Research briefs

A new study shows that future heatwaves, which are expected to be more severe, may be influenced by levels of man-made particles in the atmosphere. Understanding how these tiny particles behave could help scientists improve heatwave predictions, and measures to limit their impacts, over the next century.

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new methodology for building computer models that paves the way to better understanding the flood risks faced by coastal communities. The research allows for better understanding the risk of flooding in coastal communities.

A new study finds that climate extremes, such as droughts or heat waves, can lead to harvest failures and consequently threaten the livelihoods of farmers and food security of communities worldwide. Improving our understanding of their impacts on crop yields is crucial to increase the resilience of the global food system.

California’s experience with droughts and floods have forced it to develop a diverse toolkit for managing water. Researchers suggest that “far-sighted incrementalism” could be the way to bridge the tension between economic growth and environmental protection.

A new study unveils the increasing exposure of coastal communities to minor and extreme floods as sea levels rise. The study represents a new approach for assessing flood risks associated with sea level rise and highlights the importance of planning for flooding. The results offer actionable information to decision-makers in coastal communities throughout the United States.

New research finds that the practice of subsurface fluid injection used in 'fracking' and wastewater disposal could cause significant, rapidly spreading earthquake activity beyond the fluid diffusion zone. The results account for the observation that the frequency of man-made earthquakes in some regions of the U.S. surpass natural earthquake hotspots.

New research from University of Alberta geographers uses traditional Indigenous knowledge to better understand spring flooding in the Kashechewan First Nation, located in the southwestern James Bay region. Results show that climate change and human-induced changes have exacerbated the timing and extent of spring flooding in the region.

University of Illinois scientists have linked historical crop insurance, climate, soil and corn yield data to quantify the effects of excessive rainfall on corn yield. They found that crop productivity can be affected in various ways, including direct physical damage, delayed planting and harvesting, restricted root growth, oxygen deficiency and nutrient loss.

For the first time, scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) have linked human activities with patterns of drought around the world. The researchers found that greenhouse gases were influencing drought risk as far back as the early 1900's.

In a new study, a team of scientists reports on a successful attempt to control induced seismicity during the deepest-ever hydraulic stimulation of a geothermal well in Helsinki, Finland. This is an important step in the development and further exploitation of Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology.