Beer or Biofuels Headlines all over the world proclaim that food — and beer — prices are climbing as supplies are short because of biofuels production. No doubt beer and food are costing more, but are biofuels really to blame? Megan Sever
Salt of the Earth For nearly a century, iodine has been added to table salt to combat iodine deficiency. Now health officials in Guyana are using salt to deliver a parasite-killing drug in the hopes of eradicating a debilitating disease. But will it work? Cassandra Willyard
Summer Road Trip:
Driving Across the Northern United States The summer road trip — taking the long, scenic route — is certainly a throwback to times before high gas prices and frequent flyer miles. But if you take the time, the northern United States offers myriad geological wonders. Callan Bentley
Available exclusively in print... Earth hums a new tune
Fossilized feces tell an old tale
Thorium fuels nuclear comeback
A slip-sliding Earth?
Mineral resource of the month: natural and synthetic zeolites
BENCHMARKS June 7, 1692: Earthquake Levels Port Royal, Jamaica Print Exclusive
TRENDS & INNOVATIONS Resuscitating Ocean Thermal Energy Print Exclusive Imagine a power plant that generates a never-ending supply of electricity without emitting carbon dioxide. It’s a real possibility, and researchers are working to make it happen in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. Erin Wayman
viewsA COMMENT ON ... Oil and War Oil is not as important to U.S. national security as politicians might think. The United States needs to understand that trying to influence oil supply with military force is counterproductive. Clifford Singer
GEOLOGIC COLUMN The Agony of Victory China has been working hard to clear the air in Beijing before the Olympics begin in two months. But whether they’ve done enough remains a subject for debate. Fred Schwab
coverON THE COVER Piles of salt harvested from the world’s largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, dry in the sun. Photo is by Cassandra Willyard.
NEXT MONTH Meteorite Strikes Peru;
Traveling to Guilin, China;
Tracking Hurricanes