(RALEIGH)—The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is installing two new permanent displays this fall, thanks to support from private and university partners.

The Earth Bulletin uses high-definition video footage, animations and graphics to explain the science behind recent climatic and tectonic events such as tornados, floods and volcanoes. The seismic monitor shows real-time earthquake activity around the world on a 50-inch, flat plasma screen. Both exhibits are being installed in conjunction with the opening of the traveling exhibition, "Powers of Nature," but will remain as part of the Museum's permanent exhibits.

A contribution from Progress Energy Foundation is funding the $18,000 acquisition and installation of the Earth Bulletin display, created by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The Earth Bulletin keeps people in touch with global volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and the ozone hole via a 42-inch plasma screen. Computer graphics, animations and a videotaped feature story explain the science behind these extreme natural events. The Earth Bulletin is one of a series of multimedia exhibits designed by the American Museum to connect the public with current events and scientific research.

The Museum of Natural Sciences is working with WRAL-TV to add supplemental footage to the Earth Bulletin about Hurricanes Fran and Floyd, which came ashore in North Carolina in 1996 and 1999, respectively. The American Museum also will provide updates several times a year. The Earth Bulletin will be installed on the second floor of the Museum.

The seismic monitor also will be installed on the Museum's second floor, adjacent to the Underground North Carolina exhibit area. The 50-inch flat-screen, plasma monitor shows epicenters of earthquakes that have taken place during the last five years. A real-time seismogram at the top of the screen shows visitors the vibrations from big quakes as they occur. About 10 minutes will elapse from the time you see a quake arrive at the seismometer until computers find the epicenter and plot the quake's location.

"I like it because it shows that the earth is alive and has a heartbeat that we can measure," said Museum Curator of Geology Christopher Tacker. "It's kind of like an EKG of the Earth." Tacker worked with Jonathan Lees, a geophysicist at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Geological Sciences, to bring the display to the Museum.

Lees obtained $25,000 in grant funding from the UNC Office of the Provost and $8,000 from the IRIS Consortium to make the technology available to the Museum and a university facility. IRIS, or the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, is a non-profit consortium of research institutions funded by the National Science Foundation.

"The Museum is looking forward to adding these exhibits, which will connect our visitors to current scientific studies and natural events worldwide," said Museum Director Betsy Bennett. "Neither would have been possible without generous support from our partners. We will continue working with them, and with others, to inform the public about current scientific research into the dynamic forces that shape our natural environment."

For more information on free public programs at the Museum of Natural Sciences, contact 919/733-7450 or see the Museum’s Web site at www.naturalsciences.org.