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WEATHER | NATURAL DISASTERS | EARTHQUAKES | TSUNAMIS
WEATHER & NATURAL DISASTERS
Arctic cyclones more common than previously thought
From 2000 to 2010, about 1,900 cyclones churned across the top of the world each year, leaving warm water and air in their wakes — and melting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. That’s about 40 percent more than previously thought, according to a new analysis of these Arctic storms.
A whole new meaning to bad weather: Top ten worst weather places in the world
Have you ever wondered what places on Earth experience the worst weather? A new article names the top ten places in the world that continually experience the most extreme weather.
Landsat 8 helps unveil the coldest place on Earth
Scientists recently recorded the lowest temperatures on Earth at a desolate and remote ice plateau in East Antarctica, trumping a record set in 1983 and uncovering a new puzzle about the ice-covered continent.
First measurement flight: Research aircraft HALO explores trade wind clouds
Which climate effects do clouds have? Under what conditions do they warm or cool the atmosphere? Today, after more than five years of preparation, the specially equipped research aircraft HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft) takes off for its first measurement flight in atmospheric research.
2012 solar storm points up need for society to prepare
A massive ejection of material from the sun initially traveling at over 7 million miles per hour that narrowly missed Earth last year is an event solar scientists hope will open the eyes of policymakers regarding the impacts and mitigation of severe space weather.
System developed for assessing how effective species are at pollinating crops
From tomatoes to pumpkins, most fruit and vegetable crops rely on pollination by bees and other insect species — and the future of many of those species is uncertain. Now researchers are proposing a set of guidelines for assessing the performance of pollinator species in order to determine which species are most important and should be prioritized for protection.
Unique model simulates electron environment in space at 36000 km above the Earth
A spacecraft at near-Earth orbit is continuously bombarded by charged particles. Scientists have now developed a unique model that simulates electron environment in the near-Earth space.
EARTHQUAKES
Runaway process drives intermediate-depth earthquakes
Researchers have uncovered a vital clue about the mechanism behind a type of earthquake that originates deep within the Earth and accounts for a quarter of all temblors worldwide, some of which are strong enough to pose a safety hazard.
Slippery fault unleashed destructive Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami
For the first time, scientists have measured the frictional heat produced by the fault slip during an earthquake. Their results show that friction on the fault was remarkably low during the magnitude 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan in March 2011 and triggered a devastating tsunami.
Deep-sea study reveals cause of 2011 tsunami: Unusually thin, slippery geological fault found
The tsunami that struck Japan’s Tohoku region in 2011 was touched off by a submarine earthquake far more massive than anything geologists had expected in that zone. Now, a team of scientists has shed light on what caused the dramatic displacement of the seafloor.
What drives aftershocks?
High-resolution GPS signals provide new insights into the mechanisms of stress transfer in subduction zones. Silent creeping turns out to be an important factor.
Volcano discovered smoldering under a kilometer of ice in West Antarctica: Heat may increase rate of ice loss
A temporary seismic array in Marie Byrd Land in West Antarctica recorded two bursts of activity in 2010 and 2011. Careful analysis of the events shows they originate from a subglacial volcano at the leading end of a volcanic mountain chain. The volcano is unlikely to erupt through the kilometer of ice that covers it but it will melt enough ice to change the way the ice in its vicinity flows.
Gas injection probably triggered small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas
A series of small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas between 2006 and 2011 were probably triggered by the underground injection of large volumes of gas, primarily carbon dioxide — a finding that has implications for the process of carbon capture and storage. Experts also note that similar rates of injections have not triggered comparable quakes in other fields, bolstering the idea that gas injection does not cause significant seismic events in many geologic settings.
Improving earthquake early warning systems for California and Taiwan
Earthquake early warning systems may provide the public with crucial seconds to prepare for severe shaking. For California, a new study suggests upgrading current technology and relocating some seismic stations would improve the warning time, particularly in areas poorly served by the existing network — south of San Francisco Bay Area to north Los Angeles and north of the San Francisco Bay Area.
TSUNAMIS
New evidence for assessing tsunami risk from very large volcanic island landslides
The risk posed by tsunami waves generated by Canary Island landslides may need to be re-evaluated, according to researchers. New findings suggest that these landslides result in smaller tsunami waves than previously thought by some authors, because of the processes involved.
Slippery fault unleashed destructive Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami
For the first time, scientists have measured the frictional heat produced by the fault slip during an earthquake. Their results show that friction on the fault was remarkably low during the magnitude 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan in March 2011 and triggered a devastating tsunami.
Deep-sea study reveals cause of 2011 tsunami: Unusually thin, slippery geological fault found
The tsunami that struck Japan’s Tohoku region in 2011 was touched off by a submarine earthquake far more massive than anything geologists had expected in that zone. Now, a team of scientists has shed light on what caused the dramatic displacement of the seafloor.
Iranian telegraph operator, first to propose earthquake early warning system
In 1909, an Iranian telegraph operator living in the remote desert town of Kerman noticed an unusual movement of the magnetic needle of his telegraph instrument. While other telegraph operators during the late 1800s and early 1900s noticed the phenomenon, the Iranian telegraph operator proposed an earthquake early warning system.
Acoustic waves warn of tsunami
An early warning system against tsunamis has been developed and tailored for the need of the Mediterranean, but preparedness on the ground is paramount to ensuring peoples’ safety.
Devastating long-distance impact of earthquakes
In 2006 the island of Java, Indonesia was struck by a devastating earthquake followed by the onset of a mud eruption to the east, flooding villages over several square kilometers and that continues to erupt today. Until now, researchers believed the earthquake was too far from the mud volcano to trigger the eruption. Geophysicists have now use computer-based simulations to show that such triggering is possible over long distances.
Seismic gap outside of Istanbul: Is this where the expected Marmara earthquake will originate from?
Earthquake researchers have now identified a 30 kilometers long and ten kilometers deep area along the North Anatolian fault zone just south of Istanbul that could be the starting point for a strong earthquake. The group of seismologists say that this potential earthquake source is only 15 to 20 kilometers from the historic city center of Istanbul.
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