Reimagining Geosciences
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VOL. 101 | NO. 11 Did Ancient Mayan NOV–DEC 2020 Foresee Meteor Showers? ReimaginingLegacy of thethe 1992 Nicaragua Tsunami GeosciencesA Grand Tour How? Adaptableof Ocean models Basins can light our way Headline Can Go Here Subhead line can go here C1EOS_NOVDEC20.indd 1 10/21/20 2:36 PM FROM THE EDITOR Editor in Chief Heather Goss, AGU, Washington, D.C., USA; [email protected] AGU Staff Shaping the Future of Science Vice President, Communications, Amy Storey Marketing,and Media Relations very community around the world has weathered Editorial Manager, News and Features Editor Caryl-Sue Micalizio extreme changes this year. The geosciences are no Science Editor Timothy Oleson different. As the AGU community gathers for its first News and Features Writer Kimberly M. S. Cartier E Jenessa Duncombe all-online Fall Meeting (#AGU20) this December, we offer News and Features Writer you this special double issue of Eos as an introduction and, Production & Design we hope, inspiration. Eos science advisers Lisa White Manager, Production and Operations Faith A. Ishii (Diversity and Inclusion) and Eric Riggs (Education) worked Production and Analytics Specialist Anaise Aristide with us to design an issue that embraced the #AGU20 Assistant Director, Design & Branding Beth Bagley theme: Shaping the Future of Science. Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Friedman Graphic Designer J. Henry Pereira “This issue highlights novel diversity, equity, and inclu- sion practices, direct recommendations from underrepre- Marketing sented scholars, and creative strategies—many rooted in Communications Specialist Maria Muekalia Assistant Director, Marketing & Advertising Liz Zipse activism—that have the potential to shift long-held, his- torically exclusive traditions in Earth science,” said White, director of education at the Advertising University of California Museum of Paleontology in Berkeley. Display Advertising Steve West, steve Our slate of expert Opinions are primers for implementing this kind of progress. You’ll @mediawestinc.com Recruitment Advertising recruitmentsales find incisive recommendations for adapting fieldwork to draw in—and keep safe—Black, @wiley.com Indigenous, and People of Color (page 30) and LGBTQ+ scholars (page 22); stories from Science Advisers scientists juggling parenthood and careers and a global pandemic (page 27); and how to Geomagnetism, Paleomagnetism, Julie Bowles develop resourceful STEM learning ecosystems in your own community (page 24). and Electromagnetism In our feature articles, we look at institutions that are already accelerating ahead. Who Space Physics and Aeronomy Christina M. S. Cohen Cryosphere Ellyn Enderlin better to show us how to mentor students from a distance than a seafaring organization? Study of the Earth’s Deep Interior Edward J. Garnero Learn from STEMSEAS’ experience on page 32. Then read about a community college– Geodesy Brian C. Gunter university partnership that is drawing students to the geosciences—and retaining them— History of Geophysics Kristine C. Harper on page 51. It’s not a model that can be airlifted onto every institution, but it offers import- Planetary Sciences Sarah M. Hörst Natural Hazards Michelle Hummel ant lessons on intentional design that many educators are focused on right now. Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology Emily R. Johnson “I have seen the geoscience community look inward to see how systemic racism and Societal Impacts and Policy Sciences Christine Kirchhoff gendered behavior may be embedded in our current practices as educators,” said Riggs, a Seismology Keith D. Koper Tectonophysics Jian Lin professor of geoscience education at Texas A&M University. “Department leaders need to Near-Surface Geophysics Juan Lorenzo meet with students at all levels, as well as with faculty, to find out where people are thriv- Earth and Space Science Informatics Kirk Martinez ing, and where they are not. Without sincere information gathering and introspection, we Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Figen Mekik Mineral and Rock Physics Sébastien Merkel risk changing everything too fast or, worse, changing the things that are working.” Ocean Sciences Jerry L. Miller We also report on what the practice of science should look like in a world where respect Global Environmental Change Hansi Singh and empathy for one another are paramount. Julie Maldonado and colleagues reframe the Education Eric M. Riggs Hydrology Kerstin Stahl issue of managed retreat so that communities can retain agency when they are forced to Tectonophysics Carol A. Stein relocate due to climate change (page 38). We also look at where geoscientists aren’t. More Atmospheric Sciences Mika Tosca than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States in facilities that are often delib- Nonlinear Geophysics Adrian Tuck Biogeosciences Merritt Turetsky erately placed in polluted areas or are ill-equipped to deal with climate change. On page 56, Hydrology Adam S. Ward read about this environmental justice movement and how geoscientists can be a part of it. Diversity and Inclusion Lisa D. White “This special issue offers a road map of where we might go from here,” said White. The Earth and Planetary Surface Processes Andrew C. Wilcox scientists and institutional models featured in this issue are remarkable examples for those Atmospheric and Space Electricity Yoav Yair GeoHealth Ben Zaitchik who support AGU’s vision of a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future supported by scientific discovery, innovation, and action. We should remember, said Riggs, “that efforts ©2020. AGU. All Rights Reserved. Material in this issue may be photocopied by to help lower barriers and enhance the access and success for communities facing the individual scientists for research or classroom use. Permission is also granted to use short quotes, figures, and tables for publication in scientific books and greatest challenges will improve the environment for all communities.” journals. For permission for any other uses, contact the AGU Publications Office. Illustrator Carlos Basabe was thinking about the future—in particular, his daughters’ Eos (ISSN 0096-3941) is published monthly by AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, future—when he designed our wonderful cover. We hope his artwork and the reporting in Washington, DC 20009, USA. Periodical Class postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Member this special issue offer you motivation for the unique role you’ll play in creating the best Service Center, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA possible future. As White reminds us, “The responsibility to advance diversity, equity, and Member Service Center: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern time; Tel: +1-202-462-6900; Fax: +1-202-328-0566; Tel. orders in U.S.: 1-800-966-2481; [email protected]. inclusion in the geosciences truly lies in all of us.” Submit your article proposal or suggest a news story to Eos at bit.ly/Eos-proposal. Read the rest of our special issue on Shaping the Future of Science at eos . org/special Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official positions - topics # future. of AGU unless expressly stated. Randy Fiser, Executive Director/CEO Heather Goss, Editor in Chief SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 1 CONTENT 38 44 Features 32 Mentorship at a Distance By Richard J. Sima On the Cover How to build close professional relationships when a “Working on this cover forced me to be mindful of the rays pandemic forces you apart. of light peeking through the darkness. Seeing the energy of young people, using every civic tool at their disposal to fight for their future, has given me hope that our kids will have the 38 Reframing the Language strength to rise to the challenges of the world they inherit of Retreat from us,” said Carlos Basabe, who created the cover of this special issue of Eos. Basabe, born and raised in Cuba, is an By Julie Maldonado et al. editorial and portrait illustrator currently living in Maryland. As waters rise, who gets a say in relocation planning See his work at foursixsix.com. is crucial. 44 A Lost Haven for Early Modern Humans By Kerstin Braun Archaeology and geology reveal a 200,000-year-old story in South Africa. 2 Eos // NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2020 CONTENT Columns 1 From the Editor 4 News 22 Opinion Surveying the Challenges of Fieldwork for LGBTQ+ Geoscientists 51 STEM Learning Ecosystems Engage Communities in the Geosciences Perspectives on Parenting While Researching (During a Pandemic) Ten Steps to Protect BIPOC Scholars in the Field 70 Research Spotlight 76 Editors’ Highlights 78 Positions Available Current job openings in the Earth and space 56 sciences Features 79 Crossword Puzzle 51 The Two-Year On-ramp 80 Postcards from the Field By Jenessa Duncombe At the annual Girls’ Science Day camp in Malawi, participants learn how to overcome a lack of piped Tapping into the overlooked pipeline water with a low-cost hand-washing station. of community colleges. 56 An Unfought Geoscience Battle in U.S. Prisons By Kimberly M. S. Cartier Environmental justice is the next frontier for geoscientists. 64 Exploring by Boring By Teresa Jordan et al. A university digs down for heat. AmericanGeophysicalUnion @AGU_Eos company/american-geophysical-union AGUvideos americangeophysicalunion americangeophysicalunion SCIENCE NEWS BY AGU // Eos.org 3 NEWS Have We Got Dust All Wrong? unraveling the great dust particle alignment mystery. “Our first measurements point to a ver- tical alignment of dust particles,” said Alex- andra Tsekeri, an