I didn't really fall off the face of the Earth; I got heavily involved in a FR global-warming debate that is still continuing. But I thought it would be good practice to get back in the habit of posting Geology Pictures of the Week, and since I missed three weeks, here are four pictures: Pinacate Biosphere Reserve (click for large image) A Kilauea carlito (small hornito) with a face (click for larger image) Naples and Vesuvius -- too close for comfort? Devil's Tower, Wyoming in autumn (because "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was on TV last weekend)