Earthquake Near Mammoth Mountain Volcano

“Earthquakes reported near Mammoth Mountain volcano”

By: Amanda Watts

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/26/us/mammoth-mountain-volcano-earthquakes/index.html?hpt=us_c2

Outbreaks of small earthquakes have been rumbling close to Mammoth Mountain Volcano. The United States Geological Survey has categorized these quakes as “volcanic unrest.” For the past two days, almost three dozen earthquakes ranging from magnitudes of 2.6 to 3.8 have circled that area, which is northeast of Fresno, California. Earthquake groups in that region are not exactly rare, but this one was quite a surprise. A seismologist from California Volcano Observatory, David Shelly, said this group is "bigger than we've seen recently, but normal in the area"(Shelly, 1). In addition, David mentions that they are going to keep an extremely close eye on the movement, although he also mentions, "But in the larger scheme of things, it's within in the range of activity over the last several decades"(Shelly, 1). Mammoth Mountain, also known as the Long Valley Caldera, has been stirring slowly over the last several decades, which is why the seismologists are continuously monitoring it. "We think there is fluid coming up from the crust triggering the earthquakes," said Shelly. So far, the awareness level at the United States Geological Survey, or USGS for short, is still at the green level (which means everything is normal).

The general public should read this article because they should know that there is a slim chance something could happen to Mammoth Mountain Volcano. This news article could help people realize how close these earthquakes are and how strong some of their magnitudes are. I believe the best reason for reading this article would be for the public to start preparing themselves for an earthquake, or earthquakes’, if it were to happen again, God forbid.

Curiosity on Mars

“Mars rover Curiosity reaches key destination; 'new science ahead!'”

By: Suzanne Presto

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/11/tech/mars-rover-curiosity/index.html?iref=allsearch

NASA's Mars rover named Curiosity finally reached its destination, the center of a Martian mountain in the middle of a deep crater. This mountain has been named Mt. Sharp. The mountain’s layers are basically records of the different stages in the environmental development of Mars. Curiosity’s main mission objective was to determine whether the Martian environment could have been livable to microorganisms. Apparently Curiosity was able to find evidence on the crater’s floor that a lake bed was present there billions of years ago which offered fresh water, the vital ingredients for life and a basis of energy for the microbes. This amazing discovery was not easy to find. There were many obstacles and challenges in Curiosity’s way such as sharp rocks that could have punctured the rover’s wheels. It has now been two years since Curiosity first landed on Mars. It set off in November 2011 and landed roughly nine months later. Now the rover must collect samples from Mt. Sharp in order for NASA to examine them but some of them are shifting, for example the rock called “Bonanza King”, so the rover had to stop at least four more times.

The citizens should be informed because this information would raise the peoples’ curiosity about other living things out in space. They would realize that with this discovery scientists at NASA would soon be to enhance our technology in order to fully explore Mars without any difficulties. This could also mean that there are other living organisms living or were living on Mars.

Chocolate Heaven

As a kid I always despised change, which also involved trying new things. Ever since we were little my brother and I would eat dinner at my grandma’s house every Friday night and then eat ice cream for dessert. He would always eat chocolate ice cream while I only ate vanilla because it was the single flavor I had ever tasted. This arrangement continued for nearly five years until one day Joseph decided he wanted to try vanilla. I was utterly confused on why he had chosen to change our usual pattern and for some reason this angered me. I was annoyed that he was eating my flavor therefore I figured he would be furious if I ate his favorite flavor, chocolate. I remember storming off into the kitchen, grabbing the pint of chocolate ice cream, scooping up a large sum of it on my spoon and eating.

At first I thought it would taste extremely awful but then I felt different. The rich creamy taste sent my taste buds on a wonderful journey to chocolate heaven. It had such a sweet taste, smooth as silk texture, warm brown color, a pleasantly enticing smell .It was as if my hands were moving on their own and soon I found myself eating another spoonful and another and another. Soon I felt my teeth chatter due to the freezing temperature in my mouth. When I looked down I noticed that I had already finished half the pint and decided to put it back in the freezer before my parents found out. Then I ran back to my grandma’s room where Joseph was watching cartoons and hugged the life out of him. I even learned that chocolate is healthier than most flavors. Flavanols, a key ingredient of dark chocolate, boosts blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours. Ever since that day I have tried all thirty one flavors Baskin Robins has to offer and out of all of them chocolate is and will always be number one. The best trait about chocolate is that there are also different kinds (dark chocolate, chocolate fudge. etc.). Chocolate has been the number one flavor in my heart and I know it will always remain that way because to me I believe that chocolate ice cream is God’s way of giving us happiness.

"Guardians of the Galaxy"

“Box office update: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' becomes the top-grossing movie of 2014”

By: Keith Staskiewicz

Source: Entertainment Weekly

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/08/30/box-office-guardians-of-the-galaxy-top-grossing-movie-2014/

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is a science fiction movie about a man named Peter Quill who steals a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space. He is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan, his army and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to save the world. Entertainment Weekly calls it, “the top-grossing movie of the 2014 domestic box office, surpassing the valiant efforts of Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (Staskiewicz,1). Keith Staskiewicz says that “Guardians” made $262.1 million, which is $2.4 million more than “Captain America 2” and with this he is writing his claim of fact. He is also using logos because of the money value difference between the two movies. This review was written on August 30 so it would not be surprising if the difference in numbers rose from $2.4 million to even higher.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is quite popular and known for being an incredible movie. By saying that “Guardians of the Galaxy” has surpassed “Captain America 2”, Keith is writing his claim of value since his words mean that “Guardians” is an unbelievably amazing movie, which is more superior than “Captain America 2”. Also, by stating that “Guardians” is a better movie he is using pathos because this is how he feels about the movie. Keith’s criteria for movies seem to be the fast-paced, action filled types containing countless adventures and even a bit of romance.

Close Call

“Newly found asteroid to pass close to Earth on Sunday”

By: Amanda Barnett


Source: CNN


http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/07/tech/innovation/asteroid-flying-close-to-earth/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

           A recently discovered asteroid, called 2014 RC, will pass by Earth at a close range. Luckily, this asteroid will not hit Earth or crash into any of the thousands of satellites circling around the planet. Asteroid 2014 RC was founded on August 31 by the Catalina Sky Survey close to Tucson, Arizona. This space rock has been projected to be 60 feet long and soar over New Zealand. Fortunately, this will give the astronomers and scientists at NASA a chance to study it. Experts at NASA have already stated that there are thousands of asteroids that could hit Earth but none of them are probable to hit the planet soon. Although, there have been cases when asteroids, meteors, and small space rocks are undetected by scientists. One example would be on February 15, 2013 when a 60-foot-wide meteor penetrated into Earth’s atmosphere and exploded just above a Russian city. This meteor had the power of about 30 nuclear bombs and injured1,500 people. NASA is trying to find a faster way to track asteroids close to Earth and capture one in the 2020’ for research.

          The public should be updated on this kind of information to know that there are other threats out there other than natural disasters. Hopefully, this will article will help them have faith in NASA to protect the Earth from any upcoming danger. The people ought to also read this so they know how close they were from getting hit by an asteroid. It is really exciting when you think about it.