[Geysers] Yellowstone Science article

[Freund, Udo]

Here's Tami Blackford, the editor's, response to my mentioning the
reversal of that image to her: "Yes, that image was transposed. Thanks
for noticing!"  Sad that those who live in Mammoth don't notice these
things beforehand.  Either they don't know better or don't look at
details carefully, both are poor excuses when portraying science.  But
we humans do make misteaks (sic).
 
As for the content of the article, I too found it greatly
under-researched.  If I recall correctly it is a condensed version of a
master's thesis, probably written some time before being reproduced in
YS.
 
But at least this type of info is getting published, hopefully leading
to more media attention on the subject.  Which brings up a point.  Media
are portraying geothermal as a green energy source with seemingly little
adverse impacts.  The Obama administration is pushing this agenda and
they are essentially the boss of those who might object, namely NPS and
USGS.  I'm sure most of you are aware that using geothermal aquifers
kills geyser activity.  That proven fact should be brought to the
media's attention whenever the subject comes up.  In the USA we've
already lost geysers at Steamboat and Beowawe in Nevada and Mammoth in
California.  In my opinion, since few others will advocate for this
cause, GOSA and its' associates should take up the task.  In other
words, I believe that it's time for GOSA to become politically active
rather than being a passive hobby club.
 
Thanks, 
Udo Freund 
Blessed are those that run around in circles for they shall be called
big wheels! 
 


________________________________

From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu
[mailto:geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of
TSBryan at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 12:54 PM
To: geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu
Subject: [Geysers] Yellowstone Science article


The Curmudgeon here, at least for item #1... this e-mail will also
respond to some off-list stuff, on which I've been a bit delayed because
of my step-daughter's surgery for a badly herniated disk. (She's much
better today, thank you.)
 
1. The first 2009 issue of "Yellowstone Science" contains a nice article
by Alethea Steingisser and W. Andrew Marcus, titled "Human Impacts on
Geyser Basins" (www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/ys17(1)p1.pdf and
click on the top (part 1) link -- the article starts on page 7). Good
enough (except for a couple of minor comments below)
 
BUT... how about that title photograph. If I was the authors I'd be
severely disappointed; if I was anybody with the NPS who has anything to
do with Yellowstone Science, I'd be really (really) upset. If you
haven't seen it, here's a scan of that image (small jpg, embedded and
attached) 
I trust you see what is wrong. The scene might look better if you hold
the picture to a mirror.
 
Sorry, folks, but that's bad.
 
2. In Table 1 of the article, several places are noted with asterisks
("No data available"). This is, I guess conservatism by the authors, but
I must say that since there has been zero geothermal development (other
than use of natural runoff) in Kamchatka's Valley of Geysers, then the
asterisk in the table's first column should be replaced with "No." Same
for Umnak. Also, in this table, there most definitely was a negative
effect of tourism on the geysers and springs at Steamboat Hot Springs
(that, by the way, being the proper name for the place). There were what
amount to tourism activities there at least as early as the 1860s plus
there was the resort (I don't recall its date offhand), and there were
some substantial alterations to the valley springs at Beowawe. I could
make note of some other asterisks but won't.
 
3. Here comes a point at which it is unfortunate that the annotated
bibliography, that appeared in editions 1, 2, and 3 of my book had to be
deleted from edition 4 (where the discussion about places around the
world was significantly reduced, too) due to cost constraints. Anyhow,
regarding the note on page 17 of the article, I wish it stated something
a bit stronger -- not just records, but written records. I possess
numerous reports, often including maps, that were never actually
published -- I recall significant trials in obtaining several
unpublished reports from the National Library in Australia. Anyhow, if
it is in my book, it can be documented.
 
4. I know there are always delays from manuscript to print, but still --
the 4th Edition of my book did come out around August 1, 2008, several
months prior to this publication, so I find it too bad that it did not
find its way into the "Literature Cited." I think some
slightly-different numbers might be found there.
 
T. Scott Bryan

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