The earthquake that struck western Morocco in September 2023, with a magnitude of 6.8, brought about widespread damage and loss of life in rural communities situated in the High Atlas Mountains. This event marked a significant seismic occurrence in the region, as the previous major earthquake had taken place back in 1960. The prolonged absence
Earth
Greenhouse gases play a critical role in the heating of our planet, with varying levels of global warming potential (GWP) based on their ability to absorb thermal radiation. Methane, for example, has a GWP 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, while perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have thousands of times the GWP of CO2.
Analyzing the effectiveness of hurricane evacuation orders is crucial in increasing community resilience and reducing loss of life during natural disasters. A new database created by a team of University of Virginia researchers provides valuable insights into the impact of evacuation strategies during hurricane events. The Hurricane Evacuation Order Database (HEvOD) is the first comprehensive
The recent study conducted by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) sheds light on the impact of the collapse of a massive iceberg, A-68A, on ocean ecosystems in the sub-Antarctic. This groundbreaking research provides valuable insights into how warmer ocean temperatures around Antarctica could potentially lead to more
Nature-based solutions (NbS) have been gaining recognition as a cost-effective method to mitigate risks from various natural disasters. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a global assessment of scientific literature to understand the effectiveness of NbS in addressing hazards such as floods, hurricanes, heat waves, and landslides. The results of their study, published
In recent years, concerns about the environmental impact of the global apparel industry have been growing. A study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University has shed light on the significant amount of plastic waste being leaked into the environment each year as a result of apparel production and consumption. This overlooked pollution source
Climate change has been a topic of concern for scientists and researchers around the world. Recently, a team of researchers at ETH Zurich have delved into the impact of climate change on the Earth’s rotation in the most extensive modeling to date, utilizing AI methods. Their findings shed light on the various causes of long-term
In a recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, researchers from the UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science and the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering uncovered a critical flaw in a widely used climate model. The model, known as the Energy Exascale Earth System Model
In recent years, the growing threat of climate change has made predicting natural disasters such as typhoons increasingly challenging. However, a breakthrough technology developed by a team of researchers at UNIST offers new hope in the realm of typhoon forecasting. Leveraging real-time satellite data and deep learning capabilities, this new system promises to revolutionize the
Recent research conducted by a team of physicists and oceanologists from Germany has highlighted the potential consequences of extreme El Niño events on climate change. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, utilized the CESM1 climate model to simulate the impact of rising global temperatures on the frequency and intensity of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
An in-depth analysis has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of land protection initiatives in the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA) between 2000 and 2010. The findings reveal a significant reduction in deforestation rates by up to 83%, underscoring the crucial role of such policies in achieving global conservation targets. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges persist,
The recent study published in Science Advances sheds light on the correlation between mean annual temperatures (MAT) and the release of phosphorus (P) from soils. The research, conducted by Profs. Guo Licheng, Zhao Mingyu, Xiong Shangfa, and Yang Shiling from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed that higher
Recent research has shed light on the significant impact of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on coral bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This massive reef system along Australia’s northeastern coast is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also holds cultural and economic importance. The findings of this
Our atmosphere is not just a vast expanse of air; it is a complex system where countless chemical reactions take place every moment. The tiny particles and molecules in the atmosphere may seem insignificant individually, but together they have a significant impact on our climate and weather patterns. Recently, a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at
Wildfires are a major threat to the environment, and recent research has shown that they have a significant impact on global meteorological systems. While wildfires are often associated with extreme heat in lower latitudes, they can also occur in Arctic regions, as evidenced by the recent wildfires in Russia. These fires not only pose a