Aerosols from pollution, desert storms, and forest fires may intensify thunderstorms

Researchers identify a mechanism by which small particles in the atmosphere can generate more frequent thunderstorms.

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physics environment climate pollution emissions research weather school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences

MIT oceanographers have an explanation for the Arctic’s puzzling ocean turbulence

New study suggests waters will become more turbulent as Arctic loses summertime ice.

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climate-change climate water global-warming research weather school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps ocean-science earth-and-atmospheric-sciences fluid-dynamics

Antarctic sea ice may not cap carbon emissions as much as previously thought

Study suggests sea ice blocks the flow of carbon both into and out of the ocean, in roughly equal measure.

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climate-change environment climate carbon carbon-dioxide microbes research school-of-engineering school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf civil-and-environmental-engineering computer-modeling eaps ocean-science earth-and-atmospheric-sciences

Study: A plunge in incoming sunlight may have triggered “Snowball Earths”

Findings also suggest exoplanets lying within habitable zones may be susceptible to ice ages.

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mathematics exoplanets geology climate-change environment climate research school-of-science planetary-science eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences

Study sheds light on the evolution of the earliest dinosaurs

Geological evidence suggests the known dinosaur groups diverged early on, supporting the traditional dinosaur family tree.

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evolution geology research school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences

Tiny sand grains trigger massive glacial surges

New model answers longstanding question of how these sudden flows happen; may expand understanding of Antarctic ice sheets.

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geology environment climate nasa research school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences fluid-dynamics

Study: Reflecting sunlight to cool the planet will cause other global changes

Solar geoengineering proposals will weaken extratropical storm tracks in both hemispheres, scientists find.

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climate-change environment climate nasa research school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences

Susan Solomon earns Killian Award, MIT’s highest faculty honor

Atmospheric chemist is recognized for her “leadership in working toward real-world solutions to address the global climate crisis.”

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chemistry climate-change environment awards global-warming greenhouse-gases emissions research school-of-science faculty eaps international-relations earth-and-atmospheric-sciences honors-and-fellowships

When baby planets melt

MIT scientists identify first magmas generated in solar system’s building blocks, unexpectedly answering questions about meteorites and formation of rocky planets.

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space solar-system mars mercury research school-of-science planetary-science eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences astronomy-and-planetary-science venus

Origins of Earth’s magnetic field remain a mystery

The existence of a magnetic field beyond 3.5 billion years ago is still up for debate.

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space geology research school-of-science planetary-science eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences astronomy-and-planetary-science