Articles tagged with Earth Observations
The new atlas uses tree rings to map severe droughts and wet periods across Europe, parts of North Africa, and the Middle East over 2,000 years. It fills a major geographic gap in climate data, helping scientists pinpoint causes of drought and extreme rainfall.
A UK-based remote satellite monitoring programme will help monitor the impact of human activities on the Laguna Bacalar's ecosystem. The project will use satellite data to analyze changes and provide evidence for conservation efforts, benefiting from a £1.5M funding by the UK Space Agency.
The Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly arid due to global warming, threatening the region's agriculture and exacerbating tensions. Researchers have found a 2,000-year trend of drying in the region, which contradicts predictions that it will become wetter.
Scientists found evidence of an 800-foot wave in the Cape Verde Islands that suggests sudden volcanic collapses can trigger giant tsunamis. The study suggests these events are more common than previously thought and could pose a realistic hazard today.
The EU BON project uses the European Biodiversity Observation Network to develop an integrated biodiversity information framework. This framework collects and standardizes existing data sources to show trends and prognoses useful to policy and society. The aim is to make biodiversity data discoverable, accessible, and digestible.
A new study finds that global warming is deepening California's drought by driving moisture from plants and soil into the air. The research estimates that up to a quarter of the drought can be attributed to rising temperatures.
The Stephen Riady Geosciences Scholars Fund will support PhD geoscience students at NTU, focusing on research on earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and climate change. The endowment aims to enhance resilience and safety in the region.
Scientists used NASA's ISS-RapidScat to measure the winds of Tropical Storm Ana in May 2015. The instrument provided accurate data on wind speed and direction near the ocean surface.
The European Science Foundation emphasizes the importance of addressing rare, high-impact geohazards that can lead to global disasters. The report aims to develop robust risk management plans and increase general resilience in the face of surprise events.
A new study suggests that a record drought in Syria (2006-2010) was likely stoked by ongoing manmade climate change, contributing to the 2011 Syrian uprising. The researchers found that the drought destroyed agriculture and drove dispossessed farmers to cities, exacerbating poverty and government mismanagement.
A dozen scientific papers report naturally occurring arsenic in private wells, posing continuing risks due to inadequate regulation and mitigation. The studies also shed new light on the geologic mechanisms behind contamination, which may reduce IQ in children and increase risk of heart disease and cancer.
Stephen Sparks has improved our ability to see deadly eruptions coming through his work on volcanic deposits, magma chambers, and pyroclastic flows. His methodical approach has produced a long list of discoveries that have improved practical understanding of volcanic hazards globally.
Researchers discovered a vast network of lakes and rivers at the Gamburtsev Mountains' base, preserved by thick ice. The study explains how the blanket of ice has halted erosion, stalling aging of the mountains at higher elevations.
A new DataONE project aims to provide a network of data repositories for Earth observational data, enhancing research efficiency and addressing complex environmental questions. By combining citizen scientist data with land use information, researchers can accurately assess species protection needs and public land agency responsibilities.
A study by CTFS-ForestGEO reveals global change effects on forests in 24 countries with 59 monitored sites. Forests have warmed by over 1 degree F and experienced up to 30 percent changes in precipitation.
A long-term study of the West Antarctic Peninsula finds that changes in climate and sea-ice cover impact the entire polar food web, from single-celled algae to penguins. The study shows how a stable water column favors phytoplankton growth, which is essential for krill recruitment.
The European Biodiversity Observation Network (EU BON) aims to provide integrated biodiversity information to support decision-making in various sectors. EU BON integrates disparate databases and online sources to improve monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity.
The University of Leeds is set to host two national centres for Earth observation research, driving economic growth through space technologies. Scientists will analyse satellite data to track climate change and ice sheet movements, providing unprecedented views of the planet.
The Ground Validation program gathers similar precipitation data on the ground to compare with satellite data, improving models and understanding precipitation physics. Remote campaigns and a Precipitation Science Research Facility supplement GPM data, allowing scientists to monitor precipitation under various conditions.
Scientists found that Pine Island Glacier thinned rapidly 8000 years ago, similar to its current rate of thinning. This suggests the glacier may continue to lose mass for decades to come due to ocean-driven melting.
A new study reveals that the Pacific Ocean is absorbing heat at a rate 15 times faster than in the past 10,000 years. This surge in heat absorption may provide scientists with more time to address climate change but is not a solution, according to researchers.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $14.5 million to develop a data and knowledge management system for geosciences, fostering greater data accessibility and research collaboration. The EarthCube framework aims to connect geo-, bio- and cyberscientists to advance the understanding and prediction of the Earth system.
Researchers discovered a 3% increase in flower production on Barro Colorado Island since 1987 due to rising temperatures and precipitation. In contrast, the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in Puerto Rico showed no overall increase in flower production over the same period.
A new study ties gigantic volcanic eruptions to the abrupt disappearance of half of Earth's species 200 million years ago, potentially on a pace similar to human-influenced climate warming today. The eruptions caused sudden climate changes that may have prevented many creatures from adapting.
The European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) has released its position statement on the ESA council meeting at ministerial level, commenting on the impact of decisions taken. The ESSC recommends prioritizing scientific return in the Science Programme and reiterates its support for European involvement in the Global Exploration Strategy.
A new study projects a 10 percent decline in the Colorado River's flow by 2040, posing significant challenges for water management in the US Southwest. Climate modelers predict increased evaporation and drying conditions across three key regions, including California, Nevada, and Texas.
A new study by seismologists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory suggests that North Korea's alleged 2010 nuclear tests were probably false alarms. The researchers found no evidence of seismic waves consistent with the detonations, citing the region's dense network of seismic stations.
The upcoming Sentinel-2 mission will fill the gap in research and operations, providing frequent coverage and high-resolution imagery. This will enable the monitoring of land cover, forests, agriculture, and glaciers, leading to better management of the environment and understanding of climate change.
The Chugach Metamorphic Complex in southern Alaska reveals short-lived metamorphism, while a study of Shiveluch Volcano provides insights into lava dome growth. Meanwhile, a team from Tulane University proposes a new calibration model for the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, and researchers in Tibet explore pulsed Miocene range growth.
Geologists have determined that Death Valley's Ubehebe Crater was created just 800 years ago and still has enough groundwater and magma to potentially produce another eruption. The crater, which formed from a phreatomagmatic explosion, may be due for another blast in the near future.
Researchers reveal the geological history behind the formation of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, which took place over the last billion years. The discovery sheds light on mountain building and ice sheet evolution within continental interiors.
The European Metrology for Earth Observation and Climate (MetEOC) project aims to enhance the accuracy of climate data by developing a coordinated international capacity. The project will focus on optical domain calibration, ocean color measurements, and ground-based prototype development.
Scientists warn that current climate model predictions are unreliable due to measurement uncertainties. A new satellite concept, TRUTHS, aims to improve accuracy by calibrating other satellites and facilitating the establishment of a global network with robust quality guarantees.
Stronger ocean currents beneath West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier Ice Shelf are eroding the ice from below, speeding its melting. The glacier is sliding into the sea at four kilometers a year, while its ice shelf is melting at 80 cubic kilometers a year.
Kojiro Irikura will be honored with the Bruce A. Bolt Medal at the Seismological Society of America's annual meeting for his leadership in strong-motion earthquake data analysis in Japan.
Researchers found that refrozen ice makes up 24% of the ice sheet base around Dome A, with rates of refreezing greater than surface accumulation rates. This discovery reshapes understanding of how the ice sheet expands and moves, and its potential reaction to a warming climate.
A team of researchers has made significant strides in understanding the long-term history of El Niño, a global climate phenomenon that impacts much of the world. By reconstructing sea surface temperatures over the past 14,000 years, the study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of this complex system.
Researchers from Argentina have successfully created a new type of Foucault pendulum that is smaller and more efficient than traditional devices. The new pendulums, which are designed to be compact enough to fit in a lobby or classroom, use advanced techniques to reduce the elliptical drift of the pendulum and improve precision.
A comprehensive ocean observation system is needed to track changes in acidification, water temperature, sea level, and polar ice cover. The system would provide critical information for human needs, including climate regulation and oxygen production.
The University of Nottingham leads a new knowledge exchange network focusing on Earth observation technology for various scientific applications. The cluster aims to develop and promote cutting-edge technologies to monitor environmental changes and their implications.
A new study uses a novel imaging method to analyze underwater video of the well riser, affirming heightened estimates of the leak's volume and total oil escaped into the open ocean. The scientists estimate 4.4 million barrels were released, close to the government's recent consensus.
Scientists have discovered a 300m high ridge on the sea floor beneath Pine Island Glacier, causing it to accelerate its flow into the sea. The glacier's thinning ice allows warm ocean water to melt the underside, contributing nearly 10% of global sea level rise.
Researchers have discovered synchronized faults in California's Mojave Desert and Nevada's mountains, which can lead to simultaneous big quakes. This phenomenon occurs when faults are near their breaking points and aligned in their seismic cycles, changing the way we assess earthquake hazards.
A revised seismotectonic model for the California Central Coast identifies new faults and reinterprets known ones, highlighting the need for further study to understand seismic hazards. The study also examines how large earthquakes can trigger other large earthquakes on nearby faults, a phenomenon observed in paleoseismic records.
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has partnered with the Met Office to upgrade the Porcupine Abyssal Plain sustained observatory (PAP-SO), a key European ocean observatory. This collaboration aims to advance scientific knowledge of the ocean and improve climate prediction by integrating meteorological and ocean data.
Richards' work on deep-Earth research led to a better understanding of the Earth's inner-core rotation and the detection of seismic waves. He also applied seismological methods to study nuclear weapon test explosions and their implications in politics and science.
Scientists are conducting three expeditions to Haiti to assess the potential threat of more large earthquakes and understand which segments of the fault ruptured during the Jan. 12 quake. The expeditions aim to collect valuable geologic evidence and provide insights to prepare communities for future hazards.
Researchers propose using buried volcanic rocks to store carbon dioxide emitted by power plants, with potential sites identified off northern New Jersey, Long Island and Massachusetts. The study suggests that deep burial in these basalt formations could help reduce risks of leaks.
The PARASOL satellite has been maneuvered to leave its position within the A-Train constellation, a group of five NASA satellites orbiting the Earth in close proximity. The move will enable data sharing with other satellites while leaving a temporary data gap that will be filled by Glory's launch in 2010.
Recent advances in Earth observation satellite technologies enable monitoring of the global water cycle. The European Space Agency's EO for Water Cycle Science Conference assessed current research capabilities and identified key gaps. Novel missions, precipitation, and soil moisture will improve our understanding of the water cycle.
Space agencies are collaborating to provide long-term global climate observations using Earth observation satellites. These data will support the UNFCCC and the International Panel on Climate Change by quantifying the state of our climate.
The GPM mission will provide uniformly calibrated precipitation measurements globally every 2-4 hours for scientific research and societal applications. The mission builds on the success of TRMM and includes a Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a multi-channel GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) to improve precipitation estimates.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions have made new ground measurements that suggest the West Antarctic ice sheet is losing ice slightly more slowly than estimated. The findings could improve estimates of ice mass loss and provide a clearer picture of Antarctica's contribution to rising sea levels.
A new study using cosmogenic dating reveals that New Zealand's largest glaciers moved out of step with their northern hemisphere counterparts for the past 7,000 years. The research provides a glacial timeline and shows regional climate variations in both hemispheres.
Recent observations from the USArray transportable array and EarthScope instruments have shed new light on seismic wave propagation and the evolution of the Yellowstone hotspot. The analysis suggests a common mantle source for the region's unique topographic features, providing valuable insights into geological processes.
Scientists have mapped large rock formations in the United States that can absorb CO2, potentially increasing carbon sequestration at a faster pace. The ultramafic rocks contain minerals that react naturally with carbon dioxide to form solid minerals, offering a new technology to store heat-trapping carbon dioxide.
The Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) aims to provide invaluable research and data on environmental threats such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and climate change in Southeast Asia. The centre will also embark on outreach and education programmes to spark interest in earth sciences among students.
Wallace Broecker, a renowned geochemist, receives the Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his pioneering work on ocean-atmosphere interactions and early warnings about climate change. He will donate the $527,000 prize to support research on climate change.
Climate researchers show that large volcanic eruptions temporarily cooled the tropics over the past 450 years. However, recent eruptions may have been overridden by rising temperatures. The study found that higher latitudes are more sensitive to volcanism and are vulnerable to temperature shifts.
A type of rock called peridotite reacts naturally with CO2 to form solid minerals at surprisingly high rates. The process could be sped up by drilling and injecting heated water containing pressurized CO2, potentially capturing large amounts of atmospheric carbon.