university of Nevada

There were more than 1,000 fires in California in 2014 and, because of the current dry conditions, 2015 is expected to be more of the same.

For the past few years, the geologists Brenda Buck and Rodney Metcalf have combed the wild terrain of southern Nevada, analyzing its stony dunes and rocky outcroppings — and to their dismay, tallying mounting evidence of a landscape filled with asbestos.

Asbestos occurs naturally in many parts of the country, mostly in the West but also along some mountain ranges in the East. But in Nevada, the scientists found, natural erosion and commercial development were sending the fibers into the wind.

A first-of-its-kind circuit by scuba divers around Lake Tahoe is complete. Now, experts are seeking to understand worrying changes on the bottom of the landmark alpine lake.

Members of the scuba team that 13 years ago reached the wreck of a famous steamer sunk in Tahoe's frigid depths completed the first circumnavigation of the lake by divers in October. Scientists are examining the data collected to understand why some of the lake's tiniest bottom dwellers and the plants they depend on appear to be disappearing at an alarming rate.

1980 South Tahoe High graduate Dr. Graham Kent from the UNR Seismological Laboratory will give a presentation on ALERT Tahoe in Incline Village on Thursday, January 8.

ALERT Tahoe is a new, one-of-a-kind, fire camera and multi-hazard tracking system that includes smoke investigation, prescribed fire oversight, wildfire tracking, Earthquake Early Warning, and monitoring of extreme weather events. A prototype of the fire camera system is functioning, scoring early successes during the summer of 2014.

Dr. Kent will present on the existing and planned camera system.

Past climates in the region characterized by ice ages or droughts leave clues that are etched into our mountain slopes. These records remain today for us to uncover in the field, laboratory, and through computer modeling efforts.

Ongoing weather and climate research in the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin and how it shapes our understanding of the greater Earth system will be discussed in the next Tahoe Center for Environmental Science free public lecture.

Divers are mobilizing at the mouth of Emerald Bay to start removing 5 acres of rubber mats that were laid on the lake bottom two years ago for a pilot project to control Asian clam populations in the area.

Divers are anticipated to be working in the water through November, so boaters are asked to exercise caution when entering and exiting Emerald Bay and obey a no-wake zone that extends 600 feet from shore at Lake Tahoe.

An small earthquake hit the North Lake Tahoe area at 5:08 p.m. Wednesday in an area 6.3 miles NNE of Tahoe City. According to U.S. Geological Service it registered 3.5. The seismograph at the University of Nevada, Reno recorded the earthquake at 3.2.

The depth of the earthquake was recorded as 9.05km.

According to UNR graphs there have been several smaller earthquakes in the region over the last 90 days, all under 2.0 and most under 1.0.

George Whittell High School student Melissa Petty of Stateline, NV. was announced as the recipient for the sixth annual Gene Upshaw Scholarship Award at this year’s American Century Championship. Petty’s essay about her hard work in the classroom, her sports, her faith and goodwill helped secure the scholarship valued at $5,000. Petty plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and pursue a bachelor’s degree in science.

Lucas McNamara, 7, was hiking around Griff Creek near Kings Beach Fire Station last week with his family when he saw a black, spiny fish, about 1-foot-long, lying dead in the creek. He ran up the creek bed, yelling, “Dad, you need to look at the big crazy fish!”

Lucas’ parents, Steve and Jen McNamara, decided to make this a teachable moment for their son, who already shows active interest in science and the environment.

“I told Lucas that this fish is not normal for Lake Tahoe and may be harmful to the other fish and animals in the lake,” Steve said.

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor. We will be posting them in the order received.

1)What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

The boys basketball team from Whittell High School claimed the Division IV Nevada State Title on Saturday night by beating Virginia City by a score of 53-48.

The Warriors beat Spring Mountain on Friday in a close game by the score of 53-50, getting them into the final round for their 4th game of the year against Virginia City.

KNBB televised the game live from the University of Nevada.

With the holiday season now in full swing, it’s only appropriate that the Reno Jazz Orchestra (RJO) brings Jazz for the Holidays to Northern Nevada for all to enjoy on December 20, 2013 at The Nightingale Hall - University of Nevada. Accompanying the accomplished musicians of the RJO are vocalists Cami Thompson and Kenn Pettiford, international Tap star Sam Weber and performers from the Sierra Nevada Ballet under the direction of Rosine Bena. The Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Vern Scarbrough, will open the holiday performance which starts at 7:30 pm.

Scientists today presented research findings and recommendations to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board that address Lake Tahoe’s aquatic nearshore environment and the heightened interest in understanding factors contributing to its apparent deterioration.

Former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore said, in his speech to scientists, elected officials, environmentalists, business leaders, fire department officials, students and others in the audience of the 2013 Lake Tahoe Summit, that what we’ve learned at Tahoe can help inform the rest of the world to protect their resources and communities.

Scientists continue to remove invading warm-water fish from Lake Tahoe, while new research indicates some of the tiniest bugs that live on Tahoe’s bottom are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Those were among the research efforts conducted by experts at University of Nevada, Reno that were demonstrated at the lake Monday and two weeks before the Lake Tahoe Summit, an annual event celebrating decades of work to protect the landmark alpine lake.

The University of Nevada, Reno is set to hold the 57th Lake Tahoe Music Camp July 21-27 at the Nevada State 4-H Camp. Each year, nearly 200 students in grades 8 through 12 participate in a week of music activities, rehearsals, team building exercises and recreation time, all on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe.

The camp is filled with jazz and classical music workshops, clinics, performances, mentoring and instruction with award-winning University faculty, guest conductors, professional Chamber singers and jazz musicians and more.

Art and science collide in April at the Lake Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences with a lecture and display of paintings that chronicle Anthropocene, the beginning of the fossil fuel era that sprouted in the late 1700s.

From Mark Twain and Frank Sinatra to teamsters and tourism, the history of Lake Tahoe recorded in a new book by Michael J. Makley brings the region’s many dimensions to life. The noted local author is the featured speaker at the February Frances Humphrey lecture series from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, where he will explore the geology and natural history of Lake Tahoe and the people who shaped its history.

Migratory birds are commonly thought of as only summer visitors to the northern latitudes, but there are some migratory birds that can only be found in the Lake Tahoe area during winter.

There are also birds that have lost their way and end up in unexpected areas during the winter. Learn what visiting birds to look for in winter, where they came from, and why winter is a good time for them to be in the area, whether you are searching in the Tahoe Basin, Sierra Valley, or Carson Valley.

Sports fodder for a Friday morning . . . The University of Nevada will hire a great coach as its next head football coach. That's not even a concern. There is no shortage of qualified, competent, o...

When the Sutter Mill’s meteorite streaked across the Nevada sky in April, it made a loud boom and shook homes throughout the region. Ken Smith, associate director for the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno heard it and felt it that Sunday morning. His scientific curiosity drew him right to the lab’s earthquake monitoring network to see what registered on the more than 150 reporting stations. He found an astonishing series of registrations.

Dr. Tracy Protell, child and adolescent psychiatric specialist, recently joined Dr. Sonia Rupp at Barton Psychiatry in South Lake Tahoe. Providing comprehensive psychiatric and psychological diagnostic evaluations and treatment services for children and adolescents, Dr. Protell treats patients with developmental, behavioral, emotional and mental disorders.

Boaters heading to Lake Tahoe in the next six weeks may experience a short delay when entering Emerald Bay due to an Asian clam control project that will be taking place there.
The Asian clam control project is being implemented by a team of partners from the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program, with plans to treat an area of up to 5 acres at the mouth of Emerald Bay. Treatment will be accomplished by covering the infested lake bottom with thin rubber barriers, augmented with organic material, that reduce the available oxygen and smother the clams. It will be the largest project of its type in the history of Lake Tahoe.

A team of partners from the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program is scheduled to begin implementation of the largest Asian clam control project in the history of Lake Tahoe on October 15, with plans to treat an area of up to 5 acres at the mouth of Emerald Bay.