Atmospheric phenomenon frightens residents of Brazil's hinterlands

BRAZIL, state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Near the city of Vincentina, during one of the many storms that recently fell on Itamarati Settlement Area, residents were startled when, during the night, a strange natural phenomenon occurred. 

A large cloud appeared illuminating the sky. It was red. It was emitting bright sparks, flaming and had unusual shape.

The visual effect is - really, extraordinary. But it is only an electrical phenomenon that occurs well above the earth and can be perceived at night when a storm is on the distant horizon. 

These occurrences are called by various names: red sprites, elves, blue jets, gnomes and pixies.

The red sprites explode in the clouds after emit a powerful electric charge in direction to the earth. The weak flares can spread for miles reaching the atmosphere there about 95 kilometers high.

They use to have tube the format or jellyfish, with thin blue rings under them. At its highest point, they can form lightning-shaped disc called "sprite halos." 

The color red is produced by the ionized nitrogen, the most common gas in the atmosphere. The Sprites can be saw only by milliseconds. Blue jets erupt on top of the core of a storm - the most electrically active region. Cones of narrow are formed and disappear there about 40 km in height

SOURCE: 

Moradores do Assentamento Itamarati se assustam com fenômeno da natureza.

IDEST/Vicentina, published in 04/03/2012

[http://www.idest.com.br/noticia.asp?id=34214]

Discovered - North-american rare coin found in a brazilian collection

BRAZIL, Piaui's state. February, 02 of march. That day, a Friday, the photographer and businessman piauiense (born in the state of Piaui; in this case, also resident at the same state) Irineu Fernandes, examining your coin collection - which features more than 300 pieces, discovered a rare coin, valued at 13 million reais (about seven and a half million dollars).

The exemplar, of which - it is estimated - there are only 13 others worldwide is known as "Double Eagle". One of those "Double Eagle" currently is on display at Golsmith's Hall in London.

The Double Eagles were first minted in 1850. They are made of California gold. In 1907, the coins received a new design. They stopped being produced em 1933, when President Franklin Roosevelt resolved to abolish at the country the "gold standard" - to save the economy during the Great Repression, 1929. Most of the gold coins of the epoch - then - were melted in order to stem the financial crisis.

SOURCE: Piauiense descobre que moeda de sua coleção vale R$ 13 milhões.
180°, published in 04/03/2011
[http://180graus.com/geral/piauiense-
descobre-que-moeda-de-sua-colecao-vale-r-13-milhoes-501964.html]

Discovered - The first volcanic cave in Brazil

IMAGES: PARANAShop [look sources]

BRAZIL, Parana's state. It is a ancient scientific dogma: at Brazil - volcanoes do not exist for a long time, so long that there's no more traces of some of them that can have existed in the past.

But, now - in the nearby the city of Palmital, (state of Parana, southeast region of the country), a cave, the first cave that - in its origin was a volcano - was discovered (in February, 20 of 2012). Called Stone House, the cave was a volcano in an epoch determined in 130 millions of years ago. It is located there more than 800 meters in altitude relative to sea level.

The cave that is mainly - formed by basalt rock was - possibly, a volcanic conduit-type giant, hitherto - unknown in Brazil - explains the scholar of Geography, State University of the Midwest (Unicentro), Ricardo Geovane Calixto, a one of the responsible for scientific discovery.

The cave that is mainly - formed by basalt rock was - possibly, a volcanic conduit-type giant, hitherto - unknown in Brazil - explains the scholar of Geography of the State University of the Midwest (Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste - Unicentro), Ricardo Geovane Calixto, a one of the responsible for scientific discovery.

Geovane, along with the teachers of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC), Wellington Barbosa de Silva and Eliza do Belém Tratz, made ​​the speleological and geological reconnaissance of the area. They will start exploration in the coming days. For them, a discovery of this type of cave is a the beginning of a study on the origin of the formation of the called - Third Plateau of the Serra Geral (Serra = geological formation, something like Sierra or mountain range).

The volcanic caves, also known the lava tubes are formed during the eruption of volcanoes. After going through the surface - provoking the forming of rivers of lava - the exposure to the cooling in the surface of earth, results in the solidification of the lava,

By this way, appears a crust that will be becoming increasingly thicker, until the formation of a tunnel made of solid lava. To the extent that decreases the flow of liquid rock mass, the tunnel begins to stay with the configuration of a cavity , resulting in volcanic ducts.

The caves originate from geological processes That may involve a combination of chemical transformations, tectonic, biological and atmospheric. Due to the unique environmental conditions of the caves, this ecosystem has Specialized wildlife to live in dark and without vegetation

The owner of the farm where the "Stone House" cave is located, Basilio Burei, has discovered the geological formation - there 60 years ago, during a persecution of wild pigs. Since then proceeded to call the place of the Stone House.

Mr. Burei tells: "Back then you could see traces of fire inside the cave, trees and plants charred too". Basil, will cede the area to research. According to the Municipal Secretariat of Environment and Tourism of Palmital (Secretaria do Meio Ambiente e Turismo de Palmital), Miguel Burei Sobrinho, some photos of the cave were distributed in social networks and - since then, researchers from more than five states have shown interest in know the place.

This discovery represents a mark for the study of geology in the country and the insertion of Palmital's city in the Brazilian map of the geological science of the country, not only for Brazil's scientists but to foreign researchers too, said the secretary. He also informed that the city intends to partner with universities to increase the incentive for research and tourism in the region.

State Representative (deputy) Rasca Rodrigues (PV - Partido Verde, something like Green political party), requested in 2006 - during his tenure as State Secretary of Environment and Water Resources (Secretaria Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos) - an official study of 260 registered caves in Paraná. The study was conducted by the Speleological Research Group of the State.

Still according Mr. Rasca: This is a heritage that must be preserved. This cave is a proof of Palmital that sustains the knowledge that our state has its geological formation consists of volcanic eruption. In the coming days we will go present a project of law to protect the Parana caves (all of them - the caves of the surface and the underground caves. A specialized company will map the region.

The Secretary adds: The study conducted in 2006 showed that many caves located near urban areas have been damaged by the lack of a conservation policy. If all the caves of Paraná were in the hands of people like Mr. Basil Burei, we would not have this preoccupation.

* NOTE OF the EDITOR OF THIS BLOG: The Secretary could have avoided the last observation. This is wrong. The council has - yes - the obligation of to care of this things, and not stay waiting the citizens, that pay taxes, to make the work of authorities of to preserve the historical and geological heritage of the country.

SOURCES:
Descoberta 1ª caverna originária de vulcão do país.
BEM PARANA, published in 02/03/2012
[http://www.bemparana.com.br/index.php?n=207639&t=descoberta-1-caverna-originaria-de-vulcao-do-pais-]
Primeira caverna originária de vulcão do país é descoberta no Paraná.
PARANAShop, published in 02/03/2012
[http://www.paranashop.com.br/colunas/colunas_n.php?id=33387&op=notas]
Translated by Lygia Cabus

New archaeological site discovered at the coast of Brazil

BRAZIL, Sao Paulo's state. At "Ilhabela", (Beautiful Island) - an archipelago and city situated 4 miles off the coast of São Paulo state in Brazil, the coodinator of the Projeto de Gestão e Diagnóstico do Patrimônio Arqueológico de Ilhabela (Project Management and Diagnosis of the Archaeological Heritage of Ilhabela - GEDAI), maintained by the Instituto Histórico, Geográfico e Arqueológico da the Secretaria Municipal de Cultura (History, Geography and Archaeology Institute of the Municipal Culture), the archaeologist Mrs. Cintia Bendazzoli discovered an impotant mortuary archaeological site. The excavation was done on an emergency basis because of the imminent destruction of the material.

The place that was named "Toca da Caveira" (something like Hole of Skull or "Skull Burrow") had human skeletal remains, and funerary accompaniments like clay pot and stone tool, revealing a complex Indigenous funerary ritual. At the same time another two more sites were identified how belonging to the pré-colonizations epoch, but these - still have not been subjected to more detailed research

According Mrs. Bendazolli, the laboratory work performed with the findings revealed that the discover is a collective tomb. There were found remains of at least five different individuals, four adults and a child, this should be about five years of age in the occasion of its death.

None of the skeletons was complete, and according to the research, the absence of many bone units can be resulted of previous interference or violation that can have occurred on the site or - even - something tipical of the funerary ritual practiced by natives.

What caught the attention of the archaeologist was that the collective burial does not appear to be related to the known occupation of the sambaquis indigenous (builders middens or "shell-mountains" builders) - what occurred in Ilhabela occurred around 2000 years ago.

Early research showed that the ritual took place at Skull Burrow was prepared by a potter of the indigenous tribe named Macro-Ge - in more recent times, but before contact with the colonizer.

The presence of ceramic Ge as part of funerary objects placed next to the skeletons, as well the evidences in the bones and teeth indicates that these people was - mainly potters and not fishers and collectors like were the sambaquis. The next step of the investigation will be to conduct carbon-14 dating, which can help elucidate the issues raised by the laboratory studies.

If after the studies if conclude that the founds are, in fact, of a more recent population of potters, this site may be considered a great find, not only for the city, but for the coast of São Paulo as a whole, since it did not exist, until then, evidences that the Macro-Ge indigenous nation, one time, occupied this area of the coast, and were able to practice techniques of navigation and that they arrived to such distances from the coast of São Paulo, says archaeologist.

Anyway, this new archaeological discovery comes to show that the island of Ilhabela was far from a land uninhabited before the conquest of the Portugueses. The large number of archaeological sites recorded by the GEDAI Project and the numerous studies that have following these findings point to an intense settlement of this region and the increasing need to protect this heritage.

SOURCE: Ilhabela: Arqueólogos encontram novo sítio na Ilha dos Búzios com inédita presença indígena
Agora Vale, published in 29/02/2012
[http://www.agoravale.com.br/agoravale/noticias.asp?id=35629&cod=1]

AMAZONAS 🌳🌳🌳 In danger of disappear: The rock engravings of the Madeira River

BRAZIL. At brazilian amazonian, when the level of waters the Madeira River low - in the dry season, is possible to see ancient drawings engraved in stone. The forms reveal geometric shapes or animals. These pictures may have been made for thousands of years by people who lived in the Amazon and of who little is known about their habits and lifestyle.

Photos: Michelle M. Tizuka/Santo Antonio Energia

There are five areas with extensive rock formations where these rock carvings appear. In the rainy season. near the city of Porto Velho (capital of Rondonia' state) the river hide the images. 

 Now, scholars of history, archaelogists and anthropologists are faced a serious problem: with the project of a dam on the river, the hydroelectric power plant of Santo Antonio, this important trace of human presence will be permanently submerged.

Thinking in this problem, the Santo Antonio Energy, responsible for the build of the plant, hired two companies specializing in archeology to preserve the memory these drawings. 

The companies are using 3D technology to scan the prints. The equipment that can record drawings with high precision and quality. In total, more than 2000 images were collected.

After make the digital record, the researchers will reconstruct the rock extensions on virtual models, so that the stones. By this way, the images will be studied in laboratory and associated with occupations of the archaeological sites located on the river region. 

With work, scientists will have conditions understand how these people lived and determine the age of the drawings. Some of them date back over 7000 years, according scholars.

The archaeological rescue is one of the constraints imposed by IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente - Brazilian Institute of Enviroment) for the build of the energy plant and to the begin of the operations. Meanwhile, the works for the preservation the archaeological patrimony is in course.

However, the project has received many critics. Santo Antonio, as well as the Jirau energy plant - also located on the Madeira River, are facing the charge that these kind of iniciative is one more factor that increase the deforestation of the Amazon. 

The government is also criticized for the lack of policies of population control,a problem that will results of the instalation of the new plants that, certainly, will generate serious social questions in the city of Porto Velho. Because, as we know, governments are always late. Let's meditate.

SOURCES

CALIXTO, Bruno. 

Pesquisadores registram gravuras rupestres do Rio Madeira.

Época, published in 29/02/2011
http://colunas.revistaepoca.globo.com/planeta/2012/02/29/pesquisadores-registram-gravuras-rupestres-do-rio-madeira/

The remains of a spanish ship: The most ancient shipwreck of Brazil

The stone plate found on the ship refers to the period in which Spain and Portugal formed one kingdom.
IMAGE: O Dia
[http://odia.ig.com.br/portal/brasil/naufr%C3%A1gio-de-navio-espanhol-em-santa-catarina-%C3%A9-o-mais-antigo-do-brasil-1.413711]

BRAZIL. Archaeologists and divers who discovered - in the coast of the state of Santa Catarina - fragments that were identified like part of a Spanish ship. The remains that are of a shipwreck occurred in 1583 are the oldest ever heard in Brazil. The first object was found - only recently, in 2005 when finally was possible to rescue some pieces to the surface.

After a new historical research, was proved that the ship is Spanish and was sunk in the 16th century, according sources of Efe press agency and the NGO Projeto Barra Sul and the University of Southern Santa Catarina (Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina - Unisul), responsible for the discovery.

The research revealed that parts of the ship obtained by the operation belonged to a fleet that sailed from Spain in 1581 with the aim to build two forts on the Straits of Magellan (Magalhaes strait) - natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans - to contain the spread of pirates British territories that threatened the possession of America. Historical documents allowed to determine the epoch of the accident on January 7, 1583.

Researchers said that even in April will be possible to remove all material deposited in a shoal - wich has of three meters in length and find the rest of the nave. Divers of the Projeto Barra Sul (Bar South Project), that work the coast of Santa Catarina - they discovered - so far, three another shipwrecks and all of them ocurred in the 16th century.

The first part rescued from of the ship is a stone plate that depicts the design of two lions and two castles and a portuguese symbol in the middle of the composition. This shield refers to the kingdoms of Castilla y Leon (Leão & Castela). It is a reference to the period of Iberian Union, when the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal were united between 1580 and 1640. For the archaeologists, the stone should have to be made to be placed at the entrance of a fortress.

Researchers also rescued a triangular plate, dated 1582, named after the then king of Spain, Felipe II. According to experts, the object would be an official symbol that the navigators and explorers did put in the new lands as a mark of the propriety in the territories. This served to say for possible invaders what european nation had been the first to arrive at the region and - for this, owner kingdom of the place according the laws.

In March, in new underwater expeditions, divers will attempt to retrieve a cannon, ceramics, stones ballast and bullets of different calibers. In the 16th century, the coast of Santa Catarina had not yet been colonized by Portugal and, really, was a different route from the Spanish expeditions conducted in 1525 by Rodrigo de Acuña, who left 17 of her crew on the island of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis (today, the capital of the state) a village that was founded later at the place.

The director of the project, Gabriel Correa said: This place was strategic but was also a critical, dangerous point. Here was located last port for the arrive to European navigators bound for Rio de la Plata and Strait of Magellan. However, was need much care to navigate on this waters because the seabed is rough, treacherous and full of banks shifting sands.

SOURCE: Naufrágio de navio espanhol em SC é o mais antigo do Brasil
Terra, published in 29/02/2012

[http://noticias.terra.com.br/ciencia/noticias/0,,OI5639092-EI8147,00 Naufragio+de+navio+espanhol+em+SC+e+o+mais+antigo+do+Brasil.html]