Earth
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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Climate
Carbon dioxide in atmosphere reaches landmark level
At 400 parts per million, greenhouse gas concentration is now higher than it has been for millions of years.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Japan’s 2011 earthquake upped Tokyo’s risk
Chance more than doubled that capital city will soon experience big temblor, researchers calculate.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
The Arctic was once warmer, covered by trees
Pliocene epoch featured greenhouse gas levels similar to today's but with higher average temperatures.
By Erin Wayman - Climate
Ice loss from Greenland’s glaciers may level off
Simulation suggests long-term effect on sea level not as dire as some predictions.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Toxic waste sites may cause health problems for millions
Exposures to lead and chromium represent particular problems, study finds in India, Indonesia and Philippines.
By Erin Wayman -
- Earth
Spinning the Core
Laboratory dynamos attempt to generate magnetic fields the way planets and stars do.
- Life
So far, the great tit has coped with climate change
Earlier arrival of birds’ food due to warming temperatures hasn’t yet reduced bird population.
By Susan Milius - Earth
Early Earth’s chlorine blown away by giant impacts
Low levels of chlorine on planet's surface have long puzzled scientists.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Remnants of Earth’s crust survive in the planet’s interior
A slab stayed unperturbed in the mantle for billions of years before resurfacing, sulfur measurements suggest.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Yangtze’s age revealed
Geologists narrow window on time of the Chinese river’s origin to 23-36 million years ago.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits Iran
Casualties reported in nearby Pakistan from temblor.
By Erin Wayman