Earth

Australian environmental scientists have achieved a world-first study using cave stalagmites to track groundwater replenishment. The research, published in Communications Earth & Environment, revealed that rainfall recharge to groundwater in southwest Western Australia is currently at its lowest point in at least 800 years. This decline is attributed to reduced rainfall over the past two … Read more

New research published in the scientific journal Nature Communications reveals alarming findings regarding the impact of soil microorganisms on atmospheric CO2 levels. These microorganisms, which play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter in soil, are responsible for releasing CO2 into the atmosphere through a process known as heterotrophic respiration. According to the study conducted … Read more

The eruption of the Hunga Volcano in Tonga on January 15, 2022, has set new records and created an extraordinary thunderstorm. A recent study revealed that this eruption resulted in the most intense lightning ever recorded. The volcanic plume produced nearly 200,000 lightning flashes throughout the eruption, reaching a peak of over 2,600 flashes per … Read more

According to a group of climate scientists, including a prominent expert from Rutgers University, there has been progress in effectively communicating crucial facts about future sea level rise. The scientists emphasize the significant consequences of improved communication, as policymakers are actively integrating climate scientists’ risk assessments into major planning efforts to mitigate the impacts of … Read more

Gold, a mesmerizing precious metal, has captivated humans throughout history. It has been a symbol of opulence and prosperity in various civilizations, from the legendary wealth of Priam’s Treasure to the mythical city of El Dorado. Traditionally, it was believed that gold deposits formed when hot aqueous solution flows, known as hydrothermal fluids, transported dissolved … Read more

Each year, approximately 14,000 tons of plastic find their way into Swiss soils and waters, including microplastics, which are minuscule particles ranging from micro to millimeter size. These microplastics originate from various sources, such as cosmetics and synthetic fiber clothing. Additionally, they are generated through the wear and tear or breakdown of larger plastic items, … Read more

Researchers at UCL (University College London) and Italy’s National Research Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) have conducted a new study indicating that the Campi Flegrei volcano in southern Italy has become more unstable and susceptible to eruption. The volcano has exhibited restlessness for over 70 years, experiencing periods of heightened activity in the 1950s, … Read more

The remarkable success of the federal government’s prominent environmental laws is often overlooked in partisan political debates concerning regulations impacting the energy sector. One such example is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which aimed to reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. According to a … Read more

The Sierra Nevada Mountains accumulate massive amounts of snow, which can cause parts of the Central Valley, located to the west, to sink. This phenomenon has complicated groundwater assessments because the sinking is often mistaken as a depletion of aquifers. However, a recent study conducted by Stanford University has provided a solution to this problem, … Read more

A recent study conducted by Colorado State University reveals that the explanations for how and why mountains are formed may be more complex than previously believed. Lead author Sean Gallen, an assistant professor of geosciences at CSU, explains that mountain building is a fundamental process of Earth’s behavior. However, this study suggests that our understanding … Read more

New research indicates that the circulation of waters to the deepest parts of the ocean surrounding Antarctica, driven by climate change, is occurring earlier than expected. The accelerated melting of Antarctic ice and rising temperatures, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, are predicted to have a significant impact on the global network of ocean currents, … Read more

New research from Rice University has revealed that banded iron formations, characterized by visually striking layers of burnt orange, yellow, silver, brown, and blue-tinged black, may have triggered some of the largest volcanic eruptions in Earth’s history. These sedimentary rocks contain iron oxides that settled at the bottom of ancient oceans, forming dense layers that … Read more

A recent comprehensive analysis of lake temperatures provides further confirmation of the seasonal alterations caused by climate change. The study, published in Nature Communications, utilizes historical and modeled lake temperature data to examine the timing of typical spring and autumn conditions across lakes worldwide. The research reveals the extent of seasonal shifts in different regions … Read more

A team of international researchers, led by Australia’s Southern Cross University, has revealed new insights into the greenhouse gas budget of coastal ecosystems worldwide. Their study, published on May 22 in Nature Climate Change, demonstrates that coastal ecosystems act as a net greenhouse gas sink for carbon dioxide (CO2), but the emissions of methane (CH4) … Read more

Monitoring glacial runoff using acoustic signals presents a cost-effective and accessible alternative to existing methods. With glaciers melting rapidly and causing significant sea-level rise and outburst floods, it is crucial to track the meltwater contribution to oceans and freshwater resources worldwide, as well as monitor the risk of glacial flooding. However, glacio-hydrological monitoring can be … Read more

The end-Permian mass extinction (EPME) that occurred approximately 252 million years ago was a catastrophic event, resulting in the devastating loss of approximately 81% of marine species and 89% of terrestrial species. New research conducted by a collaboration between the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGAPS), Nanjing University, … Read more

New research published in the journal Nature Sustainability suggests that current climate policies will result in over a fifth of the global population being exposed to dangerously hot temperatures by 2100. Despite the commitment made in the Paris Agreement to keep global warming well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, projections indicate that the Earth … Read more

The world is on the verge of a critical moment in the battle against climate change. Scientists have long warned that exceeding a global temperature rise of 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels would lead to severe consequences. Unfortunately, a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals that we are rapidly approaching this limit. According … Read more

The melting of the Greenland ice sheet (GIS) and the Antarctic ice sheet (AIS) has a significant impact on global mean sea level (GMSL) rise. However, recent studies have shown that the seas surrounding Antarctica, such as the Bellinghausen-Amundsen Seas and the Indian Ocean sector, are experiencing much greater warming compared to other marginal seas. … Read more

Scientists have made a significant discovery regarding the cause of enormous underwater landslides in Antarctica. They believe that these landslides could have generated far-reaching tsunami waves throughout the Southern Ocean. An international team of researchers has unearthed layers of vulnerable, fossilized sediments teeming with biological material, located hundreds of meters beneath the ocean floor. These … Read more