Latest science news in Earth & Climate
VOLCANO PICTURES: Philippines' Mayon About to Blow?
Flowing lava and increasing gas levels, quakes, and ash explosions are among signs that a major eruption of Mayon Volcano could occur at any time, experts say.
Climate deal agreed in Copenhagen
Key states reach a deal they describe as a first step in tackling climate change, amid warnings it does not go far enough.
NASA tech zooms in on water and land
A pilot project could help better manage the planet's strained natural resources by using space-age technologies to help manage natural resources like land and water. In Sequim, Wash., the North...
Irrigation decreases, urbanization increases monsoon rains
Scientists have shown man-made changes to the landscape have affected Indian monsoon rains, suggesting that land-use decisions play an important role in climate change.
Greenland glaciers: Water flowing beneath ice plays more complex role
Scientists who study the melting of Greenland's glaciers are discovering that water flowing beneath the ice plays a much more complex role than they previously imagined. Researchers previously thought that...
Ancient algae provide insights into Earth's response to global warming
Using algae records from the early Pliocene, when earth's climate was warmer, scientists are finding evidence which suggests that coastal upwelling off the California coast was sustained in this period...
Croatia talks South Stream
MOSCOW, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Croatia missed its chance to sign on to Russia's South Stream natural gas pipeline in 2007 and now needs Moscow's good graces to join...
Ecosystem, vegetation affect intensity of urban heat island effect
NASA researchers studying urban landscapes have found that the intensity of the 'heat island' created by a city depends on the ecosystem it replaced and on the regional climate. Urban...
Shear changes polluted storms
Research in Australian skies has found how pollution affects storm clouds – making them stronger or weaker, depending on wind shear.
Tremors between slip events: More evidence of great quake danger to Seattle
For most of a decade, scientists have documented unfelt and slow-moving seismic events, called episodic tremor and slip, showing up in regular cycles under the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state...
In 2025, India to Pass China in Population, U.S. Estimates
India will become the world’s most populous country in 2025, surpassing China, where the population will peak one year later because of declining fertility, according to U.S. projections.
Weather Device Also Tracks Greenhouse Gas
Aboard NASA’s Aqua spacecraft, the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder is used not only to aid forecasters, but also to gauge carbon dioxide flow and ocean evaporation.
Reporter’s Notebook: In Copenhagen, ‘To Be Elaborated’ Means a Stalemate
The top United Nations climate official said the many disputes at the climate conference reflected the challenge of finding common ground among 193 countries.
More insight into radioactive salt marshes
A researcher has analyzed gamma radiation in salt marshes. The development of salt marshes, vegetated areas periodically flooded by the sea, occurs differently than was previously thought. Knowledge of salt...
Sick of swine flu? Toxic algae could be the next big threat
With a new theory surfacing that toxic algae rather than asteroids killed the dinosaurs, scientists are still trying to unravel the mystery of what caused a massive algae bloom off...
Engineers help secure California highways and roads
Sprays of dirt flew out of a soil box that held a retaining wall as it violently shook from a simulated 7.4 magnitude earthquake. The wall was put to test recently by...
Robotic Planes Capture Detailed Images of Remote Antarctic
Unmanned planes are being flown over unreachable polar regions.Unmanned planes are being flown over unreachable polar regions.
Letters: Our voice needs to be heard at Copenhagen
As representatives of people from the developing world who are most affected by climate change, we are still fighting to ensure our voices are heard in Copenhagen. We are alarmed about the...
Unique 'Climate One Stop' Web Site Unveiled in Copenhagen
There's a storm brewing -- a storm of information, that is, in climate and environmental research. People are wading through the turbulence, trying to make sense of it all.
Electrolux: Put Household Appliances on the Climate Agenda
Global home appliance company urges nations to immediately reduce CO2 emissions.
Underwater gas may hold clues on Turkey quake risk
Natural gas that lies under Turkey's Marmara Sea close to Istanbul could provide advance warning of an earthquake experts believe will hit the country's largest city, scientists said on Tuesday.
Climate Wizard Makes Large Databases of Climate Information Visual, Accessible
A Web tool that generates color maps of projected temperature and precipitation changes using 16 of the world's most prominent climate-change models is being demonstrated at the climate summit in...
US-China showdown still looms over climate talks
(AP) -- In a showdown between the world's two largest polluters, China accused the United States and other rich nations Tuesday of backsliding on fighting global warming and the...
Can Solar Lanterns Light the World?
COPENHAGEN--Since the 1970s, refrigerators in the U.S. have swelled from 18 cubic feet to 22 cubic feet. But, at the same time, the energy consumption of such gargantuan coolers has...
Chevron posts another Gorgon gas find
SAN RAMON, Calif., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Chevron Corp. through its Australian subsidiary announced an additional natural gas discovery in the Gorgon area off the coast of Western Australia.
Swiss geologist in quakes trial
The Swiss head of a geothermal drilling company appears in court in Basel accused of causing earthquakes.
Enterprise grabs pipelines from Chevron
HOUSTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The acquisition of three intrastate natural gas liquid pipeline systems from Chevron expands the midstream infrastructure in Louisiana, executives said.
N.B. choir practice going well in pool
A Moncton choir has an unusual rehearsal venue - a swimming pool, where they also multitask by practicing their aqua aerobics at the same time.