Earth Science

Ocean Current Defies Doomsday Predictions, Stays Steady for 60 Years

Previous AMOC studies relied on sea surface temperature data. A CTD rosette device measures the ocean’s conductivity, temperature, and depth by collecting water samples at varying depths, makingmodels more accurate than ever. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionEarth’s oceans, covering 71% of the planet's surface, profoundly shape global climate and weather. At the heart of...

Using Seawater to Combat LA Fires is an Experiment Scientists are Monitoring Closely

Credit: PixabayFirefighters tackling the devastating wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 faced challenges due to limited freshwater supplies.When conditions allow, experienced pilots operating aircraft known as Super Scoopers collect 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time, delivering it with pinpoint accuracy to combat the flames.Using seawater to fight fires...

Unusual Blobs Detected Deep Within Earth in Surprising Locations

Credit: DepositphotosWaves rippling from Earth's core provide valuable clues about its composition and the distribution of its materials.Researchers from ETH Zurich and Caltech have used seismic waves to uncover unexpected chunks of Earth's plates in surprising locations. For over a century, geologists have mapped Earth's interior by analyzing how seismic signals travel at different...

Expert Warns of Water Contamination Threat in LA Following Wildfires

Credit: DepositphotosThe wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures, many of which were homes, and firefighters are still working to control the infernos. Parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other California communities are now left unrecognizable.As evacuation orders are lifted, residents returning to their homes should prioritize ensuring access...

2024 Officially Declared Hottest Year, Surpassing 1.5°C Limit

Flames and smoke from the Palisades Fire on 9 January 2025. Credit: PixabayThe year 2024 set a new global record as the warmest on record, marking the first calendar year where global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.The announcement was made on Friday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's Earth observation...

How Santa Ana Winds Intensify California’s Wildfires

Credit: PixabayHurricane-force Santa Ana winds roared down the mountains near Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, driving wildfires into multiple neighborhoods and creating a harrowing spectacle.By January 9, thousands of homes and buildings, including multiple schools, had been destroyed, and at least five lives were lost. Authorities called for the evacuation of over 180,000...

Weather Whiplash Driving LA’s Wildfire Could Lead to Record-Breaking Costs

Firefighters battle fires razing beachfront homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in the Palisades Fire. Credit: PixabayBy the next morning, flames had consumed 2,925 acres of the Pacific Palisades in what is being called Southern California's worst wildfire since 2011.Three additional fires have erupted in the region, including the Eaton Fire, which has...

Ancient Antarctic Ice Uncovers Spike in Wildfires During Past Climate Changes

Credit: PixabayMicroscopic bubbles preserved in ancient Antarctic ice have uncovered periods of increased global wildfires that align with abrupt climate changes.Although climate shifts are typically marked by temperature fluctuations, alterations in tropical rainfall, and methane spikes, the role of wildfires had remained unrecognized until now."We weren’t specifically searching for evidence of wildfires," explained lead...

Severe Winter Storm Hits Millions Across the US

Dense snow fall and wind reduce visibility on January 5, 2025 in Shawnee, Kansas. Credit: DepositphotosA powerful winter storm struck the United States on Sunday, with meteorologists alerting millions in the East to blizzard conditions and forecasting the heaviest snowfall in a decade for some areas.Over 60 million people are in the path of...

Did you know It Takes Intense Heat and Volcanic Forces to Bring Gold to Earth’s Surface?

An artist's impression of a planetary crust. (The University of Michigan/Midjourney)The movement of gold from deep within Earth's mantle to its surface relies heavily on sulfur bubbling beneath active volcanoes. This process, driven by intense geological activity, enables gold to bond with sulfur molecules, allowing it to ascend rather than remain trapped in the mantle.Recent...