2024 SC FAASTeam Designated Mechanic Examiner of the Year
The 2024 SC FAASTeam Designated Mechanic Examiner of the Year is James Crocker. Congratulations and great work!
Spot Henry Hub natural gas prices hit a historic low in 2024
In 2024, the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub natural gas spot price averaged $2.21 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), the lowest average annual price in inflation-adjusted dollars ever reported. The annual average Henry Hub natural gas spot price in 2024 decreased by 16% from its 2023 average and 68% from its 2022 average, the largest two-year decline on record. The monthly average Henry Hub spot natural gas price in 2024 ranged from $3.25/MMBtu in January to an all-time low of $1.51/MMBtu in March, reflecting a narrower $1.74/MMBtu range of monthly prices across the year than the average range of $2.32/MMBtu
USGS-USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program honored with American Geophysical Union 2024 International Award
For its outstanding contribution to furthering Earth science and using science for the benefit of society in developing nations, USGS-USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program has been named recipient of the American Geophysical Union’s 2024 International Award. Volcano Disaster Assistance Program has had a deep and lasting impact on the global community. Since 1986, team members have responded to over 70 major volcanic crises at more than 50 volcanoes and have strengthened response capacity in 22 countries. The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program trains volcano observatory scientists, assists in volcano crisis response, provides equipment to improve monitoring and interpretive capacity, fosters global
In 2024, U.S. retail gasoline prices averaged about 20 cents less than in 2023
The U.S. retail price for regular grade gasoline averaged $3.30 per gallon (gal) in 2024, $0.21/gal less than in 2023. Lower crude oil prices and narrower refinery margins in 2024 than in 2023 both contributed to the decrease in U.S. retail gasoline prices, according to data from our Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. From the first week of 2024 through the last week, national average weekly gasoline prices decreased $0.08/gal.
Brent crude oil prices traded in a narrow range in 2024
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures prices averaged $80 per barrel (b) in 2024, $2/b less than in 2023. Intraday prices stayed within a $24/b range, between $68/b and $93/b (after rounding), which was the narrowest trading range since 2019. Adjusting the trading range for inflation, last year was the narrowest since 2003. Strong global growth in production of oil and slower demand growth put downward pressure on prices, while heightened geopolitical risks and voluntary production restrictions among OPEC+ members supported them. These offsetting factors kept oil prices within a narrow range.
Looking back on geological activity in Yellowstone during 2024
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Aerial view of Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, showing debris deposited by the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion from Black Diamond Pool. Major features are labeled. The main debris field (within dashed yellow line) has a gray appearance. Photo taken by Joe Bueter, Yellowstone National Park, on July 23, 2024. In Yellowstone, 2024 will probably be remembered as the year of the hydrothermal
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report for January 4th, 2024
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report EOC Activation Level: Level 2 Meteorological Summary: Clear skies and near-zero rain chances can be expected across the Sunshine State today, courtesy of a dominant area of high pressure; temperatures will be slightly cooler in the wake of yesterday’s reinforcing cold front. Winds become breezy over Northwest Florida tonight, with coastal wind gusts reaching 15-20 mph ahead of our next approaching weather system. Increasing cloud cover expected over the western Florida Panhandle tonight, with a slight chance for a shower or two possible (5-15% chance of rain) west of the US-231 corridor.
Quarterly Coal Report (QCR)—Third-Quarter 2024
(Fri, 03 Jan 2025) U.S. coal production during the third quarter of 2024 totaled 136.2 million short tons (MMst), which was 15.3% higher than the previous quarter and 6.6% lower than the third quarter of 2023. Third-quarter 2024 U.S. coal exports (27.3 MMst) increased 5.9% from the second quarter of 2024 and increased 10.8% from the third quarter of 2023. U.S. coal imports in the third quarter of 2024 totaled 0.7 MMst. All data for 2023 and previous years are final. All data for 2024 are preliminary.
Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR)—Third-Quarter 2024
(Fri, 03 Jan 2025) The Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR) provides detailed U.S. domestic coal distribution data (excluding waste coal and imports) for third-quarter 2024 by coal-origin state, coal-destination state, mode of transportation, and consuming sector. Quarterly coal distribution data for all quarters are preliminary and will be updated in the corresponding Annual Coal Distribution Report.
Photo and Video Chronology — December 31, 2024 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes. On December 31, fountain heights reached approximately 80 feet (25 meters) and lava flows continued to cover the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Observatory staff wear personal protective equipment such gas masks to protect themselves from volcanic gas emissions that can quickly change with the winds and eruptive activity. USGS photo