Credit: NASA GSFC
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Featured Research
Only low-emissions pathways will keep Antarctica cold
Only the lowest-emissions scenario could keep Antarctica under the critical 2 degrees Celsius warming mark by 2100, new models show. Warming will continue to increase melt in Antarctica, which will contribute to global sea level rise, highlighting the importance of climate policies to meet emissions goals. [Geophysical Research Letters study]
Hudson Bay sea ice broke up a month early in spring 2024
Sea ice in Canada’s Hudson Bay in 2024 broke up 31 days earlier than the historical record, leading to record-low sea ice extent that was exceptionally lower than the historical average, a new study finds. Sea ice retreated six times faster than in the historical period, leading to record-high sea surface temperatures and exceptionally long marine heat waves. [Geophysical Research Letters study]
Tracing the causes of Brazil’s disastrous 2024 floods
Severe flooding in southern Brazil (May 2024) claimed nearly 200 lives and displaced more than 600,000 people. The floodwaters were around 1.5 billion cubic meters, a new study finds. The flooding was caused by a heatwave that blocked a cold front, leading to record-breaking rainfall. [Geophysical Research Letters study]
Ancient city of Alexandria is collapsing
Building collapses in the 3,000-year-old port city of Alexandria, today the most densely populated urban area in the southern Mediterranean, increased 10-fold in the last 20 years, a new study finds. Nearly 300 buildings have collapsed, and at least 7,000 more are at risk. Seawater intrusion and erosion drive the collapses there and threaten buildings similarly throughout the Mediterranean. [Earth’s Future study][USC press release]
A slowdown of seafloor spreading may have sunk sea levels
Between 15 million and 6 million years ago, a drop in ocean crust production may have lowered sea level by 26 to 32 meters. The slowdown could have led to climate cooling, which could further lower sea level. [Eos research spotlight][Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems study]
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