Unchecked carbon emissions are predicted to have a significant impact on tropical rains, causing a northward shift in the coming decades. This shift, as indicated by a study led by a UC Riverside atmospheric scientist, will lead to complex changes in the atmosphere which will influence the formation of intertropical convergence zones. The northward rain
Earth
The issue of outsourced beneficiaries in Chinese cities has recently come under scrutiny by experts who have identified a significant trend across 240 cities in the country. These cities are benefiting from emission reductions primarily due to the carbon mitigation efforts of other cities, while not putting in enough effort themselves. This phenomenon was studied
The world’s oceans are vast and complex systems that play a crucial role in regulating our planet’s climate. Recent research conducted by an international team led by the University of Cambridge has shed light on the importance of undersea mountains, known as seamounts, in influencing ocean circulation and mixing. This groundbreaking study has significant implications
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, sheds light on the concerning issue of oil and gas wells located in wildfire-prone areas across the western United States. More than 100,000 wells have been identified in regions that have been affected by wildfires in recent years, with approximately 3 million people
The ongoing volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland have raised concerns among researchers about the potential for years to decades of continued activity. The region, which houses 70% of the country’s population, as well as essential infrastructure such as the only international airport and geothermal power plants, is at risk due to the
Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, has been utilized by a team at Los Alamos National Laboratory to identify the hidden signals that precede earthquakes. This groundbreaking research conducted at the Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii represents a significant advancement in earthquake detection. The team at Los Alamos National Laboratory focused on identifying signals that
Approximately 183 million years ago, the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) occurred due to volcanic activity in modern South Africa. This event resulted in the release of an estimated 20,500 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the ocean-atmosphere system over a period of 300 to 500 thousand years. The lack of oxygen, or anoxia, in
The Aral Sea, located in Central Asia, has been facing a severe crisis due to various factors such as climate change and human activities. The shrinking of the Aral Sea has led to significant reductions in key ecosystem services in the region, affecting the overall ecological balance. A study published in Scientific Reports by researchers
Recent research conducted by Caltech researchers has shed light on a new class of enzymes that enable various bacteria to “breathe” nitrate in low-oxygen conditions. While this ability provides an evolutionary advantage for bacterial survival, it also results in the production of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. This discovery has significant implications for
In a changing climate, researchers have identified a concerning trend in cloud cover patterns that are contributing to the amplification of global warming. Led by Professor Johannes Quaas from Leipzig University, a team of scientists discovered that cloud cover is decreasing more during the day than at night, leading to a shift in the cooling
The catastrophic explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the southern Baltic Sea sent shockwaves through the marine ecosystem, with an unprecedented release of methane gas into the water. However, recent measurements conducted by the University of Gothenburg reveal a surprising twist – a significant portion of the methane remained dissolved in the water
A recent study conducted by UC Riverside sheds light on the detrimental impact of soot from large wildfires in California. While many research projects focus on the influence of climate change on wildfires, this particular study aims to understand the reverse scenario – how wildfires are altering the climate in return. Lead study author and
A major earthquake that occurred 2,500 years ago caused a significant change in the course of the Ganges River, one of the largest rivers on Earth. This previously undocumented event rerouted the main channel of the river in what is now densely populated Bangladesh. The study, which was published in Nature Communications, sheds light on
Barrier islands play a crucial role in protecting coastlines from the direct impacts of storms and sea-level rise. Composed of sand, these islands are constantly shifting and evolving in response to environmental factors such as winds, waves, and tides. They act as a buffer, shielding landward areas from the destructive forces of natural disasters. However,
A recent study conducted by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) sheds light on the world’s increasing reliance on groundwater systems that are being rapidly depleted. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate efforts to reduce groundwater depletion. However, the researchers also warn that addressing this issue
