USGS Arctic Oil and Gas Report, Estimates of Undiscovered Oil and Gas North of the Arctic Circle

IntroductionIn May 2008 a team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists completed an appraisal of possible future additions to world oil and gas reserves from new field discoveries in the Arctic. This Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal (CARA) evaluated the petroleum potential of all areas north of the Arctic Circle (66.56° north latitude);...

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Mount Etna - Italy

Mount Etna: IntroductionMount Etna is Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Towering above the city of Catania on the island of Sicily, it has been growing for about 500,000 years and is in the midst of a series of eruptions that began in 2001. It has experienced a variety of eruption styles, including violent explosions and voluminous...

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Diamond Mineral Uses & Properties

The world's most popular gemstone. -- The hardest natural substance known.Diamond is a fascinating mineral. It is chemically resistant and it is the hardest known natural substance. These properties make it suitable for use as a cutting tool and for other uses where durability is required. Diamond also has special optical properties such...

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Volcanic Ash

What is Volcanic Ash?Volcanic ash consists of powder-size to sand-size particles of igneous rock material that have been blown into the air by an erupting volcano (see image at right). The term is used for the material while it is in the air, after it falls to the ground and sometimes after it has been lithified into rock. The terms "volcanic...

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