Climate Change
Fast-Moving California Wildfires Boosted by Climate Change
Nearly two dozen large blazes have burnt more than 1 million acres of the state
Natural Disasters742 articles archived since 1845
Evolution
Buried Skeletons Reveal Tsunami Threat in East Africa
Newly analyzed remains depict the scope of a devastating event
Natural Disasters
Recipe for a Busy Hurricane Season: Warmer Water, Cleaner Air
The peak of the season just started, but already there have been as many storms as in an entire average season
Natural Disasters
Why Hurricane Names Are Retired
Deaths or excessive damage put Katrina, Maria, Harvey and other monikers out of circulation
Natural Disasters
California Looks to Battle Mega Wildfires with Fire
As flames once again rage across the state, officials embrace a counterintuitive firefighting approach
Environment
Warbler Species Fires Up Song Diversity
Hermit warblers in California have developed 35 different song dialects, apparently as a result of wildfires temporarily driving them out of certain areas.
Natural Disasters
Shelters Stay Empty as Isaias Barrels Up the East Coast
Concerns over COVID-19 have officials urging evacuees to stay with friends and family or at hotels
Natural Disasters
Do Animals Really Anticipate Earthquakes? Sensors Hint They Do
Cows, sheep and dogs increased their activity before tremors, seemingly reacting, in part, to one another
Policy
Disaster Management Is Too White, Official Tells Congress
More diversity is needed to reverse long-standing inequities in disaster response policies
Space & Physics
Science News Briefs from around the Planet
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one about how a lizard population responded to hurricanes by developing larger and stickier toe pads on average...
Natural Disasters
Coronavirus Rages on Coasts as Hurricane Fears Rise
Dramatic increases in storm-prone areas will complicate evacuation, sheltering and recovery efforts
Weather
Accurate Weather Forecasts 28 Days Out
Meteorologists are using supercomputers and the latest data about climate phenomena to predict temperature and precipitation four weeks in the future
Natural Disasters
With Sea Level Rise, High-tide Flooding Spikes Along U.S. Coasts
Fifteen communities set records for the number of days with such floods last year
Natural Disasters
A Robotic Mini Armada Will Probe the Secrets of Hurricanes
The torpedo-shaped ocean gliders can survive in stormy seas and can glean information satellites cannot
Environment
More U.S. Homes Are at Risk of Repeat Flooding
The significant growth in such properties has come despite billions spent to protect them
Policy
Disaster Loans Entrench Disparities in Black Communities
Systemic inequities such as credit scores mean Black home and business owners receive fewer federal relief loans than white ones
Natural Disasters
Tougher Building Codes Would Avert Major Losses, FEMA Study Shows
In California and Florida alone, such codes have prevented $1 billion a year in structural damage
Natural Disasters
Four Must-Read Mount St. Helens Books
It seems like entire libraries have been written about the Mount St. Helens eruption. Here are four books well worth reading
Commemorate Mount St. Helens’s 40th Anniversary with These Excellent Virtual Events
Geologists, park rangers, artists and one famous science guy explore the science of Mount St. Helens in many free events today
Environment
Expanding Paved Areas Has an Outsize Effect on Urban Flooding
Researchers have finally been able to pinpoint just how much impervious surfaces exacerbate flood levels
