on December 8, 2022
Stone corrosion on Cologne Cathedral
Geology and GeographyIt is crumbling, splintering and weathering: the ravages of time are gnawing away at Cologne Cathedral. Acid rain has already eaten away at the famous building. Laws on air pollution control have been reducing the pollution levels for some years now. But pigeon droppings, exhaust fumes and the weather continue to attack the old walls
on December 8, 2022
Alfred Wegener – an airhead?
Geology and GeographyThe meteorologist Alfred Wegener became famous for a record he set in balloon flight: On 5 April 1906, he ascended together with his brother Kurt and stayed in the air for over 52 hours. This beat the previous world record by 17 hours. But the balloon flight was not only for fame, but above all
on December 3, 2022
Swedish wine
Geology and GeographyLauri Pappinen can be happy. In 1997, the former computer specialist started growing wine on the Swedish island of Gotland. At the time, many wondered about his crazy idea. Today, Pappinen’s winery is a thriving business that has even found imitators. No wine could thrive above the 50th parallel, it was once said. This wisdom
on December 3, 2022
Snapshot of a planet
Geology and GeographyActually, this photo should not be possible at all, but scientists have managed it: the first photograph of a planet outside our solar system. German planet hunters at the European Observatory in Chile have now presented a photo of the star “GQ Lupi” – and clearly separated from it the planet “GQ Lupi b” as
on December 3, 2022
Sand in sight
Geology and GeographyGermany’s most famous North Sea island is threatened with extinction. Every year Sylt gets a little smaller. The “Blanke Hans”, as the stormy North Sea is also called, gnaws ceaselessly at the island’s west coast. To stop the shrinking of Sylt, sand is now to be pumped from the seabed onto the beach. A hundred
on December 2, 2022
Mysterious holes in the earth’s crust
Geology and GeographyBritish researchers have discovered a hole in the Earth’s crust several thousand square kilometres in size on the seabed. According to the scientists, the Earth’s mantle lies open there. The research ship RSS James Cook is now on its way to examine the spots more closely. The expedition’s first target is a hole between Tenerife
on December 2, 2022
Save the rainforest – protect the climate!
Geology and GeographyThe tropical rainforest is the most species-rich area on earth: a green wonder of jungle giants, lianas and ferns, inhabited by colourful birds, butterflies and many other animals. But every day huge areas of the rainforest are cut down. This does not only mean the end of many species. Clear-cutting is also a major problem
on December 2, 2022
Record Dive into the Deep Sea
Geology and GeographyNo man has ever sunk so deep: with their submersible “Trieste”, Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard and US naval officer Don Walsh reach the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench – 10,910 metres below sea level. A sensation! The metal sphere into which Piccard and Walsh squeeze themselves on the morning of 23 January is only
on December 2, 2022
Record CO2 emissions
Geology and GeographyGlobal emissions of carbon dioxide have never been as high as they are today. In 2010, it even rose more sharply than ever before. This has now been announced by the US Department of Energy. The figures exceed even the worst fears. For years, experts have been warning about the speed of global warming. Apparently
on December 2, 2022
Pluto is out!
Geology and GeographyOur solar system is one planet poorer. For 76 years, Pluto was the ninth planet. Now it has officially been stripped of its planetary title. It has thus been relegated to the league of “dwarf planets”, where it will play a much less important role in the future. With the discovery of the “planet” Eris,