Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Double quake caused 2009 tsunami in Samoa and Tonga
A huge tsunami that struck Samoa and Tonga in 2009 was caused by two virtually simultaneous earthquakes, researchers have found.
Smithsonian scientists help create first frozen repository for Hawaiian coral
Scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have created the first frozen bank for Hawaiian corals in an...
Photos: Honeycomb Clouds "Communicate," Rain in Unison
Like blinking fireflies, some marine clouds "communicate" with each other, forming, raining, and re-forming in unison, a new study says. ...
Dispersed BP oil may still harm organisms
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Oil droplets now scattered in sediment along the Gulf of Mexico floor, following the BP spill, may still pose a risk to...
Climate Extremes: Beyond Loaded Dice
A climatologist proposes a new way to convey how a warming climate will affect extreme weather.
Toxic Pesticide Banned after Decades of Use
A farm chemical with an infamous history – causing the worst known outbreak of pesticide poisoning in North America – is being phased out under an agreement...
Chalk River makes 1st isotopes in 15 months
The first medical isotopes in 15 months have been produced at the nuclear reactor in Chalk River, Ont., Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. announced.
Panel recommends support for Chile telescope
A new planned telescope facility in Chile known as CCAT, proposed and led by Cornell scientists, has received strong endorsement from a national panel charged with determining priorities in astronomy...
Wind power plans for Taiwan-held islets near China
Taiwan's Penghu group of islands plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to expand their wind power capacities, an official said Wednesday.
Gulf surface cleaner, but questions lurk far below
(AP) -- Researchers are warning that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is a bigger mess than the government claims and that a lot of crude is lurking deep...
Should the NHS budget be ring fenced?
Is the government's decision to ring fence NHS funding fair? Two experts debate the issue on bmj.com today...
City of Bell lent employees, elected officials nearly $900,000
Former assistant city manager received at least $200,000. Experts say such a city loan program for employees is unusual.The city of Bell gave nearly $900,000 in loans to...
How to reduce UK transport carbon emissions by 76 per cent by 2050
Researchers in the UK have achieved a significant breakthrough in climate change policy by showing how to make drastic cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from transport. The study goes beyond...
Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #3
Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #3 The NSIDC has just issued an update report for August - August 17, 2010North by Northwest The end of summer is approaching in the Arctic; temperatures...
Ancient Roman map puzzle may get new pieces
Several pieces of the world's oldest and largest unsolved jigsaw puzzle, a 2,200-year-old map of Rome made of thousands of marble fragments, could be unearthed next year following construction work...
Disease decimates salmon farms in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Struggling to recover from a devastating health crisis, the once-booming salmon farming industry in Chile faces an uncertain future, experts say. ...
Two previously unknown Northwest quake faults ID'd
Seismologists have identified two previously unknown and potentially active faults near the capital of Washington state. Washington - United States - Washington D.C. - Earthquake...
Forecasters see active hurricane season
MIAMI, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The "meanest" stretch of the hurricane season, from mid-August to early October, is here, and "now the game starts," says a weather expert. ...
Asia's rice production threatened
LOS BANOS, Philippines, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Asia's rice production is in danger from rising temperatures due to climate change, a new study says. ...
On Land, Air and Sea, a Retrofit Mission
The secretary of the Navy outlines plans to slash the fossil fuel dependence of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Indonesian glaciers 'to melt within few years'
The ice fields in Indonesia might be gone within a few years, melting away the record of past climate in the region, say researchers.
On Our Radar: Pakistan's Climate Debate
Some are cautious about drawing firm conclusions about recent flooding, but most agree that patterns are changing.
Mass Die-off at Coral Reef Triggered by 93-Degree Ocean
Warmer ocean waters linked to climate change likely to blame.
U.K. gas storage plans closer to reality
LONDON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A city council in northeast Britain approved a measure to start planning for a giant offshore gas storage facility, a gas company announced. ...
Chevron finds huge gas pay in Australia
SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A new natural gas discovery off the coast of Western Australia is the most significant find in the area, U.S. oil and...
Louisiana gets oil spill assistance
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Washington issued a $30 million grant to Louisiana to help protect the coastal habitat in the ongoing response to the BP oil spill, an...
U.S. goes local for green energy plans
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Local U.S. officials representing some 87 million people signed onto a climate protection agreement to help push green energy alternatives, officials said. ...
Aussie Academy: Warming Is Real, Dangerous
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—In the run-up to national elections on 21 August, the country's top science...