New research reveals Arctic phytoplankton blooms are expanding northward at a rate of 1 degree of latitude per decade. The decline in sea ice creates open water areas where phytoplankton can thrive, leading to increased primary productivity and potential changes to the food web.
A new study simulates the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, predicting that deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could increase to over 40,000 per year by the end of the 21st century. The number of fire-related particulate matter deaths is expected to more than double in the worst-case-scenario prediction model.
A new study found evidence of exposure to phthalates in 71% of bottlenose dolphins tested in Sarasota Bay, Florida. The presence of byproducts of the chemicals in the animals' urine indicates they have remained in the body long enough to process them.
Researchers found STEVE to be an entirely new optical phenomenon produced by a different atmospheric process than the aurora. The study used satellite data and ground-based cameras to analyze a STEVE event in March 2008.
A class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 solar flare erupted on the morning of September 6, causing a strong radio blackout over most of the sunlit side of Earth, including the Caribbean. The disruption affected shortwave radio communications used by amateurs and professionals in emergency response efforts.
Researchers found that increased greenhouse gas emissions have led to a significant increase in noctilucent cloud formation and visibility. The study suggests that human-caused climate change is affecting the middle atmosphere and making these clouds more visible.
A study found that a volcano's geometry impacts its sound waves, allowing scientists to better monitor activity and detect changes. Researchers believe listening to Kilauea's infrasound could help forecast potential eruptive hazards.
Researchers suggest a cycle linking supercontinent formation to tidal energy, which controls ocean wave strength. Strong tidal energy fosters nutrient mixing, sustaining ocean life, while low tidal energy may lead to oxygen-starved oceans.
New research reveals Arctic sea ice is entering the North Atlantic, posing a hazard to ships. Warming temperatures due to climate change are melting more ice, increasing mobility and opening channels that were normally frozen shut.
The passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria over Puerto Rico temporarily disrupted the acoustic activity of snapping shrimp, reducing their calls, while increasing fish choruses. The storms also had lasting effects on insect sounds in dry forests, with a marked reduction in sounds after Hurricane Maria.
New research confirms maritime winds displace seal pups by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. The study found that strong winds can increase pup displacement, but the impact on survival is unclear.
Researchers have detected snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and believe their loud clicking noise may attract eastern Pacific gray whales. The crustaceans are typically found in warm waters but were previously unknown to inhabit the cooler coastal areas.
Scientists recorded over 4,500 sounds from tagged blue whales to analyze their calling patterns and behaviors. The study found that male whales were chattier at night, producing more calls than females, which may aid in reproduction.
Researchers have discovered that narwhals congregate near glacier fjords with specific physical properties, suggesting a preference for freshwater environments. The study aims to better understand the impact of climate change on these elusive marine mammals.
A new study reveals that northern permafrost soils store nearly twice as much mercury as all other soils, the ocean, and the atmosphere combined. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the global mercury cycle and potential environmental consequences of thawing permafrost.
A new study reveals alarming levels of phosphorus pollution in global freshwater basins, exceeding the Earth's ability to assimilate excess nutrients. Agricultural activity and domestic sewage are major contributors to this issue.
Researchers found algae significantly reduce ice sheet's albedo and contribute to its melting. Algal darkening is responsible for 5-10% of total melt each summer, according to the study.
New research shows human-induced climate change increased Hurricane Harvey's rainfall by at least 19 percent and potentially as much as 38 percent. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, confirms heavy rainfall events are increasing across the Gulf Coast region due to climate change.
The Mississippi River's course is shaped by sediment and floods, but accumulating sediment downstream of the Old River Control Structure poses a risk to its current path. Research finds that sediment has caused the river floor to elevate and sandbars to grow in volume, diminishing the river's capacity to carry water.
Research at the AGU Fall Meeting found that mistletoe lacks adaptation to conserve water during hot weather, leading to increased evaporation and potential tree death. Trees with high mistletoe levels become less healthy and can die when dry spells persist.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which Earth's atmosphere breaks down meteors as they approach the planet. The new finding reveals that air particles penetrating the meteor's porous interior can create pockets of high pressure, ultimately leading to the rock's explosion in the upper atmosphere.
Researchers developed a computer simulation tool to predict short-term flood hazards on coral reefs and assess longer-term impacts from climate change. A rare 'esker' was discovered on Mars, indicating recent water flows despite cold climates.
The Chicxulub asteroid impact likely released over three times as much sulfur gas into the atmosphere, implying a colder period than previously thought. The increased sulfur release led to a dramatic cooling of Earth's climate, potentially devastating plant life and marine ecosystems.
A new study suggests that a strong El Niño and a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador in 2016 likely exacerbated the Zika virus outbreak, increasing cases by 12-fold in three months. The research highlights how climate variability can amplify the worst effects of natural disasters and disease outbreaks in socially vulnerable regions.
A new study projects significant increases in severe turbulence worldwide by 2050-2080 due to climate change. Flights over the North Atlantic and Europe will experience up to two or three times more turbulence than usual, while Asia and other regions will see a 60% increase.
A new study recounts the life and work of Hisako Koyama, a pioneering female solar observer who created detailed sunspot drawings for over 40 years. Her archive was used to establish a continuous record of sunspots stretching back to 1610, shedding light on the solar cycle and its influence on Earth.
A new study finds that ship exhaust aerosol particles alter cloud formation, leading to more lightning and intensified storms. Researchers detected nearly twice as many lightning strokes above heavily-trafficked shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
The Caspian Sea has been slowly evaporating over the past two decades, with water levels dropping nearly 7 centimeters per year from 1996 to 2015. This increase in evaporation is linked to rising surface air temperatures associated with climate change.
A new study shows the Montreal Protocol significantly reduced US greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 to 2014, equivalent to 170 million tons of CO2 annually. The treaty's impact on climate-altering gases was a major side benefit of reducing ozone-depleting substances.
A new study suggests that human-caused warming is very likely responsible for the recent streak of record-breaking temperatures. The likelihood of experiencing consecutive record-breaking global temperatures from 2014 to 2016 without the effects of human-caused climate change is no greater than 0.03 percent.
New research reveals Arctic winter warming events are occurring more frequently and lasting longer, with an average duration of 12 hours longer than three decades ago. The study attributes this increase to major storms in the Arctic, which bring warm air from the Atlantic Ocean, leading to peak temperatures above minus 10 degrees Celsius.
A new study found that a warming climate is stirring the remaining Arctic sea ice faster, increasing the odds that ice-rafted pollution will foul a neighboring country's waters. This pollution threat is particularly concerning as it can harm marine ecosystems and human health.
Researchers suggest that converging waves in the upper atmosphere amplify naturally occurring airglow, causing the unexplained glow seen in historical observations. Bright airglow can be a concern for astronomers, but its effects are still observable in remote areas.
A new study in Geophysical Research Letters finds that a series of unprecedented storms over the Southern Ocean likely caused the most dramatic decline in Antarctic sea ice seen to date. The extreme weather event led to significant losses of sea ice, with researchers suggesting that the storms' impact was exacerbated by climate change.
A new study in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that offshore wind turbines built according to current standards may not withstand powerful Category 5 hurricane gusts. In contrast, Thwaites Glacier's melt rate will continue but not as rapidly as previously estimated.
A new study reveals that human activity has polluted European air almost uninterruptedly for the last ca. 2000 years. Lead pollution from mining and smelting was detectable well before the Industrial Revolution and only when the Black Death pandemic halted those activities did lead in the air return to natural levels.
Scientists have discovered 'halos' on Mars, indicating that liquid water lingered longer on the planet than previously believed. The findings suggest that substantial groundwater was present in Gale crater's past, expanding the window for when life might have existed on Mars.
A new study finds that climate change could lead to a 10% increase in hospital emergency room visits for allergic asthma, particularly in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions. The increased exposure to oak pollen will have a significant impact on public health, with estimated costs of $10.4 million by 2090.
The AGU journal commentaries emphasize the critical role of Earth and space science research in addressing pressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and asteroid threats. The collection highlights the need for evidence-based policymaking, science education, and research funding to support a thriving society.
A new study estimates that violent winds and shock waves are the most deadly effects of an asteroid impact, accounting for over 60% of lives lost. The study ranked seven effects associated with asteroid impacts and found that tsunamis accounted for 20% of casualties, while seismic shaking was the least concerning.
Climate change is causing Arctic river ice deposits to melt nearly a month earlier than they did 15 years ago, with most icings disappearing 26 days earlier in 2015 than in 2000. This rapid decline could have significant impacts on Arctic river ecosystems.
A new study in Space Weather suggests that aircrews may experience increased radiation exposure due to weak solar activity, which could impact flight safety and radiation exposure for frequent flyers. Researchers also found auroral activity on Uranus, providing fresh clues about its magnetosphere.
A new study projects significant increases in extreme sea levels along Europe's coasts by 2100, threatening millions of people with annual flooding. The research predicts that 5 million Europeans could face the risk of coastal flooding every year if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
The newly launched GeoHealth journal by AGU and Wiley focuses on the growing connection between Earth sciences and human health. Researchers are discussing impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with human health and disease. The journal publishes original research, reviews, and commentaries on environmental and health issues.
Researchers found that air pollution, specifically sulfate aerosols, may have temporarily hidden the effects of global warming on Arctic sea ice, leading to an increase in sea ice extent from 1950 to 1975. The study's findings challenge the perception that Arctic sea ice was unperturbed by human-caused climate change until the 1970s.
A new study in Paleoceanography reveals that the last time Earth was as warm as it is today, a melting Greenland Ice Sheet circulated cold freshwater in the Atlantic Ocean as far south as Bermuda. This circulation elevated sea levels and altered ocean climate and ecosystems.
Scientists propose that viscous relaxation on Ceres caused older cryovolcanoes to flatten over millions of years, making them indistinguishable from the planet's surface. This process may explain why Ahuna Mons stands alone as the only prominent ice volcano on the dwarf planet.
AGU evaluates shifting science landscape and climate concerns, including air pollution's impact on desert southwest. Researchers also explore Mars' possible warming due to greenhouse effect.
A new analysis by the American Geophysical Union found that women across all age groups have fewer opportunities than men to serve as peer reviewers of manuscripts. The study suggests that journals should take additional steps to get more women involved in peer reviewing to advance and retain women in science.
New study reveals large oceanic features that enable warm water to reach glacier undersides, fueling rapid retreat. The findings highlight the importance of ocean heat access in controlling glacier behavior.