The underwater topography of Mavericks is what creates monster waves. The large reef known as “The Thumb” helps propel walls of water as high as 100 feet or more. Image courtesy The San Francisco Chronicle.

In 1994, legendary big wave surfer Mark Foo died while riding an 18-foot wave. The location was at Mavericks; and he […]

Inside Berkeley’s Bevatron, a particle accelerator. This is the type of complex that is getting Iran in trouble now, but obviously on a much larger scale. Though plutonium was never produced here, it was the site of the discovery of anti-matter.
In 1986, the world became aware of the meltdown at Chernobyl. The principle flaw […]

Downtown Kennett, California. Notice the “Meat Market” sign in the center building. photo courtesy of the Bureau of Reclamation.

In 1944, the Bureau of Reclamation closed the gates at Shasta Dam and began inundating the vast network of valleys in the Shasta National Forest. In the valleys resided three unique cities, a fish hatchery, and thousands […]