Last winter, an unprecedented high-pressure system over the Arctic drove nearly a quarter of old sea ice into warmer waters, putting it at greater risk of melting.
News
Etna Under Pressure: Does Gas Buildup Foreshadow Eruption?
Pressure from both magma and gas can trigger eruptions. Monitoring degassing can help predict eruptions but only if the magma system is well understood first.
Forest Recovery in the Amazon Is a Slow Process
For the first time, a study analyzes Amazon forest loss and recovery at national and subnational levels. One finding shows that new plantings offset less than 10% of emissions associated with deforestation.
The Understudied Risks of Low-Magnitude Eruptions
Volcanologists have historically focused on the risks of large-scale eruptions, but new research highlights how small eruptions can combine with human-made vulnerabilities to cause catastrophic impacts.
Climate Change Is Making India’s West Coast More Vulnerable to Cyclones
A new study found significant increases in the intensity, frequency, and duration of cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea. Is the west coast prepared?
When Rivers Are Contaminated, Floods Are Only the First Problem
As floods increase in frequency and intensity, chemicals buried in river sediments become “ticking time bombs” waiting to activate.
Tropical Climate Change Is a Puzzle—Could Aerosols Be a Piece?
The eastern tropical Pacific Ocean hasn’t warmed as much as climate change models projected. A new study shows that aerosols in the atmosphere could be responsible.
State-of-the-Art Technology, Serendipity, and Secrets of Stonehenge
The first comprehensive analysis of what the sarsen stones are made of came about with new technology—and good old-fashioned luck.
Building a Better River Delta
People have been engineering river deltas for millennia, but new research identifies the optimal placement for diversions that benefit both local communities and the environment—and it might be close to a city.
Satellites Allow Scientists to Dive into Milky Seas
Satellites may finally be able to report the fleeting phenomena of milky seas in near-real time, allowing researchers to potentially study an ocean mystery that has survived more than 2 centuries.