When people talk about iridescence, they usually think of butterflies, hummingbirds, or beetles. These animals shimmer when light hits them, creating colors that shift with each angle. 



Mammals, by contrast, appear duller and more uniform. Their coats are typically brown, black, or grey, designed for camouflage and survival.



But recent research from <a href="https://www.ugent.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ghent University</a> shows this picture is incomplete. Some mammals carry shimmering fur that rivals the beauty of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-tried-different-ways-to-move-before-walking-upright/">birds</a> and insects. 



The discovery challenges long-standing assumptions and opens new questions about how common these hidden colors really are.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-discovery">A surprising discovery</h2>



The story began in a museum, not in the wild. A researcher studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammal-evolution-kicked-off-with-daring-experiments/">mammal</a> specimens noticed an odd blue glint on the fur of a tropical vlei rat. That moment set everything in motion. Until then, golden moles were the only mammals widely recognized as iridescent. 



These small African burrowers are known for their metallic, tinsel-like hairs. But the rat’s fur suggested something more was happening. If one overlooked species shimmered, perhaps others did too.



The observation was more than a curiosity. It challenged a simple claim in biology: that iridescence belonged almost entirely to creatures with scales or feathers. Mammals, it seemed, were the exception.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-the-past">Searching the past</h2>



Instead of stopping at the rat, the researcher dug deeper. Old scientific reports contained scattered references to shiny fur in other mammals, some dating back to the late 1800s. 



These notes were brief and often dismissed, treated as oddities rather than serious findings. For over a century, no one had followed them up. The new discovery gave reason to revisit those forgotten records.



By combining modern tools with these old clues, scientists could finally test whether mammals truly showed iridescence beyond golden moles. Museum collections, filled with preserved animals from around the world, provided the perfect opportunity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-iridescence-in-fur">Detecting iridescence in fur</h2>



The team examined specimens linked to historic mentions of iridescence. They also included related species to broaden the search. Using microscopes, they shone light at different angles across the hairs and measured how it reflected. 



This simple test revealed the truth. Golden moles were not unique. Fourteen additional mammal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-species-some-live-days-others-for-centuries-maximum-lifespan-potential-mlsp/">species</a> displayed iridescent coats. Ten were rodents. 



Another was the giant otter shrew, a semiaquatic predator unrelated to either otters or shrews despite its name. For six of these animals, this was the first time iridescence had been scientifically recorded.



The discovery turned a narrow claim into a broader pattern. Iridescence in mammals, once thought to be nearly absent, now appeared in multiple groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-iridescent-fur-works">How iridescent fur works</h2>



Understanding why the fur glowed required a closer look. Under high-powered microscopes, the hairs showed a special design. Normal mammal hairs are rough and uneven, made up of layers that scatter light. In contrast, iridescent hairs were smooth and compressed into parallel sheets.



Light striking these layers bent slightly at each surface. As the layers stacked, they bent light in multiple directions, creating interference patterns. The result was a rainbow shimmer, its colors changing as the viewing angle shifted. 



The process resembled the one behind butterfly wings or beetle shells, though mammals achieved it through fur instead of scales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-reasons-for-iridescence">Possible reasons for iridescence</h2>



Why would <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-ground-dwellers-survived-the-asteroid-impact-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/">mammals</a> develop such unusual hair? The answer is still uncertain. Many iridescent species are burrowers or swimmers. For animals living underground or in water, smooth hair could reduce dirt buildup or resist moisture. In that case, the shine would be a by-product, not an adaptation in itself.



Yet another explanation remains on the table. In birds, iridescence often serves as a communication tool, helping attract mates or signal dominance. 



Mammals could use it the same way. If so, the shimmer would not be an accident but an important social feature. At present, scientists cannot say for sure. Both ideas remain possible, and both need further testing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-iridescent-species-found">More iridescent species found</h2>



Evidence suggests the list of iridescent mammals is far from complete. In 2024, scientists described a new shrew from Indonesia with fur that appeared somewhat shiny. 



With around 2,500 rodent species worldwide, and only a small portion studied under microscopes, the odds of finding more iridescent examples are high.



Each discovery adds weight to the idea that iridescence in mammals is not a rare exception. Instead, it may be a common but overlooked trait, hidden until light strikes at the right angle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biology-remains-full-of-surprises">Biology remains full of surprises </h2>



The findings highlight the importance of close observation. For decades, scientists assumed mammal fur was plain because it usually looks that way under normal conditions. But assumptions can blind research. 



Only when someone noticed a small flash of color did the story begin to change. Museum collections, often viewed as archives of the past, proved vital in rewriting the present understanding of mammal biology.



This work also shows how biology remains full of surprises. Even groups as familiar as rodents can carry traits we barely recognize. What seems ordinary may hold complexity beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



Future studies will likely explore how iridescence affects animal behavior. Does it influence mating or social interactions? Does it offer camouflage under certain light conditions? Or is it simply a side effect of hair built for other environments? 



Answering these questions will take fieldwork as well as lab analysis. The possibility of discovering many more iridescent mammals is exciting. Every new case adds to our picture of how structural colors evolve. 



The research also reshapes our understanding of what mammals can look like. Far from being drab, some may shimmer like jewels under the right conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iridescent-beauty-in-mammals">Iridescent beauty in mammals</h2>



The discovery of iridescent fur in mammals changes a basic story about animal colors. It shows that beauty and complexity are not limited to insects, birds, or reptiles. 



Mammals, too, can hide light-bending structures in their coats. These shimmering layers may serve survival, communication, or both.



What began with a single flash of blue on a museum specimen has opened a new chapter in biology. It proves once again that even in well-studied groups, nature still keeps secrets. Sometimes all it takes is the right angle of light to reveal them.



The study is published in the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2025.0508" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Royal Society Interface</a>.



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Not just birds and beetles: Iridescence found in unexpected animals

When people talk about iridescence, they usually think of butterflies, hummingbirds, or beetles. These animals shimmer when light hits them, creating colors that shift with each angle. Mammals, by contrast, appear duller and more uniform. Their coats are typically brown, black, or grey, designed for camouflage and survival. But recent research from Ghent University shows this picture is incomplete. Some mammals carry shimmering fur that rivals the beauty of birds and insects. The discovery challenges long-standing assumptions and opens new questions about how common these hidden colors...

For birds, distinguishing colors is crucial when picking mate. The way we as humans perceive colors is very different from other members of the animal kingdom. Given the rich variety of plumage seen in many male members of different bird species, color perception is often important when picking a mate. 

A new study found female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finches-sing-sleep/">zebra finches</a> are able to distinguish different shades of orange or red and when it comes to the ideal mate, the male’s beak color is either attractive or it isn’t.

Researchers from <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> conducted an experiment to test how well female zebra finches can distinguish colors, and if they can even tell if some colors are different or the same. 

The results, published in the journal Nature, provide insight into categorical perception and shows that color labeling is not a human construct but has deep biological roots. 

Categorical perception describes how zebra finches are able to separate shades of orange and red into two categories, similar to humans. 

Researchers showed 26 female zebra finches sets of small colored discs. The discs were colored in a range of eight shades meant to represent the colors of male zebra finch beaks and some of the discs were two-toned and some solid. 

Every time a bird flipped over a disc with two colors on it, they were rewarded with a treat but the solid colored discs had nothing underneath them. 

The finches quickly learned to gravitate toward the two-toned discs and they had no problem picking out contrasting colors. 

When the two-toned disks had colors that were closer together, the finches had more difficulty in picking those out. The researchers say that the findings point to a threshold or perceptual boundary where female zebra finches see orange and red. 

Female finches prefer males with red beaks, as previous studies have shown but this study delves into the way female zebra finches classify and perceive those colors and hues.

“What we're showing is: he's either red enough or not,” said Stephen Nowicki, the study’s senior author.

The finches in the study may not be seeing color the same way we do, but the study shows that there is definitely a difference between certain hues. 

Categorical perception for the finches may be an adaptive strategy to help make tough mating decisions when there is either too much or too little information to go off of. 

“Categorical perception -- what we show in zebra finches -- is perhaps one strategy the brain has for reducing this ambiguity,” said Eleanor Caves, a co-author of the research. “Categories make it less crucial that you precisely interpret a stimulus; rather, you just need to interpret the category that it's in.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Ryan Huang, TerraCommunications LLC

For birds, distinguishing colors is crucial when picking mate

For birds, distinguishing colors is crucial when picking mate. The...

The light blue of a robin egg isn’t just pretty to look at, as it’s also a unique form of camouflage. Eggshells with colors and speckles are only found with birds that have partially or fully exposed nests. 

It had been thought that eggshell color was a modern evolutionary adaptation, but a new study shows that it’s a trait that links all the way back to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossilized-dinosaur-eggs-found/">dinosaurs</a>.

Researchers from <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale</a>, the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/the-university">University of Bonn</a>, and the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/">American Museum of Natural History </a>recently traced the evolution of eggshell color back to a group of dinosaurs directly related to birds. 

The results, published in the journal Nature, shed light on how the blue and red pigments found in many bird eggs today developed out of necessity when dinosaurs first started laying their eggs in open nests. 

“This completely changes our understanding of how egg colors evolved,” said Jasmina Wiemann, the study’s lead author. “For two centuries, ornithologists assumed that egg color appeared in modern birds' eggs multiple times, independently.”

Eggshells today only use two pigments, red and blue, to create the various spots, speckles, and hues we instantly associate with some species of birds.

[caption id="attachment_1861500" align="aligncenter" width="700"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bird-eggs.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1861500" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bird-eggs-727x1024.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="986" /></a> Image Credit: Jasmina Wiemann/Yale University[/caption]

The researchers examined 18 fossil dinosaur eggshells to see if there were any traces of these pigments. 

Using laser microspectroscopy, the team was able to test the egg-shells for different pigments non-invasively. 

Red and blue pigments were found in eggshells that belonged to the Eumaniraptoran dinosaurs like the velociraptor. 

Oviraptors, a relative of the velociraptor, were the first known dinosaurs to lay their eggs in open nests and so it makes sense that eggshell pigment would be found in their family tree.

“We infer that egg color co-evolved with open nesting habits in dinosaurs,” said Wiemann. “Once dinosaurs started to build open nests, exposure of the eggs to visually hunting predators and even nesting parasites favored the evolution of camouflaging egg colors, and individually recognizable patterns of spots and speckles.” 
--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Jasmina Wiemann/Yale University

Today’s bird eggs got their color from the dinosaurs

The light blue of a robin egg isn’t just pretty...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being applied to data from acoustic sensors to help protect elephants in the African forest. The technology, which has been developed by the startup company <a href="http://conservationmetrics.com/">Conservation Metrics</a>, uses AI to detect the low-frequency calls of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/captive-elephants-shorter-lives/">elephants</a>.

Across 580 square miles in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, designated listening posts provide scientists with critical information about the behavior and movement of elephants in the remote forest. 

The <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/elephant/">Elephant Listening Project</a>, which was developed with the help of biologists at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a>, uses 50 acoustic sensors that generate seven terabytes of data every three months. Developments in machine learning have enabled experts to analyze these files in about one-fifth of the time it used to take, and park managers can be alerted to threats faster than ever before. 

Peter Wrege is the director of the Elephant Listening Project (ELP) in association with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

“A key thing this collaboration will do is speed things up, so we can show the people who manage the national park that we can provide information that will make a difference,” said Wrege. “If it takes us a year to figure out what elephants are doing in the forest, it’s already too late.”


The number of elephants in central African forests has taken a nosedive,  from an estimated 100,000 in 2011 to less than 40,000 today. Many of the elephants were slaughtered by ivory poachers before there was any sign that they were in danger. 

Prior to using the new AI tool from Conservation Metrics, it took ELP six to eight weeks to run the sound data from its acoustic sensors through five computers. Conservation Metrics was able to analyze this amount of data in just 22 days.

The sound files are currently stored on memory cards that are collected by workers in the park on foot, transported 500 miles to the city of Brazzaville, and then express mailed to Ithaca. 

Matthew McKown, CEO of Conservation Metrics, said that running the AI tools directly into the forests may eventually become a reality. 

“It’s years away, but if you look at the technology that is being developed for commercial purposes, it seems feasible, whereas a few years ago we would have just said it was a dream.”
--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Artificial intelligence helping to protect African elephants

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being applied to data from...

Deep ocean predators thrived during ancient climate change. A team of palaeontologists at the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/">University of Edinburgh</a> has discovered that marine predators living deep in the ocean during the Jurassic Period thrived in a time when global warming caused the sea levels to rise. On the other hand, marine species in the shallow waters did not adjust to the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-change-species/">climate changes</a> as well. 

The study was focused on an analysis of the shape and size of teeth spanning over an 18 million-year period. During the time examined, a diverse group of reptiles lived in tropical waters stretching from present-day northern France to northern England.


Remarkably, the study findings show that the structure of the marine food web has remained largely the same over the last 150 million years.

The research also revealed that the fish species living in shallow waters, which had thin, piercing teeth, declined significantly. At the same time, larger fish in deeper ocean waters with broader teeth were found to thrive. 

“Teeth are humble fossils, but they reveal a grand story of how sea reptiles evolved over millions of years as their environments changed,” said study co-author Dr.  Steve Brusatte.

“Changes in these Jurassic reptiles parallel changes in dolphins and other marine species that are occurring today as sea-levels rise, which speaks to how important fossils are for understanding our modern world.”

According to the experts, the warming ocean temperature could have changed the chemical composition of the water and increased nutrient levels and prey in deep waters.


The research provides insight into how the ocean’s top predators may potentially respond to pressures such as global warming and climate change today. 

“Studying the evolution of these animals was a real - and rare - treat, and has offered a simple yet powerful explanation for why some species declined as others prospered,” said study lead author Davide Foffa.

“This work reminds us of the relevance of palaeontology by revealing the parallels between past and present-day ocean ecosystems.”
--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Nikolay Zverkov, SWNS

Deep ocean predators thrived during ancient climate change

Deep ocean predators thrived during ancient climate change. A team...

Sunflower pollen protects bees from infection A new study led by <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> has revealed that sunflower pollen makes bees less susceptible to infection and disease. The researchers found that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/save-native-bees/">bees</a> had dramatically lower rates of infection by specific pathogens when they were fed a diet of sunflower pollen. 

In bumble bees, sunflower pollen was found to reduce infection by a particular pathogen, Crithidia bombi. Sunflower pollen protected European honey bees from a different pathogen, Nosema ceranae. Both pathogens have been shown to stunt the growth of bee colonies by increasing the rate of fatalities.

Honey bees, however, were also negatively impacted by the sunflower pollen diet. These bees had mortality rates roughly equivalent to honey bees not fed a pollen diet, and death rates four times higher than honey bees fed buckwheat pollen. 

This mortality effect was not observed in bumble bees. In fact, bumble bees showed improved colony health when fed the sunflower pollen compared to pollen from other flowers. 

Study co-author Jonathan Giacomini said that bees already seem to be skilled at collecting sunflower pollen. According to Giacomini, around two million acres in the United States and 10 million acres in Europe are devoted to sunflowers annually. Sunflower pollen protects bees from infection

“We've tried other monofloral pollens, or pollens coming from one flower, but we seem to have hit the jackpot with sunflower pollen,” said co-senior author Professor Rebecca Irwin. “None of the others we've studied have had this consistent positive effect on bumble bee health.”

Professor Irwin explained that sunflower pollen should not be considered as a standalone meal for bee populations because it is low in protein and some amino acids. She said that sunflower could be a good addition to a diverse wildflower population for bees, particularly bumble bees and honey bees.

“We don't know if sunflower pollen is helping the host bees fight off pathogens or if sunflower pollen does something to the pathogens,” said Professor Irwin. The NC State team plans to analyze this in further detail, and will also investigate whether other species of bees show any positive effects from sunflower pollen.

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/scientificreports">Scientific Reports</a> .

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Jonathan Giacomini, NC State University

Sunflower pollen protects bees from infection

Sunflower pollen protects bees from infection A new study led...

Filter feeders like Manta rays can provide important insight on more efficient filtration systems that could improve technology for <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/wastewater-oklahoma-quakes/">wastewater</a> treatment. 

The Manta ray, in particular, is unique because its filtration system allows water to pass through, but tiny food particle ricochet off and can then be eaten. In other words, the Manta ray’s feeding mechanism repels particles instead of trapping them. 

This makes the Manta ray’s filter feeding process resistant to clogging, unlike traditional solid-liquid separation systems. 

Filtration systems like the sieve or cross-flow separation system commonly used in industrial and engineering processes today are prone to clogging and are difficult and costly to clean. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www2.calstate.edu/">California State University</a> and <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> set out to better understand how the separation mechanism in the feeding filter of the Manta ray worked.  

To do this, the researchers printed a 3D model of the Giant oceanic manta ray. The model was placed in a recirculating flow tank that was filled with colored water that had been dyed in order to show how the water flowed through the filter feeding system.

The researchers observed that flow separation occurred behind the leading edge of the ray’s filter lobes, and this caused a large vortex in each pore in the filtration system. Particles were naturally repelled away from the filters and were instead sucked into the mouth to be then eaten.  

“This solid-fluid separation mechanism may have interesting industrial applications, since it operates at high flow rates, effectively filters neutrally buoyant particles, and resists clogging,” the researchers wrote.

A study detailing the research efforts was published in the journal Science Advances.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Steve Kajiura

Manta rays have filtration system that could improve water treatment

Filter feeders like Manta rays can provide important insight on...

Demand for designer pets creates disturbing health issues in animals. Pugs, bulldogs, and French bulldogs are among some of the most popular <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/identification-shelter-dogs-adoption/">dog</a> breeds in the United States and the UK. 

Unfortunately, they are also some of the most at risk for health problems and shortened life spans as more and more pet owners seek out designer and hybrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/german-shepherd-health-breeding/">dogs with attractive traits</a>, despite warnings from vets. 

Many pet owners today are swayed by the cute aspects of dogs like pugs and bulldogs who have characteristically large eyes and scrunched up snouts. 

The popularity of these breeds on social media is also pushing more and more people to buy designer and hybrid.

For pugs who are brachycephalic (short-headed), breathing problems and overheating are extremely common and many pet owners are unaware of these risks until after they bring their pet home. 

According to a report from the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6316921/Craze-cute-designer-pets-speeding-race-extreme-unhealthy-features-warn-vets.html">Daily Mail</a>, other favorite animals like English Lop rabbits with enormous ears, miniature horses, and fish with huge bulbous eyes are just creating more and more unhealthy hybrids and designer animals. 

Owners may not realize that their English Lop rabbit struggles with eating, that bulldogs are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia, or that their fish can’t swim properly. 

That’s why vets are urging pet owners to make health a priority over looks when it comes to choosing an animal. 

“While the UK population of some pets with extreme features is small at present, we are worried that the internet popularity of breeds like miniature horses, the English Lop rabbit, the very flat-faced Persian cats, or ornamental fish bred for bubble eyes or shortened bodies may prompt increased demand among consumers who are unaware of the potential serious health and welfare issues associated with such breeding,” said Simon Doherty, the president of the <a href="https://www.bva.co.uk/">British Veterinary Association</a>, told the Daily Mail. 

The British Veterinary Association isn’t alone in its concerns about the hereditary health problems of certain breeds. 

A national survey found that breeding and hereditary defects were the top concerns of vets and it has become more and more of a pressing issue in recent years. 

While not all pugs and bulldogs are unhealthy or suffering, it’s important for dog owners who choose these breeds to be aware of the many special needs that their dog will require, and part of that is talking with your local vet about the best care practices. 

It’s also a good idea to speak with your local vet and do your research before choosing a new pet. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Demand for designer pets creates disturbing health issues in animals

Demand for designer pets creates disturbing health issues in animals....

Scientists have been warning that Earth is currently in the midst a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warning-imminent-mass-extinction/">sixth mass extinction</a> and the five prior incidences each had a profound impact on biodiversity, evolution and species recovery. 

Species are declining at unprecedented rates, but this is nothing compared to the staggering losses experienced by coral reefs around the world due to rises in ocean acidity and temperature. 

By looking at the mass extinction events of the past, including which species were most prone to die off and how declines in corals drove extinction rates, we can get a better idea of what to expect in the coming years if climate change and the sixth mass extinction go unchecked. 

Researchers led by the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>, conducted a study to model two major mass extinctions, the Late Triassic and Early Toarcian, during periods of global warming to understand climate’s role in species loss.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 

The Late Triassic extinction (LTE) occurred 201 million years ago while the Early Toarcian (ETOE) took place 187 million years ago. 

Previous studies have theorized that the periods of warming which are connected to spikes in volcanic activity during these extinction events only contributed to extinction rates already underway. However, the researchers found that this wasn’t the case. 

“The Late Triassic and Early Toarcian extinction events are both associated with greenhouse warming events triggered by massive volcanism,” the researchers wrote in their study. 

The team used a global database of marine organisms to model extinction selectivity through the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. 

The researchers discovered that the LTE and the ETOE each had its own unique selectivity patterns and rate of extinction along with some similarities as far as which marine species were most vulnerable to climate change and extreme warming.

“Not only do the LTE and EToE events represent an increase in extinction intensity above respective Triassic and Jurassic background rates but, more importantly, and contrary to previous claims, there are differences in extinction selectivity between times of both background and mass extinction, and between Triassic and Jurassic intervals in general,” the researchers conclude in their study. “It is also evident that background extinction was higher in the Late Triassic, prior to the LTE hyperthermal, than it was during the Early Jurassic, in the aftermath of the mass extinction.” 

Because these two mass extinctions are linked to increases greenhouse gasses and ocean temperature, the study provides an essential framework for measuring future extinctions and warns of the potential threats of climate change. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Past global warming events prompted mass extinctions

Scientists have been warning that Earth is currently in the...

Exposure to pesticides makes bees less productive and efficient. A new study has identified yet another harmful effect on bumble bees by <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/harmful-pesticides-bee-colonies/">neonicotinoid</a> compounds, which are the most widely used class of insecticides. Exposure to these compounds is likely contributing to the declining population numbers among pollinator species worldwide.

It has been previously established that neonicotinoids are responsible for a reduction in colony size, but the actual behavior that impairs the colony growth has remained unclear.

To investigate, the researchers monitored the behavior of bumble bees in multiple colonies using a tiny robotic platform. Some of the colonies were exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of imidacloprid, a common type of neonicotinoid. 

The worker bees exposed to the neurotoxic pesticide showed measurable changes in behavior within the nest. They became less likely to feed and care for larvae, less active,  and more likely to be found toward the outer edge of the nest. 

The experts noted that these behavioral effects varied depending on the time of day, with much less activity at night. Study lead author Dr. James Crall is a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>.

“Bees actually have a very strong circadian rhythm,” said Dr. Crall. “So what we found was that, during the day, there was no statistically observable effect, but at night, we could see that they were crashing.”

The researchers also found that the impact of pesticide exposure made it more difficult for bees to regulate their body temperature and to build a protective wax cap over the colony.

“Almost all of our control colonies built that cap,” said Dr. Crall. “And it seems to be totally wiped out in the pesticide-exposed colonies, so they lose this capacity to do this functional restructuring of the nest.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Exposure to pesticides makes bees less productive and efficient

Exposure to pesticides makes bees less productive and efficient. A...

Researchers at <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/">Purdue University</a> are exploring ways to help save some of the millions of birds who die in collisions with planes each year. The experts have found that red and blue LED lights may be used to warn <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/bats-hummingbirds-flying-robots/">birds</a> to go in another direction. 

Airports have tried to scare birds away using everything from dogs to firecrackers, but without much success.

Although lights have been used to induce “avoidance behavior” in birds before, there is very little information available on what type of lights may work. The Purdue team collaborated with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to investigate. 

“The way we figure this out is to give the animal a choice,” explained study lead author Professor Esteban Fernandez-Juricic.

The study was focused on brown-headed cowbirds at the Ross Biological Reserve. The birds were released a few inches shy of a divide in their flight path, which had a light on one side and no light on the other.  

Professor Fernandez-Juricic explained that a single-choice test, in which the bird chooses between a light on and off rather than between two colors, is ideal for measuring avoidance behavior. If the bird chooses to take the path with no light, this is a good indication that light on the other side is associated with danger. 

The test was repeated using five different wavelengths of light. The study revealed that birds consistently avoided LED lights with peaks at 470 and 630 nanometers, which appear blue and red to humans. Ultraviolet (UV), green, and white light did not produce any noticeable patterns. 


It is not yet clear whether the behavior of the birds was affected by light peaks or by the levels of contrast, and Professor Fernandez-Juricic plans to conduct further research to find out. The team will also modify the test to investigate how other bird species respond to different types of light.

“We now have a behavioral assay we can use to test these attraction and avoidance behaviors in a systematic, standardized matter, and we can do it on various species,” said Professor Fernandez-Juricic. “We're able to test not just whether a light may be highly visible to a bird or not, but whether that light leads to the behaviors we're trying to generate.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/">PeerJ</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

LED lights can help steer birds away from collisions with planes

Researchers at Purdue University are exploring ways to help save...

A new study has found that cats are not the answer to New York City's rat problem. In the first investigation to document the interactions between feral cats and a colony of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/rats-major-cities-monitored/">wild rats</a>, researchers found that rats were skilled in dodging the cats, and only two kills were recorded in 79 days. 

The research adds to a growing collection of evidence that the benefits of using cats to control city rats are outweighed by the threats posed to birds and other wildlife.

Study lead author Dr. Michael H. Parsons, a visiting scholar at <a href="https://www.fordham.edu/">Fordham University</a>.

“Like any prey, rats overestimate the risks of predation. In the presence of cats, they adjust their behavior to make themselves less apparent and spend more time in burrows,” said Dr. Parsons. “This raises questions about whether releasing cats in the city to control rats is worth the risks cats pose to wildlife."

Even though cats have been long perceived as the natural enemy of rats, some researchers have found that cats prefer smaller, defenseless prey such as birds.

“New Yorkers often boast their rats 'aren't afraid of anything' and are the 'size of a cat',” said Dr. Parsons. “Yet cats are commonly released to control this relatively large, defensive and potentially dangerous prey.”

“Until now, no one has provided good data on the number of city rats killed by cats,” added study co-author Michael A. Deutsch from Arrow Exterminating Company Inc. “But the data have been very clear as to the effect of cats on native wildlife.”


The research team was already studying a colony of more than 100 rats living inside a recycling center when cats invaded. The experts set up motion-capture video cameras to investigate, which is the first time that the effect of cats on rats has been monitored in a natural setting.

“We wanted to know whether the number of cats present would influence the number of rats observed, and vice versa,” said Dr. Parsons. “We were also interested whether the presence of cats had any effect on eight common rat behaviors or their direction of movement.”

Among 306 videos taken over 79 days, only 20 stalking events, three kill attempts, and two successful kills were recorded. The videos also revealed that in the presence of cats, the rats spent less time in the open and more time in hiding. 

“The presence of cats resulted in fewer rat sightings on the same or following day, while the presence of humans did not affect rat sightings,” said Dr. Parsons. 


“We already knew the average weight of the rats was 330 g, much more than a typical 15 g bird or 30 g mouse. As such, we expected a low predation rate on the rats - and our study confirmed this.”

“We are not saying that cats will not predate city rats, only that conditions must be right for it to happen,” added Deutsch. “The cat must be hungry, have no alternative less-risky food source, and usually needs the element of surprise.”

The research team will continue collecting data and updating their findings as part of a long-term study.

“Much more research is needed to better understand the city rat problem, we hope our successes will compel others to perform similar studies in other venues,” said Dr. Parsons.

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution">Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cats are ineffective at controlling city rat numbers

A new study has found that cats are not the...

It has long been believed that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/dams-flood-special-places/">river damming</a> poses a serious threat to migratory fish populations within them. However little evidence had been reported until now. To prove this theory, scientists at the <a href="http://www.iwhr.com/IWHR-English/AI/Introduction/A580503index_1.htm">China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research</a> studied China’s Yangtze River and now understand why Chinese sturgeon population is dwindling and why the sturgeon population has been so difficult to observe in recent decades.

Damming of the Yangtze began in 1981. Before dam construction, Chinese sturgeon would fast and migrate upriver every summer. They would then spawn in the fall and return to sea. This activity could be clearly tracked before 1981. But in recent years, scientists had trouble following the sturgeon’s migration.

In the study, published in Current Biology on November 1st, the Institute’s Zhenli Huang explained, “We have found that the loss of effective breeding and environmental capacity are two crucial factors resulting in an ongoing decline in adult abundances of Chinese sturgeon in the Yangtze River."

Huang and co-author Luhai Wang looked back at the historical data mapping out the Yangtze’s damming and sturgeon activity. They found that the Gezhouba Dam reduced the sturgeon’s migration path by 1,175 kilometers (about 730 miles). Over time, this caused the sturgeon to reach sexual maturity about a month later than normal, therefore lessening the population size due to the fact there aren’t as many sturgeon ready to breed.

What’s more is that Huang and Wang found that environmental capacity of the lessened breeding ground has been reduced, and water temperatures have risen with the building of new dams within the past ten years.

The team estimates that the number of adult sturgeon in the Yangtze has dropped from about 32,000 before 1981, to 6,000 in 2010, and about 2,500 in 2015. They predict that if the numbers continue on this track, the natural Chinese sturgeon population will go extinct within the next decade.

"The protection of the wild Chinese sturgeon requires effective measures taken immediately," Huang and Wang note. "Artificial restocking, which China has been doing without maintaining breeding activity, is inadequate and unsustainable."

Although the future looks bleak for the Chinese sturgeon in the Yangtze, the researchers want their new findings to alert other nations that migrant fish populations are at risk of extinction at the hands of damming. In knowing this, those put in charge of damming can take extra measures to ensure fish populations are cared for properly.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

River damming is threatening global migratory fish populations

It has long been believed that river damming poses a...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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