A tool from dynamic systems theory is helping atmospheric scientists identify how dust and moisture mix over West Africa.
Africa
Deep-Sea Mining May Have Deep Economic, Environmental Impacts
A new report supports the creation of a compensation fund for nations that rely on terrestrial mining, but it fails to dispel environmental concerns over deep-sea mining.
Ancient Sea Levels in South Africa May Offer Modern Analogues
Largely spared from disruptive tectonic activity, the South African coastline offers a natural setting to study sea levels from when Earth’s atmospheric carbon dioxide last reached today’s levels.
Record Locust Swarms Hint at What’s to Come with Climate Change
Warming oceans that feed cyclones have also bred record-breaking swarms of desert locusts. Such plagues could grow bigger and more widespread with climate change.
Heavy Rains, Human Activity, and Rising Waters at Lake Victoria
Water levels in Africa’s largest lake have risen over a meter since last fall and continue to increase as land use changes and heavy rains enhance the flow.
Hackathon Participants Solve Global Problems—from Home
More than 200 participants from 38 countries joined the virtual INSPIRE Hackathon to solve problems in food security, transportation, and more.
Monitoring African Elephants with Raspberry Shake & Boom
A team of researchers has used low-cost devices to record footsteps and vocalizations from African elephants in the field.
Geology and Chemistry Drive Animal Migration in the Serengeti
Fieldwork in Tanzania suggests that soil chemistry—influenced by local volcanism and tectonic activity—might help dictate the record-setting migration of over a million wildebeests.
Are We Seeing a New Ocean Starting to Form in Africa?
Although shallow magma storage at Erta Ale volcano hints at a rift-to-ridge transition, the tectonic future of the Afar region is far from certain.
Tropical Forests Are Losing Their Ability to Soak Up Carbon
The forests could switch from a carbon sink to a carbon source by the mid-2030s.