Energy, Resources and the Environment

Artificial floods: Restoring the ecological integrity of rivers

Terri Cook May 31, 2017

A local fisherman enjoys a peaceful morning on the Sarine River following an artificial flood. (Credit: Terri Cook)

“You can never step into the same river, for new waters are always flowing on to you.” —Heraclitus of Ephesus Rushing rivers, with their unremitting twists and turns and continuous renewal, are often used as a metaphor for life, but the analogy is just as appropriate for scientific research, I reflected as I walked along the banks of a sparkling, turquoise-blue river in the heart of th ...[Read More]

Heat waves in cities getting worse under climate change

Keri McNamara May 10, 2017

Urban areas regularly record the hottest temperatures around . Credit: Binhe Luo (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

The effects of climate change are being felt all over the world but towns and cities are feeling most hot-under-the collar, a new study finds. Cities are usually warmer than their surroundings due to the urban heat island effect where artificial surfaces absorb more heat than their natural counterparts. Coupled with the loss of the shady effects of trees, urban areas regularly record the hottest t ...[Read More]

March GeoRoundUp: the best of the Earth sciences from around the web

Laura Roberts-Artal March 31, 2017

Coral bleaching in the Maldives captured by The Ocean Agency / XL Catlin Seaview Survey in May 2016. Credit: he Ocean Agency / XL Catlin Seaview Survey / Richard Vevers.

Drawing inspiration from popular stories on our social media channels, as well as unique and quirky research news, this monthly column aims to bring you the best of the Earth and planetary sciences from around the web. Major story While the March headlines might not have been dominated by a particular story, the state of the Earth’s climate has definitely been the overarching theme of the month. ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: harnessing Earth’s inner heat

Laura Roberts-Artal February 27, 2017

Leirhnjúkur area near Myvatn lake. Credit: Chiara Arrighi (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

Iceland, the land of ice and fire, is well known for its volcanicity. Most famously, it is home to Eyjafjallajökull: the volcano which caused wide spread mayhem across European airspace when it erupted in 2010. But not all the local volcanic activity is unwelcome. High temperature geothermal areas are a byproduct of the volcanic setting and the energy released can be used to power homes and infras ...[Read More]