Earth

A recent study has shed light on the significant impact of both the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on coral bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The GBR, one of the world’s largest coral ecosystems, is not only rich in biodiversity but also holds immense cultural and economic value,

The Earth’s atmosphere is like a vast chemistry set, where gaseous molecules and particles interact and collide in a continuous process. These particles, though minuscule in size, play a significant role in shaping our planet’s climate and weather patterns. They act as the building blocks for cloud droplets, influencing cloud cover, precipitation, and overall climate.

Wildfires are not only a threat to local communities and wildlife, but they also have far-reaching impacts on regional air pollution and global temperatures. Recent research has highlighted the link between intensification of mid-latitude cyclone activity and wildfires, showcasing the complex interactions between meteorological systems and natural disasters. A case study from Canada in June

Plate tectonics play a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s surface, with the movement of lithospheric plates leading to seismic activities, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges. One intriguing plate boundary lies between Canada and Greenland, giving rise to the Davis Strait seaway connecting the Labrador Sea to Baffin Bay. Within this region,

Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, presents a unique geological environment due to its location at the collisional zone of the African and European tectonic plates. Unlike most subduction zone volcanoes, which sit above sinking tectonic plates, Etna’s magma sources are surrounded by mountain chains, fault systems, and active tectonics, making it challenging

An international team of geophysicists recently conducted a study that challenges the existing timeline of when plate tectonics began on Earth. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this research analyzed zircons from Jack Hills in Australia. While the commonly accepted belief is that plate tectonics started around 3 billion years ago,

Climate change is a pressing issue that affects our planet in various ways. As temperatures rise globally, the impact is not consistent across all regions. Climate heterogeneity refers to the diversity in Earth’s climate patterns, which can be influenced by factors such as latitude and elevation. A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters delves

The Polar regions are experiencing accelerated warming compared to lower latitudes, with reports of a significant increase in air temperatures over Arctic land masses in the 20th century, and even higher rates of warming since the 1980s. This phenomenon, known as “polar amplification,” refers to the enhanced warming at high latitudes compared to lower latitudes.

The use of a sub-class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) in lithium ion batteries has been identified as a growing source of pollution in air and water, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications. Jennifer Guelfo, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Texas Tech University, emphasized the dilemma associated with the manufacturing,

Climate change poses a significant threat to the Earth’s delicate ecological balance, with consequences that extend beyond rising temperatures and extreme weather events. As the planet warms, the ocean’s overturning circulation is expected to weaken, leading to a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed from the atmosphere. However, a slower circulation

Climate modeling is a complex process that involves various metrics to understand and predict changes in our climate system. One of the key metrics used in climate modeling is radiative forcing, which helps scientists analyze the effects of different atmospheric factors on the Earth’s energy balance. However, there are many uncertainties in current climate models,

Tropical forests play a crucial role in sustaining high biodiversity levels and mitigating climate change. However, these forests are under threat from deforestation, which involves the cutting and conversion of forested areas for various human activities such as agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. While deforestation has been a major focus of conservation efforts, the impacts

Plastic pollution is a growing concern around the world, with millions of tons of plastic waste ending up in the oceans, rivers, and lakes each year. Microplastics, which are pieces of plastic between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters in size, have been a focus of research in recent years. However, even smaller particles known as

The impact of global warming on the Antarctic ice sheets has become increasingly alarming in recent years. The melting of the “eternal” ice in Antarctica is occurring at a faster rate than previously predicted, with West Antarctica experiencing more rapid melting compared to East Antarctica. A recent study led by the Alfred Wegener Institute sheds

Europe is home to a diverse range of urban configurations that significantly impact human health, environmental quality, and carbon footprint. A study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) delved into the analysis of 919 European cities to identify four basic urban typologies prevalent on the continent. These typologies include compact-high density cities,