A new early warning system, called ShakeAlert, will use cell phones to alert people in California, Oregon, and Washington of an earthquake. The alerts come from sensors from the USGS seismic system. Once the sensors pick up movement, a message…
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as the rains in Australia keep pouring down. Torrential rains have swept away houses, roads, and livestock. Images of the damage has hit social media. Photos show bridges being washed away,…
Weather and climate disasters have a devastating—and pricey—toll. In 2020, there were 22 billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S. This is a record number. The most damage came from the seven billion-dollar tropical cyclones. They created over $40 billion in…
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook the town of Petrinja, Croatia on Dec. 29, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was 27 miles (44 km) away from the capital of Zagreb. The Croatian News Agency HINA reported the quake…
The Atlantic hurricane season ended Nov. 30 with a record-breaking 30 named storms. Thirteen of the storms became hurricanes, including six major hurricanes with winds greater than 111 mph. This is the fifth consecutive year with an above-average season. According…
The Novel Coronovirus pandemic has people stuck in their homes around the world. Also called COVID-19, the virus has infected hundreds of thousands with many passing away from the condition. While the virus has created a new and dangerous reality,…
There’s a new method for removing oil contaminating bodies of water. The process involves skimming the oil with water-repellant leaves or textiles. These materials don’t absorb the oil but act as an adhesive. They transport the oil into clean containers.…
Fires have been burning throughout Australia for months. In some cases, fire clouds are forming. They are created by intense heat and moisture in the atmosphere. And produce thunderstorms. This can lead to strong winds and lightning, which can create…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found a sunken ship on the floor of the ocean. It is resting in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) discovered the ship during a routine…
In April 1986, the most catastrophic nuclear accident the world has ever seen happened in the former USSR, near the city of Chernobyl. A nuclear reactor exploded and burned, spreading radiation as far away as Sweden. More than 300,000 people…