A landslide linked to climate change 'rang' the Earth for 9 days, researchers say
13 September 2024 - The global seismic signal was extremely unusual, and it resonated for more than a week. So it's no surprise that it grabbed the attention of researchers around the world. In the end, it took 68 experts across 15 countries to figure out what caused the 'USO,' or Unidentified Seismic Object, last September. ...As scientists studied the signal, one thing was certain from the start: it wasn't caused by an earthquake. (more)

Facebook admits to scraping every Australian adult user's public photos and posts to train AI, with no opt-out option
13 September 2024 - Facebook is scraping the public data of all Australian adults on the platform, it has acknowledged in an inquiry. The company does not offer Australians an opt out option like it does in the EU, because it has not been required to do so under privacy law. Facebook representatives could not say whether an opt-out option would be offered to Australians in the future. (more)

650-foot tsunami in Greenland fjord made waves that lasted 9 days, scientists find
12 September 2024 - Last September, seismologists around the world detected vibrations unlike any they'd picked up before. ...Soon after the vibrations began, a cruise ship sailing near fjords in Greenland noticed that on the remote Ella Island, a key landmark -- a base used for scientific research and by the Danish military for sled dog patrols -- had been destroyed. (more)

Wildfires scorch Southern California hillsides, burning homes and injuring 13
11 September 2024 - Three major wildfires in Southern California expanded dramatically — burning homes, cars, and horse stables in hillside communities and injuring at least a dozen people, officials said Wednesday [11 September]. The extent of the damage was not immediately known as firefighters battled multiple fires simultaneously. ...California is only now heading into the teeth of the wildfire season but already has seen nearly three times as much acreage burn than during all of 2023. (more)

'Two incredible extreme events': Antarctic sea ice on cusp of record winter low for second year running
10 September 2024 - Last year Antartica's sea ice was 1.6m sq km below average - the size of Britain, France, Germany, and Spain combined. This week it had even less than that. Sea ice surrounding Antarctica is on the cusp of reaching a record winter low for a second year running, continuing an 'outrageous' fall in the amount of Southern Ocean that is freezing over. The Antarctic region underwent an abrupt transformation in 2023 as the sea ice cover surrounding the continent crashed for six months straight. (more)

'We're flooded with trash': pollution crisis as 500,000 migrants a year attempt perilous Darien Gap crossing
10 September 2024 - Isolated communities are sounding the alarm over poisoned rivers and cultural erosion after a surge in migrants crossing their ancestral lands. The Darien Gap's isolation and formidable reputation has shielded the Indigenous communities who live there from the outside world for centuries. ...Now, however, with half a million people slogging through the rainforest on their way to the US each year, Darien's Indigenous groups say their ecosystem and way of life are under threat. (more)

Colony of invasive red dwarf honeybee found for first time in Europe
10 September 2024 - The discovery of Apis florea in Malta raises fears of devastating impact on native bee populations. The red dwarf honeybee has established a colony in Europe for the first time, scientists have found. The bee, Apis florea, is native to Asia and its discovery has raised alarm among local beekeepers and conservationists, who fear the potentially devastating impact on native bee populations. (more)

Drought is making Sao Paulo's river emerald green while smoke turns its skies grey
10 September 2024 - A major river in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paulo is suddenly emerald green and clear skies this week turned from blue to grey. In the late afternoon, the sun's rays filtering through the smoky haze exhibit the color of deep orange. This isn't a fantasy world: Environmental threats in recent days have transformed the colors of the city's landscape. The state's environmental authority attributes the Pinheiros River's new green hue to an algae bloom, the result of severe drought that has significantly lowered water levels. (more)