Science Moab

Arches are always vibrating. The unique size and shape of each arch produces a unique wave frequency that it vibrates at. We talk with Jeff Moore and Paul Geimer from the University of Utah Geohazards Research Group who study the seismology or movement of natural rock spans.

In Moab, climate change has greatly reduced the size of the wetlands and many of the mosquitoes’ natural predators that used to live there have also disappeared. Now when the floodwaters do come and fill up the wetlands, mosquitoes reproduce relentlessly. We speak with Shannon Amsberry, manager of Moab Mosquito Abatement, about how he and his team are keeping the mosquito population under control.

The Colorado River Basin provides water for communities across the West, from the Front Range of Colorado to the coast of California. Increase in use, along with climate change, have resulted in extremely low water levels for the Colorado River Basin and its reservoirs. We speak with Brian Richter about the hazards of such low water levels and what is being done to mitigate the risks.

Biological soil crusts—mosses, lichens, and bacteria that live on the surface of dryland soils—perform crucial functions in desert ecosystems. Some species make nitrogen available for nearby plants. Others are huge carbon sinks. In this episode, Michala Phillips, a postdoctoral researcher at the Southwest Biological Science Center, explains how drought, temperature increases, and physical disturbances threaten the survival of these organisms.

When it comes to arid climates, junipers are some of the toughest trees around. But in the past two years, southeastern Utah has seen huge swathes of them die off. In this episode, Steven Kannenberg, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah, explains why so many junipers are struggling to survive.

A unique combination of events came together at the end of Permian time (250 million years ago)that resulted in the extinction of more the 90% of living species. We talk with Dr. Benjamin Burger about what earth looked like during this period and what led to such a drastic change in environment and life.

Join scientists Chris Benson and Terry Dial on a geology tour of Moab, Utah! This 50-mile scenic driving loop includes information on the spectacular geology surrounding Moab.

This 50-mile scenic driving loop includes six stops with audio by local geologist

- 4-wheel drive recommended

- 2-wheel drive option

- Plan 3-4 hours

- Join caravan Friday, 18 September 2-6p

Download map at www.moab-scifest.org

Extreme heat can be dangerous and is often called the "silent killer". We talk with Kirsten Goldstein, a grad student at Utah State University in Climate Adaptation Science, who studies how people perceive the risk of heat to their health. A person’s perception can influence their behavior and the we discuss the methods Kirsten uses to try and understand perceptions relating to how hot people feel.

Sixty years after its creation, Lake Powell faces an uncertain future with increasing drought and limited runoff into the Colorado River Basin. Here we speak with Jack Schmidt and Eric Kuhn about the policies and politics of reservoirs along the Colorado River. Jack Schmidt is a professor at Utah State University’s Center for Colorado River studies and Eric Kuhn is an engineer and was general manager for the Colorado River Water Conservation District for 37 years. We discuss the role Lake Powell plays in the Colorado River Basin and how climate change, politics, and water-use policies affect the reservoir’s future.

There is a lot of Western science happening here on the Colorado Plateau but there is also long-held Indigenous knowledge that is centered on knowing this place. Here, we speak with Jim Enote about these two different knowledge systems. Jim is a Zuni writer, farmer and CEO of the Colorado Plateau Foundation. Jim is also a trained scientist and we talk with him about the different ways that Western scientists and Indigenous communities both understand the world and maintain knowledge. Jim explains how we can begin to speak across those understandings to make the world better for both people and the natural environment.