Answering a Reader’s Questions As posted last week, the Coriolis Effect steers the winds and ocean currents around the globe in huge spiral patterns, all because our Earth spins. A reader asked who discovered this pattern in nature and wanted to know what happens at the equator. Does the prevailing north counterclockwise and south clockwise… Continue reading The Coriolis Effect
Category: Earth Science
Unmasking the Coriolis Effect:
An Invisible Influence on Wind and Water You have probably heard of the Coriolis Effect. It’s a rather cool concept in Earth science that might seem like magic, but it’s all about physics. This invisible force explains why hurricanes spin and why long-distance pilots have to be careful about their flight paths. I used to… Continue reading Unmasking the Coriolis Effect:
What’s Shaking
The Raspberry Shake is not a new type of smoothie, but a new tool for detecting earthquakes and other seismic activity. Developed by a startup in Panama, the Raspberry shake is a powerful tool for people interested in earthquakes and citizen science. The Raspberry Shake, designed initially as a maker project for home use, has… Continue reading What’s Shaking
The Beaufort Scale
Talking about the weather is usually a sign of conversational desperation and that is particularly true in California. The weather patterns here are fairly regular and predictable. Recently, however, a long series of very stormy and rainy weather has buffeted California. Watching the trees bend and sway in the gusty winds reminded me of the… Continue reading The Beaufort Scale
STEM & Creative Change 