The concentration of people and wealth in underground spaces poses significant risks from floods, tsunamis, and other extreme events. Modeling catastrophic events is crucial for designing contingencies such as evacuations and emergency containment.
Scientists have found that climate change is a major contributing factor to droughts' increasing frequency and severity, with rising temperatures accounting for almost half of the global trend. The study used a unique analysis to estimate how much of the global trend in soil moisture was due solely to warming-induced evaporation.
A new NCAR study reveals that rising temperatures are the primary cause of expanding droughts globally. The research found that almost half of the change in dry conditions since the 1970s is due to warming rather than decreased rainfall or snowfall.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding Earth systems using highly detailed GPS observations. A new technique has improved the accuracy of GPS data by correcting for a time lag built into current satellite systems, allowing for more accurate measurement of dynamic ground motion. Additionally, studies have reveal...
Geologists have discovered evidence of massive ice-dammed lakes in the Himalayas, which burst and caused catastrophic floods. The discovery provides new insights into the geological history of the region and its impact on the surrounding landscape.
Researchers analyzed rare isotope data to gauge when rivers abandoned their ancient beds and exposed terraces. The study reveals that rivers cut through bedrock at a rate far more rapid than previously thought, driven by regional climate changes during the last ice age.
The Dartmouth Flood Observatory expects a busy 2004 due to increasing flood events worldwide. The observatory's global inventory of flooding events may help assess global climate change.
Researchers at University of Arizona develop smart software to detect floods, volcanic eruptions and changes in ice fields on Earth. The software will also be used to study similar events throughout the solar system.
Research finds that flood policy shifts are often driven by prevailing attitudes, technological resources and social values, not just crisis responses. Policymakers must consider these complex influences when planning for future events.
The UN University estimates that the number of people living in flood-prone areas will double by 2050 due to extreme weather systems, rising sea levels, and deforestation. This would put an additional 1 billion people at risk, with devastating consequences for global economies and human security.
New NASA technology enhances NOAA's weather forecasts by integrating satellite data and lightning tracking, leading to more confident seven-day severe local storm forecasts. This improved prediction capability can also enhance tornado warning lead times and better predict thunderstorm occurrence.
A high-fat fast-food breakfast causes a surge in inflammatory factors in the blood stream, overwhelming the body's natural anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Repeated exposure may lead to chronic inflammation and increase the risk of heart disease.
Salvage harvesting operations after natural disturbances can threaten some organisms when large quantities of biological legacies are removed. Researchers argue that exempting large areas from these practices is crucial for ecosystem recovery and sustainability.
Researchers analyze Martian flood channels, estimate Mercury's crust depth and simulate earthquake dynamics. New data also reveals details on sprites and interstellar hydrogen shadows.
NASA satellites provide daily, high-quality data on crop productivity, surface temperature and snow cover to support decision-making for FAS analysts. The data helps monitor natural disasters' impact on crops and assess water levels in lakes and reservoirs.
A new study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These shifts suggest an acceleration of the Earth's water cycle, potentially exacerbating global warming and disrupting ocean circulation.
A recent study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These findings suggest an intensifying global water cycle, which could disrupt ocean circulation patterns and exacerbate global warming.
The Penn State Earth 101 course uses B-movie clips to engage students in learning about natural disasters, promoting critical thinking and science-based decision-making. Students work on projects such as public affairs manuals for cities with earthquake histories, debating topics like government response to natural disasters.
Researchers found that glacial icebergs carried boulders, known as erratics, from the Rocky Mountains to Rattlesnake Mountain in south-central Washington. The rocks were deposited along northeast-running gullies and show signs of weathering, suggesting they were carried by older Ice Age floods.
The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has led to a remarkable recovery of cottonwood and willow species, as well as improved stream health. Young trees are now growing taller in areas where wolves are present, suggesting that the fear of predation is preventing elk from overgrazing.
Heme flooding can shut down cell membrane channels, killing neurons and constricting blood vessels. Researchers found a chemical called NS1619 restores channel function and may lead to a new treatment.
A preliminary clinical trial found that a small molecule, GVG (vigabatrin), significantly reduced cocaine cravings and improved quality of life in participants. The study's lead author notes that the results provide compelling human data to support the efficacy of GVG for treating cocaine addiction.
Researchers developed a model to calculate movements of both sand and mud in tidal areas, revealing locations with little sedimentation due to quick water flow. The model can predict the effect of human intervention in tidal waters, addressing questions about released polluted mud layers and ecosystem changes.
Researchers found steady, light rain in central Pacific during El Niño, which differs from thunderstorms. This type of rain affects air movement and jet stream patterns, leading to improved rainfall forecasts worldwide.
Engineers studied the impacts of 9/11 on the World Trade Center, discovering factors that minimized infrastructure disruption. The study highlighted the importance of wireless communication, compartmentalized electrical systems, and heroic actions by utility workers.
TRMM allows researchers to daily map areas of potential flooding using precipitation radar data and high-resolution measurements of cloud water content. The satellite provides updated records on a global scale, enabling scientists to track storms, monitor El Nino conditions, and assess crop health in remote regions.
A Pittsburgh study reveals that thunderstorm-related deaths predominantly occur among males, with 70% of fatalities attributed to males. The majority of these incidents involve flash floods or lightning strikes while driving, playing sports, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Researchers at Penn State have developed an early flash flood warning system that can potentially save lives and property by forecasting extreme weather events. The system uses a combination of dynamical and statistical models to identify patterns and anomalies in atmospheric conditions, allowing for three-day advance warnings.
Researcher North studies survivors of disasters, including plane crashes and mass shootings, finding most people are resilient but vulnerable to PTSD. People with a history of psychiatric illness are at high risk for developing PTSD, especially those experiencing avoidance and numbing symptoms after disasters.
Warren Washington predicts that the global climate will continue to warm into the 22nd century, albeit at a slower rate than if emissions are not controlled. Climate extremes such as heat waves, floods, and droughts are expected to become more severe and frequent.
Scientists are developing new approaches to disaster prevention, including tools for wildfire management and prediction systems for heavy rainfall and landslides. These initiatives aim to reduce the impact of extreme weather events on communities.
Research found significant species diversity in riparian areas, with up to 40 times more exotic species per plot compared to uplands. Flood frequency also impacts species richness, with decreased numbers of exotic species as flood frequency decreases.
Columbia University has established a new cross-disciplinary graduate program with a $2.9 million NSF grant, focusing on applied mathematics and Earth sciences. The program aims to equip students with both mathematical skills and deep understanding of environmental issues.
A new study suggests that future extreme rain events could cause significant crop losses and damages, particularly in the US Corn Belt. The researchers used a modified crop model to simulate the effects of excess soil moisture on corn crops, finding potential damages up to $3 billion per year by the 2030s.
A team of scientists has analyzed sediment cores from 21 lakes in Vermont and New York to establish regional storm patterns. The findings indicate that intense rainstorms causing massive flooding are expected to increase frequency and severity over the coming years, with human activity contributing to this trend.
A NASA study suggests that black carbon particles are responsible for changes in precipitation patterns over China, leading to increased flooding in the south and droughts in the north. The study used climate computer models and aerosol data to analyze the effects of black carbon on hydrologic cycles in China and India.
Researchers found thicker, denser storm clouds over warmer waters, covering wider areas of the tropics and releasing more moisture as rain. This contradicts the 'Adaptive Iris' theory, which suggests cloud cover decreases with rising ocean temperatures.
Experts say preparing for natural disasters can also help mitigate the impact of terrorist attacks, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive approaches to risk management. Communities must consider all potential risks and develop disaster plans that address various types of hazards.
A new report reanalyzes national weather service estimates to provide a comprehensive understanding of US flood damage trends. The data show that North Dakota has suffered the most per capita economic losses due to flooding.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered a molecular switch called Rop that assists plant survival in low-oxygen conditions, such as flooding. The enzyme ADH is produced through a rheostat-like mechanism, which is controlled by the Rop switch.
Researchers have developed a new technique that predicts Madden-Julian Oscillations (MJOs), which can provide two-weeks notice for storms. This allows scientists to issue storm warnings weeks earlier than current conventional weather forecasting, supporting sustainable development efforts.
The American College of Emergency Physicians has issued first consensus guidelines on lightning safety before summer storms. These guidelines emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in avoiding lightning injury and provide tips on safer practices, including knowing safe locations and following weather updates.
A study analyzing satellite images of the 1999 hurricane flood area found that over 200 NC livestock operations were flooded, contaminating wells and posing a risk to local residents. The research highlights the need for improved monitoring and regulation of industrial animal farms in flood-prone areas.
Gretchen Daily proposes assigning economic value to ecosystems and incorporating those values into public policy. She argues that making conservation profitable is crucial for saving the planet from natural resource depletion.
A new NASA study warns of increased winter flooding in California as global warming alters streamflow patterns. The study projects a drier growing season, with snowmelt-driven watersheds experiencing early streamflow increases and higher flood risks.
A team of students and researchers from Clemson University test eight houses in coastal South Carolina to determine the most effective hurricane retrofits. The study uses various methods, including cranes and vacuum chambers, to simulate real-life conditions and evaluate the performance of different retrofit measures.
New research suggests earthquakes destroyed fortified buildings, changed river courses and made elite rulers vulnerable to attack in ancient civilizations. Scientists at Stanford University are painting a picture of an ancient world where earthquakes played a crucial role in shaping history.
A recent study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers attributes increased flood levels on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to the placement of thousands of wing dams, built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s and '40s. The structures impede water flow during floods, causing water levels to rise.
A new research project could help forecast floods and associated cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh, aiding farmers and improving quality of life. The team will use computer modeling to pinpoint Indian Ocean conditions and rainfall patterns, enabling local forecasts that can aid communities.
Recent studies on Mars' Elysium and Amazonis Planitia regions reveal regionally extensive lava eruptions from the same vent system as water. The findings suggest that these volcanic and hydrologic events are both young and related in origins, potentially indicating ongoing volcanic activity.
The National Virtual Observatory will unite diverse astronomical databases, making it easier for researchers to access and analyze data. The project aims to streamline data analysis techniques and promote collaboration among institutions.
The National Virtual Observatory will unite various astronomical databases, taking advantage of computer technology and data storage techniques. This project aims to maximize scientific insights from data, making them accessible to professional researchers, amateur astronomers, and students.
Fractal extremes help predict when surfaces will reach critical points of erosion or accumulation, enabling better material designs and reliable devices. The study uses scaling math and extreme-value statistics to model surface growth and erosion processes, providing a more accurate method for predicting these events.
Researchers at Clemson University are testing 15 houses with hurricane-resistant retrofits to determine their effectiveness. The study aims to provide more accurate estimates of retrofit costs and benefits, helping homeowners decide whether the expense is worth it.
Researchers examine dam removal's effects on rivers, considering ecological, engineering, social and legal perspectives. The symposium explores how dam removal affects nutrient flow, habitat, and flood patterns, highlighting the need for better restoration strategies.
Dr. Baerbel K. Lucchitta's research finds that some Martian outflow channels display similar characteristics to those on the Antarctic sea floor, carved by ice streams. The study suggests an ancient ocean may have existed in Mars' northern plains.
Researchers at Penn State aim to improve flood prediction by evaluating past storms with different forecasting methods. They found that convective parameterization schemes can help forecast rainfall, but the best scheme varies depending on the season and atmospheric conditions.
Researchers found that El Niño events result in wetter oceans and drier land areas, with droughts more common than floods. Global precipitation patterns show an increase in rain over the Indian monsoon region and a decrease over central Africa during these events.
A minor earthquake occurred in the Evansville area with a preliminary magnitude of 3.9, according to the USGS. This region has been identified as having a potential for damaging earthquakes.
Researchers used satellite images, fossils, and radiocarbon dating to estimate the prehistoric productivity of the Colorado River Delta. The study found that shellfish production declined by 20-fold due to human diversion of the river's flow.