‘Flash Droughts’ Are the Midwest’s Next Big Climate Threat
New research shows that dry weather is coming on more quickly than before, with little advance warning. It could devastate farmers.
Why Was the Tonga Eruption So Massive? Scientists Have New Clues
Early theories suggested an underwater landslide caused a catastrophic mix of magma and seawater. Recent evidence reveals an explosion unlike anything studied before.
Undersea Cables Are the Latest Tools for Earthquake Detection
Rumbles and tides create tiny, detectable disturbances in fiber optics. The world’s cables could form a vast network for detecting earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Wetlands Are Drowning
A long-term study of a marsh was meant to ask whether rising levels of CO2 could help wetlands thrive despite rising seas. The plants aren’t keeping up.
What the World’s Largest Organism Reveals About Fires and Forests
In Oregon, the tree-killing Humongous Fungus never would have gotten so large without the accidental help of modern fire suppression tactics.
Can ‘Green’ Ammonia Be a Climate Fix?
Researchers believe that if the chemical is made with renewable energy, it could be used as a clean source for fertilizer, fuel, and heat.
Kids Suffer Climate Anxiety, Too. Adults Can Help
The point is to give youngsters tools to channel their feelings into something more constructive, like taking action in their own communities.
A New Database Reveals How Much Humans Are Messing With Evolution
Some animals and plants are rapidly adapting to our warming, polluted world. How alarming that is depends on your perspective.
Extreme Heat in the Oceans Is Out of Control
More than half of the sea now logs temperatures once considered extreme, threatening countless species, livelihoods, and the air we breathe.
What It’ll Take to Get Electric Planes off the Ground
The lithium-ion battery is good for moving cars short distances, but aviation requires longer-lasting power. Maybe we need to try other elements.