
A string of volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands might actually be one mega volcano, scientists say
Multiple pieces of evidence led scientists to the conclusion that there might be a 12-mile-wide caldera — a large volcanic crater — or a number of calderas, hidden underwater beneath the group of islands.

Even before leading John McPhee down the Salmon River, Pat Pourchot had his dream job
By 1975, when John McPhee showed up in Alaska, Pourchot was a skilled paddler, with three summers of river running experience behind him. But Pourchot had never heard of The New Yorker Magazine and didn’t have any idea who John McPhee was.

After months of controversy, Deer Mountain might not be logged after all
With a federal land swap in the works, the Alaska Mental Health Trust says they’ll pass on the controversial timber sale.

The lure of John McPhee’s “Coming into the Country,” 40 years later
To readers 40 years later, John McPhee’s 1977 book about Alaska “Coming into the Country” is still relevant and still popular.

No lichen, no problem: St. Paul’s reindeer thrive without essential food
On St. Paul, reindeer are responsible for decimating the lichen, but around the world there’s a different culprit, climate change. What’s happening on St. Paul could be a preview of how more northern reindeer herds may adapt to a warmer planet.

State gasline corporation quietly opens office in Tokyo
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has opened new office but not yet announced it.

Obama denies Newtok’s request for disaster declaration
Newtok had hoped President Obama would declare a major disaster on its behalf before leaving office. A disaster declaration would have unlocked federal relief funding that could be used for relocation.

Writer John McPhee was at ease in a canoe, Brad Snow was at ease with him
Brad Snow and his girlfriend Lilly Allen were living on the Yukon River when writer John McPhee came through. Snow and McPhee spent four days together in a canoe.

Ask a Climatologist: Why is it so cold here when everywhere else is so warm?
A low pressure system that contains a lot of cold air is locked into place over much of Alaska.

Culturally valuable yellow cedar on the decline
Alaska Native carvers and weavers say they’re worried about the future of yellow cedar.

My name is River Wind: David Cornberg has the last word in “Coming into the Country”
John McPhee met 32-year-old David Cornberg when the young man went by the name River Wind and was about to travel down the Yukon in an aluminum canoe.
About Alaska’s Energy Desk
Alaska’s Energy Desk is a collaboration between KTOO in Juneau, Alaska Public Media in Anchorage, KUCB in Unalaska, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, KBRW in Utqiaġvik and KYUK in Bethel. Each week we produce in-depth coverage of energy issues in Alaska that air on local stations, the Alaska Public Radio Network and on national news programs.
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