• ES Picture of the Day 08 2023

    From Black Panther@21:1/186 to All on Sun Jan 8 11:00:44 2023
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Opalized Fossil of a Cycad Cone

    January 06, 2023


    Mila_cycad (003)

    Photographer: Mila Zinkova

    Summary Author: Mila Zinkova

    Shown above is an opalized cycad cone fossil (31 x 11 x 9 mm) that
    was found in Lighting Ridge, Australia. Fossil cycads, dating from the
    Mesozoic, have been uncovered on every continent. These very
    ancient group of seed plants are thought to be a sister group to all
    other living seed plants.

    Most fossil cycads are called cycadeoids and are classified
    scientifically in the order Bennettitales. During the Jurassic,
    cycads and their kin, along with conifers and ginkgos, dominated
    the plant kingdom. They remain extant and are commonly referred to
    as living fossils.

    On occasion, cycad fossils are opalized. If a cavity in a rocky
    surface resulted when a living organism, such as a shell or pinecone,
    was buried in sand or clay and then rotted away, an opalized cast or
    fossil replica may form of the object that was buried. Click here
    to see a video of this fossil, which also includes clips of a modern
    cycad.


    Lighting Ridge, Australia Coordinates: -29.4278, 147.9790


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    Geology Links

    * Earthquakes
    * Geologic Time
    * Geomagnetism
    * General Dictionary of Geology
    * Mineral and Locality Database
    * Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
    * This Dynamic Earth
    * USGS
    * MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
    * USGS Ask a Geologist
    * USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
    * USGS Volcano Hazards Program

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

    --- up 44 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
    * Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)
  • From Black Panther@21:1/186 to All on Wed Feb 8 11:01:22 2023
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Blooming Hibiscus

    February 08, 2023


    2022 July 1 - Hibisicus

    Photographer: Cindy Todd

    Summary Author: Cindy Todd

    The hibiscus is a beautiful flowering plant that's indigenous to
    tropical environments. It’s known for its large, eye-catching blooms
    and vibrant colors. However, hibiscus (from the mallow family) can
    also be grown in temperate weather environments with a little care. I
    took this photo in Arroyo Grande, California, about 100 miles (160
    km) northwest of Los Angeles. Hibiscus is classified as a
    nyctinasty plant, which means it closes its blooms at night and
    reopens them during the day, thereby protecting them from the cold.
    Photo taken on July 1, 2022.


    Arroyo Grande, California Coordinates: 35.1186, -120.5907


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    Plant Links

    * Discover Life
    * Tree Encyclopedia
    * What are Phytoplankton?
    * Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
    * USDA Plants Database
    * University of Texas Native Plant Database
    * Plants in Motion
    * What Tree is It?

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

    --- up 49 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
    * Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)