Articles tagged with Climatology
Researchers have discovered the oldest directly dated ice and air on the planet, providing an unprecedented view of Earth's past climate. The 6-million-year-old ice cores reveal a gradual cooling trend of about 12 degrees Celsius over the last 6 million years.
The EU-funded SpongeBoost project invites applications for its 'SpongeBooster of the Year' award, recognizing initiatives that strengthen natural water retention and climate resilience. Eligible projects focus on outdoor restoration and rewetting activities in eligible countries.
The study found that about 70% of Kansas counties have some form of regulations, with 40% having enabling regulations to accommodate wind development. Counties in western and southern parts of the state tend to have more restrictive regulations, while rural areas with agricultural economies are more likely to have enabling regulations.
Researchers used airborne radar to map an unexplored region in East Antarctica, discovering a subglacial sedimentary basin. The basal unit, a layer of ice, carried small amounts of material from a mountain range and left behind sediment, forming a novel kind of basin.
New research reveals Greenland is shrinking slightly, but expanding in some regions, due to accelerated melting and prehistoric ice mass movements. The island's horizontal movements are being pulled in different directions, with areas of expansion and contraction observed.
The COAST-SCAPES project aims to co-design systemic resilience solutions for coastal landscapes by developing integrated indicators, proactive climate warning systems, and knowledge-based strategies. The project promotes the use of nature-based solutions to reduce environmental footprint and restore vulnerable coastal areas.
Research shows strong Midwest summer storms can puncture the stratosphere, bringing aerosols and burning biomass from western wildfires. This could affect the ozone layer's stability and warm the stratosphere.
Researchers from Poland, USA, and Slovenia found a mathematical description of stalagmite shapes, revealing that shape matters for climate science. The study provides an analytical solution for the growth of ideal stalagmites in constant cave conditions.
A new study published in Science reveals that large fluctuations in global sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just at its end. This finding represents a significant shift in researchers' understanding of past climate history and challenges conventional wisdom on the middle Pleistocene transition.
An international research team has proposed a more open and transparent platform for comparative climate research, allowing researchers from diverse regions to participate. This may lead to more balanced scientific basis for global climate policy, with increased consideration of developing countries' perspectives.
A new study reveals that ENSO could intensify rapidly over the coming decades and synchronize with other major climate phenomena, leading to stronger rainfall fluctuations in regions such as Southern California and the Iberian Peninsula. The amplified impacts will necessitate enhanced planning and adaptation strategies.
Johannes Lelieveld's research on air quality, emissions, and climate change has demonstrated the interconnectedness of these issues. His work provides new insights into human health risks and informs policy decisions to address pressing societal challenges.
Researchers developed a technology to detach cells from surfaces on demand, reducing waste and improving workflow in industrial processes. The system uses electrochemically generated bubbles to separate cells without damaging them, paving the way for more efficient CO2 absorption and lifesaving cell therapies.
A novel AI optimization model called GAN-Solar has been developed to address the technical bottleneck of accurate short-term solar forecasting. The model achieves significant improvements on key metrics compared to existing advanced models, producing high-definition forecasts that capture crucial details.
The Sahara Desert is expected to see a significant increase in rainfall by the second half of the 21st century, with some regions experiencing up to 25% more precipitation. Researchers warn that this change will have far-reaching consequences for billions of people in Africa and beyond.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
A new study finds that glaciers will likely reach their peak of self-cooling power in the 2020s-2040s before near-surface temperatures spike up and melting accelerates. The research, led by Thomas Shaw, used an unprecedented dataset of on-glacier observations worldwide to demonstrate this trend.
Coccolithophores are microscopic ocean organisms that regulate Earth's climate by drawing carbon out of seawater, producing oxygen, and creating chalk and limestone that preserve climate history. Climate change is altering their survival and the ecosystems they support, making International Coccolithophore Day a crucial awareness campa...
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
Researchers measured gas emissions from 96 US wastewater plants, finding they produce 1.9-2.4 times more nitrous oxide and methane than previously thought. This means taking steps to improve a small number of plants can have a significant impact on overall pollution.
Climate change is predicted to increase suitable land for tea cultivation in China, with the overall range shifting northwards. Machine learning models were used to analyze China's four major tea-producing regions.
A new journal, Energy & Environment Nexus, calls for a science-based approach to balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection. The journal introduces the concept of the 'Energy and Environment Nexus', emphasizing the interdependence of energy, society, and the environment.
Scientists have tracked 1039 dust devils to reveal how they lift dust into the air and sweep around Mars' surface. The study found wind speeds of up to 44 m/s, faster than previously measured with rovers on the ground, and improved our understanding of Martian weather patterns.
Researchers have successfully reduced ozone-damaging nitrous oxide to harmless nitrogen using a new phosphetane-oxygen catalyst, creating a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process can be repeatedly reused, offering grounds for hope in combating climate change.
A new study argues that plants cannot survive without a minimum water supply, regardless of their genetic drought tolerance. Effective water management strategies, such as modern irrigation systems and soil mulching, have consistently stabilized or boosted yields, while genetic advances provide little protection once soil moisture fall...
A recent study suggests that Atlantic Ocean currents are losing stability, with evidence of 'stability loss' indicating the region is moving towards a tipping point. This could have significant implications for climate patterns, including harsher winters in north-west Europe and shifts in global rainfall patterns.
A study proposes concrete solutions to increase Africa's food production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Analyzing Africa and China, the research highlights water management in rice paddies, modernizing logistics chains, and improving livestock feeding to curb emissions.
Wildfire disasters worldwide have become markedly more burdensome over the last 40 years, tripling in fatality events and increasing economic losses fourfold since 1980. The escalation is driven by intensifying climate conditions and human activities such as land-use shifts and fire suppression policies.
A new USF study suggests that nutrient upwelling and biological productivity remained stable despite higher global temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific. The researchers found no evidence of reduced nitrate concentrations, a key nutrient for plankton, over the last five million years.
The new Python-based framework simplifies climate dynamics, allowing students and researchers to explore cutting-edge experiments. It features adjustable atmospheric settings and can simulate real-world influences, making it suitable for classroom exercises and advanced research.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that selecting the right data for flood insurance can significantly improve accuracy, speed, and predictability. The type of data used affects not only payout timing but also confidence in anticipating future payouts, influencing program costs.
New research suggests that severe hail storms in Europe will become less frequent but bigger and more devastating, especially in Southern Europe. Climate experts attribute this to warmer temperatures causing hail to form higher in the atmosphere, where storm updrafts are weaker.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discover unique natural witnesses to the primordial ocean's carbon reserves, challenging previous explanations of ice ages and complex life. The study reveals a massive decline in dissolved organic carbon between 1,000 and 541 million years ago.
The US Climate Collection aims to publish U.S.-focused climate assessment science and research synthesis papers to inform future national and sub-national assessments. The collection welcomes studies that advance the evidence-based design of future U.S. assessments of climate risks and solutions.
Sylvia Dee, a Rice University climatologist, has been awarded the 2025 Nanne Weber Early Career Award from the American Geophysical Union. Dee's research focuses on paleoclimate and climate dynamics, with an emphasis on understanding how natural variability interacts with human-induced climate change.
A new study examines how three sources of ambiguity impact carbon abatement decisions and finds that they can push policy in different directions. The authors' analysis shows that aversion to climate sensitivity, economic damage, and abatement cost ambiguity can lead to varying levels of abatement.
A new study reveals that global warming is accelerating the risk of multi-year droughts leading to extreme water scarcity. The frequency of Day Zero Droughts will increase sharply over the coming decades, affecting 750 million people globally by the end of this century.
Researchers from Japan developed a new statistical method to increase accuracy of flood risk projections across 70% of the Earth's landmass. This approach merges climate scenarios with different socioeconomic pathways, offering policymakers powerful insights for adaptation and preparedness strategies.
A new study finds that El Niño increases the likelihood of extreme daily downpours in India's wetter regions, potentially leading to hazardous conditions. The research suggests changes in atmospheric buoyancy and low-pressure system tracks drive this intensification, which has remained steady over time despite regional shifts.
A new study reveals that small electric charges between particles play a crucial role in forming highly concentrated clusters in turbulent environments. This discovery has significant implications for climate research, medicine, engineering, and science, enabling better predictions and controls.
A new study reveals that tropical forest soils may release enormous amounts of CO2 as they warm, potentially amplifying global warming. The research found that soil respiration increased by 42–204% in experimentally warmed plots, marking one of the largest CO2 release rates ever recorded.
UCSB scientists found that cloud seeding could disrupt the El Niño Southern Oscillation, a major climate cycle. In contrast, stratospheric aerosol injection had virtually no effect on ENSO. The study highlights the importance of considering broad consequences before implementing geoengineering proposals.
Scientists at New York University have identified key factors driving iceberg capsizing through experiments and mathematical modeling. The study provides insights into how climate change affects Earth's waters, shedding light on the complex relationship between melting ice and gravitational instability.
Research by ETH Zurich reveals human-induced climate change has increased extreme heat wave frequency and severity, with fossil fuel and cement production contributing significantly. The study highlights the responsibility of large carbon emitters, such as oil and gas companies, in exacerbating heat waves.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation's speed and intensity are influenced by atmospheric stability, which affects regional convection and tropical cyclones. Uneven ocean warming changes MJO behavior, impacting rainfall patterns and climate forecasts.
Five well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to benefit the polar regions and could harm ecosystems, communities, and international relations. Researchers found that these proposals would likely cost billions in setup and maintenance while introducing ecological, environmental, legal, and political challenges.
A new study found that many Arctic-breeding waterfowl species can reduce their migration time by shortening fuelling periods, allowing them to arrive earlier in the Arctic. However, this strategy may only work for a limited time as the clock ticks away due to current rates of Arctic warming.
The 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from February 22-27, 2025. The event will bring together 6,000 scientists, students, and educators to discuss breaking research on the ocean sciences and critical issues affecting a sustainable future for our oceans.
Researchers found that soot particles can transform their shape and behavior within hours of becoming airborne, altering their ability to warm or cool the atmosphere. This rapid transformation affects both soot's warming and cooling effects, as well as its lifetime.
A study by Ben-Gurion University reveals that desert soils can release powerful greenhouse gases within minutes of being wetted, even without microbial life. The team found that chemical reactions drive these emissions, especially for nitrogen-based gases.
The world's oceans absorbed significantly less CO2 in 2023 than expected, with the global marine carbon sink decreasing only moderately. Three physical and biological processes - CO2 escape, stratification of the water column, and the biological pump - counteracted CO2 outgassing and supported the sink's strength.
A new study led by Professor Jonghun Kam predicts that Pakistan will experience major floods and severe droughts on a periodic basis, exacerbated by accelerating global warming. The AI model forecasts these extreme weather events every 15 years for the upper Indus River, and roughly every 11 years for surrounding rivers.
A new study by the University of Gothenburg suggests that thawing permafrost played a significant role in raising carbon dioxide levels after the last ice age. Researchers estimate that this carbon exchange may have accounted for almost half of the rising CO2 levels.
Researchers from the University of Maryland tracked lightning storms in real-time using NASA's TEMPO instrument, detecting nitrogen oxide emissions that affect climate and air quality. The study reveals how lightning can produce pollutants that travel long distances, influencing air quality far from the original storm.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement highlighting five foundational flaws in the Department of Energy's 2025 Climate Synthesis report. These flaws are inconsistent with scientific principles and practices, and require rectification before the report can accurately characterize scientific understanding.
The American Meteorological Society honors individuals and organizations with the 2026 Awards and Honors, recognizing their exceptional work in weather, water, and climate research. This year's recipients include scientists awarded prestigious medals for groundbreaking research in atmospheric dynamics, hydrology, and remote sensing.
A new study published in Science Advances predicts a significant increase in supercell thunderstorms across Europe, with the Alpine region and northern side of the Alps expected to see up to 50% more storms. The simulations show that temperature increases of 3 degrees Celsius will concentrate these storms in the region.
Researchers at Princeton University found that major tropical eruptions create distinct flooding patterns depending on plume location and dispersal. The patterns mostly divide along the line of the equator, with increased rainfall in the tropics in one hemisphere and decreased flooding.
A new deep-learning model calculates urban heat stress per square meter in the future, considering geodata and weather forecasts. The model simulates a range of climate scenarios, including increased heat stress due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
A new method reconstructs carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis from fossilized tooth enamel, shedding light on the climate of the Mesozoic era. The analysis found that atmospheric CO2 levels were four times higher in the late Jurassic period and three times higher in the late Cretaceous period than they are today.