A recent NUS study examines the factors leading to mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2012. The researchers found that rice agriculture in Myanmar and oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia are major drivers of this deforestation, posing future threats to the region's mangrove ecosystems.
The 2011 flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee had a significant impact on the geomorphology of several large watersheds in north-central Pennsylvania. Channel widening and bank erosion were common, and huge volumes of gravel were transported during the flood. The study suggests that part of the reason for these changes was related to the...
A new international study developed a framework to explain Earth's diverse plant growth forms, functions, and ecological roles. The framework predicts plant population responses to environmental change, offering insights into land recovery projects.
A new study predicts that rail services in the South West of England will be disrupted for over 40 days per year by 2040 and up to 120 days by 2100 due to rising sea levels. The cost of maintaining tracks and sea defences is also expected to soar, with estimated annual costs rising from £800,000 to £5.8-7.6 million by 2040.
An international team of scientists discovered that fewer landslides occurred after the 2015 Nepal earthquake than initially thought. The research used satellite imaging to analyze the region and found no large floods from overflowing glacial lakes.
The US Pacific Northwest experienced extreme rainfall from Dec. 2 to 9, 2015, with areas receiving over 160 mm of rain and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean seeing totals over 310 mm. This heavy moisture was attributed to atmospheric rivers originating in the Western Pacific Ocean.
The new report summarizes the latest science on integrated watershed management to meet the needs of billions of people dependent on food, timber, and clean water. It highlights the importance of smart reforestation to mitigate life-threatening natural events like floods and landslides.
Tropical Storm Sandra is decoupling from its lower layer due to strong upper-level winds, resulting in a tight swirl of low clouds devoid of deep convection. This weakening trend is expected to produce 2-4 inches of rainfall across western Mexico, leading to life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Researchers have developed a new approach to recover flood frequency and magnitude data from temperate lakes, providing new sources of paleohydrological information. The study uses sediment dynamics to establish relationships between river discharge and deposit preservation, helping model and mitigate future flood risk.
Researchers found that beaver dams create dead wood hotspots, increasing quantities of standing and deciduous dead wood. This restoration benefits a large number of species, including those dependent on these resources.
A recent study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers reveals that long-term ocean warming significantly increased the risk of devastating floods in northeast Australia during the 2010/2011 event. The study found that warmer sea surface temperatures contributed to record-breaking rainfall and extreme weather conditions.
NASA is conducting a field campaign in the Pacific Northwest to verify rainfall and snowfall observations made by the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite mission. The region's frequent winter rain and snowfall make it an ideal location for studying precipitation patterns.
The Vindel River LIFE project restored tributaries by creating more diverse aquatic habitats through wider streams and boulders. This led to increased water levels and variable currents, benefiting migrating salmon and trout, as well as other animals and plants.
A business-as-usual approach to satisfying food demand is not sustainable due to climate change. Plant science can bolster supply by increasing crop nutritional content, water efficiency, and resistance to pests and diseases.
The South Big Data Regional Innovation Hub aims to address regional challenges through big data analysis, serving 16 southern states. The hub will develop innovative public-private partnerships, leveraging Georgia Tech's national data repositories and Southern Crossroads network.
The upgraded McMurdo TDRSS Relay System (MTRS) is transmitting terabytes of data at 200 megabits per second, enabling the production of global maps and enhancing natural hazard monitoring. The system's performance has improved data flow and will eventually support other polar-orbiting spacecraft.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement linking climate change with the health of children. The statement highlights the unique vulnerability of children to climate-related threats, including heat stress, air quality issues, and increased infectious diseases.
Hurricane Patricia broke records as the strongest eastern North Pacific hurricane on record, with a minimum central pressure of 880 millibars and maximum sustained winds near 200 mph. The storm is expected to produce catastrophic impacts in southwestern Mexico, including life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that California will experience more frequent and severe droughts and floods due to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation. The researchers found that extreme weather events are likely to increase, with droughts potentially doubling and floods tripling by 2100.
The Eastern Pacific Ocean's twentieth tropical depression of the season developed into Tropical Storm Patricia, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm is forecast to approach the Mexican coast on Friday, bringing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Scientists will analyze the current El Niño event using NASA's suite of orbiting Earth-observing missions, providing insights into its global impacts. The study aims to better understand the connections between El Niño and extreme weather patterns, such as fires and floods.
Floodwaters in Vermont (2011) and Colorado (2013) highlighted the impact of downstream increases and decreases in stream power on erosion and sedimentation. The study successfully predicted river channel and floodplain responses in almost 90% of cases, revealing the potential role of downstream changes in stream power.
Researchers at the University of Reading and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts found that accounting for unusual winds miles up in the stratosphere can make long-range winter weather forecasts twice as accurate. This allows forecasters to predict extreme winter weather events up to four weeks before they occur, providi...
A new study projects more extreme weather in the Amazon, with frequent and extensive droughts expected to impact forest structure, biomass, and carbon emissions. The region will experience profound implications for the environment, including increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have detailed the structure of the ion channel Slo2.2, which helps regulate potassium ions and prevent overstimulation in neurons. The discovery sheds new light on how neurons reset after intense activity and could potentially inform treatments for epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.
NASA's Aqua satellite tracked Tropical Depression Marty over southwestern Mexico's coast as it slowly left the area. The storm still maintained a circular appearance despite weakening, bringing heavy rain and ocean swells that could produce life-threatening flash floods.
Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.
A new study quantifies the synergy of sea-level rise and big coastal storms, projecting a 4-75 fold increase in flood index across the US East coast by 2100. The combined effects of these two climate hazards could produce alarming spikes in flooding, with projections suggesting a 35 to 350 times increase in the Northeast.
Tropical Depression 16E made landfall in northwestern Mexico on September 21, bringing heavy rainfall and threatening life-threatening flash floods. The depression is expected to produce 3-5 inches of rain across the northern Baja California peninsula and Sonora, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches possible.
Tropical Storm Vamco brought extreme rainfall to central Vietnam and Laos, resulting in flash floods and landslides. The NASA GPM mission measured over 220 mm of rainfall along the storm's path, highlighting the importance of monitoring heavy precipitation events.
Researchers at Disney Research have developed a networking technology that enables LED lights to communicate with each other and the Internet using visible light signals. The technology has the potential to create smart environments and enable IoT applications, such as remote monitoring of objects.
A new study by CU Denver reveals that smaller cities in the developing world are often unprepared for disasters, lacking basic infrastructure and redundant systems. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these threats, particularly in mountainous regions such as India's Darjeeling District.
Tropical Storm Erika was centered in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, affecting Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. The storm produced total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The Urban Water Innovation Network will develop technological, institutional, and management solutions to enhance urban water resilience. The network, led by Colorado State University, aims to create an enduring research network for integrated water systems and sustainable cities.
Researchers are studying ways to increase communities' ability to withstand and recover from wildfires with the support of a $2.8 million grant. The team will create a virtual early warning system to identify vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and work with stakeholders to develop action plans for at-risk areas.
Tropical Storm Hilda is weakening due to diminishing winds, with maximum sustained winds holding at 45mph. The storm is expected to move west-southwest and produce heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash floods across the Hawaiian Islands.
Hurricane Hilda's strongest winds were detected by NASA's RapidScat instrument on the storm's northern side, reaching speeds of 73 mph. The center of the hurricane is expected to bring heavy rain, life-threatening flash floods, and large ocean swells to Hawaiian Islands over the next few days.
A new model suggests that wealthy countries' ability to mitigate flood risks through investments will be unsustainable in the long term. As a result, they may experience similar flood risk levels as developing countries.
The Mobile Bridge Version 4.0's viability was tested on a real river, showcasing its practical use with minimal personnel and no foundation work required. The bridge's scissor-like structure allows for efficient expansion and contraction while maintaining strength.
Scientists found a clear upward trend in unprecedented daily rainfall events globally, consistent with rising global temperatures. The average increase is 12% globally, but 56% in South East Asia.
Fred Ogden's discovery answers a long-standing question about water movement in the vadose zone, crucial for agriculture, hydrology, and climate science. The new equation improves the accuracy and computing power of hundreds of important water models.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that federal agencies are underestimating historic 100-year flood levels on major rivers in the Midwest by as much as five feet. This miscalculation has serious implications for future flood risks, flood insurance, and business development in an expanding floodplain.
AGU researchers explore the impact of the Sabah earthquake on sediment production and river systems in Malaysia, while also discussing improved predictions for Arctic sea ice extent. The findings highlight the urgent need to better understand and predict these natural phenomena.
A new report by The Lancet suggests that climate change could wipe out health progress over the past 50 years, but effective climate action may improve global health. The report highlights positive co-benefits of reducing emissions, such as lower incidence of respiratory diseases and obesity.
Tropical Storm Carlos remains a small, tightly wound storm with thunderstorms wrapped around its center, producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in Mexico. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate over the coast of western Mexico.
Tropical Storm Bill is expected to bring heavy rain accumulations of 4-8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, with life-threatening flash floods possible. The storm will weaken over the next two days, becoming a post-tropical low pressure area by Thursday.
A new study found that attributing a natural disaster to climate change leads to skepticism, causing individuals to justify withholding aid from victims. This phenomenon highlights the importance of separating discussions on climate change and humanitarian aid.
A new study reveals that humans deliberately caused about a third of floods in southwestern Netherlands between 1500 and 2000. The deliberate flooding was used as a tactic during the Eighty Years' War, with significant changes to the landscape resulting from these inundations.
A new study in Geophysical Research Letters warns of increased coastal erosion and flooding risks in the Gulf of Mexico due to rising waves. Meanwhile, annual floods in the Grand Canyon are rebuilding sandbars, while scientists analyze historic rainfall data from Padua, Italy, revealing long-term oscillations and extreme weather patterns.
Researchers at UT Austin study computational models and simulations of hurricanes like Ike to predict storm surge and flooding consequences. Advanced tools in high-performance computing are used to improve simulation accuracy.
Record-breaking floods hit central Texas and Oklahoma, with the Blanco River reaching a new crest of over 40 feet in Hays County. The floods are attributed to persistent widespread storms across the Southern Plains, fueled by El Nino.
A new study shows that Colorado's extreme precipitation events can happen in any season and at all elevations across the state. The research found that high-elevation intense precipitation events have occurred in all months of the year, including summer, when that precipitation is more likely to be rain and therefore more of a flood risk.
A study found that local media played a sensitive role in helping West Cumbrian communities cope with traumatic events, while national media was often invasive. The research showed that communities responded positively to local support and shared experiences.
A new system combining GPS and radar measures snow properties on slopes, enabling continuous and non-destructive monitoring of snow volumes and liquid water content. The method promises to enhance forecasting of avalanches and spring floods in Alpine areas.
Researchers found eight major flood events in the central Mississippi River valley that contributed to Cahokia's emergence and decline. The study suggests that floods disrupted agricultural settlement patterns, leading to increased population density and farming intensity.
The UK is investing £4.5 million in research projects to tackle the challenges of water-energy-food nexus. The three projects aim to improve resilience, produce nexus models, and identify existing structures with low impact across water, food and energy systems.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has criticized the 2°C temperature rise target as 'utterly inadequate' for protecting those at most risk from climate change. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could prevent severe impacts, preserve ecosystems, and ensure food security, says Petra Tschakert.
A new study found that teenagers who struggle with anxiety and feel pressure to be popular are at a higher risk of abusing prescription drugs. The researchers recruited teens in shopping malls across the US and asked them about their substance use, finding a strong link between psychological states and prescription drug abuse.
A computer modeling analysis led by UC Irvine scientists found that levee detonations in 2011 reduced the risk of flooding in a city upstream. The study showed that allowing levees to overtop naturally would have resulted in less erosion and similar damage to crops and buildings.
A new study projects that large coastal populations in Asia and Africa will face the highest exposure to future sea level rise and storm surge flooding. Coastal areas with high population density, such as China, India, and Indonesia, are most vulnerable.