New map profiles induced earthquake risk for West Texas, New Mexico
A seismic stress map created by Stanford geophysicists can help predict which parts of West Texas and New Mexico may be at risk of fracking-induced earthquakes. The map could guide oil discovery efforts in the region.
Getting to Zero Deforestation
A synthesis paper led by Eric Lambin reveals the strengths and weaknesses of corporate environmental pledges, and prescribes solutions to boost effectiveness.
Learning through fieldwork in Palau
Undergraduates study links between human and natural systems in a program that puts them up close with corals. Stanford Earth professor Rob Dunbar is a lead instructor.
Puzzle at the center of the Earth
Mysterious patches on the planet’s core that dampen seismic waves could be the result of ancient seawater chemically reacting with iron under extreme conditions.
21st-century Earth science is computer intensive and data driven
If asked to imagine a geologist, you might envision a tanned and dusty figure, hardy and weathered like the ancient rocks that he or she spends days studying out “in the field."
Soil holds potential to slow global warming
The land under our feet and the plant matter it contains could offset a significant amount of carbon emissions if managed properly.
Poor outlook for biodiversity in Antarctica
A comparison of Antarctic biodiversity and its management with global trends finds that it is more similar to the rest of the world than previously believed.
Society needs to better understand the economics of climate change
Gaps in social science knowledge of climate change constrain the policy impact of natural science research, a Stanford team argues.
Wild fires and rising costs
Are forest managers robbing the future to pay for present-day fires?
Inadequate regulations threaten groundwater
Inconsistent or vague definitions in oil and gas regs leave water supply vulnerable
Tiny Diamond Anvils Trigger Chemical Reactions
Experiments with 'molecular anvils' mark an important advance for mechanochemistry, which has the potential to make chemistry greener and more precise
Exploring an effective, low-cost and fair U.S. climate policy
Economist Larry Goulder discusses tradeoffs of policy options and finds ways to enhance societal and economic benefits
Extinct Lakes of the American West
Extinct lake landforms provide clues of climate change over millions of years and inform our understanding of rainfall patterns and water management in the arid American West.
Risk of extreme weather events higher if Paris Agreement goals aren’t met
The Paris Agreement has aspirational goals of limiting temperature rise that won’t be met by current commitments. That difference could make the world another degree warmer and considerably more prone to extreme weather.
Share the Wealth: A Cap-And-Trade System of Water Conservation and Resiliency?
In order to meet the California’s future water needs, researchers propose a cap and trade approach to water conservation based on local supply and demand realities.
Insects took off when they evolved wings
Now buzzing and whizzing around every continent, insects were mysteriously scarce in the fossil record until 325 million years ago – when they first took flight and, according to a new study, evolutionarily took off.
Interacting Antarctic glaciers may cause faster melt and sea level contributions
Two of the most rapidly changing glaciers in Antarctica, which are leading contributors to sea-level rise, may behave as an interacting system rather than separate entities, according to a new analysis of radar data.
Critical minerals scarcity could threaten renewable energy future
The supply chains for critical and rare minerals are vulnerable to political and economic disruptions that could hamper the global shift to a renewable energy future.
Grocery store program improves farmers’ adoption of environmental practices
In one of the first analyses of a company-led sustainability program in the food and agriculture space, Stanford researchers found a major grocery chain fostered increased adoption of environmental practices at the farm level.
New Study Reveals Strong El Niño Events Cause Large Changes in Antarctic Ice Shelves
Matthew Siegfried, a postdoctoral researcher working with Dustin Schroeder in the Stanford Radio Glaciology Group, co-authored a study showing oscillations of water temperature in the tropical Pacific Ocean can induce rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves.