Earth Sciences Archives - State of the Planet

Study Reveals Long-Distance Levers Behind U.S. Southwest Drought—and a Dry Future

The U.S. Southwest has suffered a historic drought over the past two decades. A new study elucidates the drivers, and says conditions will never return to those of the relatively wet 20th century.

by |September 26, 2023

The Cyclones She Experienced as a Child Led to a Career in Hurricane Risk

Atmospheric physicist Chia-Ying Lee is working to improve our understanding of how tropical cyclones will evolve in the future.

by Christopher D. Shea |September 19, 2023
Polar Climate Ambassadors

Why Care About the Polar Regions? These Polar Climate Ambassadors Will Tell You.

The polar regions are a critical aspect of the climate crisis, but polar science is not always accessible, especially to young students. The Polar Climate Ambassadors program seeks to help close this gap. 

by |August 30, 2023

Research Links Climate Change to Lazier Jet Stream, Leading to Extreme Weather

A new study links climate change to increasing stalling of the jet stream, but also highlights uncertainties in climate models.

by |July 14, 2023

The Fire This Time: Facing the Reality of Climate Change

While our short-term response to extreme weather must remain on adaptation, in the long run, we need to understand the reality of the warmer planet we live on and work to mitigate climate change.

by |June 12, 2023

California Quake Faults Are Highly Sensitive to Solid Earth Tides, Say Scientists

Oceans have tides, and so does the solid earth. Could they have an effect on earthquake faults? Yes, say scientists, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they cause big quakes.

by |May 10, 2023

Upcoming Scientific Fieldwork, 2023 and Beyond

Climate School researchers are carrying out fieldwork on every continent and every ocean. A guide to upcoming projects.

by |May 9, 2023

Vikings Abandoned Greenland Centuries Ago in Face of Rising Seas, Says New Study

Counterintuitively, seas were rising around Greenland as it went through a cold period centuries ago. This helped drive out Viking colonists, says new research.

by |May 1, 2023
Two men and a woman in formal wear pose in front of a Vetlesen Prize backdrop

Vetlesen Prize Ceremony Honors Two Distinguished Researchers in Earth Sciences

A celebration held at Columbia University recognized scientists Anny Cazenave and David Kohlstedt as the 2020 and 2023 Vetlesen Prize recipients.

by |May 1, 2023

Land Subsidence in the Netherlands

At a symposium on land subsidence, I learned about how the Dutch transformed their country so that about a quarter of it is below sea level and how they cope with it.

by |April 23, 2023