Earth

Water managers have long relied on snowpacks as a crucial source of water for various purposes, such as drinking and irrigation. However, the precise measurement of how much water is stored in snowpacks and for how long has been a challenge. Recent research conducted by the Oregon State University College of Engineering has introduced a

The information provided about the challenges in distilling usable water data from satellites is intriguing. Water managers indeed require accurate data for effective water resource management. The trade-off between high spatial and high temporal resolutions in satellite data presents a significant obstacle in obtaining precise information. Integrating data from various satellites to enhance accuracy is

Long-range weather forecasting has always been a challenging task due to the chaotic nature of weather systems. However, recent research conducted by LMU has revealed that events in the stratosphere can have a significant impact on long-range weather forecasts, particularly in Northern Europe. This discovery has implications for various sectors such as agriculture, energy production,

Plastic pollution is a global environmental crisis that affects not only marine animals but also the pristine polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. While many are familiar with the heartbreaking images of marine animals entangled in plastic debris, the issue extends far beyond what meets the eye. The Arctic and Antarctica are now facing

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has been a subject of extensive research since its monitoring began in 2004. Scientists have delved into the complexities of this system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean, which plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. A recent study published in Nature Communications sheds light on a

While much attention has been given to tailpipe emissions from vehicles, researchers at the University of California, Irvine have shed light on the concerning issue of particles released into the air when a vehicle’s brakes are applied. This often-overlooked source of pollution may pose a greater threat to public health than previously thought, with up

The study reveals that emergency planners in coastal cities such as Shanghai and New York City are facing increasing pressure to protect elderly citizens from the devastating impact of coastal flooding caused by storms and cyclones. The analysis shows that there are two distinct systems of emergency operation in these cities, leading to significant differences

Climate change is a pressing issue that is not only driving the loss of biodiversity but also creating a need for clean, renewable energy. It is essential to consider these two realities together to ensure the sustainability of our planet and its ecosystems. Species are already facing habitat loss and shifts in their ranges due

It has been established that Earth has a ‘thermostat’ that helps regulate the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide over long periods of time, ultimately influencing global temperatures. One of the key players in this regulation process is the erosion and weathering of rocks. When rocks weather, carbon is removed from the atmosphere and sequestered as

The Earth’s atmosphere is a complex system with multiple layers, each playing a vital role in regulating our planet’s climate and air quality. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of atmospheric chemistry, particularly in the troposphere – the lowest layer of the atmosphere. One crucial aspect that has garnered attention in recent

The water cycle is a fundamental aspect of the Earth’s natural processes, but predicting floods and droughts remains a challenge due to human impacts, climate change, and complex geography. To effectively model water on Earth, scientists require incredibly high-resolution data that spans vast areas. This data needs to account for various factors such as snowcaps

The analysis of freshwater resources around the world reveals a concerning trend – the planetary boundary for freshwater change has been surpassed as early as the mid-twentieth century. This means that for the past hundred years, human activities have significantly altered the Earth’s freshwater system, pushing it beyond the stable conditions that existed before industrialization.

The extreme weather event that occurred in the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains in 2020, leading to devastating wildfires and record-breaking cold, has been the subject of new research conducted by Portland State University. This research aims to shed light on the meteorology behind the event and its impacts. The study, published in the

The world’s major mountain ranges are experiencing a significant transformation in their glacier-fed streams, as reported by scientists from EPFL and Charles University. The Vanishing Glaciers project conducted expeditions to these streams and found that ongoing glacier shrinkage is leading to the flourishing of microbial life. This shift is evident in the samples collected from

The El Niño phenomenon is known to have significant impacts on climate variability around the world, affecting regions such as the Bay of Bengal, the Philippines, and the Caribbean Sea. A recent study published in Scientific Reports has projected record-breaking average surface air temperatures in these areas for the period up to June 2024 as