Archive for Earth

How Intense Will Storms Get? New Model Helps Answer Question

July 9, 2008 at 9:14 am · Filed under Earth ·Tagged , ,

A new mathematical model indicates that dust devils, water spouts, tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones are all born of the same mechanism and will intensify as climate change warms the Earth’s surface.

The new equation, developed by University of Michigan atmospheric and planetary scientist Nilton Renno, could allow scientists to more accurately calculate the maximum expected intensity of a spiraling storm based on the depth of the troposphere and the temperature and humidity of the air in the storm’s path. The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.

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Extended Cyclone Relief Efforts Aided From Space

July 7, 2008 at 8:47 am · Filed under Earth ·Tagged ,

Earth observation satellites have provided vital information to relief workers in Myanmar throughout a particularly long crisis response window following the devastating Cyclone Nargis that hit the country on 2 and 3 May 2008.

Immediately after the disaster, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) asked the International Charter on ‘Space and Major Disasters’, referred to as ‘the Charter’, for support by providing immediate crisis mapping of the affected areas.

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Acidifying Oceans Add Urgency To Carbon Dioxide Cuts

July 7, 2008 at 7:55 am · Filed under Earth, Global Warming ·Tagged ,

It’s not just about climate change anymore. Besides loading the atmosphere with heat-trapping greenhouse gases, human emissions of carbon dioxide have also begun to alter the chemistry of the ocean–often called the cradle of life on Earth.

The ecological and economic consequences are difficult to predict but possibly calamitous, warn a team of chemical oceanographers in the July 4 issue of Science, and halting the changes already underway will likely require even steeper cuts in carbon emissions than those currently proposed to curb climate change.

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MESSENGER Settles Old Debates And Makes New Discoveries At Mercury

July 5, 2008 at 5:29 am · Filed under Earth, World News ·Tagged ,

Scientists have argued about the origins of Mercury’s smooth plains and the source of its magnetic field for more than 30 years. Now, analyses of data from the January 2008 flyby of the planet by the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft have shown that volcanoes were involved in plains formation and suggest that its magnetic field is actively produced in the planet’s core.

Scientists additionally took their first look at the chemical composition of the planet’s surface. The tiny craft probed the composition of Mercury’s thin atmosphere, sampled charged particles (ions) near the planet, and demonstrated new links between both sets of observations and materials on Mercury’s surface. The results are reported in a series of 11 papers published in a special section of Science magazine July 4.

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ESA Satellite Assesses Damage Of Norway’s Largest Fire

July 2, 2008 at 6:51 am · Filed under Earth ·Tagged ,

Following the extremely hot weather conditions hitting Europe, Norway experienced its biggest forest fire in the last half century earlier this month. Envisat satellite images were used in the fire’s aftermath to get an overview of the damaged area for authorities and insurance companies.

Extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds quickly spread the fire in the cities of Mykland and Froland in the southern county of Aust-Agder, dampening fire-fighters attempts to squelch the blaze. Before being brought under control by more than 150 fire-fighters, aided by 16 helicopters (and much hoped for rain), the fire is estimated to have destroyed around 3000 hectares.

To assess the full extent of the damage, Norway’s KSAT (the Kongsberg Satellite Services) compared Envisat acquisitions taken before and after the event.

“At KSAT, we were quite surprised by how easy it was to detect the affected area in the image and to learn how extensive the damages are,” Nina Soleng said. “We sent the images to the County Director of Forestry (Fylkesskogmester) of Aust-Agder County.”

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