Earth

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is rapidly approaching a tipping point that could have catastrophic consequences for the global climate system. A new study published in Nature, conducted by an international team of researchers including scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact research (PIK), warns that up

A recent study conducted by behavioral researchers at the University of Bonn, the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE in Frankfurt, and the University of Copenhagen has shed light on an encouraging trend: a majority of the world’s population is not only supportive of climate action but also willing to make personal sacrifices to combat

When studying rocks, one can uncover a captivating narrative hidden within. Frieder Klein, an associate scientist in the Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, compares studying rocks to reading a book. His recent analysis of rocks from the submerged flanks of the St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago in the

For decades, both the public and scientists have been captivated by the concept of catastrophic mass extinctions that occurred millions of years ago, decimating Earth’s ecosystems. In a groundbreaking publication by Jack Sepkoski and David Raup in 1982, they identified the “Big Five” extinction events in the planet’s geological history. These events include the end-Ordovician,

An alarming and catastrophic scenario of an abrupt halt in the Atlantic Ocean currents, with the potential to plunge large parts of Europe into a deep freeze, is becoming increasingly likely according to a new complex computer simulation. This simulation has identified a “cliff-like” tipping point in the future, indicating that the nightmare scenario may

In a stunning turn of events, a river of magma beneath an Icelandic fishing village has captured the attention of scientists worldwide. Late last year, a volcanic eruption on the western Reykjanes peninsula revealed a previously unknown level of magma flow. This region had not witnessed an eruption in 800 years, hinting at a reawakening

Australian geologists have recently conducted a study using plate tectonic modeling to uncover the cause of an extreme ice-age climate that occurred more than 700 million years ago. This research, published in Geology, not only sheds light on the Earth’s built-in thermostat but also highlights the sensitivity of global climate to atmospheric carbon concentration. Unraveling

Natural gas flaring is a common practice in many parts of the United States as a means to dispose of gas byproducts during oil extraction. This process involves burning the gas, converting hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. While this helps reduce the climate impact and the safety concerns associated with natural gas on site,

A recent study conducted by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian from Universität Hamburg’s Cluster of Excellence for climate research CLICCS has revealed alarming findings about the future of the Arctic. The study suggests that marine heat waves, a phenomenon directly linked to higher anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions, will become a regular occurrence in the region. Since 2007, there

The origins of the Antarctic ice sheet have long been attributed to the formation of the Circumpolar Current around 34 million years ago. However, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Barcelona, the Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC), and the Imperial College London challenges this long-held belief, revolutionizing our understanding of

Subduction zones, where tectonic plates collide, have always been of great interest to scientists due to their association with some of the world’s most powerful earthquakes. These earthquakes occur when stress builds up between the plates and is suddenly released, causing the plates to slide past each other. However, the behavior of subduction zones between

Governments and businesses have been placing their hopes on future carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere rather than actively reducing emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, new research published in Science reveals that this reliance on carbon dioxide removal is misguided and fails to recognize the potential harms to people, food security,

Geoscientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that offers a fresh perspective on how continents developed. Unlike previous theories that relied on external factors or plate tectonics, this revised origin story focuses on internal geological forces within oceanic plateaus. The findings, published in Nature Communications, shed light on the complex process of crust formation during the

The 1972 Clean Water Act has played a crucial role in protecting the “waters of the United States,” but the specific streams and wetlands covered by this legislation have often been subject to interpretation. The lack of precise definition has resulted in the responsibility of determining coverage falling on presidential administrations, regulators, and courts. Consequently,

The severe drought in the Amazon last year, which had detrimental effects on the region’s rivers, wildlife, and communities, was primarily driven by human-induced global warming, according to a recent study. The El Niño phenomenon and climate change both played a role in reducing rainfall, but the rise in global temperatures was identified as the