Sometimes rivers split into branches in unusual ways, reflecting the complexity of Earth’s water system on land and how much we still must learn about it.
rivers
Posted inResearch Spotlights
The Rivers That Science Says Shouldn’t Exist
At first glance, these waterways make no sense. A new review article details why they are the way they are.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Seeping Groundwater Can Be a Hidden Source of Greenhouse Gases
A new study in the Farmington River watershed shows that groundwater seeps can release 20% of dissolved emissions into the atmosphere before the water joins streams.
Posted inNews
Brazil’s Rivers Are Leaking
Wells overpumping groundwater could be forcing rivers to seep underground, a new study shows. Regions with intensive irrigation activities are at the most risk.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
What Is Causing the Missouri River Basin’s Elevated Streamflow?
Regional climate variability plays a big role, but reduced forest cover and a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide are also factors.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Topography and the Terrestrial Water Cycle
The relationship between topography and the terrestrial water cycle has been documented for thousands of years, yet there is still much to learn about Earth’s complex dynamics – both above, at, and below the surface.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Asian Megadeltas: Tackling Coastal Flooding Challenges
Integrating scientific insights into current actions is crucial for steering future research directions and underpinning informed management of coastal flooding in Asian deltas.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
How Rivers Carved the Canyons of the Central Colorado Plateau
A new study offers insights into a puzzling piece of the geological history of the Grand Canyon and surrounding regions.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
How Rock Type Shapes River Networks and Influences Landscape Evolution
A new study in Chile shows how small differences in rock type can drive large differences in erosion, vegetation, and river networks, illuminating the role of mineralogy in shaping landscapes.
Posted inNews
Wildfires Raise Concern About Remobilized Radioactive Contamination
Researchers collected soil and ash after the 2020 wildfires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Chemical tests suggested that the fires made it easier for contaminants to wash into nearby rivers.