Earth

The rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase today is staggering, being 10 times faster than at any point in the past 50,000 years. This information comes from a study that involved a detailed chemical analysis of ancient Antarctic ice. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings shed light on abrupt

The transition from the African humid period (AHP) to dry conditions in North Africa serves as a significant example of climate tipping points in recent geological history. These tipping points occur when small perturbations trigger a large, non-linear response in the system, causing a shift in the climate to a different future state with dramatic

Recent research conducted by a team of scientists at The University of Texas at Austin has unveiled some alarming findings regarding seismic activity in the Midland Basin. While past earthquakes primarily occurred in the southwest region near Odessa and Midland, the researchers have identified a new seismicity trend moving towards the northeast, specifically targeting the

The recent study conducted by a Dutch-Chinese research team has shed light on the critical role of turbidity in preserving intertidal areas and salt marshes along coastlines worldwide. The researcher, Tim Grandjean, emphasizes the importance of turbid water in promoting the growth of tidal flats, which are essential for both biodiversity and coastal defense. By

The movement of tectonic plates has long been known to shape the rocky features of Earth’s surface, but there is a lesser-known factor at play – the influence of the mantle. While it is often overlooked, the mantle layer underneath the Earth’s crust exerts its own subtle influence on the topography of the planet. Stephenson

A recent study has shed light on the alarming increase in forest fires in West and Central Africa’s wet, tropical forests. The study reveals that the number of active fires in these regions has doubled over an 18-year period, with the Congo Basin experiencing the most significant surge. This surge is mainly attributed to the

An SMU-led research team has unearthed a treasure trove of ancient rocks and fossils in Angola that provide a vivid glimpse into Earth’s history. These rocks and fossils from long-extinct marine reptiles offer a clear picture of a crucial part of our planet’s past – the splitting of South America and Africa and the subsequent

A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has shed light on the sensitivity of soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to climate warming in permafrost-collapsed areas. The research highlights the significant impact of warmer temperatures on permafrost thawing in high-latitude and high-altitude permafrost regions, leading to the restructuring of land surface morphology and changes in soil

A recent study highlighted the extraordinary snow deluge that occurred in California in 2023, breaking records for snowfall in April. The term “snow deluge” was coined to describe these rare heavy snowfalls that maintain a deep snowpack through April 1. The study emphasized that such events will become increasingly rare in the future due to

A recent study conducted by NASA researchers provides new insights into the volume of water flowing through Earth’s rivers, the rates at which it enters the ocean, and the fluctuations in these figures over time. This study is crucial for understanding the planet’s water cycle and managing freshwater resources around the world. The research utilized

With China taking bold steps towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, the decarbonization of the China Southern Power Grid will undoubtedly have consequences, some of which may not be immediately apparent. As Stefano Galelli, an associate professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell Engineering, points out, the negative impacts on river

The impact of human activities on Earth’s surface has been extensively studied, but what about the deep subsurface? Researchers from the University of Arizona have delved into how activities such as oil and gas production, geothermal energy extraction, and lithium mining are affecting the hidden depths of our planet. In a study led by Jennifer

The Nile River has long been a source of contention among the 11 countries it flows through in East Africa. The competition for water resources has often led to conflicts rather than cooperation. However, a recent study by The University of Manchester and regional organizations offers a new perspective on resolving the Nile water conflict

Meandering rivers are constantly on the move, carving out landscapes and shaping the environment. A study conducted by UC Santa Barbara sheds light on the factors influencing the migration rates of these waterways. The research, published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, challenges previous assumptions regarding the impact of sediment load and vegetation

As wildfires in Siberia continue to increase in frequency, researchers are warning of significant global impacts on climate, air quality, health, and economies in East Asia and across the northern hemisphere. Recent studies have shown that the effects of escalating wildfires in Siberia could have far-reaching consequences that go beyond just the immediate region. A