One of the more endearing tools of a geologist is the rock hammer. I really don't know why it's so endearing. Just is. I haven't used mine in years, but I'll never give it up. I've come a cross a few videos of interesting activities -- sometimes clever and sometimes stupid -- involving rock hammers. Most of what I've found have something akin to car racing about them, i.e, that tense sense that disaster could strike at any moment. Here's a perfect example.
They truly tried, but despite shutting down factories and traffic, the latest satellite observations of China's air quality show plenty of noxious carbon monoxide as well as other pollutants. In fact, according 
to an EarthLive audio interview with a NASA scientist, the air pollution is pretty much unchanged. Bummer. One
possible explanation of the failure is that the atmospheric gunk from surrounding areas poured in to replace the urban air (see a satellite-based movie of the China monoxide). Which just goes to show you how widespread the problem of air pollution is in China, as well as many other parts of the world. For example, where I grew up, in California, there were pretty vast amounts of pollution created by agriculture. In fact some of the worst air quality in the Golden State was in Bakersfield, the state's agricultural hub. So the lesson here is that air quality is a national and international issue (since air respects no political boundaries), not just a municipal issue. It's a lesson everyone can stand to learn from.
The air on Mount Olympus is supposed to be divine -- fit for the immortal lungs of gods to breathe. But wait! That doesn't make a lick of sense. Wouldn't it be better for mortal humans to breathe the Olympian air while the impervious 
gods sucked in the atmospheric sewage of Beijing? These pictures from Argonne National Lab taken before and after a
cleansing rainstorm in Beijing (October, 2005) give an idea how much
gunk there is wafting about there.
An unusually blunt press release that just hit my Inbox makes it clear that on the eve of the Olympics the air in Beijing is as disgusting as ever, despite the much publicized efforts to control the air pollution (and the media). Here's an excerpt of the press release dispatch by air scientist Kenneth A. Rahn of the University of Rhode Island:
"I was surprised to learn that people like Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, and Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of its medical commission, said that the smog is only natural fog or mist caused by 'evaporation.' This is demonstrably false....
"The larger question here may be the most troublesome. Although I don't know the intention of the IOC, the result sounds like an attempt to cover up for China, whether deliberately or not. The Chinese people can speak for themselves on this matter. From my experience with the Chinese, they understand the reality of the pollution. I think although they will not be pleased with all the pollution, they would not deny that it is actual air pollution. The IOC is doing them a disservice by pretending otherwise. The IOC should stick with what they know—athletics—and leave air quality to scientists."
The moment I saw this satellite image I thought "particle accelerator." But I was wrong. Can you guess what this man made ring is? The answer is on the comments section.
(Hint: It's in Italy and does, indeed, involve acceleration.)
In case you didn't tune in Friday for all the surfing awards (top honors shown at left), here's the news on the largest wave now ridden by man, straight from folks at BillabongXXL.com:
San Clemente big wave legend Mike Parsons, 43, has officially surfed
into the record books for riding a wave judged to be 70ft+ (24m+) to
win the Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award. The feat was performed at
Cortes Bank off the Californian coast on January 5th 2008. Judges
measured the wave at 70ft but due to the photo cutting off the bottom
of the wave they were unable to accurately pin point
the exact base of the ride, meaning it is actually somewhat larger. It
is the second time Parsons has secured the prestigious Biggest Wave
Award after taking out the inaugural title in 2001 for a 66ft wave
ridden at the same location.
“I didn't think a session like that could ever happen twice, I mean
that day in 2001 where I rode the first winner at Cortes was
incredible,” said Parsons. “It feels surreal to say that I rode a 70ft
wave, I can't believe it.”
“There have been so many big waves ridden throughout time and when I
sit at home I can't believe that I may have ridden the biggest one
ever,” he said. “The amazing thing about big wave surfing now is how
global it is going.”
Think about it for a moment: This was a wave more than seven stories high (see picture in the previous posting, below). Next time you are next to a multi-story building count the floors and give yourself an idea how high that is. A mighty frightening wall of water. Then consider the fact that Parsons is not only flesh and blood, but 43-years-old. That's adds up to a pretty darned heroic figure, in my book.
We'll find out tomorrow if humans have set a new record for giant waves ridden. You don't have to be a surfer to appreciate this, of course. 
You just be willing to be awed by the images of humongous waves and the tiny human forms tearing down the faces. Or maybe I should rewrite that: Humongous waves with tiny humans with terror on their faces.
Anyway, these are some true athletes doing some amazing feats on Earth's largest surf. You can see the story of one contender and his photographer Robert Brown (his photo below) here. Tune in and be prepared to be impressed. The live webcast of the Billabong XXL giant wave contest begins at 7 pm PDT and can be seen here.
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