Despite the Montreal Protocol's success, it will take years of observations to be sure that regulations are allowing the ozone hole to recover.
Hazards & Disasters
Posted inNews
Scientists Hope to Learn Lessons from Nepal Earthquake
The 25 April earthquake in Nepal has caused thousands of fatalities. Scientists hope it can lead to a better understanding of the region's seismicity and better earthquake resilience.
Posted inNews
Initiative Aims to End Routine Flaring of Natural Gas
A new initiative to curtail the wasteful burning of natural gas associated with oil production could lead to significant environmental and public health benefits.
Posted inNews
Finding Debris Clouds Around Asteroids Headed Our Way
Small spikes in the solar system's magnetic field may help scientists detect overlooked and possibly dangerous debris clouds around near-Earth asteroids.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Do All These Weather Satellites Really Improve Forecasts?
A team of researchers put an array of space- and ground-based weather instruments to the test and found that the common weather balloon is irreplaceable for forecasting rainfall.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
When Predicting Drought Risk, Do Not Overlook Temperature
Through analysis of 2014's record dryness in California, a study suggests that a risk of similar droughts depends not just on precipitation but also on temperature.
Posted inScience Updates
Fire in the Hole: Recreating Volcanic Eruptions with Cannon Blasts
Artificial volcanic plumes, fired from cannons loaded with ash plucked from the slopes of Iceland, may help researchers better monitor disruptive eruptions.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
California's 2012–2014 Drought Unusual for Last Millennium
Soil moisture estimates, inferred from thousands of tree rings spanning the past 12 centuries, highlight the severity of the recent record-breaking drought.
Posted inScience Updates
Exploring Natural Hazard Policies with Bike Helmets and Bus Fares
A close look at everyday decisions—whether or not to wear a bike helmet or cheat on bus fare—helps students learn about assessing natural hazards, mitigating risks, and setting political priorities.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Found: The Submarine Source of an 1891 Eruption Near Sicily
Analysis of a volcano may help explain why some eruptions produce volcanic balloons–hollow chunks of lava that encase a gas-filled cavity.