Articles tagged with Floods
The International Rice Research Institute is receiving $19.9 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and distribute stress-tolerant rice varieties. The goal is to reach 18 million households and increase yields by 50% within 10 years, benefiting small farmers in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
California's Central Valley faces significant risk of floods with extensive loss of life and billions in damages. The University of Maryland engineers recommend a comprehensive flood-risk abatement strategy focusing on land-use planning and ecosystem restoration.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda will become the country's first national conservation park, focusing on restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and promoting local economic development through ecotourism. The project aims to create a model for Africa's ambitious forest restoration efforts.
Researchers found that stress hormone noradrenaline suppresses pain inputs from the brainstem, reducing neurotransmitter launch and triggering nerve impulses. The study provides important mechanistic clues to understanding stress-induced analgesia.
A 7,000-year-old flood is believed to have triggered the expansion of farming across Europe. The study suggests that rising sea levels led to dramatic social change and displaced millions of people.
American educators have partnered with Bangladeshi experts to develop U.S. geography standards on coping with natural disasters in the country. The project aims to increase cultural awareness and promote disaster resilience among students.
Floods of '93 and '95 devastated 70% of snake populations, with larger snakes and arboreal species faring better. Ecologist Owen Sexton proposes 'islands in the stream' to provide sanctuaries for displaced species during future floods.
A study by Princeton University engineers reveals that cities can increase the intensity of summer thunderstorms, with rainfall up to 30% higher than surrounding areas. The researchers also found that urban environments can alter a storm's life cycle and lead to more flash flooding.
NASA provided critical soil moisture data for affected areas, enabling emergency response teams to track flash flooding and stage rescue efforts. The sensor's detailed maps helped officials predict future flooding risks and avoid casualties.
A pilot forecasting program in Bangladesh is delivering 1- to 10-day forecasts directly to over 100,000 people living on floodplains, alerting them to potential floods. The system uses a combination of weather forecast models, satellite observations, and hydrologic modeling techniques to predict flooding.
A catastrophic megaflood separated Britain from France hundreds of thousands of years ago, carving a massive valley along the English Channel. The flood reorganized river drainages in north-west Europe, affecting early human occupation in Britain and potentially leading to an abrupt halt in migration.
Geologists at PNNL have identified 62 sites with known or suspected mammoth finds, verifying and collecting material from eight locations, including two this spring. Preliminary results suggest most mammoths were buried in the Lake Lewis area at elevations of 600-1,000 feet.
A new study from Penn State shows that eating low-calorie soup before a meal can significantly reduce total calorie intake. The study tested different forms of soup and found that low-calorie, broth-based soups are filling regardless of their form.
A team of researchers has found conclusive evidence of tsunamis in the Bristol Channel, which they attribute to a catastrophic wave erosion event that occurred on January 30, 1607. The study uses established catalogues of geomorphic features to demonstrate the impact of tsunamis on coastal landscapes.
Researchers confirmed a direct link between volcanic eruptions and global warming, with sea surface temperatures rising by up to six degrees in the Arctic. The study analyzed ash layers and marine fossil records to establish this connection about 55 million years ago.
An international team of researchers has found evidence of the Earth's earliest forest trees, dating back 385 million years. The discovery includes upright stumps of fossilized trees that reached at least 8 meters in height, forming the first known forests on earth.
The study challenges conventional thought on sediment transport in the GBR, showing large plumes of terrestrial material traveling up to 65-130km beyond the inner reef. This poses new risks for reef corals and highlights the need for rethinking hydrological modeling.
Researchers collected river water and sediment samples from Alaskan rivers during spring floods to study interactions with the coastal Beaufort Sea. The study found variations in river composition and flow, as well as under-ice mixing with sea ice and seawater.
New research reveals that every US Gulf Coast bay in Texas and Louisiana is at risk of significant flooding and expansion within the coming century. The bays' delicate balance between river-borne sediments and rising sea levels will be disrupted by the construction of dams, leading to rapid flooding events with devastating consequences.
A new intelligent sensor system could provide rapid and specific warnings of local flooding, reducing damage costs. The system uses grid computing to analyze data from sensors in flood-prone areas, making it possible to issue targeted warnings in time for action.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household levels of mold and bacterial endotoxins in post-Katrina homes were comparable to those in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural environments. The researchers strongly recommend wearing respirators for cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes.
Scientists from Newcastle University found a significant increase in extreme rainfall events in Scotland and Northern England over the past 40 years. The probability of such events increased by four times in Scotland and two times in Northern England, posing a major threat to flood risk management.
Researchers from the University of Bristol warn that Eurasia, eastern China, Canada, Central America, and Amazonia are at risk of forest loss due to global warming. The team predicts more intense droughts in West Africa, southern Europe, and the eastern USA, while regions north of 50°N will face excessive runoff and flooding.
Researchers at IRRI and UC Davis have identified a cluster of three genes linked to flooding vulnerability or tolerance in rice. The Sub1A gene is overexpressed, making normally intolerant varieties tolerant.
A gene that enables rice to survive complete submergence has been identified, allowing for development of new rice varieties that can withstand flooding. The discovery is expected to increase food security for 70 million poor people and reduce yield losses from weeds in areas like the United States.
Researchers use digital maps to examine flood landscapes and calculate energy and mechanisms needed to generate shapes. Outburst floods pose a major hazard in mountainous areas, with global warming expected to alter flood sizes and frequencies.
Researchers found that beaver dams enhance hydrologic processes during peak flow and low flow periods, creating environments suitable for wetland formation and persistence. The study suggests that beavers play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem diversity by altering river systems worldwide.
A study reviewed over 100 scientific studies and found that the global water cycle is intensifying, with increasing precipitation, runoff, and evapotranspiration. However, the effects on tropical storms and floods are not consistent with predictions.
Researchers from NASA and Columbia University reproduced an abrupt climate shift 8,200 years ago by simulating a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic Ocean. The study used GISS Model E-R to model the impact of the flood, which caused temperatures to drop several degrees in some areas.
Global warming is likely to change river flows in ways that may result in both increased flood risk and water shortages. The predictions assume atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration doubles from preindustrial levels, leading to higher winter-time river flows and lower spring and summer flows.
A study found that hazard mitigation grants can save up to $14 billion over 10 years by reducing property damage and loss of life. The grants also help reduce tax revenue losses due to economic disruption caused by natural hazards.
Researchers used GISS Model E-R to simulate a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic around 8,200 years ago and found it had moderate effects on global temperatures. The study suggests that similar events may have occurred in the past and can inform our understanding of future climate scenarios.
A study by Saskia van Vuren reveals that changes in the riverbed elevation can cause high-water problems, flooding, droughts, erosion, and affect discharge distribution. The researcher argues that future high-water level predictions must consider morphological dynamics.
A synthesis report reveals climate change's growing health impacts vary by region, with coastlines and sub-Saharan Africa particularly at risk. The report highlights the need for global leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable energy policies.
The ICSU Scoping Group on Human-Induced Environmental Hazards aims to provide a strong scientific basis for reducing risks and consequences of natural hazards. Recent disasters show a dramatic increase in natural disasters, causing significant economic loss and human displacement.
Researchers at Ohio State University have detected the largest-ever recorded movement of Earth's crust under the weight of flooded Amazon, suggesting a way to estimate total fresh water on the planet. The study reveals an annual oscillation pattern three inches deep in the bedrock beneath the Amazon River Basin.
Researchers have developed a new approach to predicting flooding in the West, combining computer simulations with satellite imagery and field data. The method provides more accurate hazard information and could have significant economic impacts on rapidly growing Southwest cities.
The concentration of people and wealth in underground spaces poses significant risks from floods, tsunamis, and other extreme events. Modeling catastrophic events is crucial for designing contingencies such as evacuations and emergency containment.
Temple University professor Sergio Serrano has developed new mathematical procedures to solve complex, non-linear equations of water flow in soils. These techniques will help create more accurate models for flood forecasting and contaminant propagation predictions.
The Dartmouth Flood Observatory expects a busy 2004 due to increasing flood events worldwide. The observatory's global inventory of flooding events may help assess global climate change.
Researchers at University of Arizona develop smart software to detect floods, volcanic eruptions and changes in ice fields on Earth. The software will also be used to study similar events throughout the solar system.
Research finds that flood policy shifts are often driven by prevailing attitudes, technological resources and social values, not just crisis responses. Policymakers must consider these complex influences when planning for future events.
The UN University estimates that the number of people living in flood-prone areas will double by 2050 due to extreme weather systems, rising sea levels, and deforestation. This would put an additional 1 billion people at risk, with devastating consequences for global economies and human security.
The oldest available data on the Missouri River shows that water flow has become more variable over time due to extensive damming. The river is also narrower at St. Charles, Missouri, with a reduced width of 500 yards compared to its original 720 yards in 1804.
Researchers analyze Martian flood channels, estimate Mercury's crust depth and simulate earthquake dynamics. New data also reveals details on sprites and interstellar hydrogen shadows.
Researchers use a lightweight device to extract core samples from sediment deposits in Bolivia, revealing that sediment transport is only possible during La Niña events. The findings suggest that the Andes Mountains play a crucial role in shaping the Amazon River's sediment load.
A historic conference at the U.S. Naval Academy brought together experts on underwater rescue and salvage, including survivors of notable submarine accidents like USS SQUALUS and USS TANG. The accounts of these men are now transcribed in a new book that explores some of the most daring undersea missions of the last century.
TRMM allows researchers to daily map areas of potential flooding using precipitation radar data and high-resolution measurements of cloud water content. The satellite provides updated records on a global scale, enabling scientists to track storms, monitor El Nino conditions, and assess crop health in remote regions.
A Pittsburgh study reveals that thunderstorm-related deaths predominantly occur among males, with 70% of fatalities attributed to males. The majority of these incidents involve flash floods or lightning strikes while driving, playing sports, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Researchers at Penn State have developed an early flash flood warning system that can potentially save lives and property by forecasting extreme weather events. The system uses a combination of dynamical and statistical models to identify patterns and anomalies in atmospheric conditions, allowing for three-day advance warnings.
Climate change projections indicate an increase in heavy precipitation and extreme events in California's Sierra Nevada region, with a 37% rise in wet days per year. This could lead to more flooding due to the shift from snowfall to rainfall, reducing the buffering effects of snow.
A study by Tufts University civil engineering professor Paul Kirshen predicts that Boston's rising sea levels could cause over $20 billion in damages over the next century, with costs reaching up to $94 billion if severe weather conditions are exceeded. The research highlights three scenarios for government response, including 'Ride-It...
Research found significant species diversity in riparian areas, with up to 40 times more exotic species per plot compared to uplands. Flood frequency also impacts species richness, with decreased numbers of exotic species as flood frequency decreases.
Hydrologist Robert Lenhard has refined current constitutive theory to predict residual NAPL distribution in subsurface, resolving a critical contamination modeling problem. His new model predicts pulse-like contamination generation during heavy rainstorms and flooding, influencing environmental remediation choices.
A team of scientists has analyzed sediment cores from 21 lakes in Vermont and New York to establish regional storm patterns. The findings indicate that intense rainstorms causing massive flooding are expected to increase frequency and severity over the coming years, with human activity contributing to this trend.
A NASA study suggests that black carbon particles are responsible for changes in precipitation patterns over China, leading to increased flooding in the south and droughts in the north. The study used climate computer models and aerosol data to analyze the effects of black carbon on hydrologic cycles in China and India.
A new report reanalyzes national weather service estimates to provide a comprehensive understanding of US flood damage trends. The data show that North Dakota has suffered the most per capita economic losses due to flooding.
A team of scientists led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Professor Jun Abrajano refutes the Noah's Flood Hypothesis by presenting sediment evidence of sustained interaction between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This contradicts the theory that a massive flood destroyed freshwater mollusks in the Black Sea.
Researchers have developed a new technique that predicts Madden-Julian Oscillations (MJOs), which can provide two-weeks notice for storms. This allows scientists to issue storm warnings weeks earlier than current conventional weather forecasting, supporting sustainable development efforts.
A proposed flood protection system for Venice, known as MOSE, is facing criticism over its potential to prevent flooding and harm the lagoon's ecosystem. Environmentalists warn that keeping the gates closed could disrupt the natural water flow, leading to toxic substance buildup and damaging the delicate ecosystem.