his unique blend of knowl- quality. It is surely the most innovative and techni- ocean. edge, creativity, careful planning, sharp intellect, cally advanced sediment corer ever built. In this Over the decades and an excursion of the planet, and critical thinking to plan and bring to successful case, Jim responded to a community need and used I sought to evolve safer and more capable seafloor fruition both ordinary and extraordinarily outra- his great abilities and perseverance to accomplish sampling systems. They grew in size and complexity geous scientific projects. His work over these something that no one else could have. Many to meet the challenges of the marine geological­ com- 5 decades has enabled our science and greatly important scientific publications have followed, munity. Seismic refrac­tion operations that involved improved us as scientists. none of which would have been possible without high explosives became a focus, and hundreds of In his lifetime of achievement, it is not easy to pick Jim’s work. tons of charges were deployed in discreet experi- out the highlights. Among the “ordinary” accom- While these technical endeavors are exemplary, ments. As ocean bottom receivers came to pass, so plishments is his participation in an (incredible) 125 they barely touch on the body of work achieved did our completely unique ability to deploy and det- (and counting) oceanographic research cruises, 52 throughout Jim’s incredible career of accomplish- onate explosives on the seafloor at full ocean depth. with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) ment and self-­ ​­sacrifice for the entire seagoing I was fortunate to have the support and inspiration chief scientists, for a total of nearly 10 years at sea! oceanographic community (time at sea exacts a to apply emerging technologies to solve marine geo- Of course, it is inaccurate to use the term “participa- cost both physically and emotionally). We are logical equipment development issues. I had the rare opportunity throughout my career to learn by doing and take conceptual CAD drawings onto the shop floor, see them turn into finite objects, then head out to deep water to test and refine the creation. Finally, sincere thanks to Dr. Paul Baker, Dr. Bill uRead more citations and responses Curry, Dr. Rick Murray, and Dr. Mike Purdy for their generous citation, continued support, and shared from recipients of AGU honors at adventures over the years. It is very gratifying to have shared so much with so many, from bosuns to eos.org/agu-news. postdocs and a visionary or two. —James E. Broda, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass.

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Brian May Receives 2019 Athelstan Spilhaus Award through another lifelong passion, stereophotogra- phy. Brian May was awarded the 2019 Athelstan Spilhaus Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on In 2015 I was invited by principal investigator (PI) 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for the enhancement of the public engagement with Alan Stern to join his NASA New Horizons team as a Earth and space sciences through devoting portions of their career conveying to the general public the excitement, science team collaborator, and I worked on creating significance, and beauty of Earth and space science.” the very first stereo images of Pluto. Four years and a billion miles later, Alan invited me back to write a song Citation May is truly worthy of the 2019 Athelstan Spilhaus to accompany New Horizons’ close encounter with Dr. May’s contributions Award. the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule. My “New Hori- to public awareness —Andrew Chaikin, Arlington, Vt.; and John zons” single was released on New Year’s Day 2019 and appreciation of the Spencer, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, and premiered on NASA TV, to coincide with the flyby. space sciences are lit­ Colo. In 2015 I also worked with PI Matt Taylor on erally unique on the the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, cre­ planet. World famous Response ating stereo images of comet 67P/Churyumov-­ ​ as the lead guitarist for My love of astronomy began when, as a boy in the ­Gerasimenko. This year, in collaboration with the the rock band Queen, early 1950s, I begged to be allowed to stay up late Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Hayabusa2 Brian May he also holds a Ph.D. in to watch Sir Patrick Moore present BBC TV’s Sky at team I created stereo images of asteroid Ryugu, the astrophysics, which he Night series. Around 1970, I began my Ph.D. studies firstC-type ­ (carbonaceous) asteroid to be imaged was awarded in 2007 by Imperial College London at Imperial College London but left without com- at close quarters. Many of the stereos created from for his studies of the zodiacal light. Just by being a pleting my Ph.D., for a break to pursue my hobby data sent back to Earth by these remote scientific rock star who went back to complete his doctoral of rock music—a break which turned into more than space vehicles have been made with the help of my studies, he conveyed to the public in a way that no 30 years performing and touring the world with my own collaborator, Claudia Manzoni, and I would like one else could that science is cool. Dr. May has band, Queen. It was Patrick Moore who encouraged to acknowledge her and thank her for her expert used his celebrity as a science collaborator on me to resume work on my Ph.D. thesis, “A Survey and invaluable work. NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto and the of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,” I note that this award is for public appreciation ­Kuiper Belt, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta which I completed in in 2007. and awareness of the space sciences; if, by sharing comet mission, and the Japan Aerospace Explora- This opened the doors for me to return to the my experiences in words, ­3-D images, and music tion Agency’s Hayabusa2 asteroid mission. world of astronomy and astrophysics. Soon after- with those who follow my activities, I have done Dr. May was an avid promoter of New Horizons ward, I entered into my first collaboration in author- something to help bring to the public the excite- during and after its 2015 Pluto encounter. He not ship, along with Sir Patrick and Dr. Chris Lintott: ment of space exploration and the associated sci- only participated in numerous interviews and pub- We wrote and published the popular science book ence, I am content. But receiving this award is a lic appearances but harnessed the power of his Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. wonderful and unexpected bonus! Twitter account, which has almost 1 million follow- In all my travels around the world, I have never My grateful thanks to AGU. ers. His work generating and publicizing stereo been far away from astronomy, and recently, I have —Brian May, Commander of the Most Excellent images from all these missions lets the public see been able to contribute to several space missions Order of the British Empire (CBE) the worlds we have explored with new eyes. For New Horizons’ 2019 encounter with the Kui- per Belt object Ultima Thule, Dr. May raised his Susan Hough Receives 2019 International Award impact to a new and extraordinary level: He wrote and recorded a new song, “New Horizons,” to cel- Susan Hough was awarded the 2019 International Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on ebrate the mission. Coming as it did just a couple 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for making an outstanding contribution to furthering of months after the release of the enormously suc- the Earth and space sciences and using science for the benefit of society in developing nations.” cessful film about Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, May’s involvement in the Ultima Thule encounter Citation entists to engage in earthquake activities rang- was an incredible boost to the mission’s visibility. Few scientists have had ing from running their own seismic networks to Even readers of Guitar World’s website learned that a greater impact on pro- assessing seismic hazard and reporting scientific Ultima Thule was giving us, in Dr. May’s words, mulgating earthquake results. As part of these programs she has also “precious clues about how our solar system was awareness and educa- enriched the experience of foreign scientists by born.” tion in developing nations inviting them to participate in visits to scientific The official video for “New Horizons” has been than Susan Hough. She establishments and professional meetings here viewed 1.7 million times on YouTube, and count- has tirelessly enriched in the United States. less more have heard the song on TV and web- cooperative projects be- Sue has also authored five books about earth- Susan Hough casts. All have heard the world’s only astrophysi- tween the United States quake science for the general public, several cist/rock star singer. and local scientists­ in of which have been translated into foreign lan- Kashmir, Pakistan, Haiti, Nepal, and, most recent- guages. In her books, not only does Sue distill Limitless wonders in a never-ending sky ly, Myanmar—nations reeling from the trauma of complex scientific information in a clear and intel- We may never, never reach them recent devastating earthquakes or from politi- ligible form for the general public, but she layers That’s why we have to try! cal upheavals and uncertainties. Through work- it with history, context, and color—and her excite- By using his rock star charisma to show the shops and training sessions in these countries, her ment for the scientific enterprise is contagious world not just what we explore, but why, Brian collaborative projects have empowered local sci- throughout.

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Perhaps more than anything, her eagerness to development is concerned, thinking globally the Nepali Department of Mines and Geology and promote capacity building has been undertaken requires acting locally, doing everything we can to National Society for Earthquake Technology, the with a selfless determination and a complete strengthen existing local capacities. I accept this Haitian Bureau des Mines et de l’Energie and Uni- absence of ego. In many countries, she has found award on behalf of the professionals at institu- versité d’État d’Haïti, and others. herself disarming local officials with gentle persua- tions that continue to do the heavy lifting with risk Thank you again. sion and demonstrating by example that women reduction in their respective countries: the Myan- —Susan Hough, University of Arizona, Tuc- in science are first and foremost scientists, able mar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, son to contribute with equal integrity to pushing for- ward the frontiers of knowledge. As an AGU Fellow with over 150 publications David Moore Receives 2019 Excellence in Earth and Space Science to date, Susan Hough is the rare combination of Education Award a top-caliber scientist who has also contributed immensely to hazard preparedness and resilience David Moore was awarded the 2019 Excellence in Earth and Space Science Education Award at the AGU Fall Meeting in developing countries. We are pleased to present Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for a sustained commitment her with AGU’s International Award. to excellence in geophysical education by a team, individual, or group.” —Roger Bilham, University of Colorado Boul- der Citation tional education, and personal alumnus contacts. The fields of ecosys­ Five years ago, Dave launched an initiative to Response tem ecology and land–­ ​ expand the reach of the course, building it into I am honored and humbled to receive this award. ­atmosphere interac­tions a novel, globally based platform that fosters long- Thank you so much, Roger, Morgan, and the oth- owe a great debt to Dr. term student and postdoc collaborations. This ers who wrote letters of support and, of course, David J. P. Moore and strategy has created a multidisciplinary network AGU. his work in shepherding of dispersed but highly motivated early-career I would also need to acknowledge colleagues the next generation of researchers capable of tackling the difficult tasks who have been vital contributors to Team USGS Earth system scientists. of Earth system forecasting and climate impact David Moore over the years: Irving Flores, Jason De Cristofaro, Dave is at the vanguard assessment. Emily Wolin, Dan McNamara, and Nicholas van der of a community effort to Dave’s dedication to Fluxcourse is catalyzing a Elst, as well as Roger Bilham, who has made some train early-­ career​­ scientists and technical profes- major transformation in the way we participate in contributions himself in an international arena. sionals how to combine data and models to international education and collaboration in our And none of my international work would have assess impacts of global change on ecosystems field. Scientists now collect and store more ecolog- been possible without the support of the U.S. and associated biogeochemical cycles. Dave ical observations than ever before, spurring a need Agency for International Development, Office of helped develop a first-of-its-kind summer course for new analytical approaches built upon open U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which under- in flux observations and advanced modeling data and collaboration that use empirical, statisti- stands the critical importance of long-term risk (Fluxcourse). Under his leadership, the 2-week­ cal, and ­process-​­based modeling approaches. ­mitigation, and the dedicated professionals at the course is now entering its twelfth year. The Fluxcourse fills a critical training and pedagogical U.S. Department of State. Excellence in Earth and Space Science Educa- need in ­model-​­data fusion that supports analysis But let’s talk about capacity development. tion Award recognizes Dave’s passion and edu- at policy- and management-­ ​­relevant scales and Capacity development is only ever possible when cational accomplishments in Fluxcourse and fosters the development of cross-discipline alli- there are existing capacities to be developed. One ­sustained contributions to education and pro- ances that span career stages and expertise. Dave thing I have learned over the years is there are fessional development of ­early-​­career scien- Moore’s impact will be felt in our community for existing capacities in every country that faces tists. generations to come. earthquake hazard. It has been the privilege of a More than 200 scientists from around the world —Ankur R. Desai, University of Wisconsin– lifetime to work with and get to know students and have been trained by the course, in emerging Madison; Margaret S. Torn, Lawrence Berkeley professionals in the countries where I have global change fields that are increasingly import- National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, worked: Myanmar, Nepal, Haiti, India, and Paki- ant but not available at many universities. The Berkeley, Calif.; and Kimberley A. Novick, Indiana stan. I have been awed on a regular basis by the course brings a diverse student body to a beautiful University Bloomington dedication, energy, and talents of partners who research station in the Colorado Rockies, where face enormous challenges on a daily basis. I’ve they gain hands-on experience in eddy covari- Response told the story of the day I landed in the mother of ance, integration of high-density databases, I would like to thank AGU and my colleagues who all traffic jams in Haiti—an adventure I will never ­model-​­data fusion, and ecological synthesis and nominated me. This is an honor for me and for forget—and the realization that hit me later, that inference. Modules are taught by the world’s those who have made the Fluxcourse a success my epic experience was just one more chaotic day experts, and the collaborative assignments foster over the past 12 years. in a lifetime of chaotic days for Haitians, who face ­career-building​­ connections. Dave has succeeded As an ecologist, I have witnessed profound daily life with a resilience and resourcefulness in his commitment to increasing the participation change in how we create new knowledge. Con- beyond what outsiders ever see. There is a hunger of students and instructors traditionally underrep- temporary ecological challenges extend beyond for training and resources in so many parts of the resented in the field, from multiple countries and any one individual’s expertise. Advances in data world where dedicated professionals and students institution types. collection offer unprecedented opportunities to understand the hazard and yearn to make their Dave’s pedagogic framework is highly effec- meet these challenges, and this has been mirrored countries safer. As scientists we know that Earth tive. He employs social media tools, professionally by advances in mathematical modeling and ana- science is a global science. But where capacity produced interactive film modules for interna- lytic techniques. Combining models and data helps

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us ask clearer questions, collect more useful data, ceptualization and execution of mathematical attendees learn and develop as scientists in a and design more skillful models. Whether your sci- models. We learn the benefits and shortcomings beautiful setting provided by the University of Col- ence is rooted in observation or focused on ana- of different approaches and try to build a commu- orado’s Mountain Research Station. Instructors are lytical models, a great deal of knowledge, skill, and nity of practice that emphasizes dedication to all volunteers, some from the beginning, some dedication is required to succeed. However, effec- expertise and the willingness to collaborate. whenever they could, others are eager to pitch in tive communication between observationalists There are many people to thank: Russ Monson now—we could not run the course without their and modelers is challenging, and specialization and Dave Schimel for pulling me into this enter- generosity. It is a delight to wander the halls of AGU can lead to the isolation of the two communities prise; Kim Novick and Betsy Cowdery, who main- and see the course alumni as they advance in their to the detriment of both. Each has evolved barriers tain my faith in it; and Ray Leuning, who continues career. Fluxcourse was just one nudge along their in the form of their own languages, norms, and to inspire. The course is a coalition of the willing, scientific paths, but their assertion that it was for- approaches—the Fluxcourse seeks to break these and it succeeds because it has strong community mative and their willingness to return as course down. support. Early-career scientists come from all over instructors tell me and our team that we should Attendees work through the scientific and logis- the world to learn, and instructors come from aca- keep going. tical issues of making measurements and the con- demia, research networks, and industry to help —David Moore, University of Arizona, Tucson

Andy Green Receives 2019 Africa Award I am indebted to my nominator, John Goff. In for Research Excellence in Ocean Sciences 2005, John selflessly reached out to a young Ph.D. student, located on the far side of the planet, with Andy Green was awarded the 2019 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Ocean Sciences at the AGU Fall ­much-​­needed inputs to his first scientific paper. Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given in recognition That student was me, and that was where my of “significant work that shows the focus and promise of making outstanding contributions to research in Earth career began. or ocean sciences.” Peter Ramsay employed me throughout my M.Sc. and Ph.D. Under Pete’s kind guidance, I was Citation comparatively poorly studied. To date, he has pub- exposed to every facet of shelf geology possible. Dr. Andrew Green is an lished 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 30 of If there was a piece of equipment that could scan exceptional young ma- these as first author and 23 as project leader of the seafloor, I saw it in action. Much of what I have rine geoscientist, actively ­student-​­authored work. This emphasis on ­student-​ learned was gleaned from Pete during the months engaged in placing the ­driven publication is a major boost to capacity spent sailing the Indian Ocean in the various rust African continent’s ma- development and skill training for young African buckets we called survey vessels. rine geology in the inter- scientists. Steve McCourt nurtured my early academic national spotlight. His Dr. Green has significantly expanded African career. As the head of department, he was a ­research career began access to complex and expensive geophysical source of unwavering support and advice. Steve Andy Green when South African ma- equipment and software. Considering that few uni- taught me to think strategically and to seek the rine geology was at an versities in the world own their own bathymetric advantages amid the somewhat chaotic South all-time low because of a lack of academic exper- and seismic acquisition systems, he has positioned African tertiary education system. My great collab- tise. He has, since his Ph.D. 10 years ago, become his team as the central touchpoint for research orator and dear friend Andrew Cooper took me the hinge point behind the resurrection of South on the seafloor and coastlines of the continent. under his wing in the latter 8 years. The places Africa’s status as an international member of the Dr. Green has a strong dedication to the University visited, cold beers shared, papers written, and marine geology community. His research unit, the of ­KwaZulu-Natal​­ in Durban; he was appointed lec- advice given will remain unmatched. Likewise, only such in Africa, is a vibrant and productive cen- turer while still a Ph.D. student, promoted to ten- Burg Flemming has been an enthusiastic sup- ter that draws international collaboration and stu- ured lecturer in 2010 and associate professor in porter and keen scientific sounding board. He too dents from countries across the continent and 2016, and serves as the academic leader of the has provided me with many opportunities I think abroad. Geology Department. His passion to gain experi- would not exist otherwise. Of course, I need to Dr. Green’s work has focused on examining ence in various geophysical tools and reinvest it thank those who wrote letters of support for my coastal and shelf geomorphology and sedimentol- into the South African tertiary education sector led nomination, Joe Kelley and Edward Anthony. I am ogy in response to forcing induced by sea level to him being named an African Fulbright scholar in deeply grateful. change. His holistic treatment of shelf-coastal mor- 2018. Last, I thank my family. My parents supported phologic systems in the context of major changes —John A. Goff, Institute for Geophysics, Jack- my love affair with the ocean since I was a child. in sea level has been novel and has confirmed the son School of Geosciences, University of Texas at The many early-morning car rides to the beach, existence of meltwater pulses in SE African waters. Austin sunburns, and other injuries were all worth it. Your Given the dense clustering of urban areas along support has been the greatest gift. To my wife, Lau- the SE African coast, the detailed understanding of Response ren, my greatest advocate, this is all meaningless how past shorelines in the region responded to I am deeply honored to have been awarded the without you. Last, I would like to dedicate this and were modified by high rates of sea level rise 2019 AGU Africa Award for Research Excellence in award to our yet unborn child. I hope this will will be valuable data sets to adapt to and mitigate Ocean Sciences. I would like to thank AGU for the prompt some of the changes needed for you to see future sea level changes that are predicted to be award and for placing Africa in the spotlight. I am the beaches and coasts of the world as we did as as high as 2 meters by the end of the 21st century. encouraged now, more than ever, to spread the children. Dr. Green is a prolific scholar, producing signifi- good news of our wonderful continent. Much is yet —Andy Green, Geological Sciences, University cant research results in a part of the world that is to be done from this part of the world! of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 41 AGU NEWS

Andrew Akala Receives 2019 Africa Award bright program at Boston College. Redicella is my for Research Excellence in Space Science adviser in the Regular Associate Scheme of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Andrew Akala was awarded the 2019 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Space Science at the AGU Fall Meeting in Italy. Aside from the great names above, I was Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given in recognition of “significant privileged to be mentored by great space scien- work that shows the focus and promise of making outstanding contributions to research in space science.” tists, namely, Pat Doherty, Emmanuel Somoye, Larry Amaeshi, Christine Amory-Mazaudier, Nat Citation I thank Almighty God for this opportunity. Being Gopalswamy, Bruce Tsurutani, Keith Groves, Cesar Dr. Akala received his recognized by a first-class professional body like Valladares, Victor Chukwuma, Babatunde Rabiu, Ph.D. in ionospheric AGU is very special to me. It is even more hum- Elijah Oyeyemi, and Dieter Bilitza. Space will not physics and radio propa- bling for me to receive this award in the presence permit me to mention all the names. I am grateful gation at the University of so many leaders of our noble profession. My to you all for being sources of inspiration to me. of Lagos in 2009. While journey to space science was very unintentional! For me, this award is a clarion call to higher ser- pursuing his research on I had my first degree in physics electronics. My vice. I plan to expand my participation in public ionospheric irregularities M.Sc. and Ph.D. adviser, the late Jibayo Akinrimisi, outreach services. I thank the past recipients of and radio scintillation, directed my steps to space science. this award for their commitment to space research. Andrew Akala he became keenly inter- I thank my late father, Ogundeyin Akala, to I will join forces with them in advancing space sci- ested in their implica- whose memory I am dedicating this award. The ence education in Africa and beyond. tions for aviation safety in Nigeria and abroad. An support from my mother, Yetunde Akala, was also I appreciate many organizations that have sup- active proponent of aviation safety to this day, he awesome. Against all odds, my parents deprived ported my research in one way or another, chief was instrumental in founding the Nigerian Institute themselves of basic comforts of life to give me among which are the University of Lagos, Fulbright of Navigation about 6 years ago, and he currently education. Board, ICTP, United Nations Office for Outer Space serves as its president. I am grateful to the late Santimay Basu and to Affairs, Committee on Space Research, AGU, and He has authored and coauthored more than Sunanda Basu, the initiators of this award. I thank others. I am indebted to all my past and present 60 articles related to low-latitude scintillation the award selection committee for selecting me, students and my research team for their contribu- ­morphology, occurrence statistics, and the impacts and the AGU Honors Committee for this presti- tions to my success story. Last, I thank my wife, on Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in- gious recognition. Salomey, and my children for their continued tended for aviation applications. More than 50 of I was nominated for this award by Charles Car- understanding and support toward my career these have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific rano. The nomination was graciously supported development. journals. by Sandro Redicella, Jacob Adeniyi, and Oliver —Andrew Akala, University of Lagos, Lagos, His leadership has strengthened the space sci- Obrou. Carrano was my adviser during my Ful- Nigeria ence unit of the Physics Department at University of Lagos and has led to the establishment of new courses in the area of space sciences at the uni- versity. This year, he was promoted to the rank of Franziska C. Landes Receives 2019 Science for Solutions Award associate professor of space physics. He is a mem- ber of the University Senate and the deputy direc- Franziska C. Landes was awarded the 2019 Science for Solutions Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, tor of academics planning and development of the held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for significant contributions in the application Distance Learning Institute of the university. and use of the Earth and space sciences to solve societal problems.” Additionally, his efforts have led to the establish- ment of new institutions dedicated to improving Citation tion in environments ranging from New York City the safety of navigation through an improved under- The creativity, passion, backyards to mining villages in the Peruvian Andes. standing of space weather effects. Through his many and impact of young re- Achieving this scale of impact requires creative outreach activities, he has encouraged the growing searchers is inspiring, thinking about how to engage people in the discov- community dedicated to space science research to and when applied to ery and research process and providing them with thrive at institutions throughout Africa and world- pressing, real-world prob- tools that they could use themselves in a practical wide. At the 2018 International Symposium on Equa- lems like lead poisoning, way. It is also incredibly hard as a researcher to torial Aeronomy (ISEA) in Ahmedabad, India, he pro- these ­research charac­ take the time to develop trust in the community and posed the idea of Africa/Nigeria hosting the next teristics take on an even to develops tools that are user friendly, culturally ISEA meeting to expose young African students to Franziska C. Landes more important and appropriate, and understandable for the communi- ongoing research efforts of the international commu- pressing tone. Dr. Fran- ties that need them. Franziska not only developed nity. Dr. Akala currently serves as the general secre- ziska Landes has consistently demonstrated the and validated low-cost, citizen-friendly testing tary of the African Geophysical Society, which is ded- drive to make real differences in communities, the kits for bioavailable lead in soils but also created icated to the promotion of space science in Africa. creativity to develop new lead testing strategies a ­mobile-​­friendly database structure and autocap- —Charles S. Carrano, Institute for Scientific and place them in the hands of the very communi- ture system for demographics, observations, and Research, Boston College, Boston, Mass. ties that are burdened by lead contamination, and lead data and in Spanish on top of all that! the scholarship to produce scientific products to Franziska is sharing the products of these Response share these innovations with the world. efforts in several ways. She has followed the tra- I am deeply honored to receive the 2019 Africa Franziska uses citizen science and ­community-​ ditional publication route to share her technique Award for Research Excellence in Space Science. ­engaged research to identify and eradicate pollu- development and implementation results. But per-

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haps as important, she worked with communities Response solutions we need now and in the future. My work to develop locally appropriate research transla- I am greatly honored to be receiving this year’s is motivated by a desire to improve human and tion tools for communities and engaged actively ­Science for Solutions Award. I would like to thank environmental health, and on a daily basis I am with organizations in Peru to ensure sustainability Gabriel Filippelli for organizing this nomination inspired by community members, parents, teach- of this program. She has also brought her passion and for his leadership in community-engaged ers, and students striving for these same goals. to the AGU GeoHealth section, chairing the Early research and geohealth. I also want to thank my I would also like to thank the AGU community Career Committee and guest editing a special doctoral adviser, Lex van Geen, for his support for their support of early-career scientists and issue of the journal GeoHealth on community-­ ​ and continuous encouragement to think about especially the AGU GeoHealth leadership team ­engaged research and citizen science. real-world applications. Thank you also to Peter for creating a welcoming community that incor- Overall, if I were asked to identify the type of Schlosser for establishing this award and his con- porates early-career members at all levels. scholar who should come out of the 21st century tinued dedication to identifying solutions based I am continuously inspired by the work of academy, it would be Franziska: scientifically dil- in the Earth sciences. these interdisciplinary researchers and practi- igent, passionate about using science to improve On a global scale, we face a growing urgency tioners, and I am excited to be a part of this com- society, and engaging in the trenches on the to find solutions to enable living sustainable and munity focused on the interactions between the important environmental health issues of the day. equitable lives. By engaging communities in the health of people, ecosystems, and the environ- It is truly my honor to have been able to nominate scientific process and by enabling people to pose ment. Franziska for this award. questions, conduct environmental measure- —Franziska C. Landes, Lamont-Doherty Earth —Gabriel Filippelli, Indiana University–Purdue ments, and identify answers on their own, we as Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, University Indianapolis a society can be better positioned to find the N.Y.

Alexandra Witze Receives 2019 Robert C. Cowen Award Response for Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism I’m so pleased to accept AGU’s Cowen Award. Many, many thanks to Julia Rosen—a science Alexandra Witze was awarded the 2019 Robert C. Cowen Award for Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism writer of the highest caliber—for the nomination. at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given And it was a thrill to get an email from Bob Cowen “for recognition of a journalist or team of journalists who have made significant, lasting, and consistent himself when the announcement went public. contributions to accurate reporting on the Earth and space sciences for the general public.” The fact that AGU acknowledges lifetime achievement in this area means a lot. For so many Citation research. She traveled to NASA’s Jet Propulsion writers, our jobs consist of an endless search to Alex Witze has been Laboratory to cover the Mars Pathfinder landing unearth untold stories and bring those to a wide writing about Earth sci- and to the North Pole to report on climate science. audience. Much of this work is exhilarating, such ence for nearly 25 years In 2000, Witze won AGU’s Walter Sullivan Award as when we have the opportunity to cover path- at major newspapers for her Dallas Morning News story on an ocean breaking discoveries and report stories that end and mag­azines and as drilling expedition that explored the Kerguelen up in the history books. Much of the rest is not, a book author. With her Plateau. such as when we need to illuminate the systemic deft, lively style and In 2005, Witze became a correspondent at factors that have prevented many scientists from great depth of exper- Nature, where she has held down the Earth sci- performing to their fullest potential. Alexandra Witze tise, she is one of the ence beat ever since. Her work has also appeared Science journalism is a niche profession and ­finest science writers in Knowable Magazine, Air & Space, and Science one that has struggled in recent years. I’ve been working today. News. In 2014, she published Island on Fire, about in this field long enough to see many traditional Witze’s writing skillfully marries the technical the 1783 eruption of the Icelandic volcano Laki, journalistic outlets close up shop. Some new ones aspects of geoscience with the human experience which altered the course of human history. have launched, but there’s no question that jour- of living on a volatile planet. This is clear in her The book, cowritten with her husband, Jeff nalism in the United States is facing an existential heartbreaking Nature story on how scientists Kanipe, was short-listed for the PEN/E. O. Wilson threat. In an era where reporters are belittled and missed the warning signs of seismic dangers in Literary Science Writing Award. Witze’s work has jeered for doing their jobs, it’s heartening to see western China prior to the 2008 Sichuan earth- won accolades from many leading science orga- AGU continue to highlight the importance of accu- quake and in her article on the increasing inci- nizations, including the American Association for rate and insightful journalism. dence of extreme rain events in a warming world the Advancement of Science, the American Insti- Over the years I’ve worked with too many excel- and their societal impacts. tute of Physics, and the American Astronomical lent colleagues to name them all here. I’m grateful A pillar of the broader science writing commu- Society. for my professional community and the opportu- nity, Witze serves on the board of directors and as In 2016, she won AGU’s Perlman Award for her nity to keep working in this field even as it evolves. treasurer of the National Association of Science story on induced seismicity in Oklahoma. She is Thank you also to all the scientists who have taken Writers. She also sits on the board of The Open the only writer to have received both the Perl- my calls, answered my emails, and allowed me to Notebook, an indispensable online resource for man and Sullivan Awards and now the Cowen tag along in the field with them. science journalists. Award—which honors her long and ongoing leg- Most of all I’m grateful for my husband, Jeff Witze began her career at Earth magazine and acy. Kanipe, whose love and support have made all our quickly moved to the Dallas Morning News, which —Julia Rosen, The Los Angeles Times, Port- joint and individual science-writing work possible. sent her around the world to cover geoscience land, Ore. —Alexandra Witze, Freelance Writer

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Sarah Kaplan Receives 2019 Walter Sullivan Award sound like a recipe for a compelling narrative. But for Excellence in Science Journalism–Features Laura understood the potential for this story to give readers a glimpse at how the scientific process Sarah Kaplan was awarded the 2019 Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism–Features at the works—while the possibility of aliens hung in the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for balance—and for that I am tremendously grateful. excellence in feature reporting about the Earth and space sciences, with a deadline of more than one week.” I am also indebted to the scientists who gener- ously explained—and reexplained—their research Citation Mars is a big place, and even the most adventur- during the workshop and afterward. Their enthusi- Planetary scientists gath- ous rover covered just 28 miles in its lifetime. Any asm and eloquence made Mars feel less distant and ered for a 3-day work- mission to the Red Planet will get to explore only a the search for life there more real. shop last year to debate very tiny spot. So scientists spend countless hours Of course, “Next Stop, Mars” would not have one of the most momen- studying and debating in an effort to find just the been half as compelling if not for the brilliant work tous decisions of modern right one. of my colleagues: Joe Fox and Brittany Renee space exploration: Where As soon as I learned this, during a conversation Mayes, who created the maps with images taken should NASA send its next with a deputy project scientist for NASA’s Mars by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; Karly Domb Mars rover, a mission that 2020 mission, I knew I had to witness the process Sadof, who edited the photos; and Leo Ji, who Sarah Kaplan will send back rocks to be myself. The 2020 rover (which is slated to launch designed the whole story. examined for signs of life? this summer) was built to pursue one of the most I’m thankful to AGU and its members, who give The decision was so difficult because we don’t meaningful questions humans can ask. Its landing me so much to write about, and to the distinguished know where life evolved on Earth. The three candi- site will determine how close we might get to an writers and researchers on the Walter Sullivan date landing sites represented three theories of life’s answer. Award Committee who selected my story. origins here: a river delta, a hot springs, and a mesa So in 2018 I asked my editor, Laura Helmuth, if I Most of all, I am grateful for readers. Amid an that exposes multiple layers that could have con- could fly to Los Angeles to attend NASA’s final site onslaught of grim news from this world, they make tained trapped water. selection workshop. time in their lives and space in their minds to won- Sarah Kaplan showed readers the stakes of the I wouldn’t have blamed her if she was skeptical der about others. decision and wove together what we know about about the idea. Three days of jargon-filled debate —Sarah Kaplan, The Washington Post, Wash- Mars—a lot more than most readers realize—and the in a windowless conference room doesn’t exactly ington, D.C. origins of life on Earth. Throughout the story, readers meet scientists deeply invested in this decision and thrilled at the opportunity to maybe, just maybe, find Ann Gibbons Receives 2019 David Perlman Award the first evidence of life on another planet. for Excellence in Science Journalism–News The online presentation, a collaboration with Joe Fox and Brittany Renee Mayes on graphics, with a Ann Gibbons was awarded the 2019 David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism–News at the AGU design by Leo Ji and photo editing by Karly Domb Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given “for excellence Sadof, paired satellite images of Mars with satellite in news reporting about the Earth and space sciences, with a deadline of one week or less.” images of comparable spots on Earth. A series of maps and insets showed where the candidate land- Citation tion, and her award-winning stories include those on ing sites are on Mars and the geologic features a This award is for a news human sacrifice and ancient migrations. Her tales of rover would encounter there. Columbia Hills, a for- story, written on deadline how people actually lived in prehistory turn out to mer hot spring, was explored by the rover Spirit and and pegged to a talk. But have huge relevance for today because we are not is comparable to a hot spring in Yellowstone National it’s also an example of the first humans to struggle with climate change, Park. Jezero Crater is a former river delta feeding how habits honed in 2 mass migrations, and encounters with foreigners. into a lake that might have entombed organic mate- ­decades of outstanding One story, about the upright apes that gave rise to us rial. And Northeast Syrtis has minerals that suggest journalism can help a re- all, was the jumping-off point for her book The First it was once part of an underground aquifer, as well porter seize an opportu- Human: The Race to Discover Our Earliest Ancestors. Ann Gibbons as “mega­breccias,” or debris from ancient meteorite nity in a moment. Those Her story “Why 536 Was the Worst Year to Be impacts. habits helped Ann Gib- Alive” arose as she sat over dinner and beer with The gorgeous images of Mars look familiar to an bons crystallize a casual conversation into a spar- sources at a conference. Talk turned to how terrible earthling, and the science shows the planets weren’t kling gem of a story. life was at certain times in the past, and both schol- all that different, once—before Mars lost its atmo- Ann, a contributing correspondent for Science, ars named 536 CE as the very worst year. That was sphere and water and became a “failed planet,” at is a master at tracking research findings, such as an a year without a summer, when crops failed from Ire- least where life is concerned. The Mars 2020 rover unexpectedly light isotope or the shape of a bump land to China. One researcher was part of a team is our best opportunity to find out if life ever existed on an ancient bone. Crucially, she then also recog- tracing the year’s cold climate to a volcano in Iceland. there. nizes the moment when those details coalesce into Immediately recognizing the power of this result, —Laura Helmuth, The Washington Post, Wash- a story the world needs to know. Ann attended a symposium at Harvard where the ington, D.C. Ann’s a writer first, with English and journalism scientists announced their findings. She was the only degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. reporter there. Her story reveals how a new method Response She also studied science at Berkeley and with fellow- allowed geoscientists to analyze elements in an ice Say you’re going to launch a spacecraft to look for ships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology core with astonishing precision, tracking storms and signs of ancient life on Mars. Where do you send it? and at Harvard. At Science she covers human evolu- volcanoes to within a month or less. As Ann wrote,

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the ice core illuminates “a dark hour in what used to Beth N. Orcutt Receives 2019 Asahiko Taira be called the Dark Ages.” Her reporting does that too: International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize She shines a light on the murky chapters of our his- tory to help us understand the challenges of today. Beth N. Orcutt was awarded the 2019 Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize at the —Elizabeth Culotta, Science Magazine, Wash- AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The prize is given “for ington, D.C. outstanding transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling.”

Response Citation developed flow-through Osmo colonization exper- I am greatly honored to receive the David Perlman Beth N. Orcutt has made iments that enhance the quality of scientific experi­ Award, which was named for the renowned science transdisciplinary contri- ments that can be performed with IODP-drilled writer and editor at the San Francisco Chronicle butions to microbiology boreholes.­ These findings set important bound­ who inspired so many of us to be science writers. I and biogeochemistry in aries on the extent of influence of subseafloor was an undergraduate at the University of California, the deep oceanic subsur- basalt communities and have enabled discover- Berkeley when I heard David give an inspiring talk face through the Interna- ies by other researchers as well. By continually about what it was like to be a science writer. I was tional Ocean Discovery being open and courageous with new methods, always torn between studying science and writing, Program (IODP). She has fieldwork, and data interpretation, Orcutt has made Beth N. Orcutt and Perlman was one of the first people who showed made these advances truly great breakthroughs that have made her a me a path to do both—and to make a living at it. largely through her re- highly respected member of the scientific drilling I also want to thank my longtime editors at Sci- search in ocean drilling, and she has also performed community. ence, Elizabeth Culotta and Tim Appenzeller, who leadership roles in IODP, including serving on the —Karen Lloyd, University of Tennessee, Knox- have given me the encouragement and resources to Science Evaluation Panel and being chief scientist ville follow leads and to travel around the world to report of expeditions. on some of the most exciting topics in evolution. This In 2011, Orcutt used IODP-dilled boreholes to Response story came out of a dinner conversation at a meeting demonstrate colonization of native rock–hosted I am deeply honored to receive the Asahiko Taira in Germany where I had the time to muse over a beer communities on mineral surfaces. This work Prize for my involvement with the international sci- with scientists about the worst time to have been opened up the basalt basement to direct microbial entific ocean drilling programs. Dr. Taira inspires me alive. I thank all the researchers involved with the obser­vation. From IODP Expedition 336 to North with his commitment to scientific progress and Initiative for the Science of the Human Past at Har- Pond, Orcutt showed oxygen consumption rates international collaboration, and I hope to live up to vard and the Climate Change Institute at the Univer- in subseafloor basalt-hosted ecosystems, using his leadership example within the AGU and IODP sity of Maine for inviting me to their closed workshop ­reaction-​­transport models of high-resolution oxy- communities. I am also indebted to Karen Lloyd for and accommodating my many inquiries for this story. gen concentration profiles to show that 1 nano- her generous citation and unflagging support. I think one of the most intriguing parts of being a mole of oxygen is consumed per cubic centimeter My interest in ocean drilling science was sparked science writer is to try to bring alive key events in of rock per day in ~8-million-year-old basaltic crust. during my undergraduate studies by reading the past—to show how humans evolved in response This was a major advance on previous work dem­ papers on curious methane patterns in marine sed- to natural disasters and changes in the climate or onstrating widespread aerobic activity in subsea- iments. With the incredible support of Mandy Joye their habitats. The most important story of our floor basalt. at the University of Georgia and Antje Boetius and time may well be to show how climate change has From IODP Expedition 327 to the Juan de Fuca Kai-Uwe Hinrichs in Bremen, Germany, I had the shaped us, for better or for worse—and how inter- Ridge flank, Orcutt’s group demonstrated the opportunity to delve into studying sediment hydro- connected we are with the planet’s cycles. Our microbial connections between deeply buried sub- carbon cycling during my Ph.D. research. These ancestors had to adapt to changes in the atmo- seafloor basalts and the surrounding sediments. experiences opened my eyes to the possibilities sphere, weather, climate, and their habitats over They showed that sedimentary communities are for international collaborative research within the millions of years. But now, in addition to having to stimulated by fluids coming out of the basalts, ocean drilling program and also inspired a peculiar adapt to the planet’s natural cycles and sudden but the microbial community composition is not passion for working with increasingly more difficult disasters, humans have to grapple with the rapid-­ ​ changed by the presence of different kinds of and low-biomass samples. ­fire effects of our own pollution and climate forcing. basalts. From the observatories installed on this My immersion into the drilling program began In my opinion, it is increasingly urgent for writers to same expedition, Orcutt’s group used genomic in earnest under the leadership of Katrina Edwards show what scientists are learning from the past techniques to determine the environmental role of at the University of Southern California, who sup- about how paleoclimate and pollution can affect life one of the most enigmatic members of subseafloor ported me as a postdoc to design experiments to on the ground for real people and other creatures basalt communities: the Hydrothermarchaeota. No study microbe–mineral interactions in oceanic crust. who inhabit the Earth. Plus, these are great human microbial isolate has ever been obtained from this This experience was foundational for my involve- stories to tell, full of drama, heroism, and tragedy. group, but it appears to be widespread among deep ment in IODP Expeditions 327 and 336 specifically I also want to thank my husband, Bill Scherlis, and subseafloor ecosystems. Orcutt’s lab demonstrated and for my career in general. Katrina’s unapologetic my children, Lily, Sophia, and Tom, for their support, for the first time that this group of organisms likely enthusiasm for achieving aspirational scientific ongoing interest in my work, and tolerating my long uses carbon monoxide as a respiration substrate, goals was infectious and unmatched. I am thank- absences to distant places when I was traveling allowing it to be somewhat decoupled from pure ful for the lessons I learned from her and miss her with researchers, often off the grid. Finally, I want heterotrophy, achieving a C1 compound–supported dearly. to thank AGU for this award. It is the best type of lifestyle. Through the doors that Katrina opened, I had encouragement. Orcutt is also an innovator in the methods used opportunities to get involved with borehole obser- —Ann Gibbons, Science Magazine, Washing- in scientific drilling. She has evaluated the suitabil- vatory research, with the unendingly generous sup- ton, D.C. ity of construction materials for IODP boreholes and port of colleagues Keir Becker, Andrew Fisher, and

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 45 AGU NEWS

Geoff Wheat. I am indebted to Bo Barker Jørgen­ for inspiring me to take on more leadership roles, collaborative efforts, and I am grateful to all of the sen for allowing me to pursue these efforts during and to Jan Amend, Julie Huber, and the entire Cen- scientific teams and partners I have had the honor my second postdoc, to Graham Shimmield for ter for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations com- of working with and learning from. his encouragement to continue my interests as I munity for making deep biosphere research so fun. —Beth N. Orcutt, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean started my own laboratory, to Gretchen Früh-Green Ocean drilling and observatory science are truly Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine

J. Marshall Shepherd Receives 2019 Climate Communication Prize Many know Marshall as the smooth-talking mete- orologist on the Weather Channel or the must-follow J. Marshall Shepherd was awarded the 2019 Climate Communication Prize at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, climate science account on Twitter or the insightful, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The prize recognizes an individual “for the communication of funny, and humble TED speaker. And he is all those climate science.” things. But what most don’t see is that Marshall is deeply woven into the fabric of communities across Citation ularly noteworthy and makes him a treasured role Atlanta through a dizzying array of smaller appear- Marshall Shepherd is one model for many scientists who seek to incorporate ances that escape the public eye. He is ever present of the most seasoned, a focus on public engagement into their careers. in K–12 classrooms, science fairs, rotary clubs, and most versatile, most dedi- It is hard to know where to begin in extolling the the like—wherever the public is in need of an honest, cated, and most impact- breadth and depth of Marshall’s climate communi- fact-based, but respectful conversation about cli- ful climate communicators cation skill set. Broadcast TV—check. Popular sci- mate science. In doing so, he doesn’t shy away from of our time. He effortlessly ence writing—check. Social media guru—check. raising awareness about the hurdles that members weaves his mastery of cli- Kid’s weather book—check. TED (Technology, Enter- of underrepresented groups still face in science and mate science with heart- tainment, and Design) sensation—check. Yet for all society. J. Marshall Shepherd felt care for all people, a these external markers of unbridled success, he —Kim Cobb, Georgia Institute of Technology, finely honed moral com- is one of the most unassuming, tempered, and Atlanta pass, and a true passion for climate communication. resoundingly clear voices speaking about the sci- As a decorated scholar in the atmospheric sciences, ence of climate­ change and the important choices Response his dedication to effective communication is partic- we face as a society. Whereas most climate scientists It is with great honor and a sense of humility that struggle­ through on-­ ​ I accept this tremendous honor. As I gaze at the ­camera appearances, names preceding mine on this prize, it reminds me Marshall’s talents are that mentorship and inspiration are as important on full display during as the work that we do as scientists. I have been his frequent TV appear- intrigued by the atmosphere since sixth grade. When ances. Through count- I boldly declared that I wanted to be a meteorologist less appearances on in elementary school, it was always with the intent CNN, ABC, NBC, and of learning and understanding how our weather and Fox, he displays a climate system worked. knack for the sound Through my experiences at Florida State Univer- Register to attend Speaking Up: bite while staying true sity, NASA, and the University of Georgia, I have to the science. To been able to teach, research, and share knowledge How Bystanders Can Change watch a single inter- about processes that affect our water supply, food view by Marshall is to systems, national security, public health, and general the Conversation in STEMM watch a master class ­well-​­being. Climate change represents a singular in climate communi­ grand challenge of our time. If experts are not engag- cation. Another area ing with the public, policy makers, and stakeholders, Sunday, 19 April of climate communi­ then people with misinformation are happy to fill cation worthy of par- the void left behind by scientists. For this reason, I Marriott Crystal Gateway ticular mention is Mar- engage. I will continue to engage on behalf of my shall’s Twitter account kids, personal family, and the collective family of Arlington, VA (>44,000 followers at humanity. present), which is a I want to thank my wife and kids for their partner- 2:00 – 5:00 pm stroll through the day- ship in my journey to do what I am blessed and called to-day reactions and to do. I want to thank my mother, teachers, profes- thoughts of a meteo- sors, colleagues, and even those that challenge the rologist and climate consensus basis of science. Each group aforemen- scientist, only lightly tioned shapes and challenges me to be a better sci- edited. His approach entist and communicator. Thank you to AGU, my makes him a trusted nominator, and the letter writers for seeing some- source to many—per- thing in me worthy of this prize. asee.org/stemmworkshop sonable, accessible, —J. Marshall Shepherd, University of Georgia, and always respectful. Athens

46 Eos // april 2020 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Where Does the Carbon Go When Permafrost Coasts Erode?

Researchers walk near an eroding shoreline on the southeastern side of Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) off the coast of Yukon, Canada. Credit: George Tanski

he Arctic is warming faster than almost Climate models assume that it is consumed the initial total organic carbon in the samples anywhere else on Earth. As a result, the in primary production or buried offshore. But was released as carbon dioxide. Most of this Tregion is changing rapidly: Glaciers are a new study by Tanski et al. suggests that a release occurred in the first 2 months after melting, sea ice is disappearing, and perma- substantial portion is vented back into the mixing, with production rates peaking after frost is thawing, which could accelerate climate atmosphere as carbon dioxide or other green- 11 days. change. The northern permafrost region covers house gases. The authors noted that their laboratory roughly a quarter of the land in the Northern Researchers quantified carbon release from setup did not account for some environmen- Hemisphere and stores vast amounts of car- eroding Arctic permafrost by simulating tal conditions—varying pH and nearshore bon—more than double the amount in the ­permafrost–seawater​­ mixing in a laboratory, currents, for example—that could influence atmosphere today—much of it still locked using permafrost and seawater collected from permafrost carbon release from eroding Arc- away, frozen. Researchers have known for Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) just off the tic coasts. Still, the study shows that eroding some time that permafrost could become a Canadian Yukon coast. Arctic coastal permafrost can emit substan- major source of greenhouse gases as the soil Permafrost samples were mixed with sea- tial amounts of greenhouse gases—as much thaws and ­once-​­dormant microbes wake up water for 4 months—the length of the aver- as 0.9 teragram of carbon dioxide per year and break down organic matter. age, ­open-​­water season in the Arctic—at 4°C from the entire Arctic coastline based on a This thaw is accelerated in places along Arc- to mimic ­real-world​­ conditions and at 16°C to rough extrapolation of the team’s localized tic coasts, where permafrost is eroding into the study the impact of warming temperatures. findings—which are currently unaccounted sea. As sea ice–­ ​­free conditions in the Arctic The team measured carbon dioxide and for in climate models, according to the expand, cliffs and shorelines are exposed to methane emissions under aerobic conditions, authors. storms and wave action for longer periods, as well as the total and dissolved organic car- Carbon cycle models assume that Arctic accelerating erosion. bon, stable carbon isotopes, and the ratio of coasts and continental shelves are carbon The Arctic’s permafrost coastlines, which organic carbon to nitrogen, before and after sinks. As temperatures continue rising and make up more than a third of Earth’s coasts, the 4-­ month​­ period to estimate carbon turn- the ­open-​­water season in the Arctic length- are eroding at an average rate of roughly half over. ens, accounting for coastal permafrost ero- a meter per year, though in some spots the The researchers found, depending on the sion will be critical in balancing the Arctic’s rate tops 20 meters per year. Little is known, depth from which permafrost samples were carbon budget. (Geophysical Research Letters, however, about the fate of the organic carbon taken and the temperature at which they were https://doi​ .​ org/­ 10​ .​ 1029/­ 2019GL084303,​ 2019) in eroded permafrost as it enters the ocean. incubated, that between about 1% and 13% of —Kate Wheeling, Science Writer

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 47 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Fault Dips Figured in Kīlauea’s Caldera Collapse

An explosion from Kīlauea volcano’s summit sends an ash plume into the sky on 27 May 2018. This and other explosions occurred as the volcanic caldera collapsed, adding pressure to the magma chamber below. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory photo by K. Anderson

n the spring and summer of 2018, Kīlauea volcano on the island of decrease. Between collapse events, however, the volcano’s summit Hawaii erupted from its lower East Rift Zone. As the eruption pro- showed subsiding and deflating behavior more in agreement with Igressed, the underground magma chamber beneath the summit expectations. caldera evacuated and could no longer support the ground above, lead- To better understand what might have been happening inside the ing to collapse at the surface. In total, Kīlauea caldera sank 500 meters volcano during eruptions, the researchers created a mathematical over the course of the roughly ­3-month​­ eruption. The collapse occurred model of the system in which faults intersect the magma chamber. in 62 roughly periodic events of up to 8 meters each. Some of the early When the model was run under the assumption that the faults in the events were accompanied by explosions that sent plumes nearly 10 kilo- volcano system were vertical or inward dipping (normal), it replicated meters into the atmosphere. several key features of the collapses, including both the inflationary Understanding the physics at play in these dramatic events is a chal- and deflationary deformation modes. However, in the case of outward lenge for scientists, but the Kīlauea eruption provided researchers with dipping (reverse) faults, the model did not match observations, leading the best look yet at how caldera collapses occur, thanks to an array of the researchers to conclude that the Kīlauea collapse resulted from GPS sensors, tiltmeters, and ­satellite- and ­drone-based​­ sensors. Segall inward dipping or vertical faults. et al. used ground deformation measurements from these various sen- Collapse events in caldera volcanoes are ultimately what keep erup- sors to create a simplified model of caldera collapse that they believe tions going: As the caldera floor sinks, it applies pressure to the magma can explain several surprising features observed in the Kīlauea erup- chamber, pushing more magma toward the surface. Piecing together tion. what happens belowground in these systems should help scientists One thing that initially puzzled researchers about the eruption was predict eruptive behavior during future eruptions. (Geophysical Research GPS and tilt data from the volcano’s surface that showed that the ­ash-​ Letters, https://​doi​.org/­ ​10​.­1029/​2019GL084689, 2019) —David Shultz, ­charged eruptions were associated with sudden upward and outward ­Science Writer ground movements. Such motion, known as inflationary deformation, usually occurs with an increase of magma pressure below the surface. Sudden inflations have been observed in other caldera collapses but are not well understood. Inflation associated with explosions at Kīlauea u Read the latest news at Eos.org was surprising, as eruptions normally cause magma pressure to

48 Eos // april 2020 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Anaerobic Activity Is a Big Contributor in Marine Dead Zones

ertain parts of Earth’s oceans are so organic matter before it settles on the sea- The analysis revealed that anaerobic oxygen depleted that they can hardly floor. microbes could be responsible for one fifth of Csustain life. Climate models predict The amount of organic matter in dead zone the organic matter found in seafloor sedi- that these dead zones will expand as global sediments can inform predictions of climate ments of the Arabian Sea dead zone. Climate warming progresses, affecting ecosystems, models, which usually assume that all this models that do not account for the influence fisheries, and the climate itself. Now Lengger matter initially came from algae. However, in of such microbes may underestimate the et al. provide new evidence that such predic- recent years, evidence has emerged that some extent to which dead zones will expand as tions do not adequately account for the activ- of the organic matter in these sediments is global temperatures rise. ity of anaerobic microbes that consume inor- instead produced by anaerobic microbes that In this investigation, the researchers devel- ganic carbon within dead zones. eat dissolved carbon dioxide in ­oxygen-​ oped a new strategy for evaluating anaerobic Dead zones form where photosynthetic ­depleted waters. consumption of inorganic carbon in deep algae rapidly flourish in surface waters. As To better understand this process, the waters. The method, which relies on detecting vast numbers of algae die and sink through authors studied microbes in the Arabian Sea, a distinct chemical signature of the microbes the water column, aerobic microbes break home to the largest dead zone in the world. known as the bacteriohopanetetrol stereoiso- them down, consuming nearly all available They used the R/V Pelagia to collect sediment mer, could aid future investigations of dead oxygen in the process. With little oxygen left cores in the dead zone and conducted an iso- zones around the world. (Global Biogeochemical in deeper waters, microbes are unable to com- topic analysis to investigate the origins of the Cycles, https://doi​ .​ org/­ 10​ .​ 1029/­ 2019GB006282,​ pletely decompose much of the sinking organic matter in the cores. 2019) —Sarah Stanley, Science Writer

Atmospheric Drag Alters Satellite Orbits

arth’s thermosphere extends between about 90 and 600 kilome- ters above the planet’s surface and is where much human space Eactivity occurs—the International Space Station usually orbits at an altitude of 400 kilometers, for example. Variations in atmospheric mass density subject satellites orbiting in the thermosphere to a drag force that decays satellite orbits and can even reduce their life spans. Imperfect modeling of this force leads to uncertainties in orbital pre- dictions that create challenges for operators as they attempt to main- tain orbits and avoid collisions among satellites. Despite these concerns, the influences of variations in atmospheric density on orbiters remain poorly understood. He et al. use the Drag Tem- perature Model and the ­Thermosphere-​­Ionosphere-​­Electrodynamics General Circulation Model to investigate effects in time and space of atmospheric density variations on a circular orbit at 400-kilometer alti- tude. The researchers also looked at two smaller-­ ​­scale variations: the equatorial mass anomaly (EMA), which describes a local dip in density at the planet’s geomagnetic equator, and the midnight mass density The International Space Station orbits through the thermosphere in May 2010. maximum (MDM), which describes the tendency for atmospheric den- Credit: NASA sity to increase at the geographic equator after midnight. Most notable, the authors show that the effects of atmospheric den- sity are closely tied to the ­11-​­year solar cycle. During periods of high Semidiurnal variations were similarly larger than diurnal ones, with solar activity, modeled orbits were altered by an order of magnitude orbits changing during high solar activity by as much as 100 and more than during periods of low solar activity. For instance, when solar 50 meters, respectively. The team found that the MDM had a stronger activity was high, the EMA could alter the daily orbit of a satellite by as influence than the EMA, shifting orbits by a maximum of 150 meters much as 50 meters; when activity was low, the change was only during high solar activity. 5 meters. The same pattern held true for variations at ­8-hour,​­ ­12-hour,​­ As more orbiters, including multisatellite constellations, are sent ­1-​­day, ­6-​­month, and ­1-​­year timescales. into low Earth orbit in the coming years, results like these may become Across the timescales studied, semiannual variations had the largest invaluable for planning avoidance maneuvers, estimating mission lon- effect on modeled orbits, altering them by as much as 800 meters during gevities, and predicting satellite reentries. (Space Weather, https://doi​ ​ high solar activity, compared with 300 meters for annual variations. .­org/​10​.­1029/​2019SW002336, 2020) —David Shultz, Science Writer

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 49 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Ordinary Security Cameras Could Keep an Eye on Rainfall

he same security cameras used on seemingly every busy city block developed algorithms in separating raindrops from backgrounds with could also capture instantaneous measurements of rainfall inten- visual disturbances, such as moving cars and swaying trees. Tsity: the depth of rain that falls over a given time period. Devel- They also tested their overall approach to rainfall intensity measure- oped by Jiang et al., this ­low-​­cost approach could help inform flood ment in ­real-​­world settings during five different rainfall events and warnings, climate change research, water resource management, and found that the approach has satisfactory accuracy over widely varying other hydrologic pursuits. rainfall intensities. It also has a lower error rate than other camera-­ ​ Rain gauges traditionally provide intensity measurements but are ­based strategies, despite its reliance on ­lower-quality​­ cameras and test- often too sparsely spaced for ­high-resolution​­ data, especially in topo- ing with ­real-​­world scenes that are more complex. graphically varied areas like cities. Remote sensing methods such as The new approach highlights the possibility of using existing CCTV weather radar are too “big picture” and too indirect to aid ­real-​­time networks to opportunistically measure rainfall intensity at high reso- flood warnings. Instruments called disdrometers capture instantaneous lution and low cost. Such observations could help researchers validate rainfall intensity but are too pricey for widespread use. climate models and improve understanding of floods caused by intense The new, alternative strategy uses “opportunistic sensing,” in which storms, especially in urban settings. novel insights are gleaned from unrelated sources. Recognizing the The authors suggest several paths for future research, including fine-­ ​ ubiquity of ­closed-​­circuit television (CCTV) cameras, the researchers ­tuning the raindrop identification algorithm to capture a wider range developed an algorithm that separates a CCTV video still into one layer of raindrop phenomena, such as splashing. Application of artificial capturing the streaky shapes of falling raindrops and another layer of intelligence techniques could also enhance the new approach. The the raindrop-­ ​­free background. Image analysis then reveals instanta- research team is now working with the local meteorological department neous rainfall intensity. to implement this technology in Shenzhen, China’s “tech megacity.” The researchers tested their new raindrop identification algorithm (Water Resources Research, https://doi​ .​ org/­ 10​ .​ 1029/­ 2018WR024480,​ 2019) in a series of virtual analyses. They found that it outperforms previously —Sarah Stanley, Science Writer

Previous Research Has Underestimated Black Carbon Emissions

erosols are tiny particles suspended and light-duty gasoline-powered vehicles in the atmosphere that play a crucial assembled prior to 1970, should be increased A role in regulating Earth’s radiation significantly. balance. Although the majority of aerosols The authors’ revisions, which also take create a net cooling effect by scattering other potential sources of discrepancy into incoming sunlight, some are capable of heat- account, offer a very different picture of black ing the atmosphere by absorbing this light carbon emissions compared to earlier inven- instead. Previous studies have primarily tories. Between 1960 and 1980, the updated attributed this effect to black carbon, a sub- U.S. emissions are 80% higher than previous stance produced when carbon-based materi- estimates, totaling approximately 690 giga- als such as biofuels and fossil fuels don’t fully grams per year in 1960 and 620 gigagrams per combust. Because black carbon contributes to year a decade later. The revised inventory also atmospheric warming, understanding its his- exhibits a decreasing trend through 1980 that torical emissions is critical for separating New constraints on the production of black carbon is not apparent in earlier reports. anthropogenic influences from natural cli- particulates, which absorb heat as they circulate By providing the first observational con- mate variability in numerical simulations. around the globe, indicate U.S. emissions may have straints on black carbon emissions in the Although researchers have developed sev- been significantly higher during the late 20th cen- United States, this study offers a credible eral historical inventories of black carbon tury than previous studies have estimated. Credit: analysis of the reasons these emissions have emissions, discrepancies still exist between NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio been previously underestimated. The these estimates and long-term ambient air far-reaching results suggest that modeling observations. To help resolve these dispari- simulations based on earlier emission esti- ties, Sun et al. identify several poorly esti- mates, and potentially the inventories of mated sources of black carbon emissions and in the United States. In particular, the other ­combustion by-products, will need to use these findings to update the U.S. inven- researchers determined that the emissions be reevaluated. (Journal of Geophysical tory from 1960 to 2000. from several key sources, including pre-1980 Research: Atmospheres, https://doi​.­org/10​ The results indicate that previous studies residential boilers and heating stoves, spe- .­1029/​­2018JD030201, 2019) —Terri Cook, have underestimated black carbon emissions cific off-road engines, and heavy-duty diesel ­Science Writer

50 Eos // april 2020 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

The Tropical Atmosphere’s Balancing Act

arth’s balmy, relatively stable temperature relies on a complex balancing act. Much of the Sun’s heat is lost to space through Eradiation emitted by Earth, a process called radiative cooling. Simultaneously, however, the atmosphere is warmed when water vapor condenses into droplets, releasing energy, and currents of air transfer heat from Earth’s surface into the atmosphere. For decades, scientists attempting to simulate Earth’s climate have known that the global atmosphere as a whole maintains an idealized state called ­radiative-​­convective equilibrium (RCE), in which energy lost through radiation is balanced by heat released through the con- densation of water vapor and the direct transfer of heat from the sur- face. When researchers observe Earth’s atmosphere at smaller scales, however, it is often out of equilibrium, raising concerns about whether RCE exists at local levels. A new study by Jakob et al. identifies the scale at which RCE breaks Clouds like these over South America play a key role in maintaining radiative–­ ​ down in the tropical atmosphere—an area of around 1 million square ­convective equilibrium. Credit: NASA kilometers. The team used several data sets to test whether RCE is pres- ent at different scales, including satellite observations of radiative cool- ing and convection, precipitation records, and images of clouds col- lected between 2001 and 2009. RCE occurred less than 20% of the time in regions of the atmosphere As a whole, the tropical atmosphere remained close to RCE over the smaller than 1,000 × 1,000 square kilometers, the team found. Many ­9-​­year period, the analysis reveals. Clouds played a key role in main- computer models used to study clouds focus on RCE for areas smaller taining RCE, which occurs frequently in areas 5,000 × 5,000 square kilo- than this scale when the real atmosphere is not likely to be in equilib- meters or larger. It occurs most often when low clouds are widespread rium. The finding could improve scientists’ understanding of the inter- and there are a few convection hot spots, places where hot, moist air action of clouds and circulation, a complex and poorly understood fac- rapidly ascends and produces large amounts of rainfall. The two areas tor in climate change. ( Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, are connected through atmospheric circulation, which in turn provides https://doi​ .​ org/­ 10​ .​ 1029/­ 2018JD030092,​ 2019) —Emily Underwood, Science the conditions for the different cloud types to exist. Writer Read it first on og Articles are published on Eos.org before June Bacon-Bercey: Pioneering Meteorologist and Passionate Supporter of Science they appear in the magazine. bit.ly/Eos-Bacon-Bercey Visit Eos.org daily for the latest Don’t @ Me: What Happened When Climate Skeptics news and perspectives. Misused My Work bit.ly/Eos-climate-skeptics Seeing the Greenland Ice Sheet Through Students’ Eyes bit.ly/Eos-Greenland-ice-sheet Deciphering Electron Signatures in Earth’s Magnetic Tail bit.ly/Eos-electron-signatures Fluid Pressure Changes Grease Cascadia’s Slow Aseismic Earthquakes bit.ly/Eos-earthquakes Science Gets Up to Speed on Dry Rivers bit.ly/Eos-dry-rivers

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 51 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Oceans Vented Carbon Dioxide During the Last Deglaciation

Researchers studied boron isotope records from marine sediment samples to reconstruct the history of ocean–atmosphere­ carbon dioxide exchange during the late Pleisto- cene and early Holocene. Credit: Rena Olson, CC ­BY-​­NC-​­SA 2.0 (bit.ly/­ccbyncsa2-​­0)

uring the late Pleistocene epoch, ice struct oceanic pH in the tropical and North The authors integrated their results with sheets advanced and retreated in tan- Pacific, the Indian, and the Atlantic Oceans, previously published boron isotope records Ddem with changing atmospheric car- but data from the southwestern Pacific, a from around the globe to create a more com- bon dioxide levels. Researchers have long major carbon sink today, were lacking. plete picture of carbon dioxide exchange over sought to understand the complex processes To address this, the authors analyzed boron the past 25,000 years. They found widespread that modulate rising and falling carbon diox- isotopes from specimens of the planktonic outgassing of carbon dioxide, particularly ide concentrations—a line of research with foraminifera Globigerina bulloides found in two during the last deglaciation, which could be important implications today as levels reach sediment core samples collected from Cha- explained by an increase in upwelling of the highs not seen since roughly 3 million years tham Rise off the east coast of New Zealand gas from the deep ocean, according to the ago in the Pliocene, when the Arctic was for- to obtain a boron ­isotope–​­based pH recon- authors. The result is intriguing, they say, as ested. struction for the area. The cores provided a none of the records in the data set are from The world’s oceans are a major carbon sink record of oceanic conditions dating back at the high-­ ​­latitude Southern Ocean, where today, collectively absorbing as much as a least 25,000 years, to the late Pleistocene. The most carbon from the deep ocean first con- third of the carbon dioxide humans have team found that pH was about 8.2 during the tacts the atmosphere. However, the research- pumped into the atmosphere since the Indus- Last Glacial Maximum, when ice sheets cov- ers also note that the sites sampled may be trial Revolution. In a new study, Shao et al. ered most of North America, Europe, and biased toward upwelling regions. further constrain the role of oceans in driving Asia. The pH then fell between 16,500 and The study fills an important gap in boron atmospheric carbon levels during the glacial 14,000 years ago before rising again to 8.1 at ­isotope–based​­ reconstructions of the ocean-­ ​ cycles of the late Pleistocene. the end of the Pleistocene and into the early ­atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange The work builds on previous research that Holocene. The results indicate that this throughout the last deglaciation. A better used boron isotope records as a proxy for region of the South Pacific was venting carbon understanding of this exchange in the past ocean surface chemistry, which gives scien- dioxide as the ice sheets were retreating. The could provide insights about impacts that ris- tists insights into the exchange of carbon team noted that similar results have been ing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels will dioxide between the sea surface and the atmo- obtained from the South Atlantic, suggesting have on climate today. (Paleoceanography and sphere. Researchers have measured boron that both the South Pacific and the South Paleoclimatology, https://​doi​.­org/​10​.­1029/​ isotopes extracted from planktonic animals Atlantic Oceans were carbon sources, not 2018PA003498, 2019) —Kate­ Wheeling, Science locked in marine sediment cores to recon- sinks, during the last deglaciation. Writer

52 Eos // april 2020 EDITORS’ HIGHLIGHTS

AGU ADVANCES EDITORS PRESENT THE LATEST RESEARCH Skywatchers Spy Rippling Waves in the Northern Lights

inding new forms of Earth’s aurora— the colorful light display resulting Fwhen charged particles from the Sun interact with the magnetosphere—is rare. However, with improved digital photogra- phy and communications, researchers and citizen scientists have recently collaborated in making new discoveries, including last year when STEVE, a pinkish optical emission produced by subauroral ion drifts, was revealed. Now Palmroth et al. have identified a new type of emission. Citizen scientists recorded the sight at multiple locations in Scandinavia in digital photographs near the 2018 fall equinox. These fluorescent ripples in the atmosphere, here named dunes due to their rolling shape, recur every 45 kilometers at a height of around 100 kilometers. The researchers developed a ­parallax-​ ­based method to show that the emissions are indeed an atmospheric phenomenon, per- haps related to previously detected atmo- spheric phenomena at lower latitudes. After their original discovery, researchers and cit- izen scientists organized a coordinated cam- Optical dunes—numbered ripples—captured by digital photography on 7 October 2018 at 17:40:59 UT in Latilla, paign to confirm and quantitatively analyze Finland. The field of view is toward the northwest, and the dunes are numbered with magenta circles. They the previous sightings. (AGU Advances, extend equatorward toward the zenith, away from the bright arc appearing below them in the photograph, which https://​doi​.org/­ ​­10​.1029/­ ​­2019AV000133) is due to electrons striking the atmosphere to the north. Credit: Palmroth et al., 2020, https://doi​ ​.­org/​10​.­1029/​ —­Mary ­Hudson ­2019AV000133

Slow Slip By Any Why Does Ocean Warming Other Name Pattern Matter?

uch like the parable about blind men each characterizing an neven ocean surface warming under nearly uniform greenhouse elephant by feeling different parts, we have identified differ- gas forcing is one of the most fundamental and intriguing ques- Ment ways that faults can slip slowly by using different obser- Utions in climate dynamics. Recently, researchers have recognized vation techniques. At the surface, this is known as fault creep. Imme- the effect on the global mean warming and hence on climate sensitivity. diately after an earthquake, this is known as postseismic slip, or Xie reviews the key features of ocean warming patterns and their for- afterslip. In the interval between earthquakes, geodetic networks mation mechanisms and discusses their implications for radiative feed- capture episodic slow slip events classified by varying size, duration, back and climate sensitivity. One of the challenges is the inconsistency and magnitude. between the simulated and observed warming pattern in the tropical In a commentary, Jolivet and Frank suggest that these different clas- Pacific, confounding the estimation of climate sensitivity from obser- sifications are artifacts from how and when they were discovered. vations. They instead point out that there is no evidence for different physical Such a discrepancy highlights the need for communication between causes of slow slip. They note that, much like their more obvious two seemingly distinct communities: those that study ­ocean–​ earthquake cousins, the slow slip events we observe happen on all ­atmospheric dynamics that focus on spatial patterns and those that temporal and spatial scales and are part of the same intermittent, study climate sensitivity, where the original emphasis was on the plan- clustered process. (AGU Advances, https://​doi​.­org/​10​.1029/​ etary energy budget and radiative feedback. (AGU Advances, https://​doi​ 2019AV000126) —Tom Parsons .­org/​­10​.­1029/​­2019AV000130) —Sarah Kang

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 53 POSITIONS AVAILABLE The Career Center (findajob.agu.org) is AGU’s main resource for recruitment advertising. Atmospheric Sciences develop an earth systems modeling clusters, a network of operational AGU offers online and program focused on aerosol/cloud meteorological towers which includes printed recruitment Atmospheric Scientist, The Savan- modeling and terrestrial carbon carbon and moisture measurements nah River National Laboratory. The science. from a 30m forest flux tower at SRS advertising in Eos to Savannah River National Laboratory The successful candidate will be and a 330m Tall Tower near Beech reinforce your online job is seeking versatile and highly moti- expected to develop a research pro- Island, SC, a Scanning Particle Mobil- visibility and your brand. vated candidates to participate in gram in earth systems modeling with ity Spectrometer, a WindCube LIDAR, Visit employers.agu.org the ongoing development of an Earth a focus in either 1) cloud/aerosol a ceilometer, as well as a network of Systems Modeling program within interactions (which may include the pyranometers and rain gauges. The for more information. SRNL’s Atmospheric Technologies study of production and fate of bio- successful applicant may also be Group (ATG). The ATG conducts genic aerosols in the southeast U. S.); expected to collaborate on projects applied research aimed at improving or 2) terrestrial carbon cycling (which conducted by other ATG scientists atmospheric, surface water, and may include the study of carbon and engineers. Packages are available contaminant fate and transport fluxes across different spatial scales Qualifications: The applicant for positions that are modeling for customers in emer- and biodiverse landscapes in the should possess a PhD in atmospheric gency response, national security, southeast U. S.). Available modeling science, meteorology, or other sci- • SIMPLE TO RECRUIT and international nuclear nonpro- and instrumentation resources oper- ence or engineering discipline with liferation. Currently, the ATG is ated by SRNL and the ATG includes at least 3 years experience related to ◆ online packages to access pursuing a strategic initiative to local ­High-​­Performance Computing one of the target areas of expertise. our Career Center audience Familiarity with the DOE Office of Science’s modeling and research ini- ◆ 30-day and 60-day options available tiatives is desirable; in particular, a candidate with experience using the ◆ prices range $475–$1,215 E3SM model is preferred. The suc- cessful candidate must possess excel- • CHALLENGING TO lent written and oral communication RECRUIT skills, willing to present their work at PLACE professional conferences and gov- ◆ online and print packages ernment forums, and comfortable to access the wider AGU interacting with program managers community from potential U. S. government sponsors. ◆ 30-day and 60-day options available YOUR AD The SRNL is a growing, multidisci- plinary U. S. Department of Energy ◆ prices range $795–$2,691 research laboratory located in South Carolina near Augusta, GA, and is • DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT operated for DOE by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC. ◆ our most powerful packages HERE To apply, navigate to srnl.doe.gov/ for maximum multimedia careers/SRNL jobs and search for job exposure to the AGU Visit agu.org/advertise to learn more announcement 4919BR. community about employment advertising with AGU. For more information contact: ◆ 30-day and 60-day options Mr. Chuck Hunter, 803-­ ​­725-​­2953, available [email protected]. U.S. citizenship is required. ◆ prices range $2,245–$5,841 Ocean Sciences • FREE TO RECRUIT ◆ these packages apply only Research developing Metrics of to student and graduate Transient Ocean Tracers and Water student roles, and all The College of Earth, Mass Transformations. The Prince- bookings are SEA-GOING Ocean, and Atmospheric ton University AOS program, in col- subject to AGU approval Sciences at Oregon laboration with NOAA’s Geophysical CLUSTER HIRE State University invites Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) ◆ eligible roles include student and the Department of Energy’s Pro- fellowships, internships, applications for four (4) research-focused, tenure- gram for Climate Model Diagnosis assistantships, and and Intercomparison (PCMDI), seek scholarships track, open rank professor positions who maintain an energetic and enthusiastic post- doctoral or more senior scientist. A R/V TAANI or may develop vigorous, research position is available focused Eos is published monthly. externally funded, sea- on ­process-​­oriented ocean studies going research programs. Deadlines for ads in each issue are using theory, modeling, and obser- published at sites . agu.org/media-kits/ vations. The goal of this research is eos-advertising-deadlines/. These positions promote interdisciplinary research across four to develop metrics of transient tracer focus areas: Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, distributions and water mass trans- Eos accepts employment and Physical Oceanography, and Marine Geology and Geophysics. formations in ocean models and open position advertisements from governments, individuals, observations. Of particular interest organizations, and academic Additional information and application procedures are available at is how these metrics can further elu- institutions. We reserve the right to ceoas.oregonstate.edu/cluster-hire/ cidate pathways of ocean ventilation, accept or reject ads at our discretion. heat, carbon uptake, and guide the Review of applications: development and improvement of Eos is not responsible for typographical March 9-March 31, 2020. global ocean and earth system mod- errors. els. Knowledge gained through understanding these processes will

54 Eos // april 2020 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

lead to improved model simulations tive skills. Postdoctoral appoint- and reduce overall uncertainty in ments are initially for one year with future climate projections. the renewal for a subsequent year The postdoc researcher will join a based on satisfactory performance vigorous ­multi-institution​­ and inter- and continued funding. A competitive disciplinary research team and work salary is offered commensurate with ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP, DIRECTOR AIRCRAFT under the supervision of Dr. John experience and qualifications. Krasting and Dr. Stephen Griffies at Applicants are asked to submit CENTER FOR EARTH STUDIES NOAA/GFDL and Princeton Univer- vitae, a statement of research expe- sity, in collaboration with Dr. Paul rience and interests, and names of at The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science of the University Durack and Dr. Peter Glecker at DOE/ least three references online to PCMDI. The researcher will be able to https://​­www​.princeton.­ edu/­ ​­acad​ of Miami is a world leader in Earth sciences. Fundamental research is take advantage of a wide range of -positions/­ ​­position/​­15321. For more combined with an emphasis on interdisciplinary science, natural resource related research in oceanography, information about the research proj- management, and understanding of the impacts of natural disasters and global biogeochemistry, and climate science ect and application process, please at Princeton University, NOAA/GFDL, contact [email protected] environmental change. The Rosenstiel School seeks to expand its vibrant and DOE/PCMDI. Available resources and/or [email protected]. intellectual community through inviting applications for an endowed chair include access to ­state-​­of-​­the-​ Review of applications will begin as position in any RSMAS discipline relevant to scientific applications of ­science ocean physics and biogeo- soon as they are received, and con- chemistry models and data, simula- tinue until the position is filled. remotely piloted aircraft systems. This includes research in support of policy- tions performed with the models, This position is subject to Prince- relevant climate change adaptation and conservation-related decision-making. model output from CMIP3 through ton University’s background check The successful candidate will direct the newly created Aircraft Center for Earth CMIP6, and ­high-​­performance com- policy. puting environments for modeling Princeton University is an equal Studies (ACES). The endowed chair position is anticipated to be at the tenured and analysis. opportunity/affirmative action Associate or Full Professor rank, but an exceptional applicant at the Assistant Candidates must have received a employer and all qualified appli- Professor rank will be considered. The position also includes recruitment of a Ph.D in the earth sciences, applied cants will receive consideration for math, or the physical sciences within employment without regard to age, research faculty person to advance ACES goals. three years of the starting date for the race, color, religion, sex, sexual ori- appointment. Rigorous training in entation, gender identity or expres- The successful candidate will have an excellent research record, a demonstrated physical ocean sciences is preferred sion, national origin, disability status, along with very strong dynamical, protected veteran status, or any other ability to secure extramural funds, and strong teaching and communication modeling, analytical, and quantita- characteristic protected by law. skills. She/he will lead the ACES effort to expand and develop the use of new airborne-based technologies to further research of terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric environments and/or develop and engineer new airborne systems and sensors. The faculty member will be expected to develop an active, externally funded research program; develop collaborations both internal and external to the University; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; recruit, mentor and advise graduate students; and engage in service within and beyond the institution.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest including a statement of research goals and teaching vision, CV, and names and addresses of five (5) references, electronically to www.miami.edu/careers requisition #R100038702. Questions can be addressed to Dr. Paquita Zuidema, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected]. The position will remain open until filled.

The Rosenstiel School inhabits one of three main campuses of the University of Miami, a private, independent, comprehensive university. The annual research expenditure of the Rosenstiel School is approximately $50M, obtained mostly through competitive grants from federal agencies. RSMAS scientists work closely with NOAA through a joint collaborative institute (CIMAS). RSMAS facilities include the Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS), a state-of-the-art satellite downlink and processing facility. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to browse our website (rsmas.miami.edu) to learn about our faculty, programs, campus and facilities.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/ ProtectedVeterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Visit https://www.hr.miami.edu/careers/ eo-ada/index.html for additional information.

SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 55 POSTCARDS FROM THE FIELD

San Francisco, CA 7–11 December 2020 Session Proposals Now Open

Howdy, folks!

My name is Chris Spencer. I am a senior research fellow at Cur- ing to let us partake of the few cacao pods left following their tin University and am currently exploring the jungles of Ghana recent harvest. with Ph.D. student Janne Liebmann. We are in search of migma- tite over 2 billion years old to evaluate the potential connection —Chris Spencer (@­travelinggeologist), Curtin University, between the rise of atmospheric oxygen and changes in the Bentley, W. A., Australia chemistry of continental crust. One of the challenges of finding outcrops in the jungle is, well, the jungle. But if you are willing to bushwhack for miles, you will be rewarded with not only an outcrop that can be sam- pled but also some very nice views. Lucky for us, the jungle View more postcards at bit.ly/Eos-postcard provides some very nice fruits, and generous farmers are will- Deadline: 15 April 56 Eos // april 2020 agu.org/fallmeeting San Francisco, CA 7–11 December 2020 Session Proposals Now Open

Deadline: 15 April agu.org/fallmeeting