Weekly earth and environment film series begins Jan. 20

Weekly earth and environment film series begins Jan. 20

The Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Spring 2010 Film Series kicks off on Jan. 20, with a documentary on geologic changes in the Great Lakes. All films are screened at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays in room 105 of the Deike Building on Penn State's University Park campus. The films feature a diverse mix of topics related to Earth and the environment.

The schedule is as follows.

Jan. 20: "Geologic Journey -- Part 1: The Great Lakes" (45 min.)
The story of the dramatic changes in the geology and landscape of the vast central area of North America.

Jan. 27: "The Hurricane of ’38" (53 min.)
In September 1938, the National Weather Bureau predicted this storm would blow itself out. Instead it began an unexpected sprint north along the coast. Over 600 people were killed. Another 100 were never found.

Feb. 3: "Petroapocalypse Now?" (48 min.)
This documentary asks whether Earth's oil resources are beginning to run out, discusses the accuracy of petroleum reserves estimates and the potentially disastrous effects if oil production falls, and asks what steps we can take to prevent this.

Feb. 10: "Geologic Journey – Part 2: The Rockies" (45 min.)
The story of the immense spine of stone that runs from the Canadian North down to the Southern United States.

Feb. 17: "Tornado Glory: Experience the Real Chase" (56 min.)
Get ready to experience the amazing beauty and violent fury of Tornado Alley with Joel Taylor and Reed Timmer, two young storm chasers living their dream in Storm Season, 2003.

Feb. 24: "Power Paths" (56 min.)
This documentary follows the Navajo, Hopi and Lakota Sioux tribes, as they find ways to introduce renewable energy projects into their communities through a grassroots movement.

March 3: "Geologic Journey – Part 3: The Canadian Shield" (45 min.)
The story of the rocks of the Canadian Shield, believed to be present throughout the very beginnings of the Earth’s formation.

March 10: No film due to spring break.

March 17: "Hurricane Katrina: The Storm that Drowned a City" (56 min.)
Nova takes an in-depth look at what made Hurricane Katrina so deadly and analyzes how this event has resulted in unprecedented destruction for the Gulf Coast.

March 24: "Earth Energy" (46 min.)
Sculptor, aviator, inventor, and filmmaker Bill Lishman is concerned by our dependence on central energy sources and fossil fuels so he takes a journey in search of Earth's renewable energy.

March 31: "Geologic Journey – Part 4: The Appalachians" (45 min.)
A trip through the gentle, rolling landscape of eastern North America, a landscape that is deceptive and misleading. Beneath its calm and steady appearance hides a violent and active past.

April 7: "The Big Chill: A Looming Ice Age?" (50 min.)
This program investigates the likelihood of the biggest climate change in more than 10,000 years.

April 14: "Gold Futures: Open-Pit Mining in Romania" (57 min.)
In Rosia Montana, Romania, mineral wealth and badly needed jobs compete with time-honored rural traditions and concerns about the potential for environmental disaster.

April 21: "Geologic Journey – Part 5: The Atlantic Coast" (45 min.)
The story of how tectonic upheaval pummeled and pounded eastern North America, until the shape we recognize today finally emerged.

April 28: "Is there Life on Mars?" (56 min.)
The latest scientific revelations from a planet, once alien, now poised to reveal provocative new clues in the tantalizing quest to plumb its past for signs of water and, perhaps, even life.