Global salinity mapped from space

Satellite data collected by NASA’s new Aquarius instrument has been used to create a detailed new map of global salinityRead on

Arctic ozone hit by cold winter

The cold temperatures experienced by the Northern Hemisphere last winter led to an unprecedented hole forming in the ozone layer above the Arctic, according to new research published in NatureRead on

Urbanisation eating the world

Urban areas around the world will increase in size by more than 1.5 million square kilometres by 2030, according to a new study published in PLoS OneRead on

Foretelling reef collapse

Overfishing of reef ecosystems can generate a predictable sequence of events that lead to their collapse, according to new research carried out in the western Indian Ocean by an international team of scientistsRead on

Antarctic ice-flow mapped

A team of researchers has used integrated radar observations from a consortium of international satellites to create the first complete map of the speed and direction of ice flow in AntarcticaRead on

New deep-sea current found off Iceland

An international team of researchers has confirmed both the presence of a previously unknown, deep-reaching ocean circulation system off Iceland, and its potential significanceRead on

Gold came from space

As gold prices reach ever greater heights, a team of scientists has provided clear evidence that the world’s accessible reserves of the precious metal came from outer spaceRead on

Small area of oceans critical to marine mammal conservation

Setting aside a mere four per cent of the world’s oceans could protect the crucial habitat of most marine mammal species, according to researchers at Stanford University in California and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (NAUM) in Mexico CityRead on

National parks don’t make people poor

National parks don’t contribute to poverty levels in communities living in their vicinity, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesRead on

Global erosion rates quantified

A pair of US scientists has used 20 years worth of data, comprising 1,599 different measurements from 87 sites around the world, to create the first broad, standardised view of pre-human geological erosion ratesRead on

Lost landscape discovered off coast

A team of British researchers working off the northwest coast of Scotland has discovered a vast river-valley system that rose out of the north Atlantic about 56 million years agoRead on

New tectonic driver discovered

Scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego have identified a new force driving the movement of the Earth’s tectonic platesRead on

Crustal fragments can move vast distances

Movements of magma below the Earth’s surface can transport sections of crust over distances of more than 1,500 kilometres, according to new research carried out in the CaribbeanRead on

Larval fish migrations tracked

A team of Canadian researchers has used genetic techniques to track the open-ocean migrations of larval marine fish, providing data that will prove useful for the design of marine protected areas (MPAs)Read on

Floods set to cause record dead zone

The recent extreme flooding along the Mississippi River is expected to result in the largest ‘dead zone’ ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, according to scientists at Louisiana State University and the University of MichiganRead on

Soils key to Cape floral diversity

The incredible floral diversity of the Cape region on the southwestern tip of Africa is a result of the diversity of the region’s soils, according to a new studyRead on

Ancient agriculture was a health hazard

The shift from foraging to agriculture in human populations 10,000 years ago took a toll on their health, according to the first comprehensive review of studies on stature and health during the agricultural transitionRead on

Frog disease continues to spread

Chytridiomycosis, the fungal disease responsible in the disappearance of frog populations around the world, has been found in the last disease-free region of Central AmericaRead on

Eurasian snow pack influences US weather

A new study published in the International Journal of Climatology suggests that snow cover in Siberia and northern Europe may have as much impact on winter weather in the USA as the El Niño/La Niña Southern OscillationRead on

Was Machu Picchu built on llama dung?

Llama dung was the secret ingredient that allowed Inca society to flourish - and ultimately to build monuments such as Machu Picchu - according to new researchRead on

Giant fjords discovered under Antarctic ice

A multinational team of scientists has discovered some of the largest fjords on Earth beneath the ice in the Aurora Subglacial Basin in East AntarcticaRead on

Ancient Ebro River basin mapped

A Spanish research team has used 3D reflection seismology to map the geomorphological features of the Ebro River basin as it was between five and six million years agoRead on

Fool’s gold fertilising the oceans

Microscopic particles of pyrite, otherwise known as fool’s gold, spewing forth from deep-sea hydrothermal vents may be an important source of iron for marine organismsRead on

New map reveals world’s tropical carbon stocks

A NASA-led team has produced the most precise map ever created of the amount and location of carbon stored in the world’s tropical forestsRead on

Power of wind erosion underestimated

The importance of wind as a force in the erosion of mountains has been significantly underestimated, according to a new study published in GSA TodayRead on

Biodiversity of continental shelf mapped

Results from a three-year marine biodiversity study have been compiled to create the first-ever broad-scale maps of marine life on Australia’s continental shelfRead on

Mystery of glacier action solved

A team of US scientists has used an innovative technique to finally solve the mystery of how glaciers carve out valleys and what the landscape may have looked like before they swept it awayRead on

New maps show retreat of British ice sheets

A team of University of Sheffield geographers has produced a series of maps that illustrate, for the first time, how the last British ice sheet shrank at the end of the last ice ageRead on

Coral network key to protecting fish stocks

Strong links among reefs in the so-called Coral Triangle hold the key to preserving marine resources in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a new study published in Global Ecology and BiogeographyRead on

Origins of European farming revealed

A study of the skulls of prehistoric Europeans has helped to shine a light on the early transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture in the regionRead on

Marine sediment mystery solved

The mystery surrounding the origins of a key component of marine sediments – fine-grained carbonates – has been solved by a new study that traced them to fish excretionsRead on

Why volcanoes shake before they blow

A team of geophysicists from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has developed a new theory to explain why explosive volcanic eruptions are preceded and accompanied by seismic tremorsRead on

Pacific garbage patch hyperbole punctured

Claims that the ‘Great Garbage Patch’ located in the Pacific Ocean between California and Japan is twice the size of Texas are grossly exaggerated, according to an analysis by an Oregon State University scientistRead on

Swiss gorges survived glaciers

A new study has helped to close a long-running debate over the processes that formed steep inner gorges in the broad glacial valleys of the Swiss AlpsRead on

Dust in atmosphere has doubled since 19th century

The amount of dust in the Earth’s atmosphere doubled during the 20th century, according to a new studyRead on

Pakistan floods caused by rogue storm

Last summer’s devastating floods in Pakistan were caused by a rogue weather system that had shifted several hundred kilometres from its usual area of influence, according to new researchRead on

Groundwater tracked via satellite

Scientists at Stanford University in California have developed a technique for accurately monitoring the volume of groundwater in aquifers in agricultural regions using satellite dataRead on

Phone records support regional boundaries

An analysis of 12 billion anonymised phone records has allowed an international team of researchers to map the nation’s human interactionsRead on

Ancient raindrops reveal mountain growth

A team of researchers has used the residue from ancient raindrops to provide evidence that a wave of mountain building moved down western North America from British Columbia to Mexico between 49 and 27 million years agoRead on

Environment limits species diversity

Species diversification is limited by local environmental factors, according to new research on lizards in the CaribbeanRead on

Vacant lots could feed Detroit

A new study suggests that transforming vacant urban lots in Detroit into farms and community gardens could satisfy the majority of the city’s residents’ fruit and vegetable needs
Read on

Reforestation leads to deforestation

Efforts to conserve forests in many developing nations has led to deforestation in other countries, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesRead on

Magma movement caused eruption

The reawakening and subsequent eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano may have been triggered by the explosive meeting of two types of magma flowing beneath the volcanoRead on

New crust being formed in novel way

Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have observed ocean crust forming almost ten times farther away from an active ocean ridge than previously recordedRead on

Elephant damage good for frogs

When a herd of African elephants moves through the savannah, it often leaves a trail of destruction in its wake
Read on

Water insecurity affects billions

A new map of global water security compiled by a team of US researchers suggests that about 80 per cent of the world’s population lives in areas where the freshwater supply is insecureRead on

Volcanic clusters explained

A team of University of Oxford scientists has finally explained why the world’s explosive volcanoes are always bunched together in narrow bandsRead on

Ancient insects rewrite Asian palaeo-geography

A huge haul of amber, containing hundreds of prehistoric insects and other organisms, has shed new light on the ancient geography of India and South AsiaRead on

Wildfires modelled

Humanity has kept the world’s wildfires in check for the past century, but we may be about to put nature back in control, according to a new model of global wildfiresRead on

Desert dust reduces river run-off

Desert dust blown onto snowy areas in the Colorado River basin in the southwestern USA is leading to a drop in the river’s annual run-off of around five per cent per year, according to a team of US scientistsRead on

A noisy reef is a healthy reef

Researchers working on coral reefs in Panama have demonstrated that healthy reefs with more corals and fish generate predictably greater noise levels, paving the way for new methods to monitor their conditionRead on

Cold switches off the glacial buzzsaw

A team of researchers from the University of Arizona has shown for the first time that glaciers can help actively growing mountains become higher by protecting them from erosionRead on

Temperature the key to biodiversity

Two recent studies have demonstrated that temperature is the key determinant of local biodiversity – both on land and in the oceansRead on

Banda Arc mystery solved

The Banda Arc – a 1,000-kilometre horseshoe-shaped chain of Indonesian islands – has mystified geologists for years, but new research published in Nature Geoscience may have finally solved the puzzle of its formationRead on

Plankton can cause cyclones

Microscopic marine plants known as phytoplankton encourage cyclones by changing the colour of the ocean’s surface, according to new researchRead on

Business leaders recommend geography

More than two thirds of British business leaders believe today’s graduates are ill-equipped for work, and would recommend their own children took a degree in geography, according to a new surveyRead on

Sewage overflow boosts West Nile virus

The spread of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus is promoted by the overflow of sewage into urban creeks and streams after heavy rain, according to a new studyRead on

Scientists probe Sumatran quakes

An international team of geoscientists has found clues as to why the earthquake that took place near Sumatra on Boxing Day 2004 generated a much more deadly tsunami than a quake that took place nearby about three months laterRead on

Amazon storm damage quantified

A storm that raged across the Amazon Basin in January 2005 may have killed as many as half a billion trees, according to a new analysisRead on

Poverty redefined

A new study using a novel multidimensional poverty index has revealed that there are more poor people living in eight states in India than in Africa’s 26 poorest nations combinedRead on

Nature’s feelgood factor proved

A series of studies published recently in the Journal of Environmental Psychology have experimentally confirmed what many of us will have long taken for granted: a walk in the woods really does make you feel more aliveRead on

Yangtze older than believed

A study of sediments and rocks from the Three Gorges in southwestern China has pushed back the age of the Yangtze River by 40 million yearsRead on

Amazon deforestation linked to rise in malaria cases

A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has established that there is a clear link between deforestation and the incidence of malaria in the Amazon BasinRead on

Why some plate break-ups are fierier than others

The rending apart of the Earth’s crust usually sets the stage for a series of massive volcanic eruptions, as a plume of liquid rock rises from deep within the Earth’s interiorRead on

Snake populations slithering into oblivion

Hot on the heels of last month’s report on declining lizard populations comes news that their reptilian cousins, the snakes, may be in the same boatRead on

Drought damaging Australian floodplains

The severe drought that has gripped Australia over the past decade has meant that only a quarter of the floodplains of the Murray–Darling river basin have been inundated, according to a new study by the country’s peak science bodyRead on

Forest patches vital for migrating birds

Urban sprawl has diminished forests for migrating birds to rest and refuel in. New research shows how important even small patches of urban forest are for migrating birds Read on

Nile water agreement a ‘threat’ to Egypt

Five African nations have forged a new agreement on sharing water from the Nile, much to the consternation of Egypt, which has long seen the river as its own Read on

Plant pest is major ozone source

An invasive plant that is spreading across the southeastern USA is a major source of ozone, according to new research Read on

Balkan forests rapidly disappearing

The once abundant forests of the Balkan states are being threatened 
by unregulated real estate development and illegal logging, according 
to local activists  Read on

Disease diversity linked to climate

A new study of the geography of disease has revealed that the diversity of disease-causing pathogens in a region is highly correlated with climateRead on

Icelandic eruptions: is the worst yet to come?

Volcanologists are warning of a potentially more devastating eruption in IcelandRead on

Prehistoric lava flows may have changed Earth’s climate

The volcanic creation of the northwestern USA may have led to changes in the Earth’s climate, research indicatesRead on

Tectonic movements described to new level

US scientists have created a new model that precisely describes the relative movements of the Earth’s tectonic plates – the culmination of a 20-year projectRead on

Monsoon sending Asian pollution sky high

The annual Asian monsoon is carrying pollution high into the stratosphere, from where it’s being distributed around the world, according to a new studyRead on

River delta flood patterns modelled

A team of US physicists and geologists has created a computer model that should help to make flooding events on river deltas and alluvial fans more predictableRead on

Evidence of snowball Earth uncovered

Sea ice once extended all the way to the Equator, according to evidence uncovered by a team of geologists and published in ScienceRead on

How Chilean quake made the Earth move

The massive earthquake that struck the west coast of Chile in February, killing at least 700 people, has altered both the region in which it occurred and the planet itselfRead on

Scientists link Java mud volcano to drilling

An international team of scientists has presented the strongest evidence to date that the devastating eruption of a mud volcano on the Indonesian island of Java was caused by the drilling of an exploratory wellRead on

Groundwater moves in mysterious ways

Researchers have made a startling discovery about groundwater that could mean that assumptions about the way moisture moves through soils in seasonally dry climates will have to be fundamentally reconsideredRead on

Butterflies do better in diverse landscapes

Landscape diversity can have a significant impact on the viability of insect populations, according to new research by British scientistsRead on

Mediterranean filled in less than two years

It took less than two years for the Mediterranean Sea to fill, with seawater flowing in through the Strait of Gibraltar at speeds of up to 300km/h, according to new research published in NatureRead on

Mystery of Pacific iguanas solved

A pair of US scientists believe they’ve solved one of the enduring mysteries of biogeography: how did iguanas, a group of lizards mostly found in the Americas, come to live on the isolated Pacific islands of Tonga and Fiji?Read on

Lost city discovered in Amazon jungle

A combination of land clearing and satellite imagery has revealed an extensive lost civilisation in the upper Amazon basin near the Brazil–Bolivia borderRead on

GPS used to measure snow depth

A group of US scientists have developed a technique for measuring snow depth and soil and vegetation moisture using traditional GPS satellite signalsRead on

Mobile phones used to build sound maps

A team of French software engineers has developed a method for using GPS-enabled smartphones to map noise levelsRead on

Marine animals author new atlas

The first ever atlas of the Patagonian Sea has been produced – with the help of penguins, sea lions, albatrosses and other marine animalsRead on

Sumatran eruption deforested India

A volcanic eruption that may have almost wiped out the human race deforested much of India, according to new researchRead on

Birth of British Isles revealed

The dramatic story of how Britain became an island is now complete, thanks to a new Anglo-French studyRead on

Aftershocks can continue for centuries

Some recent earthquakes may actually be aftershocks from quakes that took place more than 100 years ago, according to new researchRead on

First measurement of tsunami erosion

A team of scientists whose detailed coastline survey fortuitously bracketed two tsunami events in the Kuril Islands off the east coast of Russia have collected the first detailed data on tsunami erosionRead on

Deforestation led to Nazca's downfall

The sudden demise 1,500 years ago of the Nazca people of Peru was most likely the result of a freak extreme weather event and their own deforestation activities, according to new researchRead on

Fault-monitoring technique could help to predict earthquakes

US scientists have developed a technique that is paving the way for better prediction of earthquakesRead on

Flood risk on the rise as deltas sink

According to a new study, the majority of the world’s river deltas are sinking due to human interference, increasing the flood risk of disastrous floodRead on

Birth of mountains causes death of species

An extinction event that took place 450 million years ago, may have been caused by the birth of the Appalachian mountain chainRead on

Lasers shine light on detailed mapping

Ordnance Survey has used extremely accurate lasers to create a three-dimensional map that could revolutionise personal navigation, tourism and planningRead on

Scottish 'roads' built in a hurry

Scientists from the University of London have determined that the ‘Parallel Roads’ in the Scottish Highlands, were formed over a surprisingly short periodRead on

Glaciologists create inventory of hidden lakes

The use of space-based lasers has enabled glaciologists to pinpoint the locations of lakes that are concealed beneath Antarctica and not visible to the naked eyeRead on

Penguin poo visible from space

Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey have identified ten new emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica by trawling through satellite imagery in search of their pooRead on

Arctic hottest for 2,000 years

Arctic temperatures are the highest they have been for 2,000 years, according to new research
Read on

Polar bears are shrinking

Polar bears have shrunk over the past 100 years, according to new researchRead on

Russia builds floating Arctic nuclear power stations

Russia has started building its first floating nuclear power station, which, it says, should be ready by next yearRead on

Scientific stations polluting Antarctica

More than half of the Antarctic scientific stations surveyed as part of a new study were found to be lacking even basic sewage treatment facilities, despite being run by nations that follow strict waste regulations at homeRead on

New topographical map sheds light on ice sheet behaviour

British Antarctic Survey researchers have created a three-dimensional map revealing the features under an Antarctic river of iceRead on

Animal and plant life set to increase in the Arctic

A study of the life that existed in the Arctic before the dinosaurs became extinct could predict the type of species that will live in the polar region if the sea ice meltsRead on

Ain’t no mountain high enough

Scientists have discovered why the world’s highest mountains are found at lower latitudes – it appears that climate is the culpritRead on

Plants helped to stop Earth freezing over

Over the past 25 million years, land plants have prevented the Earth from freezing over, according to a new study
Read on

Areas most at risk from freak waves identified

US oceanographers have shed light on the behaviour of ‘freak’ wavesRead on

Californian budget crisis puts state parks at risk

Up to 220 state parks are threatened with closure in a bid to cut costs during the economic downturnRead on

US west coast tsunami threat upgraded

The likelihood of a tsunami devastating the west coast of the USA may be greater than previously thought
Read on

Afghanistan's first national park opens

An area of freshwater lakes, cliffs and natural dams, home to the endemic Aghan snowfinch, is given official statusRead on

Uganda's forests 'to disappear by 2050'

A recent report warns of the consequences if the current rate of deforestation in Uganda continuesRead on

World's most complete map released

The most up-to-date and complete topographical record of the Earth's surface has been launched as a result of a collaboration between Japan's ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and NASARead on

Shooting Britain's wildlife

In its first year, the British Wildlife Photography Awards has attracted some stunning images of British wildlife from photographers far and wide, and old and young. See a selection of winning imagesRead on

Environmental photography on show

A photography exhibition is to open this October in London, showcasing a selection of high-quality photographs highlighting environmental and social issues from around the worldRead on

Get cracking with the Great Nut Hunt!

This October, members of the public are being asked to help save the rare hazel dormouse by taking part in a nationwide survey of woodlands around the countryRead on

Scotland introduces first marine bill

Scotland has introduced its first marine bill, making protection of the environment a legal requirement for all organisations that have an impact on Scotland’s coastlinesRead on

Battle over Falklands seabed

Britain and Argentina have lodged rival claims with the UN for hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of seabed surrounding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsRead on

OS to remain a commercial enterprise

Following a recent review, Ordnance Survey (OS) has decided to continue to charge for its maps
Read on

USA invests in natural disaster protection

The USA has announced plans to improve the monitoring and detection of floods, earthquakes and volcanoes as part of a US$3billion plan to increase internal security and reinvigorate the economyRead on

World's oldest race identified

A ten-year research project has identified the San people of South Africa as the world’s oldest human population
Read on

Tsunami wave formation explained

Scientists studying wave formation have developed a new mathematical model that could be used to better understand the behaviour  and destructive potential of tsunamis.Read on

Radiation affect Chernobyl wildlife

Over two decades after the Chernobyl disaster, new research published in Biology Letters says that wildlife inside the exclusion zone is still declining, despite reports claiming that the lack of human activity was boosting biodiversity.Read on

Wheat fungus threatens world's harvests

Crop specialists are working to slow the spread of stem rust disease, a deadly airborne fungus that has the potential to devastate between 80 and 90 per cent of the world’s wheat.Read on

Maltese tunnel discovery

Evidence of an underground network of tunnels has been discovered beneath the historic capital of Malta, fuelling a debate about their original purpose.Read on

Tornado-like volcanic plumes

Volcanic plumes released after violent eruptions can create dramatic weather systems, including lightning, waterspouts and dust devils – phenomena usually associated with tornados – says new research published in Nature.Read on

Arctic study finds undiscovered reserves

A new map of the Arctic’s continental shelf shows a wealth of previously undiscovered oil, gas and mineral reserves, which could exacerbate international competition for rights over the remote regionRead on

Military technology to boost research

Environmental scientists in the USA are to deploy remote-controlled military aviation technology to advance studies into the atmosphere and climate change, according to reports from NASA.Read on

Maps show pyroclastic flow danger zones

A team of US volcanologists has developed a new software system that could help protect millions living in the blast zones of volcanoes by pinpointing the areas most at risk from pyroclastic flowsRead on

Towers cut down to size

A Chinese city is planning to lop the tops of some of its tallest buildings in an attempt to gain World Heritage status.Read on

UK to get new flood forecasting centre

A new £7.7million flood-forecasting centre is to be set up to support Britain’s emergency services and warn the public about possible high water as part of the government’s response to the floods of 2007.Read on

Plan to restore London’s lost rivers

The UK’s Environment Agency has announced plans to restore 15 kilometres of Thames tributaries, including seven waterways that have been ‘lost’ under buildings and development.Read on

Concrete wall to protect rainforest

A 650-metre-long concrete barrier is set to be built around a Rio de Janeiro favela, or slum, in the hope of protecting nearby rainforest and improving living conditions for the residents.Read on

UNESCO recognises intangible heritage

UNESCO has recognised the value of ‘intangible heritage’ to cultures around the globe by granting it the same status as World Heritage sites.Read on

A third of caught fish used as animal feed

More than a third of the wild fish caught around the world each year are used to make feed for farmed animals.Read on

Livestock price link to plant diversity

The diversity of plant species in two Scottish regions has been linked to the value of cattle and sheep farming over the past 400 years, according to a recent study.Read on

GIS to conserve South Georgia wildlife

A new mapping system has been developed by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to boost efforts to conserve the wildlife of South Georgia, a UK territory located in the Atlantic OceanRead on

Nile Valley wasn't only route out of Africa

New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds new light on the widely accepted theory that early humans dispersed from sub-Saharan Africa via the Nile Valley.Read on

Tropical lagoon threatened by oil slick

Scientists conducting the first extensive survey of Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia have discovered evidence of an oil slick emanating from a sunken tanker that could devastate the environment, along with the area’s tourism.Read on

Brazilian rainforest destruction on the rise

Official data released by the Brazilian government have shown that destruction of the Amazon rainforest has sharply accelerated, reversing the apparent slowdown identified during the past three years.Read on

Cattle teeth reveal Stonehenge history

Cattle teeth found in a prehistoric landfill site at Durrington Walls – a circular earthworks near Stonehenge – indicate that the area attracted people in droves from all across the UK as far back as Neolithic times.Read on

Government solid on rock protection

The British government is drawing up plans for a national Geodiversity Action Plan (GAP) to help safeguard and manage areas of high geological value.Read on

Tectonic plates create marine ‘hotspots’

The abundance of marine life in the seas between Indonesia and Australia could be the result of continental shifts over millions of years, according to new researchRead on

Rising price of fertiliser hits world’s poor

Soaring fertiliser prices are hitting the world’s poorest people, including subsistence farmers in developing countries, as a result of larger countries stockpiling supplies, according to the UNRead on

Amazon was once crowded

The Upper Xingu region of the Amazon forest was densely populated before European colonists arrived, according to new research published in the journal ScienceRead on

Victory for Peru’s Indigenous peoples

The Peruvian Congress has voted to revoke controversial legislation that sought to open up the country’s Amazon areas to development, following 11 days of protests by indigenous groupsRead on

Diamonds reveal secrets of Earth

Traces of minerals found inside diamonds are showing scientists what is taking place hundreds of metres under the Earth’s crust, according to a report published in the journal NatureRead on

Millions of farmers use untreated sewage

More than 200 million farmers are using untreated waste water to grow food, according to a new study issued by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI)Read on

Drowned forests to rescue living forests

An underwater forest beneath a reservoir in Ghana is to be logged this autumn to help reduce deforestation of terrestrial forestsRead on

Map shows Arctic claims

Scientists from the University of Durham have drawn up the first map detailing the individual claims being made on the Arctic sea bed in order to help inform politicians and policy makers.Read on

Jordan lauches major water projects

Jordan’s Ministry of Water and Irrigation is considering a range of large-scale projects in a bid to make the Middle Eastern nation, which is 92 per cent desert, self-sufficient in waterRead on

DNA fingerprinting salmon

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization is to use DNA fingerprinting to investigate the lifecycle of the Atlantic salmon, numbers of which have declined dramatically in the wild over the past 40 years Read on

Continental collision creates atmosphere

Geographers studying the Earth’s crust have discovered compelling evidence to suggest that the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere may have been triggered by the joining of the supercontinents billions of years agoRead on

World’s first bee sanctuary creates a buzz

The cold, windswept shores of Loch Leven in Perth and Kinross might seem an unlikely place to find large numbers of bees but they are now home to the world’s first bumblebee sanctuaryRead on

Northernmost 'Black Smokers' discovered

The most northerly submarine hydrothermal vents – or black smokers – have been discovered on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, well inside the Arctic Circle, following more than a decade of researchRead on

Farmers to create wildlife sanctuaries

Farmers across England are to be encouraged to set aside small patches of their land for the benefit of wildlife, according to an announcement by environment secretary Hilary BennRead on

Wanted: kitchen table lingo

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Oxford English Dictionary, linguistic research organisation the English Project is calling for contributions to its Kitchen Table Lingo projectRead on

Abu Dhabi leases land in Sudan

Abu Dhabi, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has leased 30,000 hectares of agricultural land in Sudan as part of a large-scale initiative to bolster food securityRead on

Protection for Paraguayan plains

More than a million hectares of endangered forests in Paraguay are to be jointly managed by a UK conservation charity and a local NGO under a new initiative announced by the Paraguayan environment ministerRead on

World’s first ‘starlight reserve’

The world’s first UNESCO starlight reserve has been proposed for part of New Zealand’s South Island in a bid to maintain the clear views of the night sky that can be enjoyed thereRead on

Google earth reveals ancient desert secrets

A group of Australian researchers has used Google Earth to uncover hundreds of new archaeological sites in AfghanistanRead on

Maps show England’s noisiest places

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a new interactive map system designed to illustrate noise pollution in England's urban areasRead on

Magellan voyage

Unseasonably good weather may have helped Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet complete the first successful circumnavigation of the globe between 1517 and 1522Read on

Volcano dumps ash on South America

After more than 9,000 years of slumber, the Chaitén volcano in southern Chile awoke violently on 2 May, spewing out gas and tonnes of ash and molten rock debris for more than a monthRead on

Britain claims huge area of Atlantic seabed

Ahead of a 2009 deadline, the British government has submitted a claim to the UN for sovereignty over an expanse of South Atlantic seabed around Ascension Island.Read on

Biodiversity falls as consumption soars

Biodiversity around the world has plummeted by a third in 35 years, according to a new report from WWFRead on

Limestone quarrying in Peak District

A coalition of conservation groups has called on government ministers to intervene in limestone quarrying that they say threatens a Peak District beauty spotRead on

Robots to explore submarine volcanoes

A team of scientists are undertaking an expedition to the submerged Mid-Atlantic Ridge in order to try to unlock the secrets of deep-sea volcanoes using robotsRead on

Cloud cover linked to earthquake activity

Chinese scientists think they may have discovered a link between cloud formations and seismic activity, which may help in the prediction of earthquakesRead on

Rainforest mapping reveals villages

Conservation charity the Rainforest Foundation has enlisted the inhabitants of 100 villages in remote and war-torn parts of the DRC, many of which don’t appear on existing maps, to build a clearer picture of the regionRead on

Chagossians' return to boost biodiversity

A return of the displaced Chagos Islands inhabitants could bring unexpected benefits to the British Indian Ocean Territory’s fragile environment, according to a report published by the Let Them Return campaignRead on

World’s most powerful dam for Congo

Plans have been rekindled for the construction of a £40billion hydropower dam on the Congo River, which could generate twice as much electricity as China’s controversial Three Gorges DamRead on

Earthquake changes shape of Sichuan

The earthquake that devastated Sichuan in southwestern China in May, killing as many as 80,000 people and destroying 15 million homes, has also significantly rearranged the region’s geographyRead on

Breaking news from CITES...

The 57th session of the Standing Committee for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ruled today that China is fit to become a trading partner for 119 tons of elephant ivory Read on

Britain’s favourite wildflowers on the brink

Analysis of Britain’s biggest wild plant survey has shown that some of the most common and best-loved species are disappearing from our countryside, according to plant conservation charity PlantlifeRead on

Mining threatens Grand canyon

While uranium mining threatens one of the world's greatest natural wonders on the one hand, another initiative is attempting to replenish the area's natural habitatsRead on

Birds and communication masts don’t mix

New study reveals that anti-aircraft lighting is causing migrating birds to collide with communication masts, apparently confused by the anti-aircraft lighting
Read on

Pacific garbage patch still growing

According to new research, the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' is now twice the size of the USA and is still growing, causing major problems for both sea birds and marine mammalsRead on

Wetlands to create anti-immigrant ‘moat’

Officials and environmentalists in Arizona are hoping that a new wetlands restoration project on the USA-Mexico border will help to cut border crime and encourage more wildlifeRead on

Sinking venice to be given a lift

The increasing threat from sea level rise has motivated officials in Venice, Italy, to consider an initiative to lift the historic foundations of the city out of harm’s wayRead on

How does your geothermal terrace grow?

A new scientific paper may have discovered how the intriguing limestone terrace landscapes of the world's first national park were formedRead on

Why did the Cornish bat cross the road?

A new scheme being tested in Cornwall hopes to protect rare and endangered bat species from collisions with trafficRead on

Surf helps scientists predict eruptions

Watching the waves may not only be a relaxing pastime, but could also provide warnings of volcanic eruptions, according to a new paper in the journal Nature GeoscienceRead on

Monsoon intensity driven by Earth's orbit

By analysing stalagmites found in a cave in central–eastern China, US and Chinese researchers have discovered a link between the duration and intensity of the annual monsoon and small variations in the Earth’s orbit.Read on

Early settlers responsible for dusty west

A study of sediment cores collected in Colorado in the western USA has shown that dust levels in the region rose sharply after the arrival of early settlers at the start of the 1800sRead on

Chinese bay set for £9billion clean-up

The Chinese government is to spend £9billion cleaning up one of it's most polluted coastal areas, Bo Hai BayRead on

Antiquities plundered as Iraq war continues

According to a new study, widespread looting of archaeological sites throughout southern Iraq has taken its toll on the ‘cradle of civilisation’Read on

Sunscreen linked to coral damage

Up to ten per cent of coral reefs are threatened by bleaching caused by chemicals in sunscreens, according to Italian scientistsRead on

30-million mass extinction recovery

It took life on Earth around 30 million years to recover from the largest extinction event of all time, according to new researchRead on

Tsunami: 'Worst yet to come'

The Asian tsunami of 2004 wasn’t the worst possible, and warning systems in the area are still insufficient, warns a new report.Read on

People prefer the great indoors

US conservationists have identified an ‘ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation’ such as walking, camping and fishing that they say may eventually threaten the future of the conservation movementRead on

New island-creating faultline identified

A new active faultline has been identified off the coast of Croatia, where it’s creating new islands in the Adriatic Sea and lifting the Dinaric Alps, which stretch from Slovenia to AlbaniaRead on

Earth: softer on the inside

A new analysis of the way in which sound waves are propagated by the Earth’s molten interior suggests that it may be softer than previously thought.Read on

Noise pollution a killer in Cairo

Excessive noise levels in Cairo are increasing stress-related illnesses and hearing impairments among the Egyptian capital’s 15 million residents, according to a study conducted by the Egyptian National Research Centre.Read on

Plate tectonics sometimes takes time off

Plate tectonics is widely considered to be continuous, but new research published in the journal Science suggests that sometimes it takes a breakRead on

'Population emergency' brewing in Africa

New demographic research by a French NGO suggests that sub-Saharan Africa is heading for what the researchers describe as a ‘population emergency’Read on

Groundwater threatens Egyptian antiquities

Groundwater beneath the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt, is slowly rising and could cause structural damage to the foundations of several ancient sitesRead on

Cutting a path through Indonesian forest

One of the world’s largest paper companies and its partners are building a highway that will split an important Indonesian forest in half, according to a new WWF report Read on

Are tropical forests really disappearing?

Evidence that the world’s tropical forests are shrinking may not be as clear-cut as previously thought, according to a leading deforestation expert who has trawled through decades of UN dataRead on

Coral decline linked to human activity

New research into coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean has revealed a clear link between humans and coral degradation, identifying fishing, agricultural runoff and global climate change as having the most impactRead on

Dam threatens Patagonian wilderness

The pristine wilderness of southern Patagonia in South America, one of the world’s most inaccessible regions, could be devastated should a proposed project to dam its rivers go ahead, environmentalists have warnedRead on

UK population may pass 100 million

The population of the UK could reach 108 million within 75 years if the latest estimates for fertility, immigration and longevity are realised, according to the Office for National StatisticsRead on

Native mammals continue to decline

A combination of disease, agriculture, human activity and climate change is putting some of Britain’s best-loved and most threatened wildlife into further declineRead on

Iceland world's best place to live

Norway’s six-year tenure as the world’s most desirable place to live has come to an end. Iceland has knocked it into second place, with Australia, Canada and Ireland filling out the top fiveRead on

BAS finds ‘subglacial’ volcanoes and lakes

Glaciologists and geologists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have identified two important geographical features that exist beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and are invisible to the naked eye.Read on

Longest ever landslide found underwater

A group of British scientists has found evidence of an underwater landslide that took place 60,000 years ago and triggered the longest flow of debris ever recordedRead on

Fish farms must double output

The amount of fish being farmed will have to double by 2030 in order to fulfil the demands of a growing population, according to the UNRead on

White continent in high definition

Researchers from four scientific organisations have created a new map of Antarctica that represents a revolution in satellite imagingRead on

Malaria left in logger's wake

Remote communities in the Amazon forest are feeling the effects of a malaria epidemic, with the highest concentration of cases occurring in areas where logging and deforestation are prevalentRead on

Ice cap collapse triggered agricultural shift

The collapse of a massive North American ice sheet 8,000 years ago caused a dramatic rise in sea level and triggered an agricultural revolution across Europe, according to new researchRead on

Cameras capture secret life of forest

Motion-sensitive camera traps deployed within a large area of unprotected Indonesian forest have demonstrated that even areas that have previously been logged are important habitats for vulnerable and endangered speciesRead on

New Zealand's last colony remains

A mere 16 votes have kept the three tiny atolls of Tokelau a colony of New Zealand, after a five-day referendumRead on

Mantle plume minimising earthquakes

Seismic surveys of the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate have revealed that a giant magma chamber may be helping to reduce the rate and magnitude of earthquakes in the regionRead on

RGS addressing geography fallout

A report released by Ofsted has found that the popularity of geography in the UK is on the decline, but the RGS has already taken steps to address thisRead on

Wildlife spectacle under threat

One of the world’s most spectacular wildlife attractions could be under serious threat if the government of Tanzania approves plans for a soda ash plant to be built close to Lake NatronRead on

Urgent action needed on extinctions

Efforts to conserve the planet’s biodiversity need to be boosted if we’re to halt the pace at which we are losing species, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN)Read on

Mallory was first, says researcher

Evidence gained through a series of expeditions to the world’s highest mountain has added weight to the assertion that George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest Read on

Police guard Peruvian meteor

The impact crater caused when a meteor struck the high plains of Peru near Lake Titicaca is being guarded by as many as 20 police officers in a bid to stop meteor fragments from being stolen and taken outside the countryRead on

Amazon could be lost in four decades

Ignoring the environmental impact of a multi-billion-dollar initiative to integrate South America could, according to a report by Conservation International (CI), result in the loss of the Amazon rainforest within 40 yearsRead on

Lump of rock stirs territorial debate

A meeting between Iceland, Britain, Ireland and Denmark has taken place in order to try to resolve a long-running dispute over an isolated lump of storm-battered granite in the North AtlanticRead on

More rice for less water

A more sustainable method of rice cultivation that requires less water and produces less methane than conventional methods yet produces higher yields has been identified in a new WWF reportRead on

Disease and public opinion put pigs in peril

Blue-eared pig disease is spreading across 26 Chinese provinces, killing an estimated 40,000 pigs, whilst in Malaysia there has been a public outcry condemning air and water pollution emanating from hundreds of unlicensed pig farms

Read on

Urbanisation blamed for dengue fever

Cases of dengue fever have hit a ten-year high in parts of Southeast Asia, with experts citing urbanisation as a major factor behind the rising infection ratesRead on

Dam plan leads to hunger protest

Villagers in the tiny northeast Indian state of Sikkim have gone on hunger strike over plans to build six hydro-electric dams in the region.Read on

Chilean lake disappearance baffles scientists

The disappearance of an eight-kilometre-long glacial lake in the heart of a national park in Patagonia, Chile, has baffled scientists and park rangersRead on

Angkor Wat: Centre of ancient city

An international team of archaeologists has identified the remains of an extensive urban settlement surrounding the medieval temple of Angkor Wat, which extend beyond the UNESCO World Heritage siteRead on

Pilgrims cause holy ice stalagmite to recede

An ice stalagmite that is believed to be the incarnation of a Hindu deity has melted early for the second year runningRead on

Tunguska mystery solved?

A team of Italian researchers think that they may have found a crater caused by the Tunguska eventRead on

Russia claims additional chunk of Arctic

An international territorial dispute has erupted after Russian authorities claimed that a 1,190,000-square-kilometre area belonged to themRead on

Cranes return to England

Cranes are making a return to the southeast of England after being blown off course during their annual migration from southern Europe to ScandinaviaRead on

Unprecedented treasure find off Cornwall

Richest ever shipwreck treasure discovery made
Read on

Wanted: Mubai slum property developer

The Indian government has invited developers from around the world to submit plans for the regeneration of a slum in Mumbai, home to Asia’s largest population of slum dwellersRead on

Landslide buries Russian geysers

A landslide, possibly triggered by an earthquake, has buried a four-square-kilometre area of the Valley of Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern RussiaRead on

Peruvian Indians sue oil company

Twenty-five Achuar Indians from the Peruvian Amazon are suing oil and gas giant Occidental PetroleumRead on

Obituary: Sir Wally Herbert

Polar explorer, author, painter and filmmaker dies at 72
Read on

US, Illinois

Fossilised forest found in US mine Read on

Nepal, Kathmandu

Nepalese caves yield ancient Buddhist paintingsRead on

Mount Everest

Remote-controlled rescue chopper for Everest
Read on

Coral Colonisation

Reef exposure reveals coral colonisationRead on

North Sea

North Sea floor was once desirable residenceRead on

Volcano round-up

A round-up of volcanic activity around the world.
Read on

Independence for Kosovo

The Serbian province of Kosovo is a step closer to independence under a recently revealed UN strategy.Read on

France's economy to take top spot

France could become the largest economy in Europe, according to a new study conducted on behalf of the German government. Read on

Plan to plug Indonesian mud volcano

Geologists and engineers are attempting to plug a ‘mud volcano’ in Sidoarjo in East Java province, Indonesia, using hundreds of concrete balls.Read on

Tibetan plateau yields mineral riches

Following an extensive survey, large deposits of copper, iron, lead and zinc have been discovered in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, according to reports.Read on

Drumlin discovered under ice sheet

Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have identified a drumlin under the West Antarctic ice sheet.Read on

Supermarket seafood revolution

Supermarkets are making a significant effort to address the issue of unsustainable and destructive fishing, according to a new Greenpeace report.Read on

Dossier update: China in Africa

The China–Africa summit referred to in December’s Dossier has ended with 11 African countries concluding US$1.9billion worth of deals with 11 Chinese companies.Read on

Cavers plumb the UK's depths

A newly discovered cave, Titan, may be the deepest in the UK.Read on