Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
Researchers found several volatile phases in the polar jet stream over the past 125 years that predate significant climate change effects. The study suggests that natural fluctuations may be driving recent erratic behavior of the jet stream, rather than climate change.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers finds that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's slowdown is responsible for the persistent cold water anomaly south of Greenland. This weakening circulation leads to cooler surface waters and fresher salinity, impacting weather patterns across Europe.
The PUNCH mission has successfully imaged a huge solar eruption, providing unprecedented views of coronal mass ejections and the solar wind. The spacecraft constellation is enabling scientists to better understand and predict space weather events that can disrupt communications and endanger satellites.
Researchers uncover valuable insights into past climate scenarios and marine ecosystems through ancient sediment cores. The study highlights the need for more data to improve future climate models and transform our understanding of Earth's complex life systems.
Researchers discovered that solid rock flows horizontally in the lower edge of the Earth's mantle, accelerating seismic waves. This finding solves the mystery of the D" layer and opens a window into the dynamics of the Earth's deepest interior.
Researchers at the University of Graz have developed a new benchmark timeseries that tracks global surface air temperature change from 1850 to 2034. This enables reliable monitoring of the Paris climate goals, which are set to be exceeded by 2028. The study proposes a four-classes assessment scale to gauge compliance with the agreement.
A new study predicts that limiting warming to 1.5°C could preserve over half of the world's glacier mass, but even at this level, 39% of glacier mass would still disappear due to delayed climate change reactions.
A recent study using SWOT satellite data has revealed the existence of powerful submesoscale eddies in the ocean, which play a significant role in shaping the climate system. These smaller currents carry surprisingly large amounts of energy and influence marine food webs, weather patterns, and events like El Niño and La Niña.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and MIT has uncovered evidence that oxygenation in the ocean—crucial for life as we know it—may have occurred earlier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the pace of biological evolution in response to rising oxygen levels.
A new international study shows that El Niño and La Niña climate patterns affect nearly half of the world's mangrove forests, threatening these vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are experiencing widespread degradation during El Niño events and increased growth during La Niña events.
Scientists have found that oceanic anaerobic respiration produces sulfur species, forming pyrite or 'fool's gold', which helps buffer the alkalinity of water and prevent acidification. This process has a stabilizing effect on the ocean, playing a significant role in preserving its alkalinity for millions of years.
A groundbreaking expedition aims to validate hypotheses about the origin of freshened groundwater in offshore aquifers. Researchers will collect sediment and water samples from beneath the ocean on the New England Shelf, shedding light on the dynamics of these systems and their influence on nutrient and element cycling.
Researchers discovered that soil carbon turnover accelerates rapidly in response to temperature increases, releasing more CO2 than previously thought. This finding has significant implications for the future of atmospheric CO2 concentrations and highlights the need to revise soil sensitivity in climate models.
A new global model shows that targeted interventions across emissions, diets, food waste, and water efficiency could halter environmental degradation by 2050. The study identifies five measures to reduce transgression: climate mitigation, food-consumption change, reduced food waste, improved water-use efficiency, and improved nitrogen-...
A collaborative research project led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz aims to understand the impact of thermally induced fracture formation on mineral rock properties. The study will help reduce associated risks and improve geothermal energy's efficiency.
Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are collaborating on a special collection to maintain momentum in climate change research supporting the US National Climate Assessment. This effort aims to sustain the work of authors who were dismissed earlier this week by the Trump Administration.
New research reveals oceans are heating at the world's fastest pace in two distinct bands near 40 degrees latitude in both hemispheres. This pattern is linked to poleward shifts in the jet stream and ocean currents, upending marine ecosystems and fueling extreme weather.
A new study suggests that adding particles to the atmosphere at a lower altitude near the polar regions can effectively cool the planet. Commercial jets like Boeing 777F could reach this altitude.
Researchers found that super-Earths can exist far from their host star like gas giants do from the sun. The team's results suggest these massive worlds are prevalent across the universe, with at least one super-Earth present for every three stars.
The American Meteorological Society warns that catastrophic cuts to federal science agencies like NOAA threaten the US weather enterprise, which supports public safety, private sector operations, and national security. A strong weather enterprise is essential for America's economic leadership.
A new study has discovered that increasing ocean resolution is key to accurately simulating AMO variability, particularly at multidecadal timescales. High-resolution ocean experiments correctly showed the AMO lasting 40-80 years, while low-resolution ocean experiments showed unrealistic cycles every 10-20 years.
New research warns that global policies may lead to triggering of multiple climate tipping points, with a 62% risk on average. However, sustainable future pathways with lower greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce this risk.
SYCIM2.0 brings together advanced components for ocean, atmosphere, and land surface modeling, offering flexible grid resolution for complex regions like the Indo-Pacific. The model shows impressive stability and energy balance in a 250-year test, closely matching real-world patterns of sea surface temperature and rainfall.
A groundbreaking legal framework in Ecuador has successfully blocked mining projects and won landmark court cases, protecting endangered frogs and the Junin community. The Rights of Nature approach aims to preserve entire ecosystems holistically, promoting care, stewardship, and coexistence with all life forms.
The proposed elimination of NOAA Research would drastically undercut the scientific backbone needed for accurate weather forecasts and services. Key stakeholders like the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association urge action to maintain competitiveness in weather forecasting.
The Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS) will test a new holographic microscope on the International Space Station to analyze the adaptability and resilience of microorganisms. The system aims to reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, significantly enhancing our search for life outside Earth.
The PUNCH mission has successfully collected its first images of the solar corona using four small spacecraft that act as a single virtual instrument. The images show the outer atmosphere of the Sun in stunning detail, with scientists aiming to remove background light and preserve the faint signal of the solar wind.
Researchers found that ancient Homo sapiens used tailored clothing and ochre-based sunscreens to protect themselves from harmful UV light during the Laschamps excursion. This period of reduced magnetic field strength allowed more cosmic radiation to reach Earth's surface, potentially contributing to the decline of Neanderthals.
A study found that microorganisms using the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle dominate in shallow-water hydrothermal systems. This energy-efficient process enables them to transfer carbon into organic molecules, allowing them to survive in harsh conditions.
A new study on natural oil seeps in the deep sea has found that hydrothermal processes mobilize dissolved organic matter, influencing local ecosystems and the global marine carbon cycle. The composition of released water-soluble organic molecules is strongly influenced by temperature and petroleum composition.
A Stanford study finds that a pivot to clean energy technologies by 2060 would improve energy security and reduce trade risks for most nations. The study analyzed potential new vulnerabilities under decarbonization relative to those associated with continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis analyzed rainfall data and found that the July 2022 floods were not as exceptional as initially thought. The study suggests storms like this will become more frequent due to global warming, which is increasing the frequency of extreme precipitation events.
The CONCERTO Project aims to advance the understanding and modelling of the terrestrial carbon cycle, reducing uncertainty in climate predictions. By integrating Earth observation data and innovative models, the project will contribute to improved climate policy and global efforts towards carbon neutrality.
A new study by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo hints that calcium ions played a crucial role in shaping life's earliest molecular structures. The team discovered that calcium dramatically alters how tartaric acid molecules link together, favoring homochiral polymers and potentially influencing the emergence of life.
A new study finds that global heating could exceed previous estimates, with even low emission scenarios leading to higher temperatures. The Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 2°C may only be achievable under very low emissions and lower-than-estimated climate sensitivity.
Research reveals Atlantic Ocean storms are primary drivers of Sahara lake filling, contradicting previous theories. Heavy precipitation events triggered by extreme rainstorms reshape water availability in the desert, with implications for ecosystems and human settlements.
The PUNCH spacecraft will study the solar corona and track space weather events in three dimensions for the first time. The constellation includes four small suitcase-sized spacecraft that will provide a clear view of the Sun's outer atmosphere, allowing scientists to discern the exact trajectory and speed of coronal mass ejections.
New research suggests that volcanic activity billions of years ago accelerated oxygenation, leading to an increase in atmospheric oxygen. This pre-Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) may have provided the necessary conditions for photosynthetic microorganisms to thrive, ultimately paving the way for complex life.
Researchers found a synchronization between geological climate archives and large-scale volcanic eruptions in the Deccan Traps, which may have caused mass extinctions. The study suggests that changes in Earth's orbit around the sun regulate the amount of incoming solar radiation, affecting global climate patterns.
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK recognize promising scientists under 42 for their work on pressing issues. The three winners are tackling infant mortality, green manufacturing, and predicting long-term climate change. Their prize-winning research will receive £100,000 in unrestricted funds.
A new study led by Colorado State University found that agricultural nitrogen fertilizer is the primary cause of seasonal carbon cycle swings. This discovery adds to scientific understanding of the carbon cycle and could help inform climate change mitigation strategies.
The US weather enterprise faces significant risks due to federal science funding cuts, which could lead to reduced weather forecasting accuracy and increased vulnerability to hazardous weather. The value of weather information to the US economy exceeds $100 billion annually.
The 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) aims to study the Arctic and work towards climate solutions. Research emphasizes science diplomacy and international cooperation to address the climate emergency.
A study published in Science Bulletin has created a comprehensive tree density map of China, estimating 142.6 billion trees across the country, with varying densities by region and ecosystem type.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving intensifying wildfires by altering vegetation and humidity levels, but not significantly impacting lightning strikes. The simulations predict a 14% increase in global area burned by fires annually with every degree of global warming.
A study found that excessive Tibetan Plateau spring warming was the primary factor driving catastrophic June 2024 heavy rainfall in southern China. The research used the ESM to simulate extreme warm temperatures over the TP and heavy rainfall in S. China, reproducing approximately 55% of the observed anomaly.
This study explores fungal biomass's role in stabilizing carbon in soils, showing a strong correlation between microbial biomass and reactive mineral-associated carbon. Fungal necromass interacts with nanoparticles to further stabilize the carbon after death, proposing a new conceptual model for hypha-mineral interactions.
A recent study found that terrestrial vegetation growth was fueled by temperate and colder regions, with effects of climate warming most prominent. China and India were major contributors to global greening, driven by tree planting and land restoration efforts.
A global program called TIMES aims to synchronize age models for geological climate records, enabling the study of past warm climate stages and their impact on future climate pathways. The project is crucial for understanding the Earth's climate dynamics and obtaining reliable information about past climate events.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.
Recent study finds that optimal reference heights provide better estimates of surface turbulent fluxes and thus better Earth system model predictions. The results show that computing momentum flux and heat flux are particularly improved with these new reference heights.
Researchers analyzed tropical storm-related precipitation to understand its impact on local water resources and provide insights into climate predictions. The study aims to help communities prepare for extreme storms and manage water resources before and after the storms.
A collaborative project between ASU and industry partners aims to develop a regional Direct Air Capture Hub in the Four Corners area, with the goal of removing at least 1 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year. The project will also create jobs, stimulate local economies, and support climate change mitigation efforts.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers suggests that the 2020 regulatory changes in international shipping emissions led to a significant increase in global temperatures. The study found that removing sulfur dioxide from shipping fuel increased the planet's temperature by 0.08 degrees Celsius.
The study introduces a novel framework that accurately predicts global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions without relying on complex climate models. It confirms human-caused greenhouse gas emissions drive observed global warming, independently of conventional approaches.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
A new study warns that human civilization is poised for a significant transformation as industrial civilization declines, giving rise to a postmaterialist, clean energy-based system. Rising authoritarianism poses a threat to this transition.