Another significant step has been taken in methods for managing water resources in the face of climatic changes and other future uncertainties. Dynamic adaptation is becoming a reality.
California
Clever Wood Use Could Mitigate Wildfires and Climate Change
California plans to use forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk. New research suggests the state could also see a climate benefit by repurposing waste wood produced by thinning.
Termite Fumigation in California Is Fueling the Rise of a Rare Greenhouse Gas
The insecticide sulfuryl fluoride isn’t included in federal or state emissions reduction goals.
No Relief from Rain: Climate Change Fuels Compound Disasters
Climate change is increasing the risk of fire-rain events, raising mudslide concerns in fire-prone communities.
Earthquakes Ripple Through 3D Printed Models of Los Angeles
Using stainless steel models, researchers find that high-frequency seismic waves—the most damaging to buildings—are attenuated in the Los Angeles sedimentary basin.
Unearthing the Cause of Slow Seismic Waves in Subduction Zones
Researchers look to the fossil rock record to unearth the driving forces for variable seismic speed through subduction zones.
The Changing Climate’s Snowball Effect
Shrinking snowpack, thawing permafrost, and shifting precipitation patterns have widespread consequences. Can new technologies—and public policies—help communities adapt?
Permanence of Nature-Based Climate Solutions at Risk
Conserving native ecosystems helps sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, but new statistical modeling questions the permanence of California’s carbon-rich forests with climate change.
Better Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Forecasts for Water Management
Emerging methods that improve precipitation forecasting over weeks to months could support more informed resource management and increase lead times for responding to droughts and floods.
Earthquake Rates Enhanced by Triggered Creep
Analysis of California earthquakes solidifies links between shaking due to remote earthquakes and increased local earthquake activity that persists for times longer than for regular aftershocks.