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Weekly Highlights for 02-05-2009

I. Departmental/Bureau News

A. Upcoming Events

No Upcoming Events highlights for this week

B. Current

Heightened Volcanic Unrest Continues at Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
USGS Alaska Science Center staff at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) continued to respond to increased volcanic unrest at Redoubt Volcano that began in 2008 and increased markedly in late January 2009. Data from real-time seismic networks, web cams, and radar from near-real time satellites are being monitored by AVO staff on a 24/7 basis. Observation flights, gas emission measurements, and instrumentation changes are also being conducted as safety, weather and volcanic activity permit. AVO posts daily updates of the volcano's condition on the AVO website ( http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php ), along with digital data feeds and web camera images. AVO has received a steady stream of media requests, public citizen inquiries, and other requests for information. AVO and USGS staff have given numerous interviews for radio, television and print media. AVO is a partnership among the USGS, the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, and The University of Alaska Geophysical Institute.
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

USGS to Provide Technical Review of Idaho Wolf Control Proposal
USGS Alaska Science Center biologist Layne Adams has been requested by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to provide a technical review of a proposal for a wolf control program in northern Idaho designed to increase elk numbers. Wolves in the Northern Rockies Recovery Area number over 1500, but are currently listed as endangered as a result of recent litigation and pending review by the new administration. Under rules associated with the designation of wolves in the region as an experimental nonessential population under the Endangered Species Act, wolf control may be allowed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service if wolves are "having an unacceptable impact on wild ungulate populations".
Contact: Layne Adams Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7159

Book Chapter on Climate Change Impacts on Growth and Survival of Pacific Salmon at Sea
Book Chapter on Climate Change Impacts on Growth and Survival of Pacific Salmon at Sea: USGS Alaska Science Center researcher Jennifer L. Nielsen along with G. T. Ruggerone are authors of a new book chapter "Climate change and a dynamic ocean carrying capacity: Growth and survival of Pacific salmon at sea" that will be published as part of the American Fisheries Society Symposium 71 (2009) entitled Pacific Salmon Environment and Life History Models: Advancing Science for Sustainable Salmon in the Future. The chapter reviews recent research on climate change impacts on growth and survival of salmon at sea in the North Pacific Ocean. The authors conclude that salmon growth and survival responses to oceanic changes can vary with season and life stage and that density-dependent growth at sea is an important, yet often elusive, mechanism affecting salmon survival. This chapter will be of interest to fisheries scientists and fisheries managers.
Contact: Jennifer Nielsen Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7062

USGS Joins Advisory Board for University of Alaska Anchorage Geological Sciences Department
USGS Alaska Science Center research geologist Marti Miller has been invited by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Department of Geological Sciences to serve on a newly formed Community Advisory Board. The 8-member board includes representatives from the broader Alaska geologic community including government, Alaska Native Corporations, and private industry. The Board will help the UAA Geology Department plan for the future, set specific goals, and design ways to achieve those goals. The first meeting is slated for February 2009.
Contact: Marti Miller Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7437

USGS Participates in Women of Science and Technology Day
The USGS Alaska Science Center (ASC) will participate in the 17th annual Women of Science and Technology Day in Anchorage on February 7. The event is for girls in grades K - 12 to attend hands on workshops by women in science careers and a chance to meet women that are passionate about science. The ASC will be leading a workshop titled "Suited for the Sea" which will discuss the food web and the adaptions of various species for living in the oceans.
Contact: Durelle Smith Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7104

II. Press Inquiries/Media

On January 30, USGS Alaska Science Center geologist Jeanine Schmidt had a telephone conversation with Sean Cockerham of the Anchorage Daily News regarding a story following up on Governor Palin's mention of a possible road to Nome in the State of the State address. The interview concerned mineral resource potential in the general area from Fairbanks to Nome.
Contact: Jeanine Schmidt Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7494

On February 2, USGS Alaska Science Center biologist Jim Bodkin was interviewed by Kyle Hopkins of the Anchorage Daily News, following Bodkin's presentation of his paper titled "Effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on sea otters and the nearshore ecosystem" at the Alaska Forum on the Environment, held in Anchorage Feb 3 - 6.
Contact: James Bodkin Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7164

During the week of February 2 the USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has received a steady stream of media requests (radio, television, and print media), public citizen inquiries, and other requests for information regarding the increased seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano. The USGS hosted daily press conferences Jan 30 - Feb 4 at the Alaska Science Center , at which AVO staff gave updates and answered questions. In attendance were ABC affiliate KIMO-TV, NBC affiliate KTUU-TV, and CBS affiliate KTVA-TV (Anchorage, AK), as well as CNN and Discovery.
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

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