A review of recent research advancements takes a deep dive into North Atlantic ocean circulation and its potential role in historical climate shifts.
Research Spotlights
Research spotlights are plain-language summaries of recent articles published in AGU’s suite of 24 journals.
Demystifying Sea Level Changes Along the New England Coast
No direct causal connection exists between coastal sea level changes and the strength of the North Atlantic’s overturning circulation, according to new, longer-term observational records.
Arctic Glacial Retreat Alters Downstream Fjord Currents
High-resolution mapping efforts could improve predictions of coastal changes as glaciers shrink around the world.
Understanding the Turbulent Nature of the Solar Wind
Sometimes the conditions in the solar wind can change dramatically over short distances. Satellite observations of these features show that they’re more complex than previously thought.
Fading Air Pollution Reduces Fog in Central Valley
The tule fog in California’s Central Valley is notorious for causing delays and accidents throughout the region; however, a decrease in air pollutants is reducing the fog’s frequency.
Extreme Precipitation Expected to Increase with Warming Planet
A new analysis indicates that the frequency and magnitude of extreme precipitation events are expected to increase as Earth continues to warm.
Ordinary Security Cameras Could Keep an Eye on Rainfall
A new opportunistic sensing strategy could use existing closed-circuit television networks to accurately capture rainfall intensity, despite low-cost equipment and visually complex scenes.
Role of Humans in Past Hurricane Potential Intensity Is Unclear
In recent decades, there have been more intense North Atlantic hurricanes. A new study compares climate models to see whether they can attribute increasing potential intensity to human activity.
Seasonal and Annual Changes in Pitch in Blue Whale Calls
Six years of acoustic recordings detect seasonal shifts in blue whale vocalizations that correlate with the presence of icebergs, a primary source of ambient ocean noise in the southern Indian Ocean.
Modeling the Subsurface Hydrology of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Firn aquifers—pockets of meltwater beneath the surface of an ice sheet—could have far-reaching impacts on subglacial hydrology, a new study finds.
