Articles tagged with Natural Disasters
Using site characterization data from multiple disciplines, researchers can now accurately predict the occurrence of marine landslides. The correct sequence of site investigations and integration of data is crucial for maximizing information and confidence in landslide models.
Aurora, a state-of-the-art machine learning model, delivers high-quality forecasts for key environmental systems like air quality, weather, and tropical cyclones. The model's flexibility enables it to be used for various future scenarios, including flood risks, wildfire spread, and renewable energy output.
A new study projects that wind losses for homeowners in the Southeast will increase by 76% by 2060 and 102% by 2100. Texas is expected to experience the highest increase in losses, followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
A new international study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought. The researchers added nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to 26 sites across 9 countries and found a 24% increase in plant growth with fertilizer addition.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a new AI model to speed up building damage assessments and predict recovery times after a tornado. The model uses remote sensing, deep learning, and restoration models to generate damage assessments in under an hour, providing actionable intelligence for first responders and policymakers.
The University of Texas at Arlington researcher Yunyao Li has been selected by NASA to develop a system that provides early warnings of hazardous air pollution from wildfires. The project aims to enhance wildfire air quality forecasting capabilities and develop tools for decision-making processes related to health management.
A new guidebook from Northern Arizona University provides essential support for individuals and communities affected by wildfires in Arizona. The comprehensive resource covers topics such as insurance, erosion control, emotional recovery, financial aid, and more to help residents recover from the aftermath of these devastating events.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology built three embankment dams to divert lava flows in Iceland, delaying the molten lava by up to 16 days. The dams were constructed using in situ material and showed promising results in protecting civil society and critical infrastructure.
The study found that biological particles like pollen and plant matter are effective at forming ice in clouds, leading to precipitation. The researchers suggest that weather models should consider these particles, which are expected to increase in the atmosphere as temperatures rise.
Geologists have connected a 120-million-year-old 'super-eruption' to its source, revealing insights into Earth's complex geological history. The discovery provides a more complete history of the Pacific Ocean basin and sheds light on volcanic activity in the region.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that a major earthquake could expand the coastal floodplain by 35-116 square miles, affecting thousands of residents and properties. The impact would be most severe in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California.
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.
Research reveals the mechanism behind peak extratropical cyclone activity in spring East Asia, with intensified low-level jet streams facilitating system formation. This understanding can improve climate predictions and adaptation strategies for the region.
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.
A new study by UC Davis School of Medicine identifies four major areas of need among wildfire victims, including mental health support and health information. The research reveals that mental health needs are the most predominant health-related need at all time points.
Researchers studying ancient rhino teeth found at Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park discovered that prehistoric rhinos lived in large herds. The animals' limited mobility suggests they didn't respond to the volcanic eruption or migrate seasonally, instead likely dying from prolonged exposure to ash and lack of food.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A study found that a hydrothermal system created by an asteroid impact helped marine life flourish in the Gulf of Mexico for at least 700,000 years. The system generated and circulated nutrients, supporting high-nutrient environments that favored certain types of plankton.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
A new research infrastructure called SAFAtor aims to close the gap in ocean data by collecting real-time pressure, temperature, and seismic data from deep-sea telecommunications cables. The project will deploy sensor technology along an undersea cable to monitor climate and geological hazards.
A new study developed a computer model to predict household displacement duration in US communities after disasters, accounting for socioeconomic factors. The model combines physical damage estimates with socioeconomic characteristics to help inform risk mitigation strategies.
Researchers propose a new local electricity market to harness the power of homeowners' grid-edge devices in case of outages or attacks. Devices like solar panels and electric vehicles can pump power into the grid or rebalance consumption.
Researchers at Purdue University are studying mosquito antennae to develop acoustic sensors that can detect natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. By mimicking the unique structure of these antennae, they hope to create more sensitive sound-detection technology.
A Japanese research team investigated the connection between housing damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake and all-cause mortality. The study found no significant relationship between the two, suggesting that public health efforts may have suppressed mortality rates.
Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.
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.
Researchers developed a new data assimilation algorithm using the LETKF technique to enhance global precipitation estimates. The model improved accuracy and computational efficiency, making it suitable for large-scale applications, particularly in mountainous regions.
A survey conducted by Professor Takahiro Endo at Osaka Metropolitan University found that Hiroshima Prefecture provided a free water inspection service for well owners after the 2018 floods, promoting their initiative to open inspected wells to the public. This collaborative effort supplemented local governments' emergency water supply...
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that lower access to air conditioning increases the need for emergency care for wildfire smoke exposure. People living in areas with low air conditioning availability are at higher risk, especially children and the Black population.
Researchers found that taller Japanese black pine trees have deeper roots, making them more resistant to disasters. Shorter trees are more likely to fall due to inadequate root growth.
New research from Colorado State University finds that wildfire smoke has a modest impact on long-term solar power generation activity in the US. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that power generated from photovoltaics remained relatively stable even in extreme fire seasons, with losses averaging around 5%.
A nationwide analysis of Japan's plastic litter removal from rivers found that natural disasters and extreme weather events contribute to spikes in collected plastic waste. The study, led by Tokyo University of Science, also identified positive correlations between basin population, plastic litter recovery, and cleanup activities.
The Chemical Insights Research Institute has launched a new public service website offering valuable guidance and tips for protecting community health before, during, and after wildfires. The site provides up-to-date information to help residents prepare for the health risks of wildfires in WUI areas.
Volcanologists' unique skillset can help urban governments customize lessons learned globally to address specific geographic, demographic, and economic challenges. By applying global knowledge to individual scenarios, cities can prepare for increasingly dangerous climate perils.
When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.
A new study finds that California's wildfire response is biased towards wealthier communities, leaving marginalized populations without access to necessary resources. The analysis of over 500 wildfire incidents revealed a significant disparity in resource allocation based on socio-demographic factors such as race and economic status.
A new study reveals that lower-quality public housing units are disproportionately located in areas with high flood risk, putting residents at risk of catastrophic damage. The research also highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color and those with limited ability to recover from flooding.
The World Drought Atlas depicts the systemic nature of drought risks, highlighting their interconnectedness across sectors. It underscores the need for national plans and international cooperation to build resilience against harsher droughts, which are expected to affect 3 in 4 people globally by 2050.
A new study estimates a 1-meter sea level rise by 2100 will affect over 14 million people and $1 trillion worth of property along the Southeast Atlantic coast. The study emphasizes the need for holistic coastal resilience strategies to address multiple climate-related hazards.
The new system uses AI technology combined with Earth observation data to detect risks of events that might trigger forced displacement, delivering timely alerts ahead of emergencies. It will help humanitarian actors plan and respond more effectively, minimizing response times and avoiding duplication of efforts.
The researchers found that while there are more crisis events, they tend to occur in clusters rather than being evenly spread out over time. Crisis rhetoric is used much more frequently than before, but not all of it leads to noticeable news waves.
The partnership aims to improve the speed and accuracy of flood damage assessments by combining multi-modal data sources and a novel vision language model. The system will enable first responders to quickly allocate resources and respond more efficiently to weather disasters.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School are leading a four-year project to develop best practices for decision-ready climate projection information. The team will engage stakeholders across five themes, providing access to crucial datasets and analysis procedures.
New research reveals hurricanes and tropical storms in the U.S. cause a surge of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm hits, with an estimated 3.6 million to 5.2 million total deaths. The study also finds that Black individuals are three times more likely to die after a hurricane than white individuals.
In Dominica, Hurricane Maria killed most Purple-throated caribs, allowing other birds to pollinate heliconia plants. Researchers found that specialized pollination systems can become generalized after natural disturbances, showing resilience in ecosystems.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
The SUPERSLUG initiative aims to forecast the impact of sediment slugs on river catchments and communities. The project will use a range of sensors and numerical models to provide comprehensive predictions of where and how long-term effects might be felt, up to decades or centuries after an event.
A study found increased menstrual irregularities in women living in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. Risk factors included post-traumatic stress symptoms, chronic diseases, and smoking.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
Closing Colorado's 'free river conditions' loophole could save millions of cubic meters of water and reduce stress in the region. The loophole allows anyone to take as much water as they want from the river, threatening the success of any payment program for farmers not irrigating their land.
A rare 'dual-initiation' mechanism led to Japan's violent Noto earthquake, which killed over 280 people and damaged 83,000 homes. The quake began simultaneously at two points on the fault, encircling a barrier and breaking it, releasing intense energy.
Edith Brown Weiss advocates for a Planetary Trust to ensure a just and robust Earth system for present and future generations. She proposes six critical commitments for the UN Summit of the Future, including integrating the future into decision-making and practices.
Researchers from USU and international partners will investigate how earthquake energy accumulates and releases on major strike-slip faults. The project aims to improve earthquake hazard models and provide educational opportunities in Earth sciences.
A new study suggests that California's affordable housing crisis is driving increased development in and near wildlands, putting residents at higher-risk for climate-related natural disasters. The research aims to understand the drivers of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) growth and its impact on environmental dynamics.
Sylvia Dee's research aims to address critical gaps in the observational record of Earth's hydrologic cycle, using a global database of water isotope observations. This will enable more accurate climate modeling and help communities assess and reduce risks associated with extreme weather events.
A newly enhanced database is expected to help wildfire managers predict where and when wildfires will occur by incorporating hundreds of additional factors. The revised Fire Program Analysis Fire-Occurrence Database now includes information on 2.3 million fires in the United States from 1992 to 2020, providing a deeper understanding of...
Researchers found two male skeletons with severe fracture and trauma injuries, suggesting earthquakes triggered building collapses during the 79CE eruption. The study provides new insight into the destruction of Pompeii, shedding light on the complex interplay between volcanic and seismic phenomena.
Researchers analyzed live-streams of hurricanes and storms, finding that people in affected areas used streams to discuss official risk advice and show support to impacted regions. The study highlights the importance of understanding how new technologies influence hazard risk perception and community engagement.
Researchers study droughts, wildfires, and precipitation changes across the US Southeast and globally. The Great Salt Lake's drying exacerbates regional droughts, while a Maui wildfire is linked to atmospheric patterns.