5 COMMENT
A Bridge Not Too Far
The U.S. Geological Survey is trying to bridge the gap between science and society.
Charles G. "Chip" Groat

6 NEWS NOTES
New U.S. support for the Law of the Sea * Peeking below Mount Vesuvius * The dredging dilemma * Oceans beyond Earth * Field Notes

12 POLITICAL SCENE
A Decade in the Game
The American Geological Institute's Government Affairs Program has been informing earth scientists on science policy for 10 years.
David Applegate

24 GEOPHENOMENA
Flood and mudslides in Algeria * Leonid magic * Survey predicts somewhat safer skies

34 TECHNOLOGY
Sniffing out water contamination
A real-time system for monitoring water quality could mean an early warning of water contamination.
Lisa M. Pinsker

48 GEOLOGIC COLUMN
First or Last?
A debate on the main point.
Hugh Hay-Roe

DEPARTMENTS

  2 From the Editor
  4 Letters: Perspectives from readers
22 Where on Earth?
26 Benchmarks: Looking back in Geotimes
27 Energy & Resources
28 Society Page: News from geoscience societies
30 In Memoriam
31 Geomedia: Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage
35 Calendar
36 GeoMarketplace
38 Classified Ads: Career Opportunities
47 AGI Announces