Earthquake News and Info Tracker

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  • Earthquake News and Info Tracker: Your Daily Source for Earthquake Updates


    Stay informed and prepared with the "Earthquake News and Info Tracker" podcast. Tune in daily for the latest updates on seismic activities, including real-time earthquake reports, expert analyses, and safety tips. Whether you're a concerned citizen, a researcher, or just curious about earthquakes, our podcast provides comprehensive coverage of seismic events from around the world. Subscribe now to stay ahead with accurate and timely earthquake information.
    Copyright 2024 Quiet. Please
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Política y Gobierno
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  • Dramatic 47% Cut to NASA's Science Budget Threatens Planetary Exploration

    Dramatic 47% Cut to NASA's Science Budget Threatens Planetary Exploration
    Apr 30 2025
    The U.S. planetary science community faces a severe crisis as the White House is considering a dramatic 47% cut to NASA's science budget for fiscal year 2026. On April 11, NASA received budget guidance from the White House's Office of Management and Budget that outlined a 20% reduction to the agency's overall funding, with science programs bearing the brunt of the cuts.

    The proposed reductions would slash Earth Science by 53%, Planetary Science by 29%, Astrophysics by 68%, Heliophysics by 43%, and Biological and Physical Sciences by a staggering 83%. These cuts would force the cancellation of major missions including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, and the DAVINCI mission to Venus.

    In response to this budget proposal, more than 100 space advocacy groups, scientific organizations, and industry leaders united in opposition, sending a joint letter on April 30 warning that such cuts would cause "immediate and irreparable damage" to American space science. The letter highlights that these reductions would lead to premature termination of dozens of currently operating scientific spacecraft and abandonment of future missions, essentially wasting billions in taxpayer investments.

    Members of Congress have already spoken out against the proposal. Representatives Don Bacon and Judy Chu, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, issued a joint statement on April 15 expressing their opposition to the cuts.

    This budget crisis comes during an otherwise eventful month for planetary science. On April 20, NASA's Lucy spacecraft successfully flew by asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson, the second of 10 asteroids it will study during its mission. April 22 marked the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, which was particularly visible this year due to minimal moonlight interference.

    The Planetary Society, which recently held its annual Day of Action in Washington D.C., is now mobilizing its members against the proposed budget cuts. Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, emphasized that these cuts would not only harm NASA but would damage the domestic industrial base, scientific institutions, and weaken America's specialized space workforce.

    As April ends, the planetary science community remains focused on fighting these proposed cuts while continuing critical research and exploration of our solar system.
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    3 m
  • Navigating the Shifting Tides of US Water Policy: Regulatory Developments, Infrastructure Challenges, and Climate Impacts

    Navigating the Shifting Tides of US Water Policy: Regulatory Developments, Infrastructure Challenges, and Climate Impacts
    Apr 30 2025
    Across the United States, water policy and management have seen significant developments this past week. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers began a series of nationwide listening sessions aimed at clarifying which water bodies receive federal protection under the Clean Water Act. This initiative seeks to align federal definitions with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 Sackett decision, potentially narrowing the scope of protected waters and prompting input from stakeholders concerned about future regulation and conservation. At the federal level, Congress returned from recess to focus on major water-related issues. The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee held discussions on a package of energy bills that impact water use, including hydropower and transmission infrastructure. Simultaneously, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works addressed the critical topic of federal water infrastructure funding, with testimony from both state and local officials. These hearings underscore ongoing concerns about sustaining drinking water systems, upgrading aging infrastructure, and supporting rural and urban communities facing water challenges, as reported by Circle of Blue.

    One focal area is the Lower Missouri River, where the Army Corps of Engineers announced a comprehensive flood risk review covering 735 miles from Sioux City, Iowa, to St. Louis. This region has suffered three so-called 500-year floods in the past three decades, prompting collaboration among Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to better understand and reduce risk in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather.

    On the regulatory front, the Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule to limit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, called PFAS, in drinking water remains under legal scrutiny. Major trade associations and water utilities have filed suit, challenging both the rapid rulemaking process and its compliance costs. The EPA, under new leadership, requested and received a 30-day extension in court to further review the contested rule and consider potential changes. According to WaterWorld and other sources, this litigation highlights deep divisions regarding how quickly and stringently PFAS contamination should be addressed nationwide and what role states versus federal authorities should play.

    Meanwhile, localities like New Jersey are grappling with their own mix of climate-driven water supply challenges, including drought, infrastructure breakdowns, algal blooms, and persistent PFAS pollution. A draft statewide water supply plan emphasizes the need for stronger planning, resilient infrastructure, and rapid response to emerging contaminants, warning that climate variability and aging systems compound risks to both quantity and quality of water supplies.

    Internationally, the month saw major open water swimming competitions in the United States including the U.S. Open Water Nationals, marking the start of a busy season for aquatic sports and the spotlight on water quality in host regions. These diverse developments reflect a pattern of increasing regulatory attention, legal contestation, and climate-driven pressures in American water policy, with ripple effects for ecological protection, public health, and community resilience.
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    4 m
  • "Navigating the Shifting Landscape of U.S. Climate Policies: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead"

    "Navigating the Shifting Landscape of U.S. Climate Policies: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead"
    Apr 30 2025
    In the past week, climate change has remained a central issue in the United States, with new federal actions, scientific findings, and ongoing policy debates capturing attention. On April twenty-eighth, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it will set official limits on the discharge of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as forever chemicals, into the nation’s waterways. This marks a rare regulatory step under the current administration, which recently has more often curtailed environmental oversight. Just five days earlier, President Trump signed an executive order to fast-track permitting for commercial deep-sea mining in international waters following the United States withdrawal from global negotiations on this issue. Scientists and environmental advocates have warned that these activities risk significant destruction of fragile ocean habitats.

    In another sharp policy shift, the administration eliminated the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program at the Department of Health, a lifeline that helped millions of low-income Americans cope with extreme heat and cold. As the nation enters the warmer months and heat waves become more common due to rising global temperatures, there are concerns about how vulnerable populations will manage without this assistance. On Earth Day, the White House issued a statement outlining its environmental actions, highlighting a pause of emissions rules for coal plants, expanded access to oil and gas extraction on federal lands, and a halt to certain wind energy projects. Many environmental groups criticized these measures, arguing they undermine air and water quality and the progress made toward a cleaner environment.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced the closure of the State Department’s climate office, ending United States participation in international climate negotiations. This move drew criticism from climate advocates and marked another step back from global climate engagement. Scientific analysis from Climate Central shows every state in the United States has experienced measurable warming since the first Earth Day in nineteen seventy. Alaska, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have seen the fastest temperature increases. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that atmospheric carbon dioxide now rises at the fastest rate on record, up more than thirty percent since nineteen seventy. The impacts—from intensified storms and drought-fueled wildfires to rising sea levels and floods—are displacing American communities and putting strains on local economies and emergency services.

    Globally, major climate conferences are planned throughout the year, including the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June and COP Thirty in Brazil this November, where world leaders will seek renewed commitments after last year’s disappointing talks. The United States’ retreat from these efforts has left international partners seeking new ways to accelerate climate action. As the effects of climate change intensify, the U.S. faces both the immediate challenge of managing climate-related disasters and the long-term implications of policy choices shaping future resilience and engagement.
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    4 m
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