Soil moisture estimates, inferred from thousands of tree rings spanning the past 12 centuries, highlight the severity of the recent record-breaking drought.
Research Spotlights
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Researchers Roll Clouds into Climate Modeling
As computational power grows thanks to improving techniques and technology, scientists are working toward incorporating complex systems such as clouds into global and regional climate models.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Aquifers Spew More Pollution into Oceans Than Rivers
A new model makes a direct estimate of contaminants in submarine groundwater discharge.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Radar Shows Where Water and Ice Occur in Large Storms
Storms over the Indian Ocean show that precipitation type depends on oceanic airflow.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Overriding Plate's Properties Affect Subduction
The properties of the plate that does not sink may strongly control subduction zone dynamics.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Scientists Watch Solar Winds Blast Mercury's Magnetic Field
A NASA team used the MESSENGER spacecraft to analyze Mercury's magnetosphere during intense solar wind pressure.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Do Cities Cause Thundersnow?
Analysis of lightning within a February 2011 snowstorm reveals that 73% of lightning flashes occurred close to tall, human-built structures.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
As Forests Age, Their Climate Effects Shift
The amount of moisture transpired from leaves increases for some tree species but drops on average.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Glacial Debris Hints at Ancient Climate Change
Interspersed layers of debris in some of Antarctica's glaciers give clues to ancient swings in climate.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Large-Scale Electric Currents May Flow Through Mercury's Crust
NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft discovered electric currents in Mercury's magnetosphere directed toward and away from the planet. Do the currents reach the planet? If so, where do they go?