Environment
Extreme Storms Are Extreme Eroders
The storm that swept across the Rockies in September 2013 unleashed huge amounts of sediment downstream, doing the work of a century of erosion. Julia Rosen reports.
Stories by Julia Rosen
Space & Physics
Chaotic Orbits Could Cause Catastrophic Collision
Researchers used ancient climate cycles to confirm the solar system’s chaotic planetary orbits. An Earth–Mars collision is one distant outcome. Julia Rosen reports.
Environment
The True "Bottom" of the Food Chain Is Plenty Polluted
Critters living more than six miles below the ocean surface contain high levels of harmful compounds like PCBs and flame retardants. Julia Rosen reports.
Climate Change
Arctic 2.0: What Happens after All the Ice Goes?
Researchers look into the future of the far North for clues to save species and maybe even bring back sea ice
Climate Change
The Arctic's Anti-Snowball Snowball Effect
Arctic heat waves melt sea ice, which promotes more warming and even more ice loss. In other words, it’s a snowball effect—or in this case, an anti-snowball effect. Julia Rosen reports...
Space & Physics
Climate Cycles Could Have Carved Canyons on Mars
Researchers think Mars may have experienced a series of climate cycles, which etched the planet’s surface with river valleys and lake basins. Julia Rosen reports.
Natural Disasters
Big Earthquakes May Be More Likely During New and Full Moons
When the sun, moon and Earth are aligned, high tidal stress may increase the chances that an earthquake will grow bigger than it otherwise might have been.
Environment
Frigate Bird Flights Last Months
Great frigate birds may stay aloft for up to two months, eating and sleeping on the wing.
Natural Disasters
Heat ID'd as Subtle Cause of Rockfalls
Rockfalls without an obvious cause (like an earthquake or expanding ice) may be due to hot daily air temperatures expanding small cracks in cliff faces.
Environment
Our Noise Bothers Overlooked Seafloor Critters
Creatures that live on the seafloor play vital roles in marine ecosystems, but human-made noise can alter their behaviors.
Environment
Underground Eruptions Could Cause Quakes Months Later
When the Nyiragongo volcano erupted in January 2002, it set the geologic stage for earthquakes nine months later. Julia Rosen reports.
The Sciences
Volcano Role in Dino Death Gets Mercury Boost
Researchers found a spike in mercury, which is produced by volcanoes, in ancient ocean sediments from southern France that span the time of the dinosaurs' mass extinction, lending support to the idea that massive eruptions played a role, in addition to the asteroid impact...
Environment
Polar Bears Must Work Harder on Faster Sea Ice Treadmill
Thinner sea ice is getting pushed farther by Arctic winds, which makes polar bears walk more to stay in the same place, increasing their need for food.
Environment
Sahara Reveals Remains of Ancient River
Using a satellite-born sensor system that can penetrate through several feet of dry surface sediments, researchers found the dry remains of an ancient river system winding for hundreds of miles below the Saharan sands ...
Environment
Methane Plumes Bubbling along U.S. Northwest Coast
Researchers report a spike in the number of methane plumes along the Northwest coast emanating from depths of about 500 meters, a possible indication that submerged frozen methane is becoming available ...
Environment
Road Runoff a No-No for Coho
Researchers have found the first direct evidence that coho salmon near U.S. Northwest cities are being killed by chemical runoff from roads and parking lots that reach streams
Environment
Alaska Surface Glacier Melting Means More Glug Glug Glug
The vast majority of ice loss in Alaska glaciers comes from those that sit completely on land—which contributes meltwater to sea level rise. Julia Rosen reports
Environment
Parrotfish Build Islands with Their Poop
Parrotfish munching on algae ingest coral and then eliminate the rocky substrate, creating island-building grade sediment in places like the Maldives. Julia Rosen reports
Environment
Smoke Makes Twisters More Likely to Strike
Smoke wafting north from the Gulf of Mexico worsened the already stormy weather brewing across the southeastern U.S. on April 27, 2011. Julia Rosen reports
The Sciences
Lightning May Sink Mountain Summits
Magnetic anomalies in rocks indicate that lightning may be a major player in weathering mountains. Julia Rosen reports
