Articles tagged with Floods
Researchers have discovered direct geochemical evidence linking massive floods to the formation of the world's deepest gorge, the Tsangpo Gorge in the Himalayas. The study found that the presence of uranium-bearing zircon grains downstream was higher than expected, indicating a sudden and catastrophic event.
D.J. Seo's research will provide timely and location-specific information for dispatching emergency personnel in flash-flooding situations, reducing response times by up to 30 minutes. The prototype will also examine the impact of development on rainfall-runoff response and improve water conservation programs in North Texas.
Researchers at Indiana University have developed a five-sided macrocycle called cyanostar, which can bind large negatively charged ions. The molecule has unprecedented properties, including the ability to form dialkylphosphate rotaxanes and demonstrate applications in environmental remediation and lithium ion battery processes.
A NASA satellite captured infrared imagery revealing a large area of disorganized thunderstorms and strong gusty winds over the southeastern Gulf. The system has a high chance (60%) of becoming a subtropical or tropical cyclone within 2 days, posing a threat to southern Florida.
A team from Michigan State University is studying the Napo River's ecohydrology to assess its impact on the region. The research aims to document the river in its 'wild' state before major engineering work is conducted, guiding economic development and promoting conservation.
A NASA-University of Iowa collaboration uses ground instruments and satellite observations to improve flood forecasting. The study evaluates the accuracy of NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission satellite rainfall data.
The Dutch Delta Program Commissioner won the 2013 INFORMS Edelman Award for his work on preventing flooding using operations research techniques. The project resulted in €7.8 billion less investment costs while strengthening the country's defense against devastating floods.
Engineers at Oregon State University developed a new interactive system to create networks of small wetlands in Midwest farmlands, capturing 29% of runoff using only 1.5% of land. The approach helps prevent massive floods and retain water in a warming climate.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, and FEMA invested over $51 million in restoring the 2011 flood-damaged Birds Point-New Madrid floodway. Experts recommend revising the comprehensive plan to integrate levee engineering with ecological infrastructure to mitigate future flooding.
Scientists have discovered buried flood channels on Mars using 3D reconstructions, suggesting recent hydrologic activity. The findings indicate that floods may have induced climate change in the past.
Climate change is a range of possible events with varying likelihoods, and moderate actions today can reduce negative impacts. Experts like Mark Berliner emphasize the need to understand this spectrum of possibilities rather than adopting an all-or-nothing approach.
A University of Pennsylvania-led study quantifies sediment transported to wetlands by the 2011 Mississippi flood, which may help maintain the area's wetlands. The research found that the flood deposited more than half a year's worth of sediment in some areas, making it a key factor in maintaining wetland elevations.
This study investigates the sedimentary fingerprint of the 2011 Mississippi River flood across the Louisiana coast, identifying key indicators of sediment provenance. Chemostratigraphy also reveals a complete Late Permian to Early Triassic sequence in western Utah, shedding light on the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event.
A new report from Griffith University shows that most households did not make any changes to reduce their flood vulnerability despite lessons learned from the 2010-11 Australian floods. The research found that residents prioritized general home improvements over resilience measures, and insurers often only paid to replace like-for-like.
Tropical Storm Oswald brought extreme rainfall to northern Queensland, with NASA's TRMM satellite measuring over 600mm of rain in some areas. The storm caused severe flooding, cutting off communities and forcing travelers to cancel plans.
Scientists recommend measures to adapt Santiago to climate change, including a monitoring system, green areas, and cooling roofs for low-income households. The city is expected to experience an increase in extreme heat and floods by 2050 due to rising temperatures and decreased precipitation.
A new study emphasizes the importance of including infection prevention and control in hospital preparedness plans for flooding. Key findings include the need for cleaning and disinfection, remediation of mold, and post-flood surveillance to prevent outbreaks of flood-related infectious diseases.
A study suggests removing sea defenses in low-lying coastal areas could reduce the impact of flooding associated with rising sea levels. The research highlights the need for strategic planning to balance flood protection and erosion control.
Experts argue that uncertainty about climate change impacts should not delay decision-making on adaptation measures. The costs of adapting to climate change include infrastructure upgrades and risk reduction strategies.
A study examining attitudes towards government responses after extreme weather events found that perceptions of helplessness can lead to a lack of personal action to prevent flooding. The research, led by the University of Exeter, highlights the need for governments to adapt to climate change and invest in flood resilience.
Professor Catherine Seavitt Nordenson suggests using soft infrastructure to mitigate flood damage without harming outlying areas. Techniques include restoring wetlands, creating reefs and artificial islands, and seeding oyster beds to absorb water and dissipate wave energy.
A study led by University of Washington researchers identifies unusual weather patterns that contributed to the 2010 India flood, which killed 193 people. The findings suggest that organized clouds in high mountains can tap into additional moisture from nearby bodies of water, leading to severe flash flooding.
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.
The animation shows Hurricane Sandy's transformation from a strengthening tropical depression to a ferocious Nor'easter that brought devastating damage to the mid-Atlantic region. Total damage was estimated at $20 billion dollars.
A team of University of Pennsylvania geologists observed how sediment was deposited in the Mississippi Delta during the 2011 flood. They found that diverting water into the Atchafalaya River Basin built up sediment in wetland areas, whereas the Mississippi River plume had a more focused and less sediment-rich effect.
A new study finds that deforestation in snowy regions consistently causes more floods, both big and small. In mountainous areas, trees help control snowmelt, but without them, water flows faster, leading to a significant increase in flood frequency.
Hurricane Isaac made two landfalls in southeastern Louisiana, causing widespread flooding due to its slow movement and intense energy from warm Gulf waters. The storm also brought isolated tornadoes as it moved inland, posing a significant threat to the region.
A new study reveals that Shanghai is the most vulnerable city to severe flooding due to its exposure to powerful storm surges and subsiding land. The index also ranks Dhaka and Manila as highly vulnerable cities, while European cities like Marseille and Rotterdam excel in resilience.
Tropical Storm Kai-tak is affecting the northern Philippines with warnings in effect. The storm is expected to make landfall north of Hong Kong on August 16 and will pass through the Luzon Strait.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that a significant percentage of the Mississippi River's sand load is diverted into the Bonnet Carre spillway wetlands, rather than flowing into urban areas. This discovery offers new insights into the potential for controlled diversion to mitigate land loss in coastal Louisiana.
A team of scientists is investigating the hazard posed by landslide-tsunamis in the Arctic to the UK over the next 100 to 200 years. The study aims to clarify the frequency and timing of major Arctic submarine slides and assess their impact on human society and infrastructure.
NASA captures satellite images of Tropical Storm Debby covering the entire state of Florida with a large white blanket of clouds. The storm is expected to continue crawling to the northeast, bringing heavy rainfall and tropical-storm-force winds to the region.
A two-year grant from NOAA, NASA, NSF, and DOE will help the University of Miami improve seasonal climate predictions for severe floods or droughts in South Florida. The team aims to establish a comprehensive multi-model prediction system available in real-time to all sectors.
The University of Bristol scientists developed a technique to calibrate six Amazon gauges using ICESat elevation data, correcting large discrepancies in water levels. This method enables researchers to accurately estimate water levels and river slope, crucial for understanding the exchange of water with floodplains and other processes.
A new flood simulation tool, combined with the Dams Sector Analysis Tool, enables rapid visualization and training for emergency responders. The software can model catastrophic flooding in under 24 minutes, improving disaster management and preparedness.
Researchers found bands of fast and slow growth in Edmontosaurus fossils, indicating periodic seasonal stresses. The study suggests these dinosaurs adapted to Arctic conditions by living year-round, rather than migrating to warmer regions.
A University of Missouri research team is conducting a two-year study to reclaim developed flood plain land and keep waterways free of pollutants. The project uses 777 willow trees to filter water and potentially produce a cash crop for farmers.
Tropical Storm Daphne brought heavy rainfall and flooding to the Fuji Islands in Fiji, causing at least three deaths and thousands of evacuations. The storm's rainfall totals reached over 600 millimeters, with some areas experiencing intense rain within a wide band of precipitation.
The Resilient Tunnel Project developed an inflatable cylinder capable of containing 35,000 gallons of water or air to seal off a section of tunnel in emergency situations. The plug's design overcame challenges related to its size, strength, and pliability, with the help of advanced materials like Vectran and polyurethane.
A new £2.9m project aims to forecast the future of the UK's coastline up to 100 years, addressing flooding and erosion risks.
A stalled frontal system is generating severe weather in eastern Texas and Oklahoma, with cloud top temperatures of up to -63.6°F detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for the region due to heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms.
New research suggests nearly four million Americans, covering an area larger than Maryland, are at risk of severe flooding due to rising sea levels. The US Government's current flood zones may not be stable with predicted sea level rise, and many locations will experience high flooding every decade or more often.
A study found that allowing the levee to break would have created more damage than constant water pressure. The city of Cairo occupied a small land area, and floodwaters rising to 61.72 feet posed significant threats to downstream levees.
Georgia Tech associate professor Hermann Fritz and his team are studying the impact of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami on the Sanriku coast using terrestrial laser scanners and eyewitness video. They have mapped the tsunami's height and flood zone, which could produce flooding forecasts to influence evacuation plans and building designs.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone System 92S caused flooding in northern Madagascar, with intense storms dropping rainfall at rates of over 50mm/hr. The TRMM satellite measured high rain totals, including gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall along the Mozambique Channel.
Researchers from Princeton University and MIT found that projected increases in sea level and storm intensity brought on by climate change would make devastating storm surges more frequent. They developed a simulation tool that can predict the severity of future flooding an area can expect.
A Simon Fraser University professor will present on how climate change is expected to impact historical sea level changes in the Pacific Northwest. The talk highlights the vulnerability of low-lying coastlines in the region, particularly those with large human populations and infrastructure.
Cyclone Giovanna has caused flooding and damage in Madagascar before entering the Mozambique Channel. The storm is expected to move westward towards Mozambique's southeastern coast, with wind shear preventing further strengthening.
Scientists propose mass melting as new force behind volcanic activity in eastern Oregon, suggesting a dynamic rupture lasting two million years across the Farallon slab. The study aims to explain the origins of sudden, massive eruptions of lava at the planet's surface.
A new study suggests that Colorado's Rocky Mountains will experience a near elimination of surface hail by 2070. The warmer climate could lead to more runoff and an increased risk of flash floods. Meanwhile, intense storms may produce more hail inside clouds, but it will melt quickly and fall as rain.
A Rice University-led team recommends building a floodgate across the Houston Ship Channel and adding new levees to protect densely populated areas. The report also suggests creating a 130-mile-long coastal recreation area to utilize wetlands as a natural storm-surge barrier.
Researchers at UC Riverside and the University of Nottingham have discovered how plants sense low oxygen levels to survive flooding. They found that key plant proteins become unstable when oxygen is normal but stable when oxygen levels drop, allowing plants to tap into their energy reserves and survive in low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a molecular mechanism plants use to sense low oxygen levels during flooding, enabling potential high-yielding, flood-tolerant crops. This breakthrough could help tackle catastrophic flooding's impact on agricultural production worldwide.
Scientists at Delft University of Technology have developed a new method using luminescence dating to determine the year of historic storm floods. By analyzing layers of sediment in the dunes near Heemskerk, they were able to establish that the flood occurred in either 1775 or 1776.
Researchers at the Geological Society of America meeting connect extreme weather events over the past decade to climate change. Warmer oceans, fueled by increased carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas releases, contribute to more frequent and intense storms, droughts, and wildfires.
Typhoon Roke is bringing intense rainfall to Japan, with areas seeing rain fall at 2 inches/50 mm per hour. Heavy rains are already causing rivers to overflow and prompting evacuations for over 1.1 million people in central Japan's Aichi prefecture.
Researchers studied arroyo cycles and canyon paleoflood records in Utah, magma formation in the Karakoram shear zone in India, and brine origin in the Alberta Basin. They found that arroyo cycles control chronologies of paleoflood sequences and that magma formation in the Karakoram shear zone provides pathways for removing magma from d...
Tropical Storm Lee caused massive rainfall across central Louisiana, Mississippi, and northern Alabama, with some areas receiving over 250 mm. The TRMM satellite's TMPA analysis showed heavy rains extending inland from the Gulf of Mexico, with Chattanooga Tennessee breaking its all-time 24-hour rainfall record.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has compiled rainfall total maps for Hurricane Irene, showing the eastern US was hit with extreme rainfall. The heaviest rainfalls were recorded in North Carolina and northeastern states, causing widespread flooding and damage.
NASA satellites continue to monitor the remnants of Hurricane Irene as they bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to eastern Canada. The storm's massive size and remnants have caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in Quebec, New Hampshire, and Vermont.