|
Canada
Bus Driver Strikes Daycare
On Wednesday, a city bus driver was arrested and charged on 9 counts, including first-degree murder, after crashing into a daycare center north of Montreal, killing two children and injuring six. A Canadian government official reported the crash was not an act of terrorism and did not pose a threat to national security. Despite having no criminal record, experts theorize this was an intentional attack as no skid marks were made by his bus, and eyewitness accounts claim the driver appeared “hysterical.” The Montreal community held a vigil Thursday evening in support of the victims’ families. The driver will appear in court on February 17th and undergo psychiatric evaluation.
This map depicts the cul-de-sac location of the daycare in relation to the crash. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
United States
Cancerous Gas Emitting Plants
A new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found more than 14 million Americans live within five miles of 104 facilities producing large amounts of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colorless gas used as a sterilizer to clean medical equipment and food items, and is known to cause cancer. The study found 12 sterilizer hotspots located in Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia, California, New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico. The facilities are disproportionately located in communities of color, low-income communities, and non-English speaking communities. UCS is calling for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better protect residents from such emissions, as the EPA has not updated its emissions standards since 2006. The agency is required to update every eight years, making them almost two decades overdue.
This map depicts the location of facilities where Ethylene Oxide is produced, a flammable colorless gas with ties to cancer-causing activity. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
Portugal
Neanderthals Ate Crabs
New findings from an ancient cave site in Portugal have revealed that our hominid relatives, the Neanderthals, regularly feasted on roasted brown crab. Neanderthals had not previously been known to consume shellfish. The archaeological dig at the cave, called “Gruta da Figueira Brava,” unearthed numerous crab shells from a site inhabited by Neanderthals around 90,000 years ago. The crab shell fragments were too numerous to be explained by deposition by other animals, and showed signs of having been broken by tools and exposed to high heat during a cooking process. Early humans and Neanderthals would have had to carefully consider the time, risks, and potential rewards associated with various food sources. Crabs would have provided a solid source of protein, vitamins, and fat while also being easier to catch and kill than terrestrial mammals like deer, bison, or wild cattle.
This map depicts the location of the cave site in Portugal where archaeologists discovered that Neanderthals had eaten considerable numbers of brown crabs around 90,000 years ago. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: In which state can you find 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S.? (Hint: the state is home to more than 3 million lakes and 3,000 rivers!)
A: Alaska
Larger than the size of Texas, California, and Montana combined, the state of Alaska is home to 39 mountain ranges, of which 17 make the top 20 list for highest peaks in the United States. At 20,320 ft (6,193 m) high, Denali (or Mount McKinley) is the tallest mountain in Alaska and all of North America. Denali also ranks third-highest of the Seven Summits – the tallest peaks across all seven continents. On top of its glorious mountains, Alaska is also home to some 100,000 glaciers. In fact, there are more active glaciers and ice fields in the state than anywhere else in the inhabited world.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Where is the only place in the world President George Washington visited outside of the U.S.? (Hint: The country’s “National Hero” is performing at this Sunday’s Super Bowl!)
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by AGS for the geography community. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2023 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo – what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
