Earth

  1. Earth

    What the Tonga volcano’s past tells us about what to expect next

    The January 15 eruption of a Tongan volcano triggered atmospheric shock waves and a rare volcanic tsunami; its history suggests it may not be done.

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  2. Climate

    Intense drought or flash floods can shock the global economy

    Rainfall extremes have powerful impacts on the global economy, affecting the manufacturing and services sectors more than agriculture.

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  3. Earth

    Volcanic avalanches of rock and gas may be more destructive than previously thought

    Pressures within pyroclastic flows may be as much as three times as great as observations had suggested.

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  4. Climate

    Climate change communication should focus less on specific numbers

    Even if nations don’t meet goals to curb global climate change, any progress is better than none.

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  5. Earth

    Some volcanic hot spots may have a surprisingly shallow heat source

    Mysterious hot spots of volcanic activity in the interior of tectonic plates just got a little stranger.

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  6. Climate

    Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ could have far-reaching climate effects

    The “Great Green Wall,” a tree-planting project to stop desertification in northern Africa, could alter climate patterns in the region and beyond.

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  7. Climate

    How electric vehicles offered hope as climate challenges grew

    Amid daunting climate change challenges, electric vehicles swerved into the spotlight this year.

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  8. Climate

    Vikings may have fled Greenland to escape rising seas

    Vikings abandoned Greenland in the 15th century. Lower temperatures, an expanding ice sheet and rising sea levels may have played a role in their departure.

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  9. Animals

    50 years ago, scientists were genetically modifying mosquitoes

    In 1971, scientists turned to genetics to control disease-spreading mosquitoes without DDT. Today, there are a variety of pesticide-free methods.

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  10. Climate

    How a warming climate may make winter tornadoes stronger

    A climate simulation suggests that higher winter temperatures could make twisters more powerful.

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  11. Climate

    Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier ice shelf could collapse within five years

    The loss of Thwaites’ buttressing ice shelf could hasten the demise of the “Doomsday Glacier” and raise the risk of dramatic sea level rise.

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  12. Climate

    Wildfire smoke may ramp up toxic ozone production in cities

    A new study reveals how wildfire smoke produces toxic ozone and how urban air pollution could exacerbate the problem.

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