State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory140

  • Bad Ozone Days in Western U.S. Linked to Pacific Weather

    Bad Ozone Days in Western U.S. Linked to Pacific Weather

    A new study shows that ozone pollution in the western United States can be increased by La Niña, a natural weather cycle at the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The finding is the first to show that the La Nina-El Nino cycles directly affects pollution.

  • Smooth Sailing Back to Tasmania

    Smooth Sailing Back to Tasmania

    After a surprisingly smooth crossing of the Southern Ocean, with favorable winds we arrived back in Hobart, Tasmania. The weather maps show that we just got ahead of another big storm system.

  • Taking a 4,000-Meter-Deep Profile of Antarctic Waters

    Taking a 4,000-Meter-Deep Profile of Antarctic Waters

    In addition to understanding potential pathways for “warmer” circumpolar deep water to reach the ice shelf, we are also measuring what the structure and properties of the water column are and determining if there is already warmer water on or near the continental shelf that could already interact with the glaciers of East Antarctica today.

  • Lamont-Doherty to Manage U.S. Ocean Drilling Program

    Lamont-Doherty to Manage U.S. Ocean Drilling Program

    Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has signed a $35 million, five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation to manage scientific support services for U.S. scientists studying the world’s ocean floors.

  • Mapping the Seafloor

    Mapping the Seafloor

    One of the goals of this expedition is to investigate if water from the Southern Ocean with temperatures above the melting point of glaciers could reach the glaciers in East Antarctica, and if there are any obstacles on the seafloor of the shelf that impact the ability of such water to reach the glaciers and…

  • Lamont-Doherty Strategic Plan

    Lamont-Doherty Strategic Plan

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has been a leader in the study of our planet since its founding 65 years ago. Today, Observatory scientists continue the institution’s long tradition of addressing important questions in the Earth and planetary sciences. 

  • In a Melting Iceland, Drilling Deep to Stem Climate Change

    In a Melting Iceland, Drilling Deep to Stem Climate Change

    Iceland is pioneering a new technology to deal with climate change. Its Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, the world’s largest, hosts arguably the world’s most advanced program to capture and lock away globe-warming carbon dioxide.

  • In the Ice

    In the Ice

    Several days ago we reached our main work areas along the margin of East Antarctica. Our expedition is relatively late in the season and the seas around Antarctica are starting to freeze.

  • Closing in on Antarctica

    Closing in on Antarctica

    We are less than a day away from our first study area on the continental shelf in front of the Dibble Glacier. As we approach Antarctica we are starting our science program with a 4500 meter deep CTD and multibeam acquisition.

Banner with images representing environmental issues and text "You Asked: Our Scientists and Experts Answer Your Burning Questions."

You Asked invites you to share your most pressing questions about climate, science, and sustainability. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School experts will respond with clear, evidence-based answers. Pose your questions and story ideas!

  • Bad Ozone Days in Western U.S. Linked to Pacific Weather

    Bad Ozone Days in Western U.S. Linked to Pacific Weather

    A new study shows that ozone pollution in the western United States can be increased by La Niña, a natural weather cycle at the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The finding is the first to show that the La Nina-El Nino cycles directly affects pollution.

  • Smooth Sailing Back to Tasmania

    Smooth Sailing Back to Tasmania

    After a surprisingly smooth crossing of the Southern Ocean, with favorable winds we arrived back in Hobart, Tasmania. The weather maps show that we just got ahead of another big storm system.

  • Taking a 4,000-Meter-Deep Profile of Antarctic Waters

    Taking a 4,000-Meter-Deep Profile of Antarctic Waters

    In addition to understanding potential pathways for “warmer” circumpolar deep water to reach the ice shelf, we are also measuring what the structure and properties of the water column are and determining if there is already warmer water on or near the continental shelf that could already interact with the glaciers of East Antarctica today.

  • Lamont-Doherty to Manage U.S. Ocean Drilling Program

    Lamont-Doherty to Manage U.S. Ocean Drilling Program

    Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has signed a $35 million, five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation to manage scientific support services for U.S. scientists studying the world’s ocean floors.

  • Mapping the Seafloor

    Mapping the Seafloor

    One of the goals of this expedition is to investigate if water from the Southern Ocean with temperatures above the melting point of glaciers could reach the glaciers in East Antarctica, and if there are any obstacles on the seafloor of the shelf that impact the ability of such water to reach the glaciers and…

  • Lamont-Doherty Strategic Plan

    Lamont-Doherty Strategic Plan

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has been a leader in the study of our planet since its founding 65 years ago. Today, Observatory scientists continue the institution’s long tradition of addressing important questions in the Earth and planetary sciences. 

  • In a Melting Iceland, Drilling Deep to Stem Climate Change

    In a Melting Iceland, Drilling Deep to Stem Climate Change

    Iceland is pioneering a new technology to deal with climate change. Its Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, the world’s largest, hosts arguably the world’s most advanced program to capture and lock away globe-warming carbon dioxide.

  • In the Ice

    In the Ice

    Several days ago we reached our main work areas along the margin of East Antarctica. Our expedition is relatively late in the season and the seas around Antarctica are starting to freeze.

  • Closing in on Antarctica

    Closing in on Antarctica

    We are less than a day away from our first study area on the continental shelf in front of the Dibble Glacier. As we approach Antarctica we are starting our science program with a 4500 meter deep CTD and multibeam acquisition.