• Gold dredging that disturbs fine-grained, mercury-laden river sediment was found to disperse higher amounts of mercury to enter the aquatic environment , according to a new USGS report co-authored by WERC lead scientist Roger Hothem. [The Grass Valley Union, USGS Newsroom] 

• WERC lead scientist Kristin Berry was quoted in a story about respiratory diseases in threatened Mojave desert tortoises being relocated for a San Bernadino County solar energy project. [Riverside Press Enterprise]

• Research on wildfire risk scenarios for Southern California communities led by WERC ecologist Jon Keeley was profiled by the North County Times. This in-progress project will be the foundation for wildfire outreach efforts by the USGS Multi-Hazard Demonstration Project. [NC Times]

• The USGS Multi-Hazard Demonstration Project also unveiled its ARkStorm disaster scenario this January. The report models the likelihood of a "perfect storm" for California, and the associated flooding and economic damages. [New York Times, KXTL, USGS Newsroom]

• And finally, something fun:  Do you know what the birthstone for January is? If you've got a thing for good luck charms and geology, check out this tweet from the USGS Store. [Twitter] 

-- Ben Young Landis