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Newsweek
7 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
World's Largest Free Iceberg Drifted for Decades—Now It's Cracking
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The world's largest iceberg is shedding large chunks of ice in the South Atlantic Ocean nearly 40 years since it first broke off from Antarctica's Filchner Ice Shelf. An image from NASA's Aqua satellite has shown new ice chunks near South Georgia that have broken off the iceberg named A-23A as it drifts in the southern part of the South Atlantic Ocean, around 1,500 miles north of its birthplace, according to a statement from NASA. Scientists have been closely monitoring A-23A due to concerns that it may collide with South Georgia, the largest of nine remote islands that form the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, "potentially threatening a delicate ecosystem which is home to penguins and seals," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted in January. Two of the new ice chunks were large enough to be named and monitored by the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC). Aqua's MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) was able to capture this natural-color satellite image of A-23A and the new icebergs on July 22 following a break in the clouds and lengthening daylight hours in Antarctica. A NASA satellite image captured on July 22 showing chunks of ice near that have been shed from A-23A, the world's largest iceberg, near South Georgia. A NASA satellite image captured on July 22 showing chunks of ice near that have been shed from A-23A, the world's largest iceberg, near South Georgia. NASA Earth Observatory Around this time, the surface of A-23A spanned around 969 square miles. The new pieces, name A-23D and A-23E, were measured to be around 62 and 28 square miles, respectively, NASA said. The new ice pieces were first identified by Jan Lieser of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology using NovaSAR-1 radar data, before they were later confirmed by USNIC analyst Britney Fajardo via radar images from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 mission on July 15. "Radar satellites can take images of the Earth at polar night and through all weather conditions, including heavy clouds and even smoke," Lieser said in a statement. Back in January this year, A-23A was found to be slowly drifting northeast in the Southern Ocean, according to images captured by NOAA's GOES East satellite. As of January 16, the iceberg was reported to have an area that's roughly the size of Rhode Island, the USNIC said. From the start of March, A-23A has sat lodged on the Filchner Ice Shelf around South Georgia. "Icebergs that make it this far north are increasingly at the mercy of warm water, waves, and seasonal weather—factors that contribute to a berg's ultimate demise," NASA explained. By late May, A-23A split off into thousands of smaller chunks after colliding with an Antarctic island and continued drifting toward the eastern side of South Georgia. The iceberg followed the same currents that the massive A-68A iceberg rode in late 2020. "The austral winter journey continued to inflict damage on A-23A, which shed even more ice from its sides," NASA said. Despite the edges lost, A-23A is still the largest iceberg currently drifting freely in any of the world's oceans. Only D-15A is bigger, which lies grounded in the Amery Sea off east Antarctica, according to the space agency. Scientists expect more calving from the remainder of A-23A as it moves further north, NASA said, with extended daylight hours taking place in this part of the South Atlantic. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about climate change? Let us know via science@
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
NASA Satellite Shows Vast Spread of Utah Fire
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Striking satellite images released this week by NASA have revealed the full scale of the Monroe Canyon wildfire, which has scorched nearly 46,000 acres of land in central Utah. The images captured by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite show a thick cloud of smoke stretching hundreds of miles northeast, creating hazy skies and degrading air quality in the region. The blaze erupted near the communities of Richfield, Monroe and Koosharem amid a stretch of hot, dry and windy weather. It then rapidly expanded over the afternoon of July 25, when firefighters reported wind gusts in the area exceeding 60 miles per hour. Within three days, the fire had more than doubled its size, prompting evacuations and partial closure of Fishlake National Forest. An image shared by NASA Earth Observatory shows a thick cloud of smoke over Utah following the wildfire. An image shared by NASA Earth Observatory shows a thick cloud of smoke over Utah following the wildfire. NASA Earth Observatory In false-color images captured by Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager, NASA scientists were able to distinguish burning zones and scorched land from untouched areas. Bright orange patches on the below image mark areas that are still ablaze, while brown tones show all the dead vegetation left behind by the fire. More than 1,000 firefighting personnel have been deployed to fight the blaze—and local authorities have confirmed the loss of several buildings. Conditions remain volatile. As of July 31st, a red flag warning was in effect for central and southern Utah as a result on ongoing low humidity and breezy weather, which can interfere with containment efforts. An image shared by NASA Earth Observatory shows areas that are still burning in Utah. An image shared by NASA Earth Observatory shows areas that are still burning in Utah. NASA Earth Observatory Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the extent of area burned by wildfires each year has increased since the 1980s, with the largest acreage of burns occurring after 2004—including peaks in 2015 and 2020, aligning with many of the warmest years on record. Land area burned by wildfires varies by state, with more burns in the Western part of the country than in the East. The most significant increases have happened during spring and summer, with peak fires in August. Since 1983, the National Interagency Fire Center has documented an average of approximately 70,000 wildfires per year, although data from the Forest Service suggest that the number could be even higher. Over the past decade, the USDA Forest Service has used prescribed burns and mechanical thinning in and around Monroe Canyon to promote aspen regeneration and reduce accumulated brush and dead vegetation. According to Utah's Department of Natural Resources, the intensity of the Monroe Canyon fire decreased near treated zones. This helped firefighters add more blackline around the southeastern perimeter of the fire and increase containment on that side. However, despite all the efforts, only 11 percent of the ire has so far been contained, and official continue to warn residents to remains alert and follow evacuation orders. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about wildfires? Let us know via science@
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Odisha records over 27,000 forest fire incidents: FSI
Kendrapada: The state recorded about 27,120 forest fire incidents between Nov 2024 and June 2025, with Rayagada, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, and Koraput emerging as national hotspots, ranking among India's top 20 districts for forest fires, Forest Survey of India (FSI) data shows. The information was disclosed by Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state in the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Replying to BJD MP Sasmit Patra, the minister outlined the methods used by the FSI, Dehradun, to track forest fires. The agency relies on the moderate resolution imaging spectro-radiometer (MODIS) and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (SNPP-VIIRS) satellite sensors. To combat the rising threat, the ministry has implemented the National Action Plan on Forest Fire (2018), which details measures to prevent fires and enhance forest resilience. States and Union Territories are required to prepare State Action Plans aligned with the national framework to address region-specific challenges. Through the FSI, the ministry issues pre-fire alerts a week in advance, large forest fire alerts, and near real-time alerts to registered users and state forest departments. It also extends financial assistance under the centrally sponsored scheme on forest fire prevention and management to support local efforts.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Show Devastating Reach of Wildfire Engulfing Arizona
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite images released by NASA have captured the dramatic progression of two fires that set off in Arizona near the Grand Canyon National Park. One image captured by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA's Aqua satellite shows the smoke spreading from the fires on July 12. The Dragon Bravo fire, which took place closer to the Grand Canyon, was sparked by a lightning on July 4, flaring up days later on July 11 amid extreme heat, with northwest winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour. The fast-moving fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures on the North Rim of the national park. Built in 1928, the historic venue was the only lodging available to visitors inside the park on the North Rim. A NASA satellite image showing smoke spreading from the fires on July 12. A NASA satellite image showing smoke spreading from the fires on July 12. NASA Earth Observatory "Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area," the Grand Canyon National Park said in a statement. No death or injuries were reported in the Dragon Bravo fire, but a water treatment plant was also destroyed in the blaze, releasing chlorine gas and creating a more dangerous situation for firefighters. NASA satellites also detected the White Sage fire, around 35 miles north of the Dragon Bravo blaze, on July 10 after authorities first received reports of it on July 9. A NASA satellite image from capturing the progression of the White Sage fire. A NASA satellite image from capturing the progression of the White Sage fire. NASA Earth Observatory Hot, dry and windy conditions saw the White Sage fire spread quickly over the following three days. Dead trees left from the 2020 Magnum fire contributed to the rapid spread of the White Sage blaze, according to firefighting and forest management teams in the region. Images from NASA's OLI (Operational Land Imager) and OLI-2 on Landsat 8 and 9 captured the fire's progression on July 12 and July 13. The images highlight the recently burned landscape as brown, while bright orange indicates the infrared signature of actively burning fires, and the unburned vegetated areas are shown as green. A view of the smoke rising over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, captured from the South Rim on July 11. A view of the smoke rising over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, captured from the South Rim on July 11. National Park Service The fire was reported to have burned nearly 50,000 acres, with zero percent contained, as of Monday. Evacuation orders have been issued by Coconino County for communities along State Route 67 between North Rim and Jacob Lake. National Park Service (NPS) officials are assessing the damage and monitor hazardous areas for safety, with plans for the restoration and rebuilding of the Grand Canyon's North Rim expected to begin after the threat of the fires subsides. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about wild fires? Let us know via science@
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu's heat crisis: Either build sustainably or burn
As Tamil Nadu continues its breakneck urbanisation, a new decadal study commissioned by the State Planning Commission (SPC) has sounded alarm bells over rising land surface temperatures (LST) and worsening heat stress across the state. Titled 'Urban Growth and Thermal Stress: A Decadal Assessment of Built-Up Area and Climate Interactions in Tamil Nadu', the report reveals how unregulated urban expansion has created dangerous heat islands, strained infrastructure, and intensified ecological degradation in the last two decades. The study, which integrates high-resolution spatial data from MODIS LST, ERA5 air temperature records, and building footprint changes from 1985 to 2015, maps heat exposure at the block-level for all 389 blocks across Tamil Nadu. The results show 94 blocks have witnessed a steep rise in heat over the past 40 years, while 64 blocks currently suffer from temperatures well above the state average. Particularly vulnerable are 25 blocks—including those in Chennai, Karur, and Ramanathapuram—which fall into both categories, making them high-risk zones for future climate and health. The heat driver The report places rapid urbanisation at the heart of the problem. Between 1985 and 2015, Tamil Nadu witnessed unprecedented expansion in built-up areas, particularly in districts like Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Chengalpattu. For instance, S.S. Kulam block in Coimbatore more than doubled its built-up area from 62 sq km to 137 sq km—surpassing even Chennai, which expanded from 86 sq km to 131 sq km during the same period. More worryingly, when built-up area is analysed relative to a block's total geographical area, the percentage of land classified as 'built' has jumped alarmingly. In Chennai, this rose from 48 per cent to 74 per cent in just three decades, while St. Thomas Malai in Chengalpattu posted a 44 pc rise, the highest relative growth recorded. 'Heat stress is becoming one of the most tangible impacts of climate change. As urban areas expand, integrating heat considerations into planning is essential to safeguard communities and protect ecosystems. Mainstreaming Heat Action Plans at the city level is now a necessity,' said Sudha Ramen, Member Secretary and Head of Division (Land Use), SPC. Night-time heat: A silent killer One of the most significant findings of the report relates to night-time land surface temperature (nLST), a key indicator of retained heat in urban zones. Using satellite data from MODIS, the study shows that between 2000–2005 and 2018–2023, average nLST increased by nearly 4°C in many urban and peri-urban zones. Even Tier-II cities like Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Erode are seeing worrying upward trends, which could have serious health impacts. 'We often ignore how hot nights affect human health, both physical and mental. Sustained heat exposure after sunset reduces the body's ability to recover, increasing risks of dehydration, cardiovascular stress, and even mortality,' said Shweta Narayan, Campaign Lead, Global Climate and Health Alliance. The Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) used in the study reinforces this concern, with large areas in and around Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai falling in high thermal discomfort zones. Roughly 27 pc of the population is now residing in blocks with above-average night-time LST, putting them at prolonged risk.
