Climate

Oceans

Cone snails wander in circles, lose focus with boosted CO₂

Deadly cone snails wander in circles and become less capable hunters when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide in seawater.

Oceans

Cone snails wander in circles, lose focus with boosted CO₂

Deadly cone snails wander in circles and become less capable hunters when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide in seawater.

Oceans

Climate change may boost toxic mercury levels in sea life

Increased runoff to the ocean due to climate change could raise neurotoxic mercury in coastal sea life by disrupting the base of the food web.

Climate

Earth’s last major warm period was as hot as today

Sea surface temperatures today are comparable to those around 125,000 years ago, a time when sea levels were 6 to 9 meters higher, new research suggests.

Climate

Monsoon deluges turned ancient Sahara green

The ancient Sahara Desert sprouted trees and lakes for thousands of years thanks to intense rainfall.

Climate

For three years in a row, Earth breaks heat record

Spurred by climate change and heat from a strong El Niño, 2016 was the hottest year on record.

Climate

Petrified tree rings tell ancient tale of sun’s behavior

The 11-year cycle of solar activity may have been around for at least 290 million years, ancient tree rings suggest.

Earth

Antarctic ice shelf heading toward collapse

A fast-growing crack in Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf could soon break off a 5,000-square-kilometer hunk of ice into the ocean.

Earth

Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf nears breaking point

A fast-growing crack in Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf could soon break off a 5,000-square-kilometer hunk of ice into the ocean.

Climate

Warming could disrupt Atlantic Ocean current

The Atlantic current that keeps northwestern Europe warm may be less stable under future climate change than previously thought, revised simulations show.

Earth

Data show no sign of methane boost from thawing permafrost

Rapid Arctic warming has increased emissions of carbon dioxide, but not methane, from northern Alaska tundra.

Climate

Arctic kelp forests may create summer refuges from ocean acidification

Long summer daylight revs up carbon capture in Arctic kelp forests, offering a little relief from acidifying ocean water.