The cold-based glacier at the Vavilov Ice Cap in Russia suddenly surged after 2013. Changes there have scientists rethinking how rapidly glaciers in cold, dry areas can move. (NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and topographic information from the ArcticDEM Project at the Polar Geospatial Center, University of Minnesota.) At a Glance The outlet glacier on the Vavilov Ice Cap used to move about 60 feet a day....

At a Glance Average temperatures in the Arctic have risen 5 degrees since 1971.Warmer temperatures affect nearly every part of the Arctic's ecosystem.The changes are a key indicator of climate change, scientists say. Global warming's ripple effects are creating never-before-seen changes in the Arctic's biophysical system and beyond, according to a new study released today. "The Arctic biophysical system is now clearly from its 20th Century state and into an unprecedented state, with biophysical implications not only within but beyond...

At a Glance Many of the storm's less tangible impacts are surfacing. Those impacted face an emotional toll. Many residents feel forgotten by federal agencies and the country as a whole. Six months after Hurricane Michael pummeled the Florida panhandle, residents are still grappling with the physical, financial and emotional toll of the storm and its aftermath. “I’m 42, but ,” Sabrina Fleming, who owns a barber shop in Panama City, told the Washington Post. “Life is just harder now....

At a Glance Midwest floods sharply reduced the ability to produce and transport ethanol.West Coast refineries also have experienced problems.A gallon of gas could rise to more than $4 a gallon in California, GasBuddy says. U.S. gas prices are rising and could reach more than $4 a gallon in some states thanks in part to the recent flooding in the Midwest. The this week, up more than 28 cents compared to a month ago, according to GasBuddy. West Coast states...

Oprah Winfrey, speaking here on Monday, March 25, 2019, has announced she is donating $2 million to disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) At a Glance Oprah Winfrey attended a performance of "Hamilton" in Puerto Rico in January. She says she was moved by the production to join in revitalization efforts on the island.Much of the island remains in ruin 18 months after Hurricane Maria. Oprah Winfrey is donating $2 million to assist disaster relief efforts in...

Researchers estimate that more than 600 million migratory birds die because of light pollution every year, mostly due to collisions with skyscrapers. (Patricia Leonard/Cornell Lab of Ornithology) At a Glance More than 600 million migrating birds fly into skyscrapers and die every year.Researchers have named the top three deadliest cities for migrating birds.Light pollution attracts birds to cities and tall buildings. The hundreds of skyscrapers in America’s largest cities are dangerous beacons for billions of migratory birds, either stopping them...

At a Glance The 10 orcas and 87 belugas have been in captivity since November.Video of the whales held in pens surrounded by ice sparked international outrage.It's not clear how soon the whales might be released, pending rehabilitation. The Russian government and two environmental groups have come to to eventually release 10 orca and 87 beluga whales that have been held for months in cramped pens surrounded by ice in Srednyaya Bay on Russia’s far east coast. The Whale Sanctuary...

At a Glance Rio's fire department said that by Tuesday evening it had registered 10 deaths from the latest storm.Torrents of water washed through streets in the city's botanical garden neighborhood. At least 10 people have died in Rio de Janeiro after a torrential downpour caused flooding. Torrents of water gushed down streets, sweeping up cars and uprooting trees after rains that began around rush hour Monday evening. Rains slowly weakened by Tuesday evening, but Mayor Marcelo Crivella said the...

At a Glance The image shows a swirling circle of red-hot matter being sucked into the black hole. The image was created by data from eight radio telescopes around the world. The black hole is in another galaxy some 55 million light years away from Earth. Scientists on Wednesday revealed the first-ever image of a black hole, giving visual evidence to research dating back to Einstein's Theory of Relativity. The image shows red-hot matter swirling at the speed of light...

At a Glance Colorado and South Dakota activated their state emergency operations centers.The governor of Minnesota said the National Guard was standing by to help stranded motorists.Portions of interstates were closed in Minnesota, South Dakota and Colorado. Winter Storm Wesley continued to blow across the Plains and Midwest Thursday morning closings schools, cancelling flights and shutting down interstates. Portions of the interstate were shut down in Colorado, Minnesota and South Dakota, and more closures were expected as blizzard conditions become...

At a Glance Colorado and South Dakota activated their state emergency operations centers.The governor of Minnesota said the National Guard was standing by to help stranded motorists.Portions of interstates were closed in Minnesota, South Dakota and Colorado. This article is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest news on Winter Storm Wesley. Winter Storm Wesley's first effects were felt Wednesday afternoon and evening across the Upper Midwest and the Plains, as winds picked up and freezing rain gave...

Daylight pours in through the damaged roof of a classroom at Springfield Elementary School, which has remained closed since Hurricane Michael hit, in Panama City, Florida. (AP Photo/David Goldman) At a Glance The Congressional Budget Office report says damages will cost taxpayers about $17 billion per year. The report highlights the economic costs of climate change.The agency recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hurricane winds, storm surge and floods could result in as much as $54 billion annually in economic damage...