Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Soot: The Little-Discussed Impact Of Wildfires In Greenland Snowpack Melting
Smoke from Arctic wildfires have been drifting over the Greenland ice sheet, tarnishing the ice with soot and making it more likely to melt under the sun, according to satellite observations. NASA's...
Green Blog: On Our Radar: A Plant Stress Index
Satellite monitoring of plant temperatures and evaporation offered an early indication that this year's severe drought was in the making.
Wildfires light up western Australia
Careful observers of the new "Black Marble" images of Earth at night released this week by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have noticed bright areas in the...
ScienceShot: Invasive Grass Behind Largest Wildfires
Cheatgrass responsible for a disproportionate number of blazes in western United States
Earthquake hot spots revealed
By analysing regions where fracture and subduction zones meet, researches created a map of areas prone to great earthquakes.
In spite of wet start, Northeast sees second driest November in more than a century
(Phys.org)—Even though Hurricane Sandy helped create wet start to the month for several states, November 2012 went into the record books as the second-driest November since 1895 in the Northeast....
Scientists develop prediction tools to model impact of policies aimed at reducing our ecological footprint
Scientists keep producing increasingly complex modelling tools to evaluate urgently needed mitigating strategies of our carbon footprint. However, it is policy makers who have to decide on measures to curb...
Reality of rising sea levels: Professor urges urban planning at national level
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, how will our urban coastal areas deal with the challenge of rising sea levels? And how do we even begin to think about where...
Researchers find a common angle and tipping point of branching valley networks
Over the course of decades or even centuries, Earth's landscape can appear relatively static, with mountains and valleys seemingly anchored firmly in place. Viewed over a longer timescale, however—on the...
US, others smash global cyberfraud ring
US officials said Wednesday they had taken down a global cyberfraud ring and charged six Romanians and one Albanian in a scheme selling non-existent goods on the Web.
Site-specific, long-term research expanding understanding of climate change
While science has often focused on big-scale, global climate change research, a study recently published in the journal Bioscience suggests that long-term, integrated and site-specific research is needed to understand...
Ozone hole ‘deters growth of southern forests’
The ozone hole has changed the direction of moisture-laden winds, affecting the growth of forests in the Patagonia, New Zealand and Tasmania, says a study.
Colombia and Peru certify REDD projects
Community involvement was key for two REDD projects to receive the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) certification in Colombia and Peru, says a study
Asia air pollution deaths to rise, environment group says
Air pollution in Asia, which already kills at least 800,000 people each year, will likely lead to even higher death rates as the region's air quality worsens, an environmental group...
Breaking: NHC Modifies Hurricane Warning Definition in Wake of Sandy
The NHC now has more flexibility in warning policy.
Review: 3 weather phone apps help you on the go
(AP)—For me, climate change is a serious issue. No, I'm not referring to the debate over global warming. My concerns are much simpler. I'm constantly checking the weather for the...
Weather and ice data help secure winter shipping in the Arctic
Climate change brings changes to the Arctic region. The opening of new shipping routes creates needs for weather and marine safety services. Jouni Vainio, Senior Ice Expert at the Finnish...
New test adds to scientists' understanding of Earth's history, resources
A new study provides the first direct chronological test of sequence stratigraphy, a powerful tool for exploring Earth’s natural resources.
Dredging Could Unleash PCBs in Indiana Community
Dredging of a highly contaminated canal along the shore of Lake Michigan has begun, triggering fears among some experts that the project could release harmful chemicals into an Indiana community....
Megacities move to track emissions
Scientists monitor greenhouse gases in urban areas as a first step to gauging success of climate initiatives worldwide.Nature 492 20 doi: 10.1038/492020a
Marine medical call revelations cause political waves
Records that show the Canadian military pressured coast guard officials into using doctors in Italy for marine medical calls off Newfoundland this spring have churned up some rough political waters...
Tackling urban sustainability on global scale
As the world's urban areas continue to grow, evidenced by rampant poverty and squalor from Shanghai to Rio de Janeiro, the question becomes: How can we focus on protecting environmental...
Nautilus stops work on Papua New Guinea deep-sea mine
A controversial mining project in the Pacific sea bed has been halted amid a funding dispute between the mining firm and the local government.
West African science media forum to 'stir development'
A newly created forum for West African science journalists aims to enhance regional science coverage and stimulate development.
New map highlights hotspots for mega-quakes
Seismologists on Wednesday unveiled a map highlighting zones most prone to unleashing the world's biggest earthquakes, including the 9.0 monster that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011.
Killed-Off Corals Hold Clues to Earthquake Prediction
Fossil corals reveal earthquake patterns in Sumatra, a first step toward predicting the size of future earthquakes.
EPFL's heating a treat for lake trouts
A recently conducted study also shows that the streams surrounding EPFL can handle future campus growth.
Climate compensation row at Doha
Frustration at slow progress at the UN climate talks exploded today when a spokesman for the small island states (AOSIS) rounded angrily on rich nations.