Articles tagged with Earth Observations
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found over 74,000 active fires in the Brazilian Amazon during the period, mainly due to recent deforestation. The research also revealed a sharp increase in forest fires on public lands and areas of Indigenous reservations.
The University of Canterbury researchers found that rocket launches emit gases and particulates that damage the ozone layer. The study highlights the need for coordinated global action to protect the upper atmosphere environment.
A new study finds that salp blooms can offset as much CO2 as emitted by millions of cars, with some estimates suggesting up to 28,000 vehicles. Salps' unique features and rapid reproduction lead to large amounts of carbon being exported to the deep sea.
David Kohlstedt's lab recreated the mantle's conditions, observing microscopic changes and scaling up results to real-world size. This work underlies modern geophysics and has improved our understanding of earthquakes, volcanoes, and the planet's surface.
A team of scientists reviewed the effectiveness of reanalysis data products for studying the West African climate. They found that ERA5 achieved considerable progress in reducing biases and improving representation compared to its predecessor, ERA-interim.
A recent study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that Indigenous territories and protected areas play a vital role in forest conservation in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that these areas accounted for approximately 52% of forests in the region, leading to only 5% of net forest loss and 12% of gross forest loss.
Researchers used the parallax effect to measure the height of the volcano's plume, reaching an altitude of 57 km, surpassing previous records. The study provides new insights into volcanic eruptions and their impact on the climate.
A new system classifies atmospheres of distant planets to identify those suitable for future human habitation, without physically visiting them. The research study found that planet TRAPPIST-1e has a significantly more sensitive atmosphere than Earth, which could lead to extreme climate changes.
A new study by Eurac Research confirms negative global trends in mountain areas, with an average decline of 15 days of snow on the ground over 38 years. Snow cover has decreased by 4% globally, with peaks of 20 or more fewer days in Canada's western provinces.
A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.
Researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to pinpoint high-priority areas for deforestation action, reducing the target area by 160,000 km². The study reveals that only 37% of the last three years' deforestation rate was covered by official monitoring in the 11 municipalities.
Researchers from the University of Zurich and University of Montréal developed a method to assess plant biodiversity across ecosystems using satellite imaging spectrometry. The study found that spectral diversity calculations can capture differences in plant community composition across all ecosystems studied, allowing for targeted fie...
Researchers used an ant-tracking method to estimate snow depth and found that it was approximately half the average distance a photon traveled inside the snow. This technique can help predict changes in sea ice thickness and glaciers, crucial for water resource management and climate modeling.
A Rutgers engineer has developed a faster and cheaper way to recover cloud-covered earth surface using a recommendation algorithm inspired by Netflix and Amazon. The algorithm, called Funk-SVD, is more accurate than conventional data-filling tools in predicting coastal landscapes.
Deforestation in Indigenous lands, particularly in Apyterewa Territory, poses a significant threat to Brazil's ability to meet its international climate change mitigation targets. The Brazilian government must take effective action to enforce environmental laws and protect the Amazon region.
A new study of rocks from nearly 2 miles under the surface suggests that the San Andreas fault's central section has hosted many major earthquakes, including some that could have been fairly recent. The researchers found altered compositions in sedimentary rock, indicating more than 100 quakes with potential magnitudes over 6.9.
A recent study by a UT graduate student has unraveled the enigma of how tectonic plates break Earth's rock-hard shell. By monitoring seismic images and matching them with rock samples, the researcher found that a small break in the Australian plate grew over millions of years until it unzipped and set in motion a runaway geologic process.
Geosapiens receives major funding from the Canadian Space Agency to develop innovative approaches to flood mapping. The project aims to integrate satellite imagery data for real-time flood zone identification and risk assessment.
A team of scientists successfully visualized the propagation path of electromagnetic waves from space to ground, revealing a 'straw-shaped' pathway. The study used data from multiple spacecraft and ground-based observatories to clarify the origin and spatial extent of these waves.
A team of researchers has developed a deep-learning model that can count the number of seals in aerial photos considerably faster than manual identification, allowing for more efficient ecological surveys. The new approach eliminates the need for labeling individual animals and can be applied to various types of objects or animals.
Researchers from NTU Singapore found significant increases in pollutant emissions at major international seaports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions rose by over 100% in some ports, with container ships and dry bulk carriers experiencing the largest spikes.
A new study warns that the Arctic Ocean's 'Last Ice Area,' a region where summer ice traditionally persists, may not survive the century. The study predicts that under high-emissions scenarios, summer ice will disappear by 2100, displacing creatures such as seals and polar bears.
Researchers found a significant drop in Earth's albedo over the past two decades, primarily caused by reduced bright clouds in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This decrease in reflectivity allows more solar energy to be captured by the climate system, contributing to potential global warming.
Researchers have discovered a uniquely shaped hot spot on a baby star 450 million light-years away, providing new clues about the formation of our solar system. The discovery confirms accretion models and sheds light on how young stars grow.
Researchers uncover how seamounts lubricate tectonic plates, preventing large earthquakes. The study suggests a key difference in the northern and southern parts of the Hikurangi Margin, which contributes to the region's high earthquake activity.
The EU is funding a 15 million euro project to develop an integrated 'pan-Arctic Observing System of Systems' (pan-AOSS) via international collaboration. The project aims to improve the situation by expanding and coordinating Arctic Earth observation capacity, including measurements from Indigenous communities.
Fengyun satellite data is available for real-time users, scientific researchers, and public users, with over 10TB of daily data volume produced daily. The data has been validated with in-situ observations and cross-referenced with other well-known satellite products.
A new study has revealed high levels of air pollution in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, two major cities in sub-Saharan Africa. PM2.5 concentrations were found to be more than four times higher than World Health Organization guidelines, posing significant health risks.
Researchers explore incorporating Earth observation data into flood forecast-based early action to reduce disaster risk and losses. The study identifies opportunities for using EO data in FbA, focusing on predefined triggers and impact-based forecasting.
A study found dinosaurs' dispersal coincides with a significant drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. This suggests prior climatic barriers prevented their expansion into the Northern Hemisphere for 15 million years.
A new study suggests that a 15-million-year journey was aided by a drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. The lower CO2 may have reduced climatic barriers, making it easier for sauropodomorph dinosaurs to migrate from Argentina and Brazil to Greenland.
Researchers use dust in deep sea sediments to track ancient wind patterns, finding evidence that atmospheric circulation will change with climate warming. The study suggests the westerlies may continue to migrate poleward as temperatures rise.
The GOSAT-2 satellite has revealed unprecedented global concentrations of CO2, CH4, and CO. The full physics method used for the retrieval results shows column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of these three gas species. The data show high CO concentrations in regions with fossil fuel use and forest fires.
The University of Helsinki is leading a €1.2 million project to develop next-generation miniaturised hyperspectral imagers for autonomous Earth and planetary observation. The project aims to reduce the costs of space operations by combining compact sensors, advanced algorithms, and CubeSat platforms.
Researchers have detected a sub-glacial lake bed in northwest Greenland, containing unique fossil and chemical traces of past climates and life. The discovery may hold valuable insights into the glacial, climatological and environmental history of the region.
Researchers observed two distinct seismic discontinuities in the mantle transition zone, representing the upper and lower boundaries of a subducted Pacific high-velocity slab. The study suggests a compositionally layered slab with high-water contents beneath the slab, challenging existing knowledge on slab interfaces.
An international team of researchers estimated China's carbon mitigation efforts, revealing the country reabsorbs 45% of its annual human-made CO2 emissions through forest growth. The study used newly available data and independent satellite measurements to corroborate findings.
A new study finds that massive volcanism sent great waves of carbon into the oceans thousands of years ago, but human emissions are now three to eight times faster. The consequences for life on land and in the water could be catastrophic.
The study evaluates the performance of FY-3D's instruments, showing improved data quality and reduced forecast errors by 0.1% on average. The assimilation of FY-3D microwave observations enhances global weather forecasting, climate prediction, and resilience to extreme weather events.
Tropical Storm Laura has become better organized than yesterday, with improved structure, but still lacks well-defined banding features. The storm is expected to move west-northwestward over the next couple of days, potentially affecting the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.
Scientists studied 23-million-year-old leaves from a New Zealand deposit and found that high CO2 levels spurred plant growth, mirroring modern climate change. The study sheds light on how plants may respond to rising CO2 levels, with implications for global ecosystems.
The University of Nottingham is launching two new projects using satellite Earth Observation technology to tackle global development problems. The first project aims to develop an anti-trafficking system to support efforts in Uganda, while the second project focuses on monitoring sargassum seaweed affecting Mexico's Caribbean Coast.
A $3 million project aims to uncover the extent and timing of Greenland's ice sheet meltdowns, informing predictions of sea level rise. Scientists will recover samples from basal ice and sub-ice bedrock, shedding light on the past and future stability of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
A consortium led by University of Sydney develops world's first real-time monitoring platform for rice fields globally using Google Earth. The project will provide accurate maps outlining rice yields and land use, crucial for achieving global food and water security.
A new study estimates that nearly a ton of lead dust settled within a kilometer of the Notre Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire. The study found significantly higher lead levels in areas downwind of the fire, exceeding France's limit of 300 milligrams per kilogram of soil.
Researchers identify thousands of previously rare bouts of extreme heat and humidity worldwide, particularly in the US Gulf Coast region. The study found that these conditions are already appearing, with outbreaks increasing in frequency and intensity, surpassing human survivability limits.
A new study suggests that climate change is driving a megadrought in the western United States, with warming temperatures playing a key role. The study, which analyzed modern weather observations and tree-ring data, finds that the current drought is already outdoing the worst past 19-year increments within previous episodes.
A new study finds that climate change could shrink wine-growing regions by up to 56% unless growers swap varieties. By reshuffling where certain grape varieties are grown, losses can be reduced by half or a third, according to the research.
Researchers at Columbia University found that ozone-depleting substances caused about a third of all global warming from 1955 to 2005 and half of Arctic warming and sea ice loss during this period. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out these substances, has been instrumental in reducing their impact on climate change.
A new study in Nature Communications documents a previously undocumented relationship between erosion and wind speed in the Gobi Desert, revealing that changes in landscape can exacerbate extreme conditions. The research found that wind erosion heated up the air within the depression, increasing wind speeds by up to 25 percent.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that climate change will make the world wetter due to plant responses. Plants are expected to consume more water in the future, leading to less water availability for people in mid-latitudes.
A recent NTU study found that widespread liquefaction in irrigated areas contributed to devastating landslides in Palu, Indonesia, during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The research highlights the urgent need for Southeast Asian nations to review locations with intensive rice farming activities near active faults.
A new study suggests that reducing China's ozone pollution can prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths by 2050. The research found that climate change alone could cause a 11% increase in ozone pollution, leading to an additional 62,000 premature deaths.
A new study reveals Himalayan glaciers have doubled their annual melt rate since 2000, with temperatures averaging 1 degree Centigrade higher than in previous decades. The accelerated melting threatens water supplies for 800 million people and may lead to deadly outburst floods.
Researchers discovered that tidal fluctuations cause the magma chamber to expand, forcing the lower block of earth to slide up the fault, resulting in earthquakes. Even small stresses can trigger tremors, making it difficult to predict when an earthquake will occur.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals an ancient geologic structure beneath the Ross Ice Shelf that restricts ocean water flow, suggesting local currents will impact ice shelf retreat. The discovery highlights the need for models to consider changing conditions near the ice front.
Researchers at HKU Earth Sciences have discovered multi-century-scale abrupt deep-water warming events that likely caused by reduction in deep-water circulation. These deglacial-Holocene dynamics are important for understanding present and future trends in the climatic system, which can impact global ecosystems and society.
A new framework for global species monitoring has been developed to improve tracking of biodiversity trends worldwide. The framework, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, aims to address the 'woefully inadequate' current information on species populations and ecosystems.
Scientists have recovered accurate values for precession frequencies of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter using lake sediment data from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic epochs. The findings provide insights into climate variations driven by Solar System chaos and could constrain models of Solar System evolution.
Researchers have identified key aspects of planetary motions from a period around 200 million years ago, pushing the record back further than ever before. They used geological records to create a 'Geological Orrery', a precise history of solar system changes that can be extrapolated into the future.