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Category Archives: Islands

mare nostrum resort tue 2 april 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 00365 – Video

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mare nostrum resort tue 2 april 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 00365
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mare nostrum resort tue 2 april 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 00365 - Video

Scientists gather in Galapagos Islands to discuss evolution

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Quito, June 4 (IANS/EFE) More than a dozen scientists from the Americas and Europe gathered in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands to discuss evolution in the place that inspired 19th-century British naturalist Charles Darwin to develop his theory of the evolution of species.

The scientists are attending the 3rd World Summit on Evolution on the Pacific archipelago, organizers told EFE.

Spain's Francisco Baquero, of the Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Sanitaria, and Roderic Guigo, who leads a research team at the genomics center of Universidad de Pompeu Fabra, are among the scientists making presentations at the conference.

The summit was organized by Quito's Universidad San Francisco and is being held in Puerto Baquerizo, which is on San Cristobal Island and serves as the provincial capital.

The Galapagos Islands are located about 1,000 km west of the coast of continental Ecuador and were declared a World Natural Heritage Site in 1978.

Some 95 percent of the territory's 8,000 sq km constitutes a protected area that is home to more than 50 species of animals and birds found nowhere else on the planet.

--IANS/EFE

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Scientists gather in Galapagos Islands to discuss evolution

Country Scientist: Exploring heat islands

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On a sunny day, rocks and bare soil store much more heat than does vegetation. These environmental hot spots are known as heat islands.

Many things built by people are also heat islands, especially asphalt roads, parking lots and building roofs.

You can measure the temperature of heat islands with various thermometers. During a recent record cool evening, I ventured out on a quest for heat islands by driving from Castroville to Seguin while monitoring the air temperature just ahead of my pickup's windshield with a sensitive electronic thermometer.

The temperature measurements were recorded by a Vernier LabQuest 2 (www. vernier.com), a miniature computer with a display that graphed the temperature along the way. After the drive, the data saved in the LabQuest 2 were sent to Vernier.

Within seconds, the data were transformed into a color-coded line on a Google map (maps.google.com) that traced the highways I drove. The coolest temperatures were indicated by violet and the warmest by red. Blue, green, yellow and orange indicated the temperatures in between.

Heat islands often are more pronounced after dark when the sky is clear, because vegetation and trees cool much more rapidly than roads and buildings. This was obvious on the color-coded temperature map.

On leaving Castroville on U.S. 90, the temperature fell around 4 degrees. Later, a brief 2-degree increase occurred adjacent to exposed soil or rock in a large pit.

As I neared San Antonio, the temperature began to rise, and there was a sharp increase of 4 degrees where U.S. 90 crossed Loop 410. The temperature fell 2.5 degrees at Leon Creek.

It then rose to 64 degrees, around 8 degrees warmer than west of Loop 1604, and stayed there while the San Antonio skyline was visible out my left (north) window. The temperature then dropped a surprising 11 degrees when the Salado Creek greenway was crossed before returning to 64 degrees.

The temperature fell back to the 50s after Interstate 10 crossed Loop 1604 on the way to Seguin. The one exception was a 7-degree increase downwind from a major industrial facility just before a brief dip to 48 degrees at the Guadalupe River. Downtown Seguin was 5 degrees warmer than the countryside.

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Country Scientist: Exploring heat islands

Highway 93 islands to be paved over from Lolo to Hamilton

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STEVENSVILLE They were designed to be islands of green to break up the four lanes of black that would cut through the Bitterroot Valley from Lolo to Hamilton.

The idea of adding trees and shrubs to beautify roadway islands came directly from members of the communities along U.S. Highway 93 who stepped forward 20 years ago to help plan the travel route.

We wanted to add safety and enjoyment and some beauty to that big black roadway that looked like an airport landing zone, remembered Jean Atthowe of Stevensville. The islands were designed to help mitigate the four-lane highway that was ramming its way through this beautiful valley.

Now county and state officials say that experiment has failed on all of the highways islands, save those in Victor.

They say that its too dangerous to have volunteers cross the busy highway for maintenance and theres no funding in government coffers to cover the cost. On top of that, many of the original plantings have succumbed to the deicer used on the highway each winter.

The islands have become a bit unsightly, said Ed Toavs, the Montana Department of Transportations Missoula district administrator. They are not in the best shape at this time. There are weeds as high as two or three feet on some of the islands.

So this month, a contractor will begin capping all the highway islands at Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, Woodside and Hamilton with colored concrete.

Before that happens, county workers are removing the remaining live trees and shrubs and replanting along the roadway.

MDT will pay about $430,000 out of its maintenance budget to complete the work.

***

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Highway 93 islands to be paved over from Lolo to Hamilton

Manatee business owners: Pedestrian islands won't work along U.S. 41

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Hotel owner Alan Patel, far right, and engineer Ryan Baderschneider, middle, look at FDOT plans for "pedestrian islands" along U.S. 41 Monday.SARA KENNEDY/skennedy@bradenton.com

MANATEE -- Alan Patel looked at plans for "pedestrian islands" along U.S. 41, concluding: "This definitely would not work."

The owner of the Quality Inn at 6727 14th St. W. was concerned truckers trying to turn into his hotel would be flummoxed by the Florida Department of Transportation's installation of a concrete "island" directly in front of his business in the median of the busy thoroughfare.

"Truckers need to turn in from both sides," he said.

Patel, who attended a public hearing Monday sponsored by the FDOT, was also concerned about hotel guests arriving in U-Haul vehicles.

Fortunately, as he reviewed a map of where FDOT planned 11 pedestrian islands, there was an engineer listening.

"We'll definitely look at moving it," said Ryan Baderschneider, with CES Engineering, one of the officials affiliated with the state transportation agency at the meeting.

More than 25 people viewed displays and listened to a presentation about the plan at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The state transportation agency's $390,000 project calls for adding "pedestrian islands" along a center turn lane from Cortez Road to 69th Avenue West in order to provide a safe place for pedestrians crossing the street.

The 2.5-mile project began after studies showed crashes numbered 1,116 from 2007-2011 with 924 injuries and 13 fatalities along Cortez Road to 63rd Avenue West, according to an FDOT spokesman.

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Manatee business owners: Pedestrian islands won't work along U.S. 41

Google maps remote Galapagos Islands

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Few have explored the remote volcanic islands of the Galapagos archipelago, an otherworldly landscape inhabited by the worlds largest tortoises and other fantastic creatures.

Soon it will take only the click of a mouse or finger swipe on a tablet to check out some of the Galapagos Islands most remote areas, surrounding waters and unique creatures.

(Associated Press) - Christophe Bailhache shoots an underwater scene for Google with a spotted eagle ray during a survey dive in the Galapagos Islands.

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Google to add remote islands and their unique wildlife to online mapping tool.

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Google maps remote Galapagos Islands

Alaska Airlines Introduces Student-Designed 'Spirit of the Islands' Aircraft

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HONOLULU, June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --A specially painted Alaska Airlines jet adorned with a Honolulu high school student's winning design honoring the culture of the Aloha State touched down today in Honolulu before a crowd of students, educators and travelers. The unique paint theme, dubbed the "Spirit of the Islands," was created by 17-year-old Aaron Nee.

Nee's design was selected from among more than 2,700 submissions by students across the Hawaiian Islands in a statewide "Paint-the-Plane" contest sponsored by Alaska Airlines, in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. A 10-member judging panel, comprised of Hawaii artists, educators and other local community members, carefully scored and selected the three top designs, which were then voted on by Hawaii residents in an online public vote.

As the grand prize winner, Nee received a trip for four to any of the carrier's destinations and a $5,000 scholarship.

"This has been an incredible opportunity to share Hawaii's beauty with people throughout the country," said Nee. "This contest helped me to sharpen my graphic design skills and demonstrated that with hard work, attention to detail and determination, great things are possible."

Nee's winning design displays a voyaging canoe depicting the cultural diversity of the Islands, a bright yellow hibiscus (the state flower), the Hawaiian Island chain and the phrase "Spirit of the Islands."

The soon-to-be Kaiser High School senior is a nearly straight-A student and a decorated member of the school's Air Force ROTC program. Known for his artistic ability and interest in graphic design and athletics, Nee said he plans to invest his $5,000 for college and take his family to visit relatives in New York, where he hopes to see snow for the first time.

The "Spirit of the Islands" Boeing 737-800 was revealed to Nee at Honolulu International Airport, where he was joined by his parents, Robin and Mitch Connell, and father Aaron Garrett Nee, as well as Hawaii Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO Mike McCartney, Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa and several of Nee's teachers. Also joining the welcoming ceremony were the 12 finalists and honorable mention winners, who received prizes and scholarships for their entries, as well.

"What better way to celebrate the beautiful Hawaiian Islands than to promote its lush tropical landscape, cultural diversity and pristine waters on a flying mural that will tour most of our route network from Hawaii to San Diego, and to Boston and beyond," said Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden. "On behalf of all of Alaska Airlines employees, I'd like to congratulate Aaron and the other 12 finalists and honorable mention winners whose stunning artwork stood out as the best among their peers."

Izabela Hamilton, a 12th grader at Seabury Hall on the island of Maui, placed second for her design featuring a male and female hula dancer against a backdrop of ocean waves and windswept mountain cliffs. Sophia Cleek, a sixth grader at Kapolei Middle School on Oahu, placed third for her design depicting a voyaging canoe sailing around the Islands. Hamilton and Cleek will each receive a trip for four to any Alaska Airlines destination and a $1,000 scholarship. The 10 other honorable mention winners were awarded a $1,000 scholarship each. A dedicated website, http://www.alaskaair.com/hawaii, highlights the top 13 student designs submitted for the contest.

"Congratulations to Aaron and the other students who are sharing the true spirit of the Islands through their designs," said Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Hawaii State Department of Education. "We are grateful to Alaska Airlines for providing this opportunity for our students to shine."

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Alaska Airlines Introduces Student-Designed 'Spirit of the Islands' Aircraft

Islands Souvenirs expands in Dipolog City

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ISLANDS Souvenirs recently opened its newest franchise branch in Dipolog.

Raymond Migabon, Franchise Head of The Islands Group said the opening proves that Islands Souvenirs remains an important force in various aspects of tourism.

Islands Souvenirs brought Cebu closer to Cebuanos and we want to the same in Dipolog.

The brand has become a tool for the locals to express their pride of place. It gave them variations specifying what exactly it is about Cebu that they love. Now, they can do the same in Dipolog, said Migabon.

Dipolog is not only known for its orchids and sardines industry but also for its historical and heritage sites, including its numerous tourist destinations.

Dipolog is undeniably a beautiful city not only because of its rich history, historical landmarks, and exciting tourist destinations, but most importantly, because of its famously friendly people. This is exactly why Islands Souvenirs expanded through franchising here, said Jay Aldeguer, founder and chairman of The Islands Group.

Islands SouvenirsDipolog is located at Mennens Gift Mart on Rizal Ave., Dipolog City.

Islands Souvenirs, a subsidiary of The Islands Group, was founded by Aldeguer.

Islands Souvenirs gave a fresher take to the cottage-industry products available by providing the market with distinct, vibrant, stylish, and relevant souvenir items, the company said in a press statement.

The success of Islands Souvenirs has paved the way for the other subsidiaries of the Islands Group, giving birth to Islands Stay Hotels, Islands Banca Cruises, Islands Pasalubong, Inc., Islands Pasalubong Mall, Islands & More, Islands Design and Merchandising, and Islands Franchise Corp. (PR)

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Islands Souvenirs expands in Dipolog City

Islands And The CounterIntuitive Effect They Have on Tsunamis

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Computer simulations show that, far from protecting coastal communities, islands can dramatically amplify the damaging impact of tsunamis

Islands close to a coast can provide significant protection from waves. For that reason, coastal communities often thrive in areas that are protected by nearby islands.

But what happens in the event of a tsunami? There is a long-standing belief that tsunamis are most destructive when they hit long, straight coastal stretches. So its natural to assume that nearby islands may offer significant protection by acting as natural barriers.

But there is some anecdotal evidence that, far from protecting coastal areas, islands may actually amplify the devastating effect of a tsunami. And oceanologists have long known that tsunamis behave very differently from wind-generated waves. Nevertheless, convincing scientific evidence about the way tsunamis interact with islands is thin on the ground.

Today that changes thanks to the work of Themistoklis Stefanakis at University College Dublin and a few friends who have simulated the effect that islands have on tsunamis and how this changes the impact of the tsunami on a straight beach behind.

This kind of computer simulation is by no means simple. Stefanakis and co simplified the problem by considering the presence of a small conical island some hundred metres high in front of a straight stretch of beach several kilometres behind it.

One of the big challenges for computer scientists doing this kind of work is to perform the simulation accurately but with minimal computational cost.

One problem is that the cost of a simulation increases dramatically with the complexity of the model. Stefanakis and co cope with this by taking data from a specially selected set of points in the model rather than from all over it.

Whats more, they use a learning algorithm to examine the experimental results from one simulation and then use this to fine tune the selection of data points in the next simulation, an approach known as active experimental design.

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Islands And The CounterIntuitive Effect They Have on Tsunamis

Welcome to: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada and Upstate New York, United States (Part II) – Video

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Welcome to: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada and Upstate New York, United States (Part II)
The view of the spectacular 1000 islands, located at the border between Canada and United States, can be truly appreciated on a boat. Many tour options are a...

By: World #39;s Best Places

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Welcome to: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada and Upstate New York, United States (Part II) - Video


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