|
|
|
United States
University Reopening Plans
Across the United States, schools and colleges were some of the first of many institutions to shut their doors as the country grappled the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities across the education sector have been preparing over the summer for how they will operate for the fall 2020 semester. This interactive map from The Daily Pennsylvanian is tracking the policy decisions of over 320 colleges across each of the fifty states. Each school is following a different protocol with some institutions committing to some form of in-person instruction, others are completely online, and some are preparing for a hybrid approach to learning. Yesterday, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced they were closing and moving all classes online after more than 177 students tested positive for COVID-19 when the campus re-opened after the summer break.
This map depicts the reopening plans of colleges across the United States. All COVID-19 updates will be displayed in a red box.
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
United States
Drilling In Arctic Refuge
Yesterday, the United States Department of the Interior approved a leasing program that would allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Over 1.57 million acres are available for development within the region’s coastal plain, which is home to caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds. The plan has faced backlash from environmentalists and Alaskan indigenous groups; conflict over the areas oil reserves have been ongoing for decades. The Alaskan governor estimates between 4.3 and 11.8 billion barrels of oil could be recovered. While no sale data has been set, officials are pushing for leases to be signed before the end of the year.
This map depicts the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the coastal plain that will be leased. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Seattle Times
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
Virtual National Conventions
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicked off last night, the first of its kind to be held almost entirely on a on a virtual platform. Cities across the United States often bid for large conventions to be held within their limits, not only because of the political attention to local leaders, but also for the opportunity to boost the city’s economy. The DNC had chosen the city of Milwaukee to host the 2020 convention, which was projected to bring siginifcant investment and tourism spending to the local economy. Because the convention is almost entirely virtual, the mayor estimates the city will lose out on $200 million of potential revenue. The Republican National Convention is scheduled to start in a week in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the transition to a mostly virtual event is expected to cause the city to lose out on about $290 million.
This map depicts the the locations of DNCs and RNCs over the last 100 years. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: At almost 0.6 miles (1km) long and more than 282 feet (86m) deep, which permafrost crater holds the title of being the world’s largest?
A: Batagaika Crater
The Batagaika Crater known by the local Yakutian people as the ‘doorway to the underworld’, is located near the Yana river basin in Siberia. The tadpole-shaped crater which continues to be getting bigger is also known as a “megaslump”. It was formed as rising temperatures thawed the permafrost causing the frozen layers of ice and soil to collapse (or “slump”) and erode. Researchers believe the exposed ice and soil along the crater’s edges could hold up to 200,000 years of geological and biological history.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Projected by the United Nations to lose 23% of its population by the year 2050, which country is home to the world’s fastest shrinking population?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’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 © 2020 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.
|
|
|
|
|
