• Deep sea floor topography can deflect and amplify tsunami waves

    The topography of the seafloor near the coast plays a major role in determining how large tsunami waves become and what places get hit harder than others. Scientists had suspected that the same phenomenon might also take place in the deep ocean, where seamounts

  • Extreme south of Chile on red alert due to flash floods

    Sunday rains and flash floods in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile have left an estimated 800 people homeless forcing the city to close schools while the local chapter of the National Emergency office, Onemi, raised the alarm level from orange (moderate) to red

  • Current California drought and future water supply

    California’s weather this year was marked by significant drought conditions that could have lasting implications on the state’s water supply. Twelve months period over which hydrologic records are kept is measured from July 1 to June 30 and as of February 1, 2012, the

  • New modification of Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale

    The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) is undergoing a minor modification in 2012 to resolve “awkwardness” associated with conversions among the various units used for wind speed in advisory products. The new modification is to help clarify categorization