Archive for January, 2007

Mavericks, Big Waves, and the Geography of Surfing

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

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 […]

Pripyat, Chernobyl, and the Future of Nuclear Power

Sunday, January 28th, 2007

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 […]

Inundated Underwater Cities

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007

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 […]

 
  • You are currently browsing the Bearings weblog archives for January, 2007.

  • Archives