Earth Systems Science
Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
Researchers document PFAS in Great Lakes rain and snow
Bigger and wetter storms mean drier conditions over time
A new explanation for 'Snowball Earth'
Antarctica sea ice collapse driven by triple whammy of climate chaos, scientists find
A new study reveals Antarctica's sea ice collapse is driven by a triple whammy of climate chaos, resulting in record-breaking lows. The Southern Ocean's transformation led to the loss of vast areas of ice equivalent to Greenland, destabilizing global ocean currents and accelerating global warming.
'Indian Niño' drove record heat in 2023 and 2024, new UMD study finds
A University of Maryland study attributes record-breaking heat in 2023 and 2024 to the Indian Ocean Dipole, a climate cycle similar to El Niño. The research found that the IOD explained nearly all of the temperature anomaly in both years.
New study could help scientists produce more accurate records of past ocean change
A new study by iC3 researchers found that Neogloboquadrina pachyderma shells can grow with different chemical compositions, affecting temperature estimates. This discovery could help improve reconstructions of past polar ocean conditions and provide more accurate climate records.
Climate scientists present policy package on eve of Dutch-Colombian summit
Twelve climate researchers present a policy brief calling for the phasing out of fossil fuels, citing international law and economic feasibility. The policy package offers six integrated solutions to facilitate a controlled transition, addressing key obstacles such as production, taxation, and labor protection.
New publication about the influence of Southern Hemisphere waters on the Indonesian Throughflow
A new study finds that water masses from the Southern Hemisphere have been a major contributor to the Indonesian Throughflow for over 800,000 years. The researchers measured nitrogen isotopes in sediment cores and found a remarkable long-term stability of the nitrogen cycle along the equatorial Pacific.
AMS science preview: AI forecast limits, unpredictable hurricanes, simplified heat index
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
What triggered Earth's shift from a greenhouse to an icehouse climate and the onset of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age?
A research team found that enhanced silicate weathering contributed to CO2 drawdown and the onset of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels by approximately 800 ppm. This process also boosted marine nutrient supply and productivity, leading to the observed shifts in carbon isotopes.
Heat from traffic is contributing to rise in city temperatures, new study finds
A new study by the University of Manchester has developed a way to measure the impact of urban traffic on city temperatures, revealing that everyday vehicle use can raise temperatures in cities. The researchers found that traffic heat increases simulated air temperatures by around 0.16°C during summer and 0.35°C in winter.
New Hampshire ski industry concerned about climate change
A recent UNH study reveals that New Hampshire ski industry professionals are increasingly concerned about climate change, with 85% expressing alarm or concern. The industry generates $278.8 million annually and supports over 10,000 jobs, highlighting the need for sustainable practices and advocacy.
Ancient tectonic processes the key to locating rare minerals
Research reveals strong global link between ancient subduction zones and formation of rare earth element deposits and carbonatites. Ancient tectonic processes are critical to locating economically viable rare mineral deposits.
Scientists uncover the secret behind perfectly 3D preserved ‘sea reptile’ fossils
Researchers at Curtin University discovered how ancient ichthyosaur fossils formed in oxygen-free ocean floor settings. Anaerobic microbes triggered chemical reactions that caused minerals to form inside the bones, preserving them three-dimensionally.
Reading the mud: Central Asia's rivers hold a hidden timeline of human pollution
Researchers from Beijing Normal University decode historical chemical footprint in Mongolia's Orkhon River Basin to track toxic emissions drivers. The study reveals a link between economic booms and traffic jams and chemical fallout, providing insights for rewriting water management policies across Central Asia.
The forest for the trees: Why mass planting doesn't always lock away soil carbon
A 50-year study in Kerala, India found that expanding tree plantations can result in zero net carbon gains underground. The research highlights the importance of considering the type of plantation and historical soil profile when designing climate mitigation strategies.
New satellite driven model provides “more realistic and reliable” predictions of sand and dust storm emissions
A new satellite-driven model, dEARTH, provides more realistic predictions of sand and dust storm (SDS) severity by accounting for dynamic changes in soil surfaces. The study found that SDS transport is sparse and discontinuous, reducing affected land area by 69% and global transport magnitude by 45%.
AMS Science Preview: Mississippi River, ocean carbon storage, gender and floods
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
American Meteorological Society responds to NSF regarding the future of NCAR
The American Meteorological Society strongly opposes the dismantling of NCAR, highlighting its central role in atmospheric sciences and its impact on the nation's economy. The AMS recommends that NSF engage in a rigorous process to develop a strategy for enhancing scientific innovation in the weather enterprise.
Subglacial weathering may have slowed Earth's escape from snowball Earth
A new study suggests that chemical weathering beneath thick continental ice sheets may have consumed atmospheric carbon dioxide and prolonged global glaciations during the snowball Earth event. This process could have slowed atmospheric warming and delayed deglaciation, helping to explain the long durations of some snowball Earth events.
Dangerous thunderstorms: Better models through soil-moisture data
A research team analyzed 2.2 million thunderstorm events to identify a physical explanation for their formation. The study found that differences in soil moisture generate near-surface winds, leading to intense thunderstorms. High-resolution satellite measurements of soil moisture were crucial for this analysis.
Will melting glaciers slow climate change? A prevailing theory is on shaky ground
Researchers from Rutgers University found that melting glaciers in Antarctica supply far less iron to surrounding waters than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held theory of iron fertilization, which suggested that glacial melting would feed blooms of microscopic algae and remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the a...
Chapman University researcher warns of structural risks at Grand Renaissance Dam putting property and lives in danger
A new peer-reviewed study led by Dr. Hesham El-Askary finds significant vulnerabilities in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam's saddle dam due to leaks and seismic activity, posing a threat to downstream communities and infrastructure if urgent monitoring and mitigation steps are not taken.
ASU researchers to lead AAAS panel on water insecurity in the United States
Growing evidence shows water insecurity is an increasing challenge in the US and other high-income countries. Rural areas face unreliable access to safe and affordable water due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and extreme weather events.
AMS Science Preview: Hurricane slowdown, school snow days
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
Course correction needed quickly to avoid pathway to ‘hothouse Earth’ scenario, scientists say
Multiple Earth system components are closer to destabilization than previously believed, threatening a hothouse Earth path driven by climate feedback loops. The researchers recommend prioritizing climate resilience in governmental policy frameworks and a socially just phaseout of fossil fuels.
Some early life forms may have breathed oxygen well before it filled the atmosphere
A new study suggests some early life forms evolved to use oxygen hundreds of millions of years before the Great Oxidation Event, potentially delaying oxygen's accumulation in the atmosphere. This discovery adds to our understanding of aerobic respiration and its evolution on Earth.
Ancient rocks reveal annual climate cycles during Snowball Earth
Scientists have discovered evidence of repeating climate cycles operating every few years to decades during the Cryogenian glaciation, a period known as Snowball Earth. The findings suggest that these cycles were likely exceptions rather than the norm, and were triggered by small patches of open ocean in the tropics.
The “Grand Canyon” of the Atlantic
A team of scientists discovered the King's Trough Complex, a colossal submarine canyon off Portugal's coast, formed by tectonic processes and hot mantle material. The structure extends over 500 kilometers, with Peake Deep as one of the deepest points in the Atlantic Ocean.
New tool tracks cross-border pollution, revealing unequal distribution of risk, responsibility
A new study provides a tool to quantify responsibility for PM 2.5 pollution, highlighting the impact of cross-state pollution on public health. The research highlights inequality in pollution across US states, with some facing disproportionate health risks and responsibilities.
Scientists solve 66 million-year-old mystery of how Earth’s greenhouse age ended
Researchers discovered that a significant drop in calcium levels in the ocean led to a massive decrease in carbon dioxide, driving global cooling and ending the planet's greenhouse era. The study suggests that changes in seawater chemistry played a key role in shaping climate history.
World enters era of “Global Water Bankruptcy,” declares UN report led by CCNY's Kaveh Madani
A new UN report warns that humanity has entered a state of 'Global Water Bankruptcy' due to unsustainable water use. The report highlights the urgent need for a global reset in water management, shifting from crisis management to bankruptcy management.
Surprisingly in sync: Sunlight and sediments
A new study using sediment drill cores reveals a link between solar cycles and the stability of fast ice in Antarctica. The research team found that changes in solar activity disrupt zonal winds over the Southern Ocean, leading to the retreat of sea ice along the coast.
Deborah S. Kelley awarded the Wallace S. Broecker Medal
Dr. Kelley's discovery of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field revolutionized scientific understanding of fluid–rock interactions and chemosynthetic ecosystems. Her work has also transformed ocean observation through the NSF's Ocean Observatories Initiative Regional Cabled Array.
AMS Science Preview: Volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
The smoky signature of climate change
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences quantify the role of climate change in wildfires and air quality, finding that 60-82% of total burned area in western US forests is directly attributable to warming temperatures and drier conditions caused by climate change.
Risk to Amazon rainforest from land use and climate change
A new study estimates that the Amazon rainforest could lose up to 38% of its area by the end of the 21st century due to land use changes and climate change. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that abrupt transitions from dense forest coverage to savannah-like landscapes pose a significant risk to the ecosystem.
Chemical traces of 2023 Canadian wildfires detected in Maryland months after smoke subsided
Researchers at the University of Maryland analyzed air samples from College Park, Md., and found that chemical compounds from Canada's historic 2023 fires persisted in the atmosphere, forming an 'atmospheric soup.' The study provides insights into the long-term effects of wildfire smoke on human health and the environment.
AMS 2026 Meeting showcases atmospheric science and the “human factor”
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
Team investigates significance of newly discovered hydrothermal fields off the island of Milos
Researchers found three major vent areas aligned with active fault zones, controlled by the island's tectonic fabric. The discovery establishes Milos as a natural laboratory for studying hydrothermal activity, volcanism, and tectonics.
Over half of global coastal settlements are retreating inland due to intensifying climate risks
Over half of global coastal settlements have retreated from the coast over the past 30 years in response to intensifying climate hazards. Coastal regions in Africa and Oceania lead the retreat, while poorer regions often expand shoreline settlements due to economic needs.
Ancient rocks reveal themselves as ‘carbon sponges’
Sixty-million-year-old rock samples have revealed how massive amounts of carbon dioxide are stored in piles of lava rubble on the seafloor. This discovery sheds light on the importance of breccia, a geological sponge for carbon in the long-term carbon cycle.
New study looks at (rainforest) tea leaves to predict fate of tropical forests
Researchers found that tropical forests may be less sensitive to climate change than thought. They discovered that dead leaves cool nearby leaves by reflecting more sun energy, reducing heat buildup.
AMS Science Preview: Railways and cyclones; pinned clouds; weather warnings in wartime
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
Southern ocean’s heat storage – a possible cause of future ‘heat burps’
A modelling study suggests that heat stored in the Southern Ocean could be released, causing a rapid warming of the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a large heat reservoir, mitigating atmospheric warming since the Industrial Revolution.
Drilling deep to study the oxygenation of Earth
Researchers are studying the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) using deep drilling in Gabon, Africa, to understand the timing and pace of oxygen accumulation. The project aims to provide clues about the changing amount of oxygen in the environment at the time.
Ancient bogs reveal 15,000-year climate secret, say scientists
Researchers have discovered that sudden shifts in the Southern Westerly Winds 15,000 years ago triggered a massive growth of ancient bogs across the Southern Hemisphere. The study found that the shifting winds created an ideal climate for the swamps to form, and now believe they play a crucial role in regulating carbon stores in peatland.
Ancient sediments reveal Earth’s hidden wildfire past
A team of scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires during the Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago. The findings suggest that wildfires played a significant role in shaping ecosystems during this time period, contrary to previous assumptions based on a lack of charcoal in the geologic record.
Where does continental material on islands come from?
Oceanic islands far from active plate tectonic boundaries contain materials that originate from continents. Researchers propose a new mechanism: 'mantle waves' scraping material from beneath continents, transporting it into the Earth's mantle and feeding volcanic eruptions. This process can occur without mantle plumes.
Tulane researchers uncover why breaking up is hard for some continents
Tulane researchers discovered that an area of the African tectonic plate, previously thought to be weak, is now resisting deformation due to dehydration 80 million years ago. This process strengthened the plate and made it more resistant to future breakup.
UC Irvine scientists devise method for cities to measure greenhouse gas emissions
Researchers created a practical tool to assess urban fossil fuel carbon dioxide patterns by analyzing radiocarbon in turfgrasses. The method allows cities to gauge the effectiveness of their emission-curbing initiatives and track progress toward decarbonization goals.
While searching for the world’s oldest ice, scientists find sediment sneaking under the Antarctic ice sheet
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 reality’ as world reaches first climate tipping point
The world has reached its first climate tipping point, with warm-water coral reefs passing their thermal limit and widespread dieback taking place. Global warming is set to breach 1.5°C, posing devastating risks for people and nature.
Study: Plant functional diversity varies greatly
Plant functional diversity varies greatly depending on seasonal cycles and wet-dry periods, according to a new study that analyzed 4,000 satellite images. The researchers used AI algorithms to derive plant traits from the images and calculated quantitative measures of functional diversity.
AMS science preview: global heat record false? Rainier storms
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.
Twin threat: Cascadia and San Andreas faults may be seismically linked
Researchers found similarities in timing and structure of turbidite layers in cores from both fault systems, suggesting seismic synchronization between Cascadia and San Andreas faults. The study, led by Chris Goldfinger, suggests that earthquakes on one fault could draw down resources across the country.
Neutron scanning of coral fossils reveals Earth’s hidden climate history
A new method, pioneered by University of Sydney student Carra Williams, uses neutron computed tomography to identify well-preserved pockets of coral skeleton that can reveal precise timelines of sea-level and climate shifts. The technique has the potential to transform how scientists reconstruct ancient climates.
Dependence of tipping points in the global system - Four central climate components are losing stability
An international study finds that four central climate components - Greenland Ice Sheet, AMOC, Amazon rainforest, and South American monsoon system - are destabilizing due to rising temperatures. The researchers warn of potential abrupt changes with severe consequences if these systems reach critical thresholds.
Yang receives funding for welfare and poverty mapping project
George Mason University's Ruixin Yang receives $15,000 funding from the International Food Policy Research Institute to develop a welfare and poverty mapping project utilizing satellite-derived data. The project will provide technical support to the spatial analytics team and strengthen geospatial research outputs.