Researchers have made breakthroughs in predicting tropical Pacific climate variations, extending the lead time from three seasons to up to three years. The new findings reveal a more complex relationship between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing insights into long-term climate variability and its impact on global weather patterns.
A new study using CT scans reveals that ocean acidification enhances reef breakdown, putting coral reefs at risk. The research found that pH levels were the strongest predictor of accretion-erosion balance, with reefs shifting towards higher erosion rates in more acidic water.
The 2014 global ocean warming is a result of North Pacific's record-breaking warming and the release of heat from stored water in the Western tropical Pacific. Temperatures now extend along the North American coast, indicating an end to the 14-year-long pause in ocean warming.
A new study shows that jellyfish falls are rapidly consumed by deep-sea scavengers, revealing the importance of gelatinous material to food webs. The research challenges previous negative assessments and suggests that jellyfish blooms may provide essential nutrients to deep-sea ecosystems.
Climate researchers found that recent rapid Atlantic Ocean warming has affected climate in the Pacific, strengthening trade winds, accelerating sea level rise in the western Pacific, and causing eastern Pacific surface cooling. The study highlights the impact of Atlantic-Pacific coupling on global climate trends.
Scientists have found that venom proteins in invasive lionfish may be acting as ciguatoxin mimics, leading to false positives in testing. Cooking or boiling lionfish samples before testing can help ensure safe consumption.
A recent study by University of Hawaii researchers found that gases and particles from Kilauea volcano affected Tropical Storm Flossie's formation and lightning. This unique interaction highlights the impact of polluted air on hurricanes approaching the US mainland coast.
New analysis of Moon rocks indicates regional variations in water content, providing insights into lunar formation and crust cooling processes. The study suggests that the Moon's water may have originated from both Earth and comets/asteroids, with implications for understanding the source of Earth's water.
A new study has redefined the geology of O'ahu, revealing that it consists of three major Hawaiian shield volcanoes. The island's precursor volcano, Ka'ena, was previously unknown and formed over 100 km west of its current location.
A team of researchers analyzed 25 Kīlauea eruptions over the past 600 years to determine that the variability in deep magma composition strongly influences eruption styles. The study found that more gas-rich magmas produce explosive eruptions.
The IPRC Ocean Drift Model has been charting the possible paths of tsunami driftage for nearly 3 years, improving its accuracy by accounting for different shapes and buoyancies. The model predicts the type and timing of material that washes up along windward shores, including oyster buoys, crates, and wood pieces from Japan.
During strong El Niño events, tropical western Pacific sees a sudden drop in sea level, causing prolonged droughts in Samoa and triggering tropical cyclones near Tahiti. Computer climate models predict that these drops could become seasons ahead, helping island communities prepare for the next event.
Researchers found that interplanetary dust particles carry both water and organics needed for the origin of life. This mechanism could also work for exoplanets, enabling water formation through solar wind irradiation. The discovery sheds light on the Moon's OH and water ice, as well as asteroid and comet origins.
A new approach to analyzing paleo-climate reconstructions reveals that El Niño activity during the 20th century was unusually high compared to past 600 years. The study found ENSO activity to be more active between 1979-2009 than any 30-year period in the past 600 years.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii and the University of Rhode Island found that extrusive volcanism, not internal emplacement of magma, grew Hawaiian volcanoes. The study suggests a new density model can be used for further crustal studies in the Hawaiian Islands.
Research from the University of Hawaii at Manoa reveals that greenhouse gases and aerosols have similar spatial patterns of climate responses, leading to changes in ocean-atmospheric feedback structures. This finding challenges previous distinctions between aerosol-induced and greenhouse-gas-induced changes in rainfall.
A study from the University of Hawaii – SOEST found that sea-level rise is a primary driver of shoreline change in Hawaii, with historical rates of erosion being about two orders of magnitude greater than SLR. The research highlights the importance of targeting SLR impacts in coastal zone decision-making and planning.
Researchers discovered a 15-month wind pattern that explains El Niño's close ties to the annual cycle. This unusual atmospheric pattern triggers droughts and floods in various regions. The study suggests that improved climate models will improve El Niño forecasts.
A recent study found a weakening trend in the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical upper atmosphere, consistent with computer model projections of global warming. This decline may impact the chemical composition and climate of the global atmosphere.
A study models the distribution and abundance of six dominant Hawaiian coral species, predicting that Porites lobata is the most abundant around the main Hawaiian Islands. Environmental factors such as wave energy, seafloor shape, and island age influence coral cover, with highest concentrations found in wave-sheltered coastlines.
Researchers used geological proxies and computer models to understand how sea level affected rainfall patterns in the Indo-Pacific warm pool during the last ice age. The study found that lowered sea levels led to reduced convection over a region of the warm pool, resulting in drier climates in some areas and wetter climates in others.
A new study projects a significant increase in tropical cyclones affecting Hawaii, with conditions becoming more favorable for hurricane formation due to global warming. The study suggests that despite potential decreases in tropical cyclones globally, Hawaii may experience a rise in near-shore storms.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii predict that Hawaii's rainfall trend will continue, with less rain and fewer heavy-rain days. A statistical model developed by researchers estimates a significant decrease in heavy rain events during the rainy season from November to April.
A new study reveals that white sharks occur in Hawai'i waters across a broader annual cycle than previously thought, with observations recorded every month except November. The research also identifies a simple method to distinguish between white sharks and close relatives like mako sharks based on the shape of their head.
Researchers found that two global warming mechanisms complement each other to shape seasonal rainfall in the tropics. The wet-gets-wetter mechanism predicts increased rainfall in already wet regions, while the warmer-gets-wetter mechanism suggests increased rainfall in regions with rising sea surface temperatures.
The Northern Hemisphere monsoon has intensified, with a 9.5% increase in rainfall, due to natural climate swings rather than global warming alone. Natural long-term climate swings, such as the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, contribute significantly more to this intensification.
A new study reveals that global warming from greenhouse gases has a weaker impact on global precipitation compared to solar heating. The researchers found that the global rainfall rate increased by about 40% less during the present-day warming period than during past warming phases, despite higher temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii's International Pacific Research Center have made a breakthrough in predicting Asian summer monsoon rainfall and tropical storm activity. By analyzing fluctuations in the western Pacific Subtropical High, they achieved substantially improved skills in forecasting these weather phenomena.
A new study finds that the tropical Indo-Pacific climate has shifted to a more El Niño-like state, leading to a slowdown of the Walker circulation. This change is driven by a gradual warming pattern in the region, which can impact global climate patterns and lead to extreme weather events.
A network of marine zones in the Pacific Ocean could significantly improve numbers of heavily overfished bigeye tuna and local economies. The study found that restricting longline fishing in tuna-spawning areas and managing fish-aggregating devices are key measures to effectively conserve Pacific bigeye tuna.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers found that future sea level rise will double previous predictions of flooding, with low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to 'groundwater inundation.' Groundwater levels near the surface threaten coastal communities more than previously thought.
A new study by Matthew Widlansky and Axel Timmermann found that rainfall projections for South Pacific islands are highly uncertain due to two competing effects of greenhouse warming. The 'wet gets wetter' mechanism suggests heavier rainfall, while the 'warmest gets wetter' mechanism predicts drying in some regions.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii found a significant decrease in northeast trade wind days from 291 to 210 per year. This change is linked to an increase in eastern trade winds and may impact climate patterns, including droughts in Hawaii.
Tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea have intensified since 1997, attributed to decreased vertical wind shear. The earlier occurrence of these storms is linked to a warming Asian landmass and an advanced southwesterly monsoon onset. This shift creates more favorable conditions for tropical cyclone formation and intensification.
Research finds that coral reefs' ability to adapt to environmental changes is linked to the number and variety of single-celled algae they host. Inflexible corals, which host a single type of algae, are more resistant to stress than flexible corals, which host multiple types.
A review of recent research articles found that the South Asian summer monsoon is expected to experience more variability in rainfall due to climate change. However, regional projections for devastating droughts and floods remain uncertain due to inconsistent observations and complex thermodynamic processes.
A recent study found that 70 percent of beaches on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are undergoing long-term erosion, with an average rate of 0.4 feet per year from the early 1900s to 2000s.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that GPS on commercial ships could detect tsunamis with high accuracy, even in open ocean. This could provide critical data for predicting tsunami size and direction, saving lives and reducing costs associated with evacuations.
The Hawai'i Undersea Research Laboratory has developed an online deep-sea animal photo-guide with over 1,500 images, making it easier for scientists and the public to identify and appreciate marine life. The guide is organized by major taxa and includes tags indicating depth levels.
University of Hawaii scientists analyzed a tiny fragment from the comet Wild 2 to determine when it formed. The study found that the fragment formed at least three million years after the formation of the first solids in our Solar System, providing new insights into Jupiter's formation and the origins of the Solar System.
Researchers found that organic matter from tree trunks, leaves, and kukui nuts supports abundant macro-invertebrates, which serve as food for bottom fish species. The 'canyon effect' is obliterated at intermediate depths due to oxygen minimum zones.
Researchers found that crown-of-thorns sea stars originate from local populations, rather than spreading across large distances via larval dispersal. Genetic analysis revealed significant genetic differences among reefs and habitats within the same island.
An international team of scientists found that human-induced CO2 emissions have increased ocean acidity far beyond natural variations, potentially reducing calcification rates of corals and other aragonite shell-forming organisms. The study projects severe reductions in coral reef diversity, structural complexity, and resilience by the...
The GeoSymbio application provides a wealth of information on symbiotic zooxanthellae, including genetic identification and taxonomic description of over 400 distinct subclades. This tool accelerates insights into their ecology, biogeography, and evolution in the face of climate change.
Researchers found phase synchronization between El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the annual temperature cycle in the eastern equatorial Pacific. This phenomenon indicates that at certain times El Niño and the annual cycle run according to the same beat, while at other times their phases 'slip past' each other.
A recent study discovered a large, reproductive population of king crabs in the Palmer Deep along the west Antarctic Peninsula. The species is now established on the continental shelf in West Antarctica and has the potential to drastically reduce seafloor biodiversity. This finding highlights the invasive nature of the king crab popula...
A recent study by Dr. Paul Jokiel suggests that ocean acidification interferes with the transfer of hydrogen ions between water and coral tissue, disrupting calcification rates and weakening coral skeletons. This 'proton flux hypothesis' provides new insights into the importance of ocean acidification and temperature on coral reefs.
A study published in Science found that East Africa's climate has been under the spell of El Niño for thousands of years, with significant impacts on rainfall patterns. The research, led by Axel Timmermann and Gerald Haug, used sediment layers from Lake Challa to reconstruct the history of East African rainfall back to the Last Ice Age.
Researchers discovered that mitochondria share a common ancestral lineage with SAR11, a dominant group of marine bacteria. The study provides evidence for the symbiotic origins of mitochondria and sheds light on the metabolic potential of these abundant microorganisms.
Researchers found that Hawai'i hosts three limpet species, 'opihi makai', 'alinalina' and 'ko'ele, which speciated within the archipelago along an ecological gradient. These findings reset the bar for marine speciation in Hawai'i.