The Trump administration’s National Science Foundation (NSF) has begun dismantling the infrastructure of a $368 million deep-ocean observing program critical to monitoring marine ecosystems, global currents, marine heat waves, and more, according to a 21 May announcement.
Oceans
An Off-Road Itinerary
This month, we cover the work of scientists stepping out of their labs and into the field, from rugged lava expanses and volcanic summits to arid ice sheets and lake beds.
The Surprising Link Between a Cold Blob and the Indian Monsoon
Climate processes that at first glance appear separate can actually be intimately linked, modeling shows.
Warm Waters Disrupt Seagrasses’ Microbial Environment
Microbial communities in ocean sediments become imbalanced as water temperatures rise, harming seagrass growth, a new study suggests.
NOAA Forecasts a Below-Average Hurricane Season
A potentially record-breaking El Niño may reduce the likelihood of storms, but the agency still stressed the importance of preparedness.
What Winds Whip Up Otherworldly Waves?
New research goes back to the basics to explain how atmospheric conditions affect the creation of wind-driven waves on other worlds.
Sea Level Rise is Accelerating, Scientists Confirm
New research closes the sea level budget gap and takes account of the drivers of sea level change.
Changes in Sea Ice Microstructure Could Affect Climate Models
Granular sea ice needs to be twice as porous as columnar ice to allow water to flow through it—up to 10% brine by volume.
The Fiery Tornadoes That Could Mop Up Oil Spills
More than 15 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, researchers are still searching for new ways to tackle disastrous spills. Some are looking to flaming twisters.
The Global Impact of Losing U.S. Sea Level Science
Cuts to climate science risk halting or even erasing decades of progress in global change research—just as risks from rising seas demand better data, informed decisionmaking, and faster action.
