A new study finds that low Arctic sea ice levels during July to October have knock-on impacts in the atmosphere that push the jet stream northwards. This tends to bring hotter and drier conditions in the western US over the following autumn, resulting in more frequent and intense fires in the region.
Continue reading “Melting sea ice linked to fire hazards”Mantle wind
By studying geochemical compositions beneath Panama, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientists have been able to track large-scale movements in Earth’s deep interior. They were able to show that the volcanic material is sourced from the Galapagos plume, over 1500 km away.
Continue reading “Mantle wind”How close are climate tipping points
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that surpassing 2 degrees celsius of warming could have catastrophic consequences and that we need to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius.
Continue reading “How close are climate tipping points”AI extreme heatwave forecast
Because of the impact of extreme heat waves on society and biodiversity, their study is a key challenge. Physics applied weather forecast systems or climate models can be used to forecast their occurrence or predict their probability.
Continue reading “AI extreme heatwave forecast”Early craton emergence
A new study shows Earth’s first continents, known as cratons, emerged from the ocean between 3.3 and 3.2 billion years ago. Previous estimates suggested that large-scale craton emergence took place roughly 2.5 billion years ago.
Continue reading “Early craton emergence”When will a volcano stop erupting
Although volcanologists are getting pretty good at forecasting the start of an eruption, predicting the end is much more difficult.
Continue reading “When will a volcano stop erupting”NASA biomass data
The ESA and NASA have released the first globally harmonized assessment of above ground biomass. The Multi-Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform (MAAP) provides seamless access to above ground biomass information from both ESA and NASA Earth observation data.
Continue reading “NASA biomass data”ESA climate change kit
The Climate Change from Space Kit is an interactive PDF that explains the different variables that affect climate change and describes how ESA measures them from space.
Continue reading “ESA climate change kit”NASA ocean remote sensing
After a successful trial run in May, a NASA campaign is deploying aircraft, a research vessel and several kinds of autonomous ocean robots to study small ocean whirlpools, eddies and currents.
Continue reading “NASA ocean remote sensing”Landscape contrast affects weather
Environmental engineers at Duke University have demonstrated that sharp contrasts in relatively small land features play a substantial role in local weather developments, which can in turn influence larger climate trends.
Continue reading “Landscape contrast affects weather”