It was a mild but overcast day as we drove northeast across the till plains of the American Midwest. Despite the low clouds, intermittent fog and pockets of drizzle, the golden hues of late summer adorned the landscape and brightened our journey.
We entered the Michigan Basin in northern Illinois, where the Kankakee Arch, a deeply buried ridge of ancient, Precambrian rock, divides the Michigan Basin, to its northeast, from the Illinois Basin, to its southwest. Of course, the Pleistocene ice sheets flattened this region and buried the underlying bedrock with a thick layer of glacial till; as a result, there is no surface topography that reflects the deep divide and surface streams cross freely from one geologic basin to the other.
In southwest Michigan, we traveled northward, paralleling the shore of Lake Michigan and passing inland dunes, remnants of the Lake's larger, post-glacial predecessor. Past Holland, we turned eastward to Grand Rapids and then continued northward, entering the scenic, wooded hills that cover the heart of the Michigan Basin; with every mile, the colors of autumn became more intense and the percentage of conifers, relative to their colorful, broadleaf neighbors, continued to increase. Finally, having booked a hotel room in Traverse City, we took an evening stroll along West Traverse Bay, a welcome bit of exercise after a ten hour drive. Tomorrow, we plan a morning visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes and then we're off to Mackinac Island.
Senin, 19 September 2011
Sabtu, 17 September 2011
The Michigan Basin
If we could scrape away the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits from the Continents, we would find that the ancient, Precambrian basement rock has a topography of ridges, valleys, plains and basins, similar to what we find on our planet's surface today. One of the basins, centered on the lower peninsula of Michigan, stretches from western New York to eastern Wisconsin and from Ontario, Canada to northern Ohio and Indiana.
Known as the Michigan Basin, this broad bowl has gradually filled with sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras; as one might expect, sediments advance in age from top to bottom and, on the surface, from the center of the basin to the periphery. The youngest of these deposits, Jurassic in age, are found in the west-central region of lower Michigan while the oldest surface in Ontario (on the north edge of Lake Huron), across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, along the eastern side of Wisconsin, in Greater Chicago and in the vicinity of Niagara Falls. Most of the basin sediments have since been covered by a thick layer of Pleistocene glacial till and, of course, by the waters of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie.
Over the next two weeks, my wife and I plan to circle across the Michigan Basin, spending two days on Mackinac Island and most of our time along the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since I have been through that region in the past, I generally know what to expect but, like all journeys, the adventure lies in the unexpected. Reports from the Basin will follow.
Known as the Michigan Basin, this broad bowl has gradually filled with sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras; as one might expect, sediments advance in age from top to bottom and, on the surface, from the center of the basin to the periphery. The youngest of these deposits, Jurassic in age, are found in the west-central region of lower Michigan while the oldest surface in Ontario (on the north edge of Lake Huron), across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, along the eastern side of Wisconsin, in Greater Chicago and in the vicinity of Niagara Falls. Most of the basin sediments have since been covered by a thick layer of Pleistocene glacial till and, of course, by the waters of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie.
Over the next two weeks, my wife and I plan to circle across the Michigan Basin, spending two days on Mackinac Island and most of our time along the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since I have been through that region in the past, I generally know what to expect but, like all journeys, the adventure lies in the unexpected. Reports from the Basin will follow.
Jumat, 16 September 2011
Maria Visits Newfoundland
After lolling about the Caribbean for a week and then passing west of Bermuda, Hurricane Maria has been racing northward and is expected to strike Newfoundland. The powerful storm will streak across the eastern half of that island province and the Avalon Peninsula should bear the brunt of her 80 mph winds.
Surrounded by the chilly waters of the North Atlantic, Newfoundland is relatively immune to hurricanes and tropical storms; indeed, cold water is one of the major factors known to weaken tropical cyclones. Nevertheless, Hurricane Maria is moving northward at a rapid rate, swept along by an advancing cold front, and is forecast to retain Level 1 traits when she reaches southeastern Newfoundland. After raking this Maritime Province, Maria is expected to dissipate south of Greenland.
As local residents prepare for the storm, one wonders if Jim Cantore is on a flight to St. John's. For the king of weather broadcasting to miss such a rare event is almost unthinkable. After all, we have now passed the peak of the 2011 hurricane season and the opportunity to report from the driving rain of a land-falling storm is rapidly fading.
Surrounded by the chilly waters of the North Atlantic, Newfoundland is relatively immune to hurricanes and tropical storms; indeed, cold water is one of the major factors known to weaken tropical cyclones. Nevertheless, Hurricane Maria is moving northward at a rapid rate, swept along by an advancing cold front, and is forecast to retain Level 1 traits when she reaches southeastern Newfoundland. After raking this Maritime Province, Maria is expected to dissipate south of Greenland.
As local residents prepare for the storm, one wonders if Jim Cantore is on a flight to St. John's. For the king of weather broadcasting to miss such a rare event is almost unthinkable. After all, we have now passed the peak of the 2011 hurricane season and the opportunity to report from the driving rain of a land-falling storm is rapidly fading.
Kamis, 15 September 2011
Hooked on Competition
Competition has always been the engine of the American economy and we have long been entertained by the competitive nature of sports. But, in recent decades, cable television has introduced an exploding array of competition-based programs to a ravenous, tube-watching public.
Spearheaded by the likes of American Idol and Iron Chef, this programming offers an expanding array of competitions between performers, chefs, bakers, designers, survivers, travellers, daredevils and dieters, among others. In most cases, the competitors are systematically eliminated over the course of the season and the viewing public is often involved in the judging process.
While talents are displayed and hard work is rewarded, these shows are popular due to the drama, turmoil and heartache that accompanies the competition; in other words, viewers tune in to witness the stress of those striving for celebrity and are entertained by the suffering that comes with criticism and defeat. As is often the case, these programs, like much of American television, reflect the dark side of human nature and highlight a distrubing undercurrent in human society.
Spearheaded by the likes of American Idol and Iron Chef, this programming offers an expanding array of competitions between performers, chefs, bakers, designers, survivers, travellers, daredevils and dieters, among others. In most cases, the competitors are systematically eliminated over the course of the season and the viewing public is often involved in the judging process.
While talents are displayed and hard work is rewarded, these shows are popular due to the drama, turmoil and heartache that accompanies the competition; in other words, viewers tune in to witness the stress of those striving for celebrity and are entertained by the suffering that comes with criticism and defeat. As is often the case, these programs, like much of American television, reflect the dark side of human nature and highlight a distrubing undercurrent in human society.
Rabu, 14 September 2011
The Big Chill
Thunderstorms rumbled across Missouri overnight as the leading edge of a potent cold front dropped through the State. This morning, that front stretches from Upstate New York to Oklahoma to Montana and a wedge of cool, Canadian air has invaded the Plains and Great Lakes region. Our low in Columbia was 58 degrees F, typical for this past week, but the freezing mark has been reached along the northern U.S. border and, here in central Missouri, we expect a drop to 38 degrees by tomorrow morning.
This widespread chill is winter's first significant advance on the Heartland; the seasonal battle with summer has begun and will continue for the next few months. While we recognize spring and fall as distinct seasons, characterized by a host of natural events, they are, in fact, the products of a restless jet stream which engages winter and summer in a struggle for territory. Having settled in Canada for the past few months, the jet has taken a dip to the south, allowing chilly air to pool behind its broad sweep and igniting thunderstorms as the cool dry air undercuts the warm, humid air of summer's domain.
As it undulates across the country in the coming months, the jet sream will produce ridges of summer and troughs of winter; while not as extreme as the parent seasons themselves, these pockets will bring an alternating pattern of warm and cool weather to much of the country. Over time, the chilly interludes will begin to dominate and, as the jet stream settles near the Gulf Coast, winter will reclaim the Heartland. Until then, we'll enjoy the colorful foliage of autumn, the waves of migrant waterfowl and the crisp, invigorating weather of our slide from summer's oppressive heat to the depth of winter's chill.
This widespread chill is winter's first significant advance on the Heartland; the seasonal battle with summer has begun and will continue for the next few months. While we recognize spring and fall as distinct seasons, characterized by a host of natural events, they are, in fact, the products of a restless jet stream which engages winter and summer in a struggle for territory. Having settled in Canada for the past few months, the jet has taken a dip to the south, allowing chilly air to pool behind its broad sweep and igniting thunderstorms as the cool dry air undercuts the warm, humid air of summer's domain.
As it undulates across the country in the coming months, the jet sream will produce ridges of summer and troughs of winter; while not as extreme as the parent seasons themselves, these pockets will bring an alternating pattern of warm and cool weather to much of the country. Over time, the chilly interludes will begin to dominate and, as the jet stream settles near the Gulf Coast, winter will reclaim the Heartland. Until then, we'll enjoy the colorful foliage of autumn, the waves of migrant waterfowl and the crisp, invigorating weather of our slide from summer's oppressive heat to the depth of winter's chill.
Selasa, 13 September 2011
Nature's Nightlight
Torn from Planet Earth by a violent collision, more that 4 billion years ago, the moon's cratered face attests to its traumatic childhood. Yet, in more recent times, our lone satellite has become a cherished feature of the night sky, a beautiful and tranquil companion that has long inspired mankind.
Unlike the sun, that hurls intense light, stifling heat and ionic waves in our direction, the moon is a calm, reflective body, changing its face but not its mood throughout its monthly cycle. Nevertheless, it has played an important role in the evolution of Earth's ecosystems, stabilizing the axis of our planet and producing the tides that, 400 million years ago, allowed life to colonize the land, and, today, provide vital nourishment to coastal habitats.
On the last two mornings, I watched as the full moon dropped below the western horizon. Unaccompanied by the colorful skies and changing light of a sunset, the moon departs with little fanfare but we will look for her when the darkness returns. Afterall, throughout most of human history, the moon was our nightlight, a source of reassurance amidst the turmoil and uncertaintly of our fragile existence.
Unlike the sun, that hurls intense light, stifling heat and ionic waves in our direction, the moon is a calm, reflective body, changing its face but not its mood throughout its monthly cycle. Nevertheless, it has played an important role in the evolution of Earth's ecosystems, stabilizing the axis of our planet and producing the tides that, 400 million years ago, allowed life to colonize the land, and, today, provide vital nourishment to coastal habitats.
On the last two mornings, I watched as the full moon dropped below the western horizon. Unaccompanied by the colorful skies and changing light of a sunset, the moon departs with little fanfare but we will look for her when the darkness returns. Afterall, throughout most of human history, the moon was our nightlight, a source of reassurance amidst the turmoil and uncertaintly of our fragile existence.
Minggu, 11 September 2011
The Nature of Terrorism
Terrorism is the use of fear to control others and to influence their behavior. This tool has been used throughout human history, by warlords, emperors, gangsters, priests and preachers, racists, financial magnates, kidnappers, abusive spouses and dysfunctional parents, among others. In most cases, it is the threat of violence rather than the act itself that paralyzes the victims.
Today, as we commemorate the worst act of terrorism on American soil, we remember the victims, honor the rescuers and renounce the violent actions of the terrorists. Yet, since that horrible event, ten years ago, we have advanced the cause of those perpetrators and have allowed their actions to influence our lives. By rushing off to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, we have recruited more extremists to the anti-American crusade and, by restricting privacy and freedom in the U.S., we have conceded control to the terrorists.
Personal safety is not guaranteed on planet Earth and we can never be fully protected from the action of crazed zealots. One would hope that the U.S. begins to place emphasis on exporting our message of freedom by confining military campaigns to the protection of human rights and by ensuring that our intelligence network does not support those who abuse those rights. The beacon of American freedom was not dimmed by the terrorists on September 11, 2001, but, rather, by our reaction to their violence.
Today, as we commemorate the worst act of terrorism on American soil, we remember the victims, honor the rescuers and renounce the violent actions of the terrorists. Yet, since that horrible event, ten years ago, we have advanced the cause of those perpetrators and have allowed their actions to influence our lives. By rushing off to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, we have recruited more extremists to the anti-American crusade and, by restricting privacy and freedom in the U.S., we have conceded control to the terrorists.
Personal safety is not guaranteed on planet Earth and we can never be fully protected from the action of crazed zealots. One would hope that the U.S. begins to place emphasis on exporting our message of freedom by confining military campaigns to the protection of human rights and by ensuring that our intelligence network does not support those who abuse those rights. The beacon of American freedom was not dimmed by the terrorists on September 11, 2001, but, rather, by our reaction to their violence.
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