Rain falling on bare soil can form a hard crust that prevents further infiltration. But do these crusts worsen land degradation or help to prevent it?
Modeling
Improved Models of Wind Flow over Mountains
A new approach for representing areas of low-lying mountains improves the simulation of atmospheric flow over gentle topography without increasing computational requirements.
New Model Predicts Big Solar Proton Storms
Forecasts of dangerous solar events could buy time for astronauts en route to the Moon or Mars.
Illuminating the Controls of Convection
Researchers compare observations and models of air circulation over the tropics to determine if simulations capture how the environment shapes convection.
Aerosols Make Cumulus Clouds Brighter but Shorter Lived
Computer simulations show that although adding aerosol particles to clouds can make them more reflective, the cooling effect from clouds is largely counterbalanced by a reduction in overall cloud cover.
Precipitation Data Key to Food Security and Public Health
2015 Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission Applications Workshop; Hyattsville, Maryland, 9–10 June 2015
Better Tools to Build Better Climate Models
A Department of Energy collaboration aims to make climate model development faster and more efficient by creating a prototype of a system for testing model components.
Modeling the Future of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Boreal Forests
Climate change and forest harvesting will increase the concentration and flow of dissolved organic carbon in boreal streams.
New Model Improves Predictions of Shallow Landslides
An advanced, process-based model that incorporates typically neglected processes provides new insight into the complex dynamics controlling shallow landslide formation.
Antarctic Meltwater Makes the Ocean Warmer and Fresher
Scientists model how Antarctic meltwater from specific locations could affect the Antarctic Bottom Water, ocean temperatures, and salinity.
