Ecology & Geology

NASA satellite measurements imply Texas wind farm impact on surface temperature
A Texas region containing four of the world's largest wind farms showed an increase in land surface temperature over nine years that researchers have connected to local meteorological effects of the turbines.

Yellowstone 'super-eruption' less super, more frequent than thought
The Yellowstone "super-volcano" is a little less super-but more active-than previously thought.

Study reveals how ancient viruses became genomic 'superspreaders'
Scientists have uncovered clues as to how our genomes became riddled with viruses. The study, supported by the Wellcome Trust, reveals important information about the so-called 'dark matter' of our genome.

Warning signs from ancient Greek tsunami
In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events, according to Klaus Reicherter of Aachen University in Germany and his colleagues.

Climate change boosts then quickly stunts plants, decade-long study shows
Global warming may initially make the grass greener, but not for long, according to new research results.

Which plants will survive droughts, climate change?
New research by UCLA life scientists could lead to predictions of which plant species will escape extinction from climate change.

Has the Dead Sea used up its nine lives?
Rapidly dropping water levels of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface heralded for its medicinal properties, has been a source of ecological concern for years. Now a drilling project led by researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University reveals that water levels have risen and fallen by hundreds of meters over the last 200,000 years.

Volcanic plumbing exposed
Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to predicting large eruptions.

Scientists refine Earth's clock
New research has revealed that some events in Earth's history happened more recently than previously thought. Scientists from the British Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, publishing in the journal Science, have refined the data used to determine how much time has passed since a mineral or rock was formed. They report uranium isotopic composition of minerals, used to date major geological events, which are more accurate than previously published. The major effect of this is to reduce previous age determinations by up to 700,000 years.

Running hot and cold in the deep sea: scientists explore rare environment
Among the many intriguing aspects of the deep sea, Earth's largest ecosystem, exist environments known as hydrothermal vent systems where hot water surges out from the seafloor. On the flipside the deep sea also features cold areas where methane rises from "seeps" on the ocean bottom.