Earth

Climate

Antarctica has lost about 3 trillion metric tons of ice since 1992

Antarctica’s rate of ice loss has sped up since 1992 — mostly in the last five years, raising global sea level by almost 8 millimeters on average.

Environment

Sunshine is making Deepwater Horizon oil stick around

Sunlight created oxygen-rich oil by-products that are still hanging around eight years after the Deepwater Horizon spill.

Climate

Tropical cyclones have slowed over the last 70 years

Tropical cyclones are moving 10 percent slower, on average, than they did in the mid-20th century, potentially making them more dangerous.

Environment

A big analysis of environmental data strengthens the case for plant-based diets

A new study calculates the bonus for the planet of choosing more foods from plants.

Earth

Here’s a look at the world’s deadliest volcanoes — and the ways they kill

Scientists gathered data on nearly 280,000 global volcano deaths from 1500 to 2017 and sorted fatalities by cause of death, such as lava flows or gas.

Environment

Treating roads with oil and gas wastewater may spread harmful pollution

When spread on roads, wastewater from oil and gas production can leach radium and other contaminants into the environment, a new study finds.

Climate

The first Americans could have taken a coastal route into the New World

Alaskan glaciers retreated in time for ancient coastal entries of the first Americans.

Paleontology

The Chicxulub asteroid impact might have set off 100,000 years of global warming

About 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub asteroid impact set off 100,000 years of global warming, an analysis of oxygen in fish fossils suggests.

Climate

As CO₂ increases, rice loses B vitamins and other nutrients

Field experiments add vitamins to list of nutrients at risk from a changing atmosphere.

Earth

Keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees C helps most species hold their ground

Holding global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100 could help protect tens of thousands of insect, plant and vertebrate species.

Agriculture

Nanoparticles could help rescue malnourished crops

Nanoparticles normally used to fight cancer could also be used to treat malnourished crops.

Earth

No, Kilauea won’t cause mass destruction

A steam explosion at Kilauea isn’t anything like the explosive eruptions of certain other volcanoes.