19 January 2010
Where On (Google) Earth #181
Posted by Jessica Ball
Looks like I get to host the next episode of Where On Google Earth! Wo(G)E #180 over at Clastic Detritus turned out to be a tricky rotated image of the Farasan Banks, a huge coral reef complex off the coasts of Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the Red Sea. I don’t know much about them beyond what I could dig up from a Jacques Cousteau quote:
“The wildest of all the reef complexes in the Red Sea … 350 miles long and thirty miles wide …. This demented masterpiece of outcrops, shoals, foaming reefs, and other lurking ship-breakers was created by societies of minute animals that have changed the aspect of our planet far more than man has yet been able to do.”
Anyone out there a coral reef expert? At any rate, I’m sure you’re all waiting for the next challenge. Here it is:
Jessica Ball is a volcanologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, researching volcanic hydrothermal systems and stability, and doing science communication for the California Volcano Observatory. She previously worked at the Geological Society of America's Washington DC Policy Office, learning about the intersection of Earth science and legislative affairs. Her Mendenhall postdoc and PhD focused on how water affects the stability of volcanoes, and involved both field investigations and numerical modeling applications. Her blogging covers a range of topics, from her experiences in academic geosciences to science outreach and communication to her field and lab work in volcanology.
18 10 25 S; 69 09 04.5 WVolcan Parinacota, Chile / Bolivia Border
oh yeah—and Laguna de Cotacotani which appears to sit in a large landslide complex.
At S 18.2 W 69.2 you've got the Laguna de Cotacotani on west side of image and Parinacota volcano on east side of image. The volcano is a stratovolcano which produced a massive debris avalanche about 8000 years ago, which is responsible for some of the hummocky topography you see in and around the Laguna. According to the font of all knowledge (i.e., Wikipedia), this debris avalanche is not the source of ponding for the lake, which may have originated as kettle holes following glaciation. In any case, the lake receives surface water inputs from two streams and groundwater influx as well.
Wow, that's got to be a record. You're up for the next one! Just post a link in the comments when you get the chance.
Grr, Dr. Jerque's comment appeared from moderation while I waited out my Schott rule. I totally had that one nailed.
You've both got it! Want to share the next round, or would you like to cede posting rights to Dr. Jerque, Anne?
I was just going to say "it looked familiar" and start searching the Cascades – but I don't have time to post a WOGE. Congrats Kyle!
Dear Tuff: win it back! 🙂
Have you got a new one in the oven, Kyle?
I think Kyle said he was going out to do field work … I guess we'll have to wait