Plastic pollution is a looming crisis that threatens the health of our oceans. A new study, however, challenges our understanding of the issue, suggesting that there may be less plastic littering the ocean than previously estimated. This revelation comes with both positive and negative implications, shedding light on the complexity of the problem. In this
Earth
The issue of global warming is not a recent phenomenon but has occurred repeatedly throughout Earth’s history. One such instance took place 304 million years ago during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age. Researchers have discovered evidence of various alarming changes during this period, including increased sea surface temperature, continental ice decline, and the flooding of
In a recent study published in Nature Geosciences, researchers led by a sedimentologist from Tulane University explored the reasons behind the changing paths of meandering rivers over time and how these changes could be influenced by climate change. The study focused on the sinuosity of rivers, which refers to the degree of curvature present in
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a complex system of oceanic currents, of which the Gulf Stream is an integral component. The AMOC carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe, playing a crucial role in maintaining a mild climate. However, recent research has revealed that the strength of the AMOC is
A groundbreaking study conducted by a team of German microbiologists and Earth scientists has shed new light on the origins of methane formation on Earth. Published in the esteemed journal Nature Communications, the researchers used early Earth simulations to demonstrate how methane could have formed even before the emergence of life itself. This discovery has
Greenland’s ice sheet has been experiencing a disturbing acceleration in its rate of melting in recent decades, resulting in a significant rise in sea level. Among the remaining glaciers with a floating tongue, one particular glacier, Nioghalvfjerdsbrae (79NG), has become the center of attention in a new study published in The Cryosphere. The study, conducted
Earth’s oldest craters hold valuable information regarding the early Earth’s structure, the formation of celestial bodies in the solar system, and the interpretation of crater records on other planets. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets suggests that these ancient craters are nearly impossible to find, hindering our understanding of
Earthquakes are natural disasters that can cause significant damage and loss of life. Scientists have made great strides in understanding and predicting earthquakes, but there are still many aspects that remain a mystery. One such mystery is the distinction between slow and fast earthquakes and how their magnitudes change over time. In this article, we
The North Atlantic Ocean has recently reached its hottest-ever temperature, reaching a record high of 24.9 degrees Celsius. This occurrence is particularly notable as it happened much earlier in the year than usual, with its peak temperature typically observed in early September. Xungang Yin, a scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)
The Colorado River Basin has long been a vital source of freshwater for over 40 million people in the arid southwestern United States. Unfortunately, the past two decades have witnessed a devastating megadrought, lasting multiple decades, that has severely depleted the basin’s water resources. This megadrought, which occurred between 2000 and 2021, is believed to
High up in the majestic Himalayas, a fascinating revelation has taken place. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Niigata University, Japan, have stumbled upon droplets of water imprisoned within mineral deposits, offering a glimpse into an ancient, long-lost ocean that spanned approximately 600 million years ago. Not only have these findings shed
Recent research has uncovered a startling truth about the Colorado River Basin – climate change has led to the depletion of over 40 trillion liters (10 trillion gallons) of water between 2000 and 2021. To comprehend the enormity of this loss, one must envision the entire volume of Lake Mead, which is equivalent to this