Sea spray can transport sewage-contaminated waters inland, potentially exposing those living kilometers from the beach.
Earth science
Tornadoes’ Fastest Winds Howl Close to the Ground
Radar data from storm-tracking scientists reveal that twisters’ winds churn 30% faster near Earth’s surface than above 100 meters, where measurements usually are taken.
Godzilla Gets a Forever Home on the Ocean Floor
The world’s largest oceanic core complex is named after the reptilian monster from Japanese science fiction. Parts of the seabed feature were recently christened with the beast’s anatomy.
Searching for the Sculptor of France’s Caves
Spelunking scientists searched for the original source of the French Pyrenees’ magnificent caves.
The Western Great Basin Has an Arsenic Problem—Blame Its Geology
A new study links geological factors such as faulting and geothermal activity to an elevated risk of arsenic contamination in private wells across the Great Basin.
Delta Degradation Leads to Exacerbated Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Seismic ship surveys and seabed elevation maps of the Yangtze subaqueous delta reveal how the reduction of sediment supply to the coastal ocean can trigger increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Deep-Sea Sand and Where to Find It
Ancient underwater avalanches carried sand into the ocean’s abyss during a time when some least expected it.
Radar Satellites Capture Subtle Slip Evolution on Faults
A five-year time series from radar satellite imagery tracks surface slip on major faults in the San Francisco Bay Area, capturing subtle velocity variations and controlling factors.
Updated Reference Standard for Total Solar Irradiance
Version 2 of the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-1 Hybrid Solar Reference Spectrum captures a spectral resolution spanning 0.115-200 micrometers and integrates nearly 100% of the TSI energy.
4D Viscosity Constraints from Greenland
The mantle’s resistance to flow appears different for glacial and plate tectonic timescales but this behavior can be reconciled with new thermo-mechanical models of the asthenosphere.