Tracking isotope patterns in tap water also reveals metropolitan water management choices, population ranges, episodes of environmental stress, and even information on household income.
Research Spotlights
Research spotlights are plain-language summaries of recent articles published in AGU’s suite of 24 journals.
The Gravity of Volcanic Eruptions
New research suggests that continually monitoring gravity changes near active volcanoes could provide insights into volcanic activity.
Seismological Models Are Biased, but Scientists Have a Solution
Many seismic wave models are based on an erroneous assumption about the Earth's interior. A new technique corrects this by eliminating false signals produced by models.
What Causes GPS Signal Loss on Satellites like Swarm?
Using data from the European Space Agency's Swarm mission, scientists find that abrupt drops in the ionosphere's electron density may cause low-orbiting satellites to lose contact with GPS satellites
What Drives Variation in the Ionosphere’s Electron Density?
The long-term trend in the electron density of the ionospheric F layer may be natural, not man-made.
No Evidence for Unknown Source of Ozone Precursor
A study suggests that known combustion and photochemical sources of nitrous acid, a precursor to ground-level ozone, are enough to explain levels seen in the atmosphere.
Jupiter's Auroras Recharge Between Solar Storms
New research suggests that Jupiter's magnetic field replenishes its stock of plasma during lulls in solar activity, creating spectacular displays when a solar storm hits.
All Earthquakes Are Created Equal
A study of the development of earthquakes shows that the size of the initial rupture does not determine its intensity or range later on.
Climate Change May Reduce Future Corn Supply
A suite of simulations run with a spectrum of starting conditions shows that climate change will reduce corn crop yield, although the degree of reductions varies widely.
Air-Sea Interactions Influence Major Southern Wind Belt
Ocean and atmospheric data provide evidence for how sea surface temperatures affect the Southern Annular Mode.