Erratics are pieces of rock that, geologically speaking, differ from the rocks in the surrounding area. They are carried by glaciers, often over thousands of miles, and deposited randomly when the glacier melts. They are important to geographers because they can indicate the direction of glacier movement. Quite aside from this, they can look very strange in the landscape as there is not an immediately obvious explanation for their presence! In fact, in many places myths and fairy stories have been created to explain the erratics.

Arctic sea ice is thawing at a historic rate, scientists say. In fact, a recent analysis of satellite data "utterly obliterates" the previous record, set in 2007.

The chief culprit? Global warming. The potential upshot? Longer and more intense extreme-weather events such as heat waves, cold spells, and droughts.

On Monday, researchers at the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center said the rate of Arctic sea ice decline is now the highest that has ever been observed for the month of August. In August of this year, the sea ice disappeared at an average rate of about 39 square miles (a hundred square kilometers) per day—or about twice as fast as normal, NSIDC scientists say.

From www.nationalgeographic.com.
Read more here.

The longest geographical name that is accepted in the world is Taumatawhakatangihangak oauauotamateaturipukaka pikimaungahoronukupokaiwhe nua kitanatahu. This 85-letter place name refers to a hill in New Zealand – it is a Maori phrase which translates to “place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as land-eater, played his flute to his loved one”.

Welcome to the Geography Rocks blog! Here I hope to post fun facts, photos, geographical news, interesting articles and anything else geographical!

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