Caitlin Dempsey
Land Carbon Storage Declined Sharply in 2023
Global land carbon storage saw a significant decline in 2023, driven by extreme droughts, wildfires, and heatwaves.
Storms in the Western Pacific Ocean
The western Pacific experienced a rare event in November 2024 with four simultaneous storms.
Planting Trees in the Arctic May Contribute to Climate Change
Afforestation in Arctic regions may accelerate permafrost thaw, releasing stored carbon and potentially exacerbating climate change.
Desert Dust Triggers Photoplankton Blooms in the Ocean
Saharan dust carries vital nutrients across oceans, triggering phytoplankton blooms that boost marine productivity and influence global carbon cycles.
Largest Piedmont Glacier in North America
Southeastern Alaska is home to North America’s largest piedmont glacier, where mountain ice spreads outward across a broad coastal plain.
Pushing the Boundaries of Geospatial: New Books from Esri Press
Three recent publications from Esri Press: Mapping the Deep, The Geography of Hope, and The Power of Where.
Lenticular Clouds
Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped formations that form over mountains when moist air cools and condenses, creating smooth, often UFO-like cloud patterns.
What Are pyroCbs? Understanding Wildfire Thunderstorms
Learn how pyroCbs form when extreme wildfires generate powerful thunderstorms capable of producing lightning, spreading smoke, and fueling new fires.
Automating a London Tube Style Transit Map of the World
Using OpenStreetMap data, researchers created an automated world transit map with simplified layouts modeled after the London Tube map design.
Study: Cities at Higher Latitudes Benefit More from Urban Vegetation Cooling
Study in Nature Communications examined cooling benefits of urban vegetation in 468 cities to see where parks and greenery benefit residents most.
Barrier Islands in the United States
Barrier islands are narrow landforms running parallel to coastlines, protecting shores from storms and erosion while supporting unique ecosystems.
How Many States Are Along the East Coast and West Coast of the United States?
Learn how many states are along the East Coast and how many states are along the West Coast.
Biases in Measuring Vegetation Greenness with Satellite Imagery
Satellite data is used to map vegetation greenness, but seasonal and sampling biases can distort results, especially in areas with short growing seasons.
Study: 25% of Europe Could Be Rewilded
A study found that about 25% of Europe could benefit from rewilding, the process of restoring natural ecosystems and wildlife.
Regional Changes in Forest Carbon Storage
Global forests have absorbed carbon steadily for 30 years, but deforestation and climate change have affected absorption rates across different biomes.
The Last U.S. Stand of the Key Largo Tree Cactus Has Vanished
The Key Largo tree cactus is now extinct in Florida, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal species to climate change and sea level rise.
Slope Steepness and the Formation of Single-sided River Tributaries
Steep slopes cause water to flow more quickly, increasing erosion and carving channels that eventually form tributaries.
Shifting Sea Ice is Making Sailing Ships Through the Northwest Passage More Difficult
Southward drifting ice is clogging the Northwest Passage, shortening the shipping season despite Arctic sea ice decline.
Nilas: Understanding the Early Stages of Sea Ice Formation
Early sea ice forms as frazil crystals, which merge into thin, streaky layers called nilas, influenced by winds and ocean currents in polar regions.
Learn How to Read a Map
Map reading is the skill of interpreting and understanding the geographic details and information shown on a map.
Number of “Dees” in a Chickadee’s Alarm Call is Related to the Danger Level of Nearby Predators
The number of "dees" in a chickadee's alarm call correlates with the size and threat level of the predator.
What are the Earth System’s Four Spheres?
The systems of the earth can be divided into two main areas: geosphere and biosphere.
Using Seals to Track Ocean Currents
By tagging seals with specialized sensors, researchers can map Antarctic ocean currents, heat distribution, and assess the health of marine ecosystems.
Tracking Mercury With Dragonflies
Published research mapped mercury levels in dragonfly larvae from 73 U.S. parks, revealing how the metal accumulates in the environment.
Hydrothermal Explosions
Hydrothermal explosions are dramatic, natural events that occur when superheated water and steam are suddenly released from beneath the Earth's surface.
How Undular Bores Show Up in the Clouds
Undular bores create distinctive wave-like cloud patterns, such as morning glory clouds, by pushing warm air upward.