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SMAP radar image acquired from data from March 31 to April 3, 2015. Weaker radar signals (blues) reflect low soil moisture or lack of vegetation, such as in deserts. Strong radar signals (reds) are seen in forests. SMAP's radar also takes data over the ocean and sea ice. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/GSFC. View larger, more detailed image.
With
its antenna now spinning at full speed, NASA's new Soil Moisture
Active Passive (SMAP) observatory has successfully re-tested its
science instruments and generated its first global maps, a key step
to beginning routine science operations next month.
SMAP
launched Jan. 31 on a minimum three-year mission to map global soil
moisture and detect whether soils are frozen or thawed. The mission
will help scientists understand the links among Earth's water, energy
and carbon cycles; help reduce uncertainties in predicting weather
and climate; and enhance our ability to monitor and predict natural
hazards such as floods and droughts.
At
just a bit over crop duster height, University of Michigan
researchers are flying through a 50-square-mile hotspot of the
greenhouse gas methane over the U.S. Southwest
Read
more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-flight-methane-hunters.html#jCp
“I’ve
seen a major increase of mosquitoes in the city over the past five
years,” said Leccese, 28, who runs a clothing manufacturer with his
father. “There’s no more fumigation like there used to be. I see
nothing about prevention education anywhere.”
For
the rest of this month, they're part of a broad "air campaign"
involving five planes and four institutions. The goal is to figure
out more precisely where the methane plume is coming from.....
Unprecedented killer storm hits Sydney area, predicted by Climate Change Scientists
Australians
in a widespread Sydney area
are experiencing death and destruction that climate
change scientists have
warned, yet the powerful storm
that began three days ago was "unexpected" and hit
thousands of people by surprise,according
to new reports. Hundreds of people are being told today to evacuate
after the powerful wind storm sent 50 foot killer waves along the
coast, caused a major blackouts, threatens more flooding, has killed
at least three and injured many, as Prime Minister Abbott is
increasingly criticized for supporting the fossil fuel industry
over human
rights regarding
climate change.
Roads can be seen intersecting drought-affected farming areas located in south-eastern Australia March 21, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray
The
former head of Australia's respected Climate Commission, which was
disbanded by conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2013, on
Thursday challenged the government to explain its recent decision to
fund a controversial new research institute.
Abbott
axed the publicly funded Climate Commission, which was established to
provide information on the effects of climate change and ways to
combat it, on his first day in office.
Environment
Minister Greg Hunt said at the time that ending the programme would
save the cash-strapped government A$1.6 million ($1.24 million).
But
last week Education Minister Christopher Pyne raised eyebrows by
announcing a plan to spend A$4 million over four years on Danish
academic Bjorn Lomborg's new institute at the University of Western
Australia.
Lomborg,
who accepts the consensus around man-made climate change but argues
against government intervention to halt it, is a controversial figure
in the scientific community.
The
Abbott government appears to have already blown its carbon budget,
selling emissions abatement in the first round of auctions at a price
that would make it impossible to meet even Australia’s modest 5 per
cent cut in emissions by 2020 (from 2000 levels).
The
Clean Energy Regulator said on Thursday said it had contracted to
spend $660 million buy more than 47 million tonnes of abatement –
mostly from carbon farming and landfill gas projects at an “average”
price of $13.95.
It
means that the government has theoretically met one quarter of its
target at the first go, although nearly half the abatement bought in
the first auction will not be delivered before 2020.....
The reality....
The reality....
An
ongoing, largely successful effort to accelerate improvements in
hurricane forecasts has been cut significantly, and meteorologists
aren’t happy about it.
One of the most stunning places to see its impact is at the nation's largest reservoir, Lake Mead, near Las Vegas. At about 40 percent of capacity, it's the lowest it's been since it was built in the 1930s.
On 3/24/2015, Nagoya city university and NPO Goshawk protection fund published their report on Scientific Reports.
In
this report, they proved that the radioactive contamination
significantly reduces the breeding success of goshawk in north Kanto
area such as Tochigi etc..
Especially
the hatching rate is severely affected compared to the past ratio in
the same area from 1992 to 2010. It was 90% in 2011, which was within
the normal range of past 19 years but it dropped to 85% in 2012, and
it was decreased to 67% in 2013.
They
concluded this significant decrease is closely related to the
atmospheric dose and stated 0.1 μSv/h increase in atmospheric dose
reduces breeding success by 10%.
They
also reported that even though the atmospheric dose comes back to the
normal level as before 311, the breeding success keeps decreasing.
They
assume it is because goshawk is on the top of the food chain so it is
severely affected by biological concentration. The internal exposure
is possibly causing the long term effect in breeding success.
The
record-breaking volcanic eruption in southern Chile is dramatically
altering skies, as spectacular views emerge of white plumes creeping
miles up into the sky after coloring the night orange. A second blast
took place hours ago.
Nature’s
colossal power was aptly demonstrated by Calcubo, which erupted a
second time just a few hours ago, with agencies reporting a stronger
eruption than the first.
Deep beneath Yellowstone National Park, one of the world's most dynamic volcanic systems, lies an enormous, previously unknown reservoir of hot, partly molten rock big enough to fill up the Grand Canyon 11 times, scientists say.
A Brazilian biologist handles boxes with mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacterium — which reduces mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue and chikungunya by shortening adult life span, affecting mosquito reproduction and interfering with pathogen replication — in Rio de Janeiro.
Deep beneath Yellowstone National Park, one of the world's most dynamic volcanic systems, lies an enormous, previously unknown reservoir of hot, partly molten rock big enough to fill up the Grand Canyon 11 times, scientists say.
Researchers
on Thursday said they used a technique called seismic tomography to a
produce for the first time a complete picture of the volcanic
"plumbing system" at Yellowstone, from the Earth's mantle
up to the surface
The
US Geological Survey (USGS) has released a map of earthquakes
believed to be the result of human activity. Experts say most of the
quakes were caused by the oil and gas industry injecting wastewater
underground. Fracking was also blamed in some cases.
All
of the areas highlighted on the chart “are located near deep fluid
injection wells or other industrial activities capable of inducing
earthquakes,” the study said.
Such
injection-induced earthquakes are occurring at a rate higher than
before, according to the USGS.
Watch the videos from CNNA Brazilian biologist handles boxes with mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacterium — which reduces mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue and chikungunya by shortening adult life span, affecting mosquito reproduction and interfering with pathogen replication — in Rio de Janeiro.
For
six months, taps ran dry 12 hours a day in Gregori Pizzanelli
Leccese’s Sao Paulo neighborhood. Many residents stored water just
to get by.
It’s
no wonder the mosquito population exploded — and so did dengue
fever, he said.
“I’ve
seen a major increase of mosquitoes in the city over the past five
years,” said Leccese, 28, who runs a clothing manufacturer with his
father. “There’s no more fumigation like there used to be. I see
nothing about prevention education anywhere.”
The
moment Sydney's Bardwell Park train station turned into something
resembling a swimming pool, rather than a transport hub.
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