By mining records from 1808 to 2017, researchers can now show just how many lives have likely been saved by technology like radar.

Katherine Kornei
Katherine Kornei is a freelance science journalist covering Earth and space science. Her bylines frequently appear in Eos, Science, and The New York Times. Katherine holds a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Pluto’s and Charon’s Craters Reveal a Solar System Deficit
The New Horizons spacecraft recorded images of craters that imply an unexpected dearth of small objects in the Kuiper Belt.
Varying Impact of Earthquake- and Monsoon-Induced Landslides
Using nearly 50 years of satellite data and records stretching back millennia, scientists determine the relative frequency—and the erosional power—of monsoon- and earthquake-induced landslides in Nepal.
Glacial Census Reveals Ice Thicknesses Around the World
Researchers modeled over 200,000 glaciers and found that mountainous regions in Asia contain significantly less glacial ice than previously estimated.
Ancient Tsunami Tied to Volcanic Flank Collapse in Italy
Stromboli’s volcanic cone may have suffered multiple flank collapses between the 14th and 16th centuries, triggering tsunamis that led to the abandonment of the island.
The Akkadian Empire—Felled by Dust?
Chemical measurements of a stalagmite from a cave in Iran reveal a large uptick in dust activity in northern Mesopotamia roughly 4,200 years ago, coincident with the decline of the Akkadian Empire.
Climate Modeling Pioneer Leads as Role Model Too
For 60 years atmospheric scientist Warren M. Washington has conducted groundbreaking climate modeling—and launched brilliant careers.
Waves of Deadly Brine Can Slosh After Submarine Landslides
Brine pools—hypersaline, low-oxygen waters deadly to many forms of ocean life—can experience waves hundreds of meters high when hit by a landslide, potentially overspilling their deep-sea basins.
Next Olympics Marathon Course Has Dangerous “Hot Spots” for Spectators
Spectators’ health may be jeopardized by high heat loads along the 2020 Olympics marathon course in Tokyo, a bicycle-mounted meteorological survey found.
Modeling the Climates of Worlds Beyond Earth
Scientists are applying climate models to distant planets to determine their habitability.