#fossil with certificate

[uk-fossils]

RARE 4.5" Hildoceras bifrons Ammonite Fossil – Beacon Limestone Jurassic UK – Certified Genuine

An impressive and scientifically significant Hildoceras bifrons ammonite fossil from the Beacon Limestone Formation (Jurassic), uncovered at Ilminster, Somerset, UK — a classic locality renowned for richly fossiliferous Lower Jurassic strata.

This 4.5" A-grade ammonite specimen was discovered on 06 October 2024 by our expert field team, Alister and Alison, and was carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to showcase its detailed ribbing and coiling.

Hildoceras bifrons is known for its evolute, compressed shell and strong, bifurcating ribs, making it a striking representative of the family Hildoceratidae, within the superfamily Hildoceratoidea. It is an index fossil of the Bifrons Biozone in the Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic.

The fossil originates from the Beacon Limestone Formation, deposited in an open marine environment, where ammonites like Hildoceras flourished in dynamic, nutrient-rich waters.

Geological & Taxonomic Information:

Fossil Type: Ammonite

Species: Hildoceras bifrons

Geological Period: Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (Lower Jurassic)

Biozone: Bifrons Biozone

Formation: Beacon Limestone Formation

Location: Ilminster, Somerset, UK

Depositional Environment: Open marine

Family: Hildoceratidae

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Order: Ammonitida

Identified By: Morphological features widely documented in British ammonite literature

What You Receive:

The exact fossil specimen photographed

A Certificate of Authenticity

Secure, professional packaging

This fossil makes a prized addition for collectors, educational settings, or as a stunning historical display from the ancient Jurassic seas.

Note:

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Scale cube = 1cm. Please refer to the photo for full sizing.

[fossilageminerals]

Certificate of Authenticity - Fossil Age Minerals

This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees that the enclosed Fossil Age Mineral is a genuine and certified. At Fossil Age Minerals, We have a great collection of Fossils such as Dinosaur Fossils, Fish Fossils, Ammonite Fossils, Reptile Fossils, Mammal Fossils, etc. Website: https://www.fossilageminerals.com/

[riseuptimes]

Minnesota regulators OK rare fund to decommission new Enbridge pipeline

[dotsandfoxes]

Just out of curiosity, is everyone else getting these “Come emigrate, scientist!” advertisements on the ‘gram, or are they targeting these at sad left-of-center scientists who live in college towns?

Oooof.

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Actinopterygii - Osteoglossiformes

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Order: Osteoglossiformes

Common Name: no common name for the whole order

Families: 6 - Pantodontidae (“Freshwater Butterflyfish”), Osteoglossidae (“bonytongues” and “arowanas”), Arapaimidae (“arapaimas”), Notopteridae (“featherback knifefishes”), Gymnarchidae (“African Knifefish”), and Mormyridae (freshwater elephantfish”)

Anatomy: elongated body; toothed or bony tongues; long or absent dorsal and anal fins positioned near the caudal fin; large swim bladder enables them to breathe at the surface of the water; most are adapted for surface feeding

Diet: arthropods, fish, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, bats, and small birds

Habitat/Range: slightly acidic freshwater in South America, Africa, Australia, and Southern Asia

Evolved in: Late Jurassic

(source)

Propaganda under the cut:

Freshwater Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) (image 4) have very large pectoral fins. If enough speed is built up underwater, a butterflyfish can jump and glide a small distance above the surface to escape predators. It wiggles its pectoral fins as it glides, with the help of specialized, enlarged pectoral muscles.

Arowanas (genus Osteoglossum) can jump up to 2 m (6.6 ft) out of the water to pick their prey off of branches, tree trunks or foliage, which has earned them the local name "water monkeys". They are the largest fish in the world to catch most of their food out of water.

Male arowanas brood their young within their mouth, only fully releasing them when they are about 7 cm (2.8 in) long.

The endangered Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) (image 1) is also known as the “dragonfish”, due to its large metallic scales and long barbels giving it a resemblance to the Chinese dragon. The popularity of this beautiful, auspicious fish has had both positive and negative effects on their status as endangered species, as they are in high demand in the home aquarium trade. Legal pet Asian Arowanas must be bred in captivity on a fish farm for at least two generations, have a certificate of authenticity and a birth certificate, and an implanted microchip to identify the individual. There are over 150 CITES-registered Asian Arowana farms in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asia countries, producing Asian Arowana for commercial purposes. But the actual number of Asian Arowana farms in the world could be much higher than that, probably over 350, the majority of them unregistered.

The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) (see gif above) is the largest truly freshwater fish, commonly measuring 200 cm (6.6 ft) with records of up to 450 cm (15 ft). Adults may weigh up to 200 kg (440 lb).

Arapaima parents have been observed using their mouths to dig holes in the substrate to create a nest for their eggs. The males will remain by the nest to protect their offspring for three to six months.

Arapaima are becoming increasingly rare in their native habitat of the Amazon and Tocantins-Araguaia river basins, but are invasive in Bolivia and Indonesia after purposeful and accidental releases.

A 13-million-year-old fossil of an Arapaima (or very similar species) has been found in Colombia, in the Villavieja Formation, which dates from the Miocene epoch.

The African Arowana (Heterotis niloticus) (actually a relative of arapaimas rather than arowanas) is the only Osteoglossiform to feed extensively on plankton.

Native to freshwater habitats in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Thailand, and Vietnam, the Clown Featherback (Chitala ornata) (image 2) is considered one of the world’s most invasive species, as it often outgrows home aquariums and is then released into the “wild” outside its native range.

The Giant Featherback (Chitala lopis) was declared to be extinct in 2020, but a small surviving population was rediscovered on Java, Indonesia in 2023.

The African Knifefish (Gymnarchus niloticus) and freshwater elephantfishes (family Mormyridae) (image 3) are able to produce a steady but weak electric field, used for finding their prey, usually small invertebrates buried in muddy substrates.

The African Knifefish can swim equally well forwards or backwards, relying on its electric senses to “see” behind it.

Freshwater elephantfish are known to have a large brain size and unusually high intelligence.

The Medjed (likely a fish in the genus Mormyrus) was a kind of elephantfish sacred in the city Oxyrhynchus, in ancient Egyptian religion, as the fish that ate the penis of Osiris. Archaeologists have found fishes depicted as bronze figurines, mural paintings, or wooden coffins in the shape of fishes with downturned snouts, with horned sun-disc crowns like those of the goddess Hathor.

[darkmaga-returns]

President-elect Donald Trump gave his first remarks since his November election victory was certified, unveiling a massive investment plan for data centers across the United States.

Key Facts:

• Trump spoke at Mar-a-Lago one day after Congress and Vice President Kamala Harris certified his victory. • He announced a $20 billion investment from DAMAC Properties to build data centers in several states. • The targeted states include Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. • Trump also pledged to speed up regulatory approvals for any company investing $1 billion or more. • He confirmed plans to reverse Biden-era bans on oil drilling, especially off U.S. coastlines.

The Rest of The Story:

Trump praised the upcoming data center initiative and said the $20 billion injection from DAMAC Properties would arrive over a “short period of time.”

According to Trump, the plan will help the country stay at the forefront of AI and cloud-based innovations.

DAMAC’s owner, Hussain Sajwani, specified that the goal is to support cutting-edge technology development nationwide.

At the press conference, Trump also introduced a streamlined approval process for large-scale investors.

He insisted that international corporations often see U.S. regulations as too complicated, which can discourage major projects.

He promised to cut through slow permitting procedures so that companies can start creating jobs and boosting local economies.

Trump further declared that on day one of his administration, he will lift restrictions on new oil drilling, particularly in offshore areas.

He expressed strong support for expanding domestic energy production and vowed, in his words, to “drill baby, drill.”

By rolling back these bans, he argues, the nation’s energy independence will be strengthened, and employment in the fossil fuel sector will rebound.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from CNN:

William Fulford moved from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to a new waterfront development in Florida in 2023. Nestled between Sarasota Bay and the southwestern part of Tampa Bay, the new home by Bradenton Beach was everything Fulford, a retired custom homebuilder, ever wished for.

The developers of the new Hunters Point community, Pearl Homes, billed the property as the first “net-zero” single-family home development in the US, meaning residents produce more energy from solar panels than they need, with the excess energy either being stored or sold back to the grid – in a state where most electricity is generated by burning natural gas, a planet-warming fossil fuel.

They also boast some of the most sustainable, energy-efficient and hurricane-proof homes in the country: The streets surrounding the homes are intentionally designed to flood so houses don’t. Power and internet lines are buried to avoid wind damage. The sturdy concrete walls, hurricane-proof windows and doors are fortified with a layer of foam insulation, providing extra safety against the most violent storms.

Climate resiliency and storm protection were built into the fabric of the homes. And while the newly developed homes have endured a few storms since people moved in around February 2023, Hurricanes Helene and Milton put those features to the true test over the last two weeks.

Most of the residents living in Hunters Point heeded the mandatory evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall but Fulford, 76, stayed behind with wife, Sueann, just as they did during Hurricane Helene last month.

They stocked up on water and groceries. Fulford moved the car to higher ground. He tied up all patio and back deck furniture together. They brought everything from the garage, which made up the entire ground floor, up to the living spaces on the second floor. And, in the event of a worst-case scenario, Sueann insisted on getting life preservers.

“I’m just quite convinced that the strength and everything in this house. They built a great house, a strong house,” Fulford said. “And I just feel comfortable. I feel like we’re high enough up, even if we get a storm surge.”

When Gobuty started the design process for Hunters Point, it was imperative the homes be able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. It’s the first residential development to get a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) net-zero certification in the world, according to the US Green Building Council.

Each of the three-story homes are designed like this: The ground floor is a garage designed with flood vents to drain rising water. The living spaces start on the second floor, which is intentionally built 16 feet above sea level. From the roof to its foundation, steel straps secure the entire structure. Solar panels are attached to the roofs’ raised vertical seams to prevent them from flying off.

The property also sits in a major flood zone, which meant the homes needed to be elevated to meet Florida’s building codes. Still, the developers went beyond the required 3 feet of fill dirt and used 7 feet instead to be safe.

[oldhalloweentape]

🪨Venture (OW II) x (gn) reader ⛏️

(Marine Biologist Reader Edition!)

(Request here! Another unique one! You guys are so creative istg!)

- Very supportive and enthusiastic when it comes to your job, helping you whenever they can.

- They may not know as much as you but they do what they can for you, though their specialty is archeology they definitely dabble in paleontology and will talk extensively about the various ties to marine life to differing fossils.

- They gladly listen to you in the same way, may not remember every little thing but they record whatever they can alongside various notes about how cute you were as you got excited as you spoke.

- Happy to be your test audience when it comes to ways you can educate anglers and fisheries on better fishing strategies or putting emphasis on Marine conservation.

- If you become a part of Overwatch, they're over the moon about it, immediately introducing you to them, especially Mei due to your shared concerns over conservation.

- Makes so many puns about your occupation, the more they learn the more inventive the puns are.

- Thinks what you are doing is very noble, and tells you how proud they are of you for making the effort to make the life of our underwater friends more habitable.

- Helps you with research to do a degree, probably acting as a kind of editor, looking over various papers.

- The amount of Marine life-based items you get from them is insane, you have your side of various things and they have their own in your shared home— Which kind of melds in the middle for one reason or another.

- Your sense of leadership and management for projects and regulations is so fascinating to them, your proposals to get funding are always backed up by them via emotional support.

- They know fully well how demanding your job is, knowing the importance of making people aware of what humanity is doing to marine animals and their environment so when you’re too busy to do something with them they don’t mind postponing things.

- They know if the tables were turned (which they really can be when it comes to their occupation), you’d do the same for them.

- If you guys met before you got your degree, they eagerly encourage you to pursue the excessive amount of education when it comes to that line of work— Dependable whenever they can be.

- Much like archeology, both have a level of risk, marine biology even more so due to it requiring lots of physical exertion and the handling of heavy machinery, so they obviously always try to be as careful as they can for your sake and they hope you can be as well.

- They love knowing that you guys are side by side making an impact on the world with your shared interests and intelligence accumulated.

- Thinks you guys are a formidable duo, a team that helps one another to be as best you possibly can be.

- You both have very demanding jobs so hanging out with one another may be few and far between but whenever you two do it’s always something special.

- Makes a point to tell you to take care of yourself when things become too much, providing comfort when it is needed— Whether it be physical or verbal.

- Almost always asks for photos and videos of you venturing (ba dum tiss) under water, especially silly photos of your adventures being framed and put in the wall alongside your shared degrees and certificates.

- Despite how both of your jobs keep you both busy and apart, it bring you both together emotionally more than anything, the shared passion for both careers providing a sense of understanding.

(Here!! So so sorry making you guys wait this damn long! :(( Happy Friday the 13th!!!)

[foundationsofdecay]

st-related box set and general merch ramblings that got way out of hand length-wise

i don't know the full complexities of pulling together a box set of albums that were created through multiple labels, but if the dear hunter can wrangle together a box set of all 5 acts (and an empty sleeve for the ghost of the idea of act 6 lol) then Sleep Token should absolutely be able to leverage their brand's current market value to get a box set of at least sundowning->tmbte created. Of course I want to see the one and two eps in there, but I can understand them being left out (personally I think separate releases would be best for getting them out to people; maybe a simple nostalgia-themed bundle w/ old merch or photo inserts? idk. even better would be just regular represses with no frills but atp i don't know how realistic that is)

I can understand especially right now that RCA from a management perspective would rather keep the focus on EiA and the band's current era instead of farming for nostalgia, but it didn't stop them from putting a ton of old merch designs (including the jaws-themed stuff, smh) prior to the EiA rollout. Obviously they're not so dead-set on making a clear delineation between the old era and this current one that they wouldn't milk the fandom for cash via old merch designs, so what's with the decision on their part to not have some type of box set celebrating their old music as a sort of symbolic cap on the previous stuff to send it off and create space for al of the new things coming in with EiA? I suppose that EiA's references to their previous work does imply that there isn't quite as much of a departure from the trilogy as what one might think, but idk if I would call this one a closer either. The more albums you get in the same 'series' the harder it is to really create these box sets and the more expensive they become both to produce and certainly for the consumer to purchase, generally being sold in smaller pressing counts as well which makes it even worse.

One thing about a potential box set, though, is that RCA's philosophy so far on merch design for fans has been absolutely abysmal so far, including for the EiA bundles and merch. I don't know if I would trust them to even include as much stuff as the Sundowning box set did, frankly, even if it was just a box set housing EiA and the Emergence single instead of something with several albums spanning several years and costumes and themes.

The Ocean always delivers on having some of the best box sets, including for cds, and ST's albums have heavy enough thematic imagery that they could take a similar route. Like, for example, look at everything that Pelagic Records included in the vinyl box set for Phanerozoic pt 1, which is only one album!

There's a wooden box to house all of this (plus the sequel album that came after, which also has its own goodies including a 130-page art book) , a piece of slate with the album logo engraved on it, a cute patch that's w/e in this convo, a slipmat, three prints, the album itself, the instrumental version of the album, and three actual factual fossils from across the phanerozoic eon, display stands and certificates of authenticity included!

Even their cd box set has a comparable amount of care put into it, which you very rarely see these days.

Still has its own fossils, still has its own slate, has its own poster and a card noting which number it is, and in addition to the regular+instrumental cds there's a dvd with recordings of some precambrian (much older album) live shows in 2018 + really insightful studio session vlogs!

Like, Pelagic Records is a boutique record label. If they have the budget for this scale of product, RCA should absolutely be able to do something comparably large-scale for at least EiA, and imo a trilogy boxset as well. It really feels like their merch budget is like 5 bucks in total and there's just a single unpaid intern running the thing. It's pathetic. Exclusive vinyl variants and maybe included posters are cute and all, but where's the really great inclusions and products that attract the crowds that are spending these comically astronomical prices for what amount to exclusives? People fucking love exclusives, all you've gotta do is make a cool-looking box set with interesting inclusions and at least one item that's exclusive and chase-worthy, which includes represses of currently extremely rare releases, and you're good to go! You can make a million different versions of them just by changing the color of the vinyl pressings, maybe split them into ones containing the one and two eps and one containing the jaws single and one containing none of them, each with their own box design (even just a flat color change is sufficient) and swapping around some of the inclusions, and you're golden. The plain trilogy box sets could even have separate versions visually themed to each album, if you really wanted to milk it!

I'd much rather One+Two and Jaws get plain re-releases without all the extra fanfare, and have a fun/truly special trilogy box set be a separate thing, but ffs it's so simple that it blows my mind that they haven't done ANYTHING. I know that EiA drew in a lot of fans on its own that may not have nostalgia or attachment (yet) to the previous albums, but that just means that there's a whole crowd of people coming in as new fans and a not-insignificant percentage of those are going to go through their full catalogue and try to "catch up" by buying their previous releases (or parents/partners willing to do that for their child or partner). It's right there! There's clearly people happy to give massive amounts of money to have these things which is all going through the second-hand market and an even bigger crowd that is willing to spend more "standard" premium/special-edition prices for those releases if they were made available, wtf are they doinggggg it makes me frustrated on so many levels

[uk-fossils]

RARE 5.5" Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite – Beacon Limestone Jurassic UK – Genuine with Certificate

A premium-quality and striking Lytoceras ammonite fossil from the Beacon Limestone Formation (Jurassic), collected at Ilminster, Somerset, UK — a locality famous for yielding exquisitely preserved marine fossils from the Lower Jurassic period.

This A-grade 5.5" Lytoceras ammonite was discovered on 06 October 2024 by our experienced team members Alister and Alison, and has been carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to reveal its natural calcite detail and classic Lytoceratid coiling.

This genus is known for its evolute shell with gently undulating whorls and fine growth lines, characteristic of the family Lytoceratidae, within the superfamily Lytoceratoidea. Lytoceras is considered one of the earliest ammonites of the Jurassic, and specimens of this size and quality are rare and highly collectible.

The fossil comes from the Beacon Limestone, a condensed deposit from the Toarcian Stage of the Lower Jurassic, and reflects an open marine depositional environment, representing a thriving ecosystem of cephalopods.

Geological & Taxonomic Information:

Fossil Type: Lytoceras ammonite

Species: Lytoceras sp.

Geological Period: Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (Lower Jurassic)

Formation: Beacon Limestone Formation

Location: Ilminster, Somerset, UK

Depositional Environment: Open marine

Family: Lytoceratidae

Superfamily: Lytoceratoidea

Order: Ammonitida

Identified By: Based on morphology; widely recognised in British Jurassic ammonite studies

What You Receive:

The exact fossil specimen shown in the photo

A Certificate of Authenticity

Professional and secure packaging

A perfect addition for fossil collectors, educational exhibits, or as a timeless display piece showcasing ancient marine life.

Note:

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Scale cube = 1cm. Please refer to the image for full sizing.

[mylostgems]

Kambaba Jasper Pebble - Green Stromatolite Fossil Mineral - Madagascar - Genuine with Certificate

This listing is for a genuine Kambaba Jasper Pebble, also known as Green Stromatolite Jasper, sourced from Madagascar. The photo shows the actual crystal you will receive, and a 1cm scale cube is included for accurate size reference. Please see the image gallery for full measurements.

Kambaba Jasper is a unique and ancient stone composed of fossilized stromatolites—some of the earliest forms of life on Earth. These dark green to black patterned formations are the fossilised remains of primitive algae (cyanobacteria), offering a fascinating fusion of biology and mineralogy.

Geological and Scientific Information:

Mineral Species: Fossilised Stromatolite in Jasper (a form of Chalcedony / Microcrystalline Quartz)

Common Name: Kambaba Jasper

Family: Quartz (Silicate Minerals)

Super Family: Tectosilicates

Order: Silicate / Sedimentary Fossil Rock

Geological Stage: Precambrian (approx. 2–3 billion years old)

Location: Madagascar

Depositional Environment: Shallow marine biofilm-laminated mats in carbonate-rich sediments

Morphology Features: Orbicular patterns with concentric growth structures; dark green with black orbs and swirls

Notable Feature: Composed of fossilised microbial structures (stromatolites), making it one of the oldest mineral-fossil combinations in existence

Formally Identified By: Stromatolites have been studied and defined by geobiologists such as J. William Schopf and others in early Precambrian studies

Metaphysical & Healing Associations:

Said to offer grounding, protection, and emotional peace

Encourages ancient Earth connection and spiritual wisdom

Used in meditation for calming energy and promoting clarity

Why Buy From Us?

All crystals are 100% genuine and natural, not dyed or treated

Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity

The exact piece shown in the photo will be sent to you

Responsibly sourced and hand-selected for its quality, polish, and pattern

Perfect For:

Fossil and mineral collectors

Crystal healing and grounding rituals

Natural history education and display

Gifts for Earth science and geology lovers

This Kambaba Jasper Pebble from Madagascar is a rare blend of crystal beauty and ancient biological history—a powerful piece to own, study, or share.

[raz-writes-the-thing]

Unpredictable // Chapter One

Ian Malcolm x Original Female Character / masterlist

Chapter Summary: Lyanna Grant, niece to Alan Grant finds herself working on her uncle's latest dig site.

Unpredictable Tag List: (send an ask to be added to a tag list!)

Palaeontology. It was not an occupation that was extremely popular these days. However, it's always been what Lyanna wanted to do. Ever since she was young and visited the local museum for the first time. She must have been around eight. Her uncle had waited until she was old enough to remember the shock and awe of the things on display. Lyanna could remember gazing up at the razor-sharp teeth jutting out of the jaw of the tyrannosaurus skeleton and she knew. She just knew. This was it for her. Nothing could ever even come close.

 

Since that oh-so-fateful day, Lyanna became obsessed with the flora and fauna of the past. She read every book she could find, read every article, and found every fact. She collected figures and fossils and studied the subject furiously. It paid off well considering where she was at now, she supposed. 

Lyanna was now one of the most well-known palaeontologists in the modern world... although she suspected that part of her reputation may have some due credit to her being the niece of Alan Grant, a professor and world-famous palaeontologist himself. They’d both written a book. His about the evolution of the dinosaurs and hers about the different types of creatures from different eras throughout the prehistoric periods and how ecological changes then impacted the way the animals evolved in turn. 

Only a few years ago, Lyanna had finally gotten her Ph.D. certifications in palaeontology and had right off the bat found herself out in the field helping her uncle dig up dinosaurs. Sure, it could be considered mild nepotism but it was great working with family because she didn't feel so alone when she started working in Montana with him. It was a huge leap for her career not having to start at the very bottom of the palaeontological food chain. Alan made sure that the transition was as comfortable as possible. Lyanna really couldn't have asked for a better uncle slash boss...

"You alright there?" Dylan asked, breaking her from her thoughts and redirecting her attention to the task at hand. 

"Yeah," she replied wistfully. "Sorry, I was just thinking." Dylan was another graduate from Lyanna’s class. Alan had picked him up too when she’d graduated, claiming that new blood would be good for the digs. And it had been, given that they had a pretty constant trickle and turnover of volunteers as they grew bored with the heat and the sand.

"About what?" He asked curiously, fingering the dust out of a fossilised eye socket. 

"Just about how lucky I am," Lyanna replied with a small smile. She really was, and because she was self-aware about it, it made it easier to appreciate just how far she’d come in such a short time.

Dylan snorted and returned to the work at hand. They were currently excavating the skeleton of a Velociraptor. Lyanna was brushing away the few stray sands that were still on the pelvic bone of the creature. 

"You know, I'd hate to meet a raptor on a dark Friday night. Look at those teeth- they’d shred through you like a mandolin,” he winced, glancing up at Lyanna quickly.

"Yeah, I completely agree. It would be terrifying. Thankfully, a giant meteor crashed into the earth and prevented that, hey?" She laughed, pleased with her joke. Dylan chuckled and shook his head in mock irritation. “Though it wouldn’t necessarily shred you. See-” Lyanna ran a finger over the teeth worn through with time. 

“They’re built to grip and tear the flesh from the bones, so it would be more like…” Lyanna searched for some kind of analogy that would make more sense. “Getting stuck in a bear trap. You’re not going to be able to get out of it without ripping half of your leg off unless you unlatch the jaws.” 

"Doctor Grant? We're ready to try again." Lyanna heard the voice say from across the site. She clutched at her hat as a gust of dry wind tried to blow it away. 

"I'm going to go check this out, okay?" She said to Dylan while standing up and brushing herself off. He nodded distractedly and kept working. It wouldn’t be long now until they’d be able to get the bones out and shipped off for analysis and study. 

Glancing one more time at the partially exhumed skeleton, Lyanna stepped out from under the cover and immediately felt the beating hot Montana sun on her back. If she wasn’t sweating before, she certainly was now. 

During her short time working with her uncle, Lyanna had acquired a golden tan that covered most of her body except the parts of herself that were shielded by her clothes. It was almost like she wore tan gloves and thigh-highs. It was a good thing she didn’t get about much without a longer-sleeved shirt or shorts on. Lyanna made a mental note to try and get the rest of herself tanned up the next time she hit town. 

Before she came to the desert wasteland that she now called home, Lyanna was quite pale. Many of her friends constantly joked about how she was probably a vampire because of the paleness of her skin and because of how she spent most of her nights studying deep into the early hours of the morning. That was, of course, before she made it out to Montana and was dead asleep by ten in the evening most nights from all the hot sun and hard labour during the day. 

Lyanna started jogging when she felt and heard the soft lead pellet enter the ground over by the scanner tent. She wanted to see how the new technology worked, given that this was likely the future of archaeology and she’d need to know if she hoped to run her own digs someday.

She reached the area just in time for an image of a Velociraptor to pop up on the computer screen. Damn. She missed it. There was always next time, she supposed. 

"This new program is incredible. A few more years of development, and we won't even have to dig anymore," Danny, working at the computer said. Lyanna did not miss the tone of barely contained glee in his voice.

"I hope not," Lyanna spoke, making her presence known to the group gathered around the computer. “I only just joined this circus.” 

“Absolutely,” Alan turned around and grinned at her knowingly. “Where’s the fun in that?”

"It looks in good shape," Lyanna said, gesturing to the image on the screen and leaning in for a better look.

"Chip off the old block you are,” Alan smiled slyly, quiet pride shining through his features. “Yes, it looks about five maybe six feet high. I'm guessing about nine feet long," he reached up and accidentally touched the screen, making the image distort and flicker.

"What'd you do?" He asked Danny, pursing his lips disdainfully.

"You touched it. Dr Grant isn't machine-compatible," Ellie said with a laugh. Lyanna nudged at her shoulder and tried to contain her laughter. If there was one thing Alan hated above all else- it was technology. 

While Ellie wasn’t a blood relative, Lyanna still considered Ellie her aunt. She basically was her second mother, considering how she’d been around since Lyanna was quite young. She’d taken her on and supported Lyanna when she needed it, and was a huge source of motivation for her to finish her studies when she’d struggled and hit hiccups along the way.

"Hell, they've got it in for me," Alan added in agreement, touching the top of the makeshift dust shield over the monitor screen.

The image corrected itself and Alan continued assessing the skeleton.

"Look at this," he said, turning to the group of volunteers behind him. "It's no wonder these guys learned how to fly." The group chuckled, not seeing the similarities between the two types of skeletons. It wasn’t a popular opinion shared amongst the scientific community, but knowing Alan as she did, Lyanna knew he wasn’t likely to soon give up on proving it. 

"No seriously,” Lyanna piped up, “he's right. Do you see the pubic bone, turned backwards like a bird?" She asked, backing him up.

"It's true. Dinosaurs have more in common with modern-day birds than they do with reptiles," Alan bounced off her comment, turning to face the group. Ah, here is where they got the scientific benefits from their volunteering.

"Look at the vertebrae, full of air sacs and hollows, just like a bird's and even the word "raptor" means ‘bird of prey’." 

Lyanna could see that Alan was going to get into one of his infamous rants, and she noticed a couple of volunteers back up a step as if to wander off and do something else. 

"That doesn't look very scary. More like a six-foot turkey," they heard a kid's voice from the back of the group call out. Lyanna sighed before rubbing the sand and sweat from her forehead. This was the downside to having volunteers. She would be lying, however, if Lyanna said she didn’t laugh after seeing Alan's reaction.

"Here we go,” Ellie chuckled, knowing what was about to happen.

 

"Okay then, imagine yourself in the Cretaceous period," Alan began, walking forward and fishing out his raptor claw that he had acquired back on his first-ever dig right out of university. Lyanna could remember many days in his study when he was home between digs fiddling with it and imagining the beast that used to be connected to it. She considered it an heirloom and secretly hoped that Alan did, too. 

"You get your first look at this ‘six-foot turkey’. He moves like a bird, lightly bobbing his head.” Alan moved slowly towards the kid, Johnny, Lyanna thought his name was. “You keep still because you think that maybe his visual acuity is based on movement like a T-Rex and he'll lose you if you don't move.” He shook his hand, imitating movement. 

"But no," he paused, "not Velociraptor. You stare at him and he just stares right back." By this point, all of the volunteers and workers were captivated by Alan's words, hasty escapes forgotten. Lyanna was too, to be honest. But then again, she’d been enraptured by Alan’s words since she’d been a tot, so it wasn’t all that different to usual.

"And that's when the attack comes," he raised his hands, bringing his two pointer fingers up side by side to show that raptors didn't hunt by themselves. "Not from the front, but from the sides. From the other two raptors you didn't even know were there," he and Lyanna both smirked. Alan stood up straight.

"Because Velociraptors are pack hunters... they use coordinated attack patterns and he attacks you with this," he raised the claw to show Johnny, whose eyes widened comically.

"A six-inch retractable claw, like a razor, on the middle toe," Alan placed the claw between his index and middle finger, showing him where the claw would have been situated. "He doesn't bite your jugular like a lion, no. He slashes at you here or here," he said, raking the claw along different places of the kid's torso.

"Or maybe your belly. Spilling your intestines," he then smiled, crouching down again so that his eyes were level with Johnny’s. "The point is... you are alive when they start to eat you," he grins, satisfied with the reaction he had elicited.

Even Lyanna thought he might have gone a little far. 

Johnny nods and hurries off. Alan turned and chuckled after seeing the look on Ellie's face. She didn’t look particularly impressed, but she also looked amused, so Alan must have known he wasn’t in too much trouble.

"Johnny is probably going to have nightmares now, Alan," Lyanna snorted, crossing her arms playfully. 

"There's nothing to be afraid of. They've been dead for 65 million years," he said factually. 

"It's the power of the imagination," she responded, tapping the side of his head. He smiled down at her and patted her shoulder affectionately.

The three of them started walking up the hill that separated them from the rest of the camp.

"You know, if you wanted to scare the kid you could have pulled a gun on him," Ellie laughed, pulling the brim of her bucket hat down to shield her face from the beating sun.

"Yeah, I know. I can't believe you want to have one of those," Alan replied, gesturing back towards the scanner area where the volunteers were wheeling the new equipment out of the sun.

"I don't think she wants that particular kid," Lyanna laughed, wiping another layer of sweat from her forehead.

"Exactly. I mean, a breed of child would be intriguing. What's so wrong with kids?" Ellie asked, squinting at Alan. 

"Oh Ellie... they're noisy, they're messy, they're expensive," Alan listed, trekking up the sand dune.

Ellie and Lyanna both laughed but she could see where he was coming from. Life was becoming more expensive by the day. One or two probably wouldn’t break the average person’s bank, though. 

"They smell," Alan added after a second of consideration.

"They do not smell!" Ellie laughed, shaking her head at the audacity.

"Babies smell," he reasoned, pointing an accusatory finger at her. He had her there, Lyanna supposed. 

Before Ellie could answer, there was a loud rumbling coming from the sky.

"Is that a chopper?" Lyanna asked, shielding her eyes from the bright midday sun. 

"We aren’t due for another inspection,” Alan replied just as the black machine came into view. Then he thought about it for another moment. “Are we?”

"I don't know but let's find out,” Lyanna thought out loud as the chopper started to come down towards the ground. And not on the dedicated landing strip either, she noticed.

“Oh shit,” she exclaimed suddenly, bolting into motion. “The dig!”

[tomorrowusa]

Russia started its unprovoked full scale invasion of Ukraine 864 days ago. Putin knows he cannot win the war but he continues it despite enormous losses of Russian military personnel and equipment. And he certainly hasn't done anything for Russia's reputation as a competent military power.

If these sorts of losses don't do anything to make Russia change course, it's time to seize Russian assets and use them to defend and rebuild Ukraine. But there's some reluctance to do so in some countries.

The biggest slice of the pie is Russian state assets (reserves of the Russian Central Bank, Russia’s central financial institution) – approximately $300 billion. They’ve been frozen in banking institutions across the G7 countries. So why are these assets parked there in the first place? At the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia kept some assets in money and securities abroad in reliable banks, scooping up foreign currency. The lion’s share of these assets, €192 billion, is held in Euroclear, a financial institution headquartered in Brussels specializing in the safekeeping and settlement of securities. The rest of the assets’ exact size and location are a bit of a mystery since that information is classified, but it’s a safe bet that a hefty chunk is in the USA.

The USA, you say? Now that the US Supreme Court has given presidents immunity, Biden should just scoop up all that Russian loot and put it into an account which Ukraine could draw from for its national security and reconstruction. 😉

Our G7 partners are a bit more skittish about seizing Russian assets. This is what happens when certain countries become too dependent on Russian fossil fuels and other trade with Russia.

One big step forward to the confiscation of these funds was the US passing the REPO (Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians) Act on 23 April 2024. While successfully implementing it depends on further actions and certifications, the REPO Act lays out a legal mechanism for asset confiscation, gives the President the power to start the confiscation process, and allows for coordination with G7 countries, the EU, and other partners. It could potentially give Ukraine access to several billions of Russian sovereign assets located in the US. However, the G7 did not follow the US’s lead. Instead, on 3 May 2024, the Financial Times reported that the G7 was no longer considering a full confiscation of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, with an official saying that these assets could be used as leverage in potential peace negotiations with Russia. This stance fails to recognize Russia’s true objectives and the pointlessness of using these assets as a bargaining chip, given Russia’s continued escalation of aggression and substantial revenues from fossil fuel exports.

On a slightly different note, the change in government in the UK will make no difference regarding support for Ukraine. It's one area where Labour and the Conservatives see eye to eye. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited President Zelenskyy in Kyiv last year.

Sir Keir spoke with President Zelenskyy on Friday – his first day in office.

Zelenskyy had a conversation with the new British Prime Minister: an unprecedented agreement was discussed

[literaryxbones]

Forest Ink Update

For those out of the loop, I made a post discussing Angela Benedict's Forest Ink Haul (Sponsored) video. Angela is a goth subculture Youtuber who's been apart of the scene since the 90's.

There, I talked about and investigated the ethics of Forest Ink clothing. I wanted to know whether the company's claims of slow-fashion, sustainability, and ethical work environments were true.

A Bit of Digging

Human Rights

Forest Ink prides itself on honoring human rights within the textile industry. They have an active SA8000 certificate, given to them by Social Accountability International. SAI is a non-profit registered in New York. They oversee working conditions and helped establish the standards the company claims to follow. Inspections occur in-house every 3 years.

SA8000's measures forbid child labor, slavery, discrimination, and unreasonable working hours. A living wage must be provided to all employees.

In an email I sent out, a representative told me that their clothing is manufactured in Guangdong, China. After products are assembled, they are shipped off to their New York headquarters.

(Parts of these images have been lightly censored to avoid doxxing of myself and Forest Ink employees.)

I don't know how much the overseas employees are paid. There are some promotional images of the factory on the website, which I found interesting.

The SA8000 certification indicates that Forest Ink most likely respects human rights in the workplace.

Environmental Sustainability

Forest Ink asserts that it uses"100% biodegradable" packaging to mail orders. When shipping, clothes are contained in primarily corn-based wrappings that are plastic free.

Mail orders are made of different compounds, specifically PLA (Polylactic Acid) and cornstarch. The slips must be sent to an Industrial Composting Facility to properly degrade over time. Regular plants won't have the equipment required to process this material.

Before purchasing from Forest Ink, make sure that your local composters take PLA.

It also goes without saying that gas-based transport is unhealthy for the environment. C02 emissions released during travel contribute to global warming and pollute airways. Almost every business involved with online ordering refers to gas-powered vehicles.

Now, what about the products themselves?

Polyester, Spandex, and Nylon are the most frequently used fabrics. As far as eco-friendliness goes, they are detrimental to the environment. Their production chain unleashes lots of carbon and other fossil fuels. All of these variations derive from plastic.

Purchasing decisions like this need to be made carefully. If you rush to buy clothes you don't actually want or will often wear, you'll leave behind a piece of plastic unable to biodegrade. This is why I advocate for second-hand shopping and an informed public.

We need to consider how resources are used in order for this world to survive. Most are finite. Often, a resource used is a resource lost.

Blog Updates

I'm going to be ordering 1 article of clothing from Forest Ink so I can review quality. This upcoming showcase will be impartial. I am not officially sponsored by Forest Ink and I would never accept a sponsor without conducting a background check.

Also, I am still planning to post Sims 4 gameplay, I just haven't fully set up my game world yet. I want to turn Willow Creek into a community made up of alt subcultures. There's going to be alt subculture based makeovers of Bella Goth, Bob and Eliza Pancakes, and Don Lothario. The Landgraabs of course will be The Establishment (The rich billionaires no one likes lmao.)

-Written by SORDID

-Information sourced from Forest Ink's Website and Gardening Latest.

(If you want to know more about PLA, I'd highly suggest reading Gardening Latest's blogpost on it. Their guide is extremely thorough and easy-to-understand.)

Citations:

Forest Ink. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/

About us. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/pages/about-us-1 Sustainability. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/pages/sustainabilty

2. General Gardening. (2021, April 11). Gardening Latest. https://gardeninglatest.com/

Hardy, K. (2022, May 10). Composting PLA: How Do You Compost PLA. Gardening Latest. https://gardeninglatest.com/composting-pla-how-do-you-compost-pla/

[lightsteelframing]

EnerPHit Standard for Home Energy Renovation

Nowadays, home energy renovation has become a pressing need in the context of sustainability and energy efficiency.

The EnerPHit Standard, developed by the Passive House Institute, offers a clear and rigorous framework for achieving buildings that not only meet comfort and livability criteria but are also highly energy efficient. This article explores the EnerPHit Standard, its fundamental principles, and the advantages it offers in the home energy renovation process.

Definition of the EnerPHit Standard

The EnerPHit Standard is a certification aimed at building renovation projects seeking to improve their energy performance. Unlike the Passive House Standard, which applies to new buildings, EnerPHit focuses on the renovation of existing structures. This framework establishes specific requirements in terms of insulation, airtightness, and indoor air quality, ensuring that renovated homes achieve a level of efficiency similar to that of a Passive House, while adapting to the unique characteristics of each older building. Principles of the EnerPHit Standard

1. Thermal Insulation: Significant improvements in insulation are required in walls, ceilings, and floors, reducing heat loss in winter and decreasing heat gain in summer.

2. Airtightness: Reducing air infiltration is crucial. Limits are established to ensure that cold or hot outside air does not compromise internal comfort.

3. Controlled Ventilation: The installation of mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery is promoted, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air without losing stored energy.

4. Renewable Energy: Promotes the incorporation of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the carbon footprint.

5. Improved Comfort: Through careful design, optimal temperature and humidity levels are maintained, creating pleasant and healthy interior spaces.

Advantages of the EnerPHit Standard Adopting the EnerPHit standard in home renovations offers numerous advantages, both individually and collectively. Below, we highlight some of the most relevant:

1. Reduction in Energy Consumption

One of the main advantages of implementing the EnerPHit standard is the dramatic reduction in energy consumption in renovated homes. Thanks to significant improvements in insulation and airtightness, homeowners can experience a noticeable decrease in their energy bills. This not only saves money but also contributes to a lower demand for energy resources nationwide.

2. Increased Thermal Comfort

Homes that comply with the EnerPHit standard provide a much more comfortable indoor environment. The improved insulation and controlled ventilation ensure pleasant temperatures year-round, avoiding common problems such as cold drafts and excess humidity.

3. Added Value to the Property

Properties that are renovated according to the EnerPHit standard typically have a higher market value. Buyers are increasingly interested in energy-efficient homes, and renovations to this standard can be a decisive factor in a real estate transaction.

4. Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

The implementation of the EnerPHit standard plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change. By drastically reducing energy consumption and promoting the use of renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. This contributes not only to local sustainability but also to global climate change goals.

5. Improved Indoor Air Quality

The EnerPHit standard promotes ventilation systems that ensure a constant flow of fresh air, significantly improving indoor air quality. This is especially important for occupant health, as it reduces risks associated with indoor air pollution, such as respiratory problems and allergies.

6. Adaptability to Existing Buildings

EnerPHit has the advantage of being flexible, allowing a wide range of existing buildings to be renovated to its standards. This makes it a viable option for both individual homes and apartment buildings, adapting to diverse climatic conditions and architectural contexts.

7. Enhancing Community Participation

Renovating buildings to the EnerPHit standard can foster community cohesion. Renovation projects can engage local residents, promoting dialogue and collaboration among the various stakeholders. This not only improves community perceptions but can also result in an increased sense of belonging and local pride.

8. Economic and Financial Incentives

In many countries, there are subsidies and financial support programs aimed at encouraging the energy renovation of buildings. Adopting the EnerPHit standard can open the door to these financing opportunities, which can ease the financial burden of renovation work. Challenges in Implementing the EnerPHit Standard

Despite the numerous advantages of the EnerPHit standard, its implementation is not without challenges. Among the most notable are:

1. Initial Costs

The initial investment to renovate a building to the EnerPHit standard can be significant. Although the long-term energy cost savings are considerable, owners may be reluctant to make the necessary initial investment.

2. Structural Limitations

When working with existing buildings, structural limitations often arise that can complicate the full application of EnerPHit criteria. This requires detailed architectural analysis and, sometimes, creative solutions to meet the standards without compromising the building's integrity.

3. Lack of Awareness and Training

Lack of awareness and training about the EnerPHit standard among architects, engineers, and contractors can hinder its implementation. Providing adequate education and training is critical to ensure professionals understand how to properly apply the standard's principles.

4. Local Regulations

Sometimes, local building regulations may conflict with the requirements of the EnerPHit standard. It is essential that local authorities work to adapt regulations that facilitate the adoption of these standards in renovations.

5. Resistance to Change

A "business as usual" culture can be a significant obstacle. Many owners and professionals may still be skeptical about the real benefits of energy retrofitting, which can slow adoption efforts.

Conclusions

The EnerPHit standard represents an invaluable opportunity for residential energy retrofitting, offering a structured, evidence-based approach to improving the energy performance of existing buildings. The benefits of its implementation are numerous, from reduced energy consumption and increased thermal comfort to positive contributions to environmental sustainability. However, to maximize the potential of this standard, it is vital to address the challenges that arise during its implementation. Through education, adequate financing, and a collaborative approach among different stakeholders, it is possible to transform the vision of effective energy retrofitting into a reality accessible to all. In a world increasingly aware of the need for sustainability, the EnerPHit standard could be the path to a more efficient and environmentally friendly future.

[eartharchives]

Largest fossil crab claw ever discovered is 8 million years old

A fossil claw belonging to a new-to-science species of crab that lived 8.8 million years ago has just snipped the ribbon on quite the crustacean certification: it’s the largest fossil crab claw ever found.

https://www.iflscience.com/largest-fossil-crab-claw-ever-discovered-is-8-million-years-old-73143