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This week, Focus Earth reports on the tragedy in Italy, the collapse of ice in Antarctica, and a potential threat to the national smart grid. Then, the team takes a look at a kibbutz in Israel that is harnessing solar power in a new way and the growing problem of vanishing honey bees. And don't miss an all new on-air quiz.
First, Bob Woodruff reports from Italy where a severe earthquake has devastated the town of L'Aquila. The region is not unaccustomed to earthquakes. L'Aquila itself was flattened 300 years ago and a series of deep faults put most of Italy in earthquake danger. However, recently, seismologists have registered more than 1,500 tremors each day and are struggling to predict where the next big quake might occur. Miguel Marquez reports on their progress.
Then, Ned Potter reports on a new break in a major ice shelf in Antarctica. An ice bridge tethering the Wilkins ice shelf, which is roughly the size of Connecticut, to land, was split by fissures this week. Satellite photos showed the important ice bridge dangerously close to collapse. While its loss would not release the entire Wilkins ice shelf into the ocean, it is likely that the northern part would break free, becoming a floating iceberg more than 1,400 square miles in size. Focus Earth has the latest updates and what a collapse could mean.
Pierre Thomas looks at startling new evidence that "cyber agents," based in China and Russia, have planted viruses in the U.S. power grid. Though these viruses are currently lying dormant, they could be unleashed, from remote locations, at any time and a study shows that a national "smart grid" would be even more vulnerable.
Then, Simon McGregor Wood reports from Israel, where the residents of a kibbutz have found a new way to convert the sun's rays into electricity. Instead of installing the traditional solar panels, the kibbutz is using series of mirrors to direct the sunlight at a giant turbine. The heat spins the turbine to produce enough energy to power 50 homes.
Finally, Bob Woodruff investigates an increasingly desperate mystery. Across the country, honey bees are vanishing. Colony Collapse Disorder has scientists baffled and farmers worried. Find out what is being done to confront this threat to our national food supply.
Checkout the Planet Green Schedule to see these stories and more on Focus Earth.
Don't miss Focus on Focus Earth: A Bee Mystery and Focus on Focus Earth: An Antarctic Collapse.
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