What happens when subduction stops? A team of scientists installed a dense seismic network in Borneo to investigate causes and consequences of subduction termination.
Hazards & Disasters
Historic Solutions to Sea Level Rise May Help Modern Communities
Earthen mounds helped ancient Dutch settlers thrive in coastal flood zones. Could historical engineering help us fight against rising seas?
Did a Volcanic Eruption in 1783 Change the Climate in Europe?
A new model of the Laki eruption in Iceland suggests that normal climate variability was to blame for the anomalously warm summer.
Monitoring Haiti’s Quakes with Raspberry Shake
A network of “personal seismometers” is intended to complement Haiti’s national seismic network to engage and inform residents about earthquake hazards and preparation.
Tornado Warnings Don’t Adequately Prepare Mobile Home Residents
A survey of the southeastern United States shows that nearly half of mobile home residents don’t know where to shelter during a tornado, and many aren’t getting the resources they need to survive one.
In Pennsylvania, Methane Emissions Higher Than EPA Estimates
Although methane emission estimates from underground coal production appear to be accurate, the calculated emissions from natural gas production are underreported.
More Than 30,000 Earthquakes Trace the Movement of Magma
Seismometers near Iceland’s Bárðarbunga volcanic system pinpointed thousands of earthquakes in 2014–2015, revealing where molten rock was moving underground before any eruptions occurred.
The Blob Causing Earthquakes
Geophysicists discover that a “blob” of rock sinking into the mantle is the force triggering earthquakes in the Hindu Kush.
A New Look at Winter Air Quality in the Northeastern U.S.
Past studies underestimated a major pollution source, particularly in rural areas.
A Look at How Long-Banned PCBs Persist in the Ocean
A new study tracks how climatic factors like sea ice cover and ocean circulation affect the life span and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the world’s oceans.