NASA: National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationEarth Observatory

Media Alerts: August 2006

  1. July 2006
  2. September 2006
  1. Atmospheric Ozone Recovering in Mid-Latitudes August 30, 2006

    Concentrations of atmospheric ozone are showing signs of recovery in the most important regions of the stratosphere. (Georgia Institute of Technology press release)

  2. Iron Critical to Ocean Productivity, Carbon Uptake August 30, 2006

    A new study has found that large segments of the Pacific Ocean lack sufficient iron to trigger healthy phytoplankton growth. (Oregon State University press release)

  3. Weather Forecast Accuracy Gets Boost with New Computer Model August 25, 2006

    An advanced forecasting model that predicts several types of extreme weather with improved accuracy has been adopted by forecasters. (National Center for Atmospheric Research press release)

  4. Mountain Climate Change Trends Could Predict Water Resources August 24, 2006

    New research into climate change in the western Himalaya and surrounding mountains could explain why many glaciers there are growing and not melting. (Newcastle University press release)

  5. First-Ever Look at Combined Causes of North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean Freshening August 24, 2006

    A new analysis of changes in freshwater inputs to the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic may shed light on the recently observed freshening of the North Atlantic Ocean. (Marine Biological Laboratory press release)

  6. Study Rules Out Ancient 'Bursts' of Methane from Seafloor Deposits August 24, 2006

    A dramatic increase 12,000 years ago in atmospheric methane was probably not caused by a release from seafloor methane deposits, a new study concludes. (Oregon State University press release)

  7. New Texas Air Quality Forecasts Available August 21, 2006

    People with respiratory problems can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to researchers who unveiled an air quality forecasting system that provides data on ozone conditions. (University of Houston press release)

  8. Burning Wetlands Unleash Sequestered Mercury in Wake of Climate Change August 21, 2006

    New research shows that mercury released into the atmosphere ultimately falls back to Earth and accumulates, particularly in North American wetlands. (Michigan State University press release)

  9. Charting New Territory with Hurricane Relief Mapping August 16, 2006

    A scientist is working to develop more accurate and precise spatial models and maps for use in disaster recovery efforts. (Florida State University press release)

  10. Climate Change was Major Factor in Erosion of Alps 6 Million Years Ago August 15, 2006

    The Alps might have reached their zenith 6 million years ago and have been declining since, according to new research that suggests the culprit was likely massive erosion, followed by a warmer, wetter climate. (University of Washington press release)

  11. More Carbon Dioxide May Help Some Trees Weather Ice Storms August 15, 2006

    The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere predicted for later this century may reduce the damage that future ice storms will cause to commercially important loblolly pine trees, according to a new study. (Duke University press release)

  12. Establishing a Connection between Global Warming and Hurricane Intensity August 15, 2006

    Climate change is affecting the intensity of Atlantic hurricanes and hurricane damage will likely continue to increase because of greenhouse warming, according to a new study. (American Geophysical Union press release)

  13. Bacteria Can Help Predict Ocean Change August 14, 2006

    Bacteria can serve as markers of ocean conditions, say biologists, a finding could that improve the reach and accuracy of ocean-change models. (University of Southern California press release)

  14. More Fires, Droughts and Floods Predicted August 14, 2006

    As temperatures rise with global warming, an increased risk of forest fires, droughts and flooding is predicted for the next 200 years by UK climate scientists. (University of Bristol press release)

  15. Ancient Arctic Water Cycles Are Red Flags to Future Global Warming August 11, 2006

    Ancient plant life recovered in Arctic Ocean sampling cores shows that at the time of the last major global warming, humidity, precipitation levels and the salinity of ocean water altered drastically, along with the elevated temperatures and levels of greenhouse gases, according to a new report. (Yale University press release)

  16. Greenland's Ice Loss Accelerating Rapidly, Gravity-Measuring Satellites Reveal August 10, 2006

    A new analysis of data from twin satellites has revealed that the melting of Greenland's ice sheet has increased dramatically in the past few years, with much of the loss occurring primarily along one shoreline, potentially affecting weather in Western Europe. (University of Texas-Austin press release)

  17. Snowfall Hasn't Increased Over Antarctica in Last 50 Years August 10, 2006

    An international effort to determine the variability of recent snowfall over Antarctica shows there has been no real increase in precipitation over the southernmost continent in the last half-century. (Ohio State University press release)

  18. 'Dead Zone' Causing Wave of Death off Oregon Coast August 9, 2006

    The most severe low-oxygen ocean conditions ever observed on the west coast of the United States have turned parts of the seafloor off Oregon into a carpet of dead Dungeness crabs and rotting sea worms, a new survey shows. (Oregon State University press release)

  19. A Nursery for Hurricanes August 8, 2006

    University of Utah meteorology professor Ed Zipser is chief scientist of a NASA-funded mission to study why some African weather disturbances become storms and hurricanes, many of which hit the United States. (University of Utah press release)

  20. Trees Appear to Respond Slower to Climate Change than Previously Thought August 1, 2006

    Genetic analysis of spruce trees provides strong evidence for the presence of a tree refuge in Alaska during the last glacial period, and suggests that trees cannot migrate in response to climate change as quickly as some scientists thought. (University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign press release)

  21. New Radar Technique Locates Storm-Fueling Moisture August 1, 2006

    For the first time, multiple Doppler weather radars are tracking water vapor in the lower atmosphere, and if adopted nationwide this technique may help forecasters pin down the location and timing of heavy rains more accurately. (National Center for Atmospheric Research press release)

  22. At an Underwater Volcano, Evidence of Man�s Environmental Impact August 1, 2006

    Scientists studying hydrothermal vents, those underwater geysers that are home to bizarre geological structures and unique marine species, have discovered something all too familiar: pollution. (University of Florida press release)