Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
The 36th annual State of the Climate report reveals record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea level, and ocean heat content. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached a 53% increase from preindustrial levels, with fossil fuel emissions reaching a record high in 2025.
Scientists are working to provide geodiversity data to researchers, helping close the gap in understanding ecosystems. By analyzing satellite data, they can capture more than just the mean environment, revealing microclimates that support specific species.
The American Meteorological Society recognizes individuals and organizations making a positive difference in the world through fundamental research, public engagement, teaching, and informed decision-making. This year's honorees include Rong Fu, Paola Cessi, Sharon Nicholson, Renhe Zhang, Christian Kummerow, and David Thompson.
Researchers developed an open-source tool RIME-X to generate regional climate and impact projections while capturing uncertainties. The new method combines simple climate models with regional information from multi-model climate and impact model ensembles, producing scenario- and time-dependent probability distributions.
Scientists used chemical clues in microscopic fossils to find evidence that ocean acidification caused one of the largest extinction events in planktic foraminifera history. The study suggests that volcanic eruptions and rising CO2 levels led to a decrease in shell-building ability, ultimately contributing to the extinction.
Researchers analyzed the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, which killed at least 135 people, including 28 at Camp Mystic. Experimental models showed they could have predicted extreme flows with greater lead time.
A team of astronomers has detected the first atmosphere on an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of another star. The discovery provides evidence that worlds with conditions similar to Earth could exist beyond our solar system.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria band together into protective flocs when attacked by predators, a survival strategy that could influence how carbon is stored in the world's waters. This behavior helps explain why cyanobacteria invest energy in forming flocs despite the apparent cost to their growth.
New research shows that tadpoles adapt their diet in response to rising temperatures, consuming more plant material and eating overall. However, this natural strategy becomes less effective as temperatures continue to rise, with consequences for growth, development, and survival.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
A new study highlights the annual AU$7 trillion value of nature in mental health benefits and calls for urgent government action to expand access to nature as a frontline response to the worsening global mental health crisis. Regular, intentional exposure to natural environments is proposed as a proven yet underused solution to improvi...
A study by Okayama University reveals that garnet governs the formation of Earth's 660-km seismic boundary, shaping the mineral transitions that control heat and material circulation. This finding provides a unified explanation for complex seismic observations and supports a homogeneous, pyrolite-like mantle composition.
Researchers found that the formation of escarpments and mountains in East Antarctica created high ground for snow and ice to accumulate. This led to the initial ice sheet formation 34 million years ago, allowing it to spread across the continent and eventually become the largest ice sheet on Earth.
The University of Bath's Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research has joined the STRIVE mission, a NASA Earth System Explorer project aiming to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling. The team will focus on understanding atmospheric waves and their impact on energy transport.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement expressing concerns about the proposed OMB rule on federal grantmaking changes. The rule could reduce public access to weather information, slow commercialization of advances in weather science, and limit scientific collaboration.
The Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) has been conducting aerosol remote sensing for five years, providing insights into Saharan dust and volcanic particles over the Atlantic. The measurements have revealed pronounced seasonal dust events and high variability in dust intensity.
Researchers from Stellenbosch University found high concentrations of DMSP in Antarctic sea ice, which produces climate-cooling gases when broken down. This discovery highlights the crucial role of the Southern Ocean marginal ice zone in global sulfur cycling and climate regulation.
Researchers found that carbon from land was eroded and transported into the ocean, locking some carbon away for long periods. This process may have acted as a stabilising climate feedback, helping to gradually reduce atmospheric carbon levels over thousands to tens of thousands of years.
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
Mangrove forests worldwide are no longer in net decline and are now growing overall, driven by natural regeneration and expansion. The research highlights a more hopeful trajectory for these ecosystems, which play a critical role in protecting coastlines and storing climate-warming carbon.
Researchers used the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model to predict internal tide sea-surface height signatures and improve SWOT satellite observations of small-scale ocean eddies. The new approach accounts for 60% more internal tide signal, yielding a clearer picture of these important ocean patterns.
Global wildfire activity in 2025 resulted in destructive and deadly fire events, with 335 million hectares burned globally - 16% below the long-term average. The fires accounted for 38% of all insured natural hazard losses, with Canada experiencing its third consecutive year of extreme fire activity.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have discovered large volumes of natural hydrogen in the Canadian Shield, which could provide a domestic source of cost-effective energy. The study suggests that harnessing this resource could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local industry hubs.
Recent studies investigate the relationship between weather conditions and extreme events like heat-related mortality, tropical cyclone hazards, and changes in precipitation patterns. Researchers also explore new modeling methods to predict visually appealing atmospheric phenomena like 'ornamental twilight'.
A study by Dartmouth researchers shows that annual rainfall is increasingly concentrated into bigger and wetter storms with longer dry periods in between. This means less water is available for land, soil can only absorb so much at once, and what's not soaked up evaporates more readily.
PFAS contamination is linked to wastewater discharges and local industrial sources, but airborne transport may carry chemicals across long distances before returning to Earth. The research team identifies possible source regions and better understand how weather and atmospheric transport influence PFAS contamination.
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.
A Harvard study resolves a longstanding climate puzzle by proposing that the Sturtian glaciation could have lasted 56 million years due to oscillating 'snowball' and 'hothouse' conditions. The researchers suggest intense weathering of volcanoes triggered global glaciations, which warmed and retreated over repeated cycles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.