Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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



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The lower Amazon River in Brazil

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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



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Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Dark Canyon Complex, which is a rugged, remote area in southeastern Utah. It's part of the larger Cedar Mesa Plateau and includes both the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Dark Canyon Primitive Area.&nbsp;



These are areas of steep canyons, high plateaus, and rock formations that are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.



"Deep, meandering canyons cut through the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah in this photograph, taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on April 6, 2023," says NASA.



"These canyons, known as the Dark Canyon complex, have distinctive geology, ecology, and archeology. They are some of the only intact protected canyons in the United States."



"This rugged and remote landscape has been shaped by erosion. Over thousands of years, the Colorado River and smaller tributaries have eroded winding, steep-walled canyons into the sedimentary rock. Dark Canyon - one of seven canyons within the complex - cuts diagonally across the photo."



"Within this canyon, sandstone walls tower up to 3,000 feet, shading visitors from morning and afternoon sun - hence its name. The canyon’s steep walls expose roughly 250 million years of geologic history and contain deposits from the Permian period. Cockleshell and crinoid stem fossils have been found in the area."



The astronaut photograph is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 69 crew.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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



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The Dark Canyon Complex in southeastern Utah

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the centre of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



Image 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



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The city of Seoul, South Korea 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Typhoon Mawar as it approached Guam on May 24, 2023. According to NASA, the violent storm was one of the strongest in decades to lash the U.S. territory.



Mawar carried sustained winds of about 140 miles per hour, which is the equivalent of a Category 4 storm.&nbsp;



"The image shows the typhoon’s cloud bands completely covering the islands, which were already being lashed with powerful winds and heavy rain," says NASA.



"The typhoon maintained its category 4 strength as the storm’s center traversed the Rota Channel, between the islands of Guam and Rota, at about 9 p.m. local time on May 24."



"The eye’s southern wall passed over much of Guam, according to the U.S. National Weather Service, and delivered the most extreme winds to the northern-third of the island."



Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the central and northern parts of the island received more than two feet of rain as the eyewall passed, and most of Guam received about a foot of rain during the storm.



The image was captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar slams the U.S. territory of Guam

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> (WHOI) has provided clear evidence of a human “fingerprint” on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humanity-should-brace-for-catastrophic-climate-change/">climate change</a>, showing that specific signals from human activities have altered the temperature structure of our planet’s atmosphere.



While differences between tropospheric and lower stratospheric temperature trends have long been recognized as anthropogenic effects on the climate, scientists have largely ignored what happens from the mid to the upper stratosphere (about 25-50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface).



“Including this information improves the detectability of a human fingerprint by a factor of five. Enhanced detectability occurs because the mid to upper stratosphere has a large cooling signal from human-caused CO2&nbsp;increases, small noise levels of natural internal variability, and differing signal and noise patterns,” the authors explained.



While in the troposphere, noise can include daily weather, interannual variability caused by El Niños and La Niñas, and longer-term natural fluctuations in climate, in the upper stratosphere such noises are smaller, making anthropogenic climate change signals easier to distinguish.&nbsp;



“Extending fingerprinting to the upper stratosphere with long temperature records and improved climate models means that it is now virtually impossible for natural causes to explain satellite-measured trends in the thermal structure of the Earth’s atmosphere,” the scientists argued.



“This research undercuts and rebuts claims that recent atmospheric and surface temperature changes are natural, whether due to the Sun or due to internal cycles in the climate system,” said study lead author Benjamin Santer, an expert in Physical Oceanography at WHOI.&nbsp;



“A natural explanation is virtually impossible in terms of what we are looking at here: changes in the temperature structure of the atmosphere. This research puts to rest incorrect claims that we don’t need to treat climate change seriously because it is all natural.”



This study is rooted in the earlier work of Suki Manabe and Richard Wetherald in 1967, who utilized a simple climate model to investigate the potential impact of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion on atmospheric temperature. Their modeling revealed a distinct finding: an elevation in CO2 levels resulted in increased heat retention within the troposphere (the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere) and decreased heat dissipation in the stratosphere (the layer above the troposphere), consequently causing warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere.&nbsp;



This projection of tropospheric warming and stratospheric cooling in response to rising CO2 levels has been consistently supported by more intricate models and validated through comparisons of model outcomes with global-mean atmospheric temperature measurements obtained from weather balloons and satellites.



While these earlier studies focused on global-mean temperature alterations in the middle and upper stratosphere, approximately 25 to 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, they did not delve into the intricate patterns of climate change within this particular layer. However, advancements in simulations and satellite data have now made it possible to examine this region more comprehensively.&nbsp;



The current study marks the first attempt to identify discernible climate change patterns, often referred to as “fingerprints,” specifically attributed to human activities in the middle and upper stratosphere.



“The human fingerprints in temperature changes in the mid to upper stratosphere due to CO2 increases are truly exceptional because they are so large and so different from temperature changes there due to internal variability and natural external forcing. These unique fingerprints make it possible to detect the human impact on climate change due to CO2 in a short period of time (~10 - 15 years) with high confidence,” said co-author Qiang Fu, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>.



“This study shows that the real world has changed in a way that simply cannot be explained by natural causes. We now face important decisions, in the United States and globally, on what to do about climate change. I hope those decisions are based on our best scientific understanding of the reality and seriousness of human effects on climate,” Santer concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2300758120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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New evidence that climate change is caused by human activities

A new study led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution...

As cities become rapidly more densified, there is now construction very close to roads and thoroughfares. Although scientists have already known that traffic noise can have a negative impact on human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oil-and-gas-production-linked-to-77-billion-in-annual-health-care-costs/">health</a>, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.chalmers.se/en/">Chalmers University of Technology</a> in Sweden has now found that exposure to even as little as 40 decibels of such noise – the usual level of background noise in an office environment or kitchen – can have a detrimental effect on cognitive performance.



The experts conducted a laboratory experiment in which participants took concentration tests while being exposed to background traffic noise, consisting of two audio sequences simulating trucks passing at a distance of ten and fifty meters. More specifically, they had to look at a computer screen and react to certain letters, and assess their perceived workload afterward.&nbsp;



The results showed that the participants had significantly poorer results on the test, and felt that the task was more difficult to carry out, with traffic noise in the background.



“What is unique about our study is that we were able to demonstrate a decline in performance at noise levels as low as 40 dB, which corresponds to the regular noise level in an office environment or a kitchen,” said lead author Leon Müller, a doctoral student in Applied Acoustic at Chalmers.



“The audio sequence simulating the closer passages, where the sound changes significantly as the vehicle passes by, was usually the one that bothered the test subjects the most. This could be because traffic that is further away is perceived as a more constant drone.”



These findings highlight the negative impact of traffic noise on health and job performance. In recent years, the distance between roads and newly built housing has been allowed to shrink in many cities in Sweden and beyond. For instance, the current Swedish regulations for where construction is permitted are based on the average noise level over a 24-hour period and fail to take into account individual passer-bys or the peaks of low frequency noise indoors.&nbsp;



Since such noise is mainly generated by heavy traffic at low speeds, it is very difficult to avoid even with well-insulated windows and buildings that comply with the construction norms and guidelines for sound isolation.



“The calculations for different types of facades show that it is difficult to achieve ideal indoor sound environments near heavily trafficked roads,” said Jens Forssén, a professor of Applied Acoustics at Chalmers and lead author of a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1351010X221143571">study</a> modelling such low-frequency noise. “Reducing speeds is not a solution, as our calculations show that the indoor noise exposure can even increase at lower speeds.”



According to the researchers, noise and the sound environment are factors that are often considered too late in the planning process. While construction adjustments to better utilize the space in terms of noise pollution could certainly help, the most effective solution would be to avoid urban densification in areas where traffic noise would have too great an impact on health and wellbeing.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053798">International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-health-impacts-of-traffic-noise">Health impacts of traffic noise</h2>



Traffic noise has several potential health impacts. Here are some of the most significant:



<h3 id="h-sleep-disturbances">Sleep disturbances</h3>



The World Health Organization recognizes traffic noise as a major cause of sleep disturbances. Lack of quality sleep can lead to various health issues such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, and increased risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease.



<h3 id="h-cardiovascular-issues">Cardiovascular issues</h3>



Chronic exposure to traffic noise can potentially lead to cardiovascular diseases. It is believed that noise acts as a stressor, causing the body to release stress hormones which in turn affect heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this can increase the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes.



<h3 id="h-hearing-impairment">Hearing impairment</h3>



Long-term exposure to high levels of traffic noise can potentially lead to noise-induced hearing loss. This can occur when the delicate structures within the ear are damaged by prolonged loud noise.



<h3 id="h-mental-health-issues">Mental health issues</h3>



There is evidence to suggest that chronic noise pollution, including traffic noise, can lead to an increase in stress levels, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, it can affect concentration, leading to decreased performance and productivity.



<h3 id="h-child-development">Child development</h3>



Some studies have suggested that chronic exposure to traffic noise may affect cognitive development and learning in children. Noise can be distracting and disruptive, potentially affecting concentration, attention span, and academic performance.



<h3 id="h-annoyance-and-quality-of-life">Annoyance and quality of life</h3>



Apart from specific physical and mental health issues, noise pollution from traffic can also significantly affect people's quality of life. Chronic noise can cause annoyance, disrupt daily activities, and overall decrease well-being.



While further research is needed to fully understand the extent of these impacts and their mechanisms, it is clear that traffic noise has potential negative implications for public health. Mitigation strategies can include things like improved urban planning, the use of noise barriers, noise-reducing asphalt, and promoting quieter modes of transport.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Even slight traffic noise impacts work performance

As cities become rapidly more densified, there is now construction...

In the midst of rising Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the looming presence of El Nino, the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) forecasts a near-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic in 2023.&nbsp;



These predictions, made by NOAA forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center - a division of the National Weather Service - anticipate a 40 percent likelihood of a near-normal season, with a 30 percent chance each for either an above-normal or below-normal season.



The Atlantic hurricane season, traditionally stretching from June 1 to November 30, will likely witness 12 to 17 named storms, with winds blowing at a minimum of 39 mph, according to NOAA's estimates.&nbsp;



Within this range, five to nine storms are predicted to escalate into hurricanes, packing winds of 74 mph or more, and one to four of these could become major hurricanes of category 3, 4 or 5, with winds exceeding 111 mph. The confidence level of NOAA in these projections stands high at 70 percent.



Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo commended the efforts of the Commerce Department and NOAA in advancing the scientific and technological aspects of hurricane modeling.



“Thanks to the critical investments this year, NOAA will be able to deliver even more accurate forecasts, helping ensure communities have the information they need to prepare for and respond to the destructive economic and ecological impacts of Atlantic hurricanes," said Raimondo.



NOAA's outlook suggests that the upcoming hurricane season may be less active than recent ones, due to various influencing factors. The convergence of some of these factors may suppress storm development, while others may fuel it, which contributes to an overall forecast of a near-normal season.&nbsp;



Intriguingly, after the continual presence of La Nina for three hurricane seasons, NOAA scientists now anticipate a high potential for El Nino to develop in the upcoming summer.&nbsp;



While El Nino often suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity, its potential impact might be offset by favorable conditions inherent to the tropical Atlantic Basin.&nbsp;



Other factors that could play a role include warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, which provide the energy for storm development, and the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which contributes to the generation of some of the stronger and longer-lived Atlantic storms.



These conditions are part of the long-term variability in Atlantic atmospheric and oceanic conditions conducive to hurricane development. This state, known as the high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes, has been responsible for more active Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1995.



NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad emphasized the importance of NOAA's data and expertise for decision-making during hurricanes, particularly in the context of a changing climate.&nbsp;



"This year we are operationalizing a new hurricane forecast model and extending the tropical cyclone outlook graphic from five to seven days, which will provide emergency managers and communities with more time to prepare for storms," said Dr. Spinrad.



NOAA is gearing up to implement a suite of enhancements and improvements this summer, such as expanding the capacity of the agency's operational supercomputing system by 20 percent. This advancement in computing capability will empower NOAA to improve and run more intricate forecast models, including significant model upgrades during this hurricane season.



Notably, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS), jointly created by NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic &amp; Meteorological Laboratory Hurricane Modeling and Prediction Program and NOAA’s National Weather Service Environmental Modeling Center, will become operational by late June. This model has demonstrated a 10-15 percent improvement in track forecasts over existing operational models based on retrospective analysis of tropical storms and hurricanes from the 2020-2022 seasons.



In addition, the Probabilistic Storm Surge model upgrade will advance storm surge forecasting for the contiguous U.S. and new forecasts for surge, tide and waves for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.&nbsp;



Forecasters now have the ability to run the model for two storms simultaneously. This model provides forecasters with the likelihood, or probability, of various flooding scenarios including a near worst-case scenario to help communities prepare for all potential outcomes.



Over the last 10 years, flooding from tropical storm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-in-the-tropics-linked-to-reduced-rainfall/">rainfall</a> was the single deadliest hazard. To give communities more time to prepare, the Weather Prediction Center is extending the Excessive Rainfall Outlook an additional two days, now providing forecasts up to five days in advance. The outlook shows general areas at risk for flash flooding due to excessive rainfall.



“As we saw with Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives. So regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials. Whether you live on the coast or further inland, hurricanes can cause serious impacts to everybody in their path,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.&nbsp;



“Visit ready.gov or listo.gov for readiness resources, and get real time emergency alerts by downloading the FEMA App. Actions taken today can save your life when disaster strikes. The time to prepare is now.”



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NOAA forecasts near-normal 2023 Atlantic hurricane season

In the midst of rising Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the...

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Earth from space: New York City Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 view of New York City, including the island of Manhattan and the Hudson, East and Harlem rivers.
New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States with a population of over 8 million people.
Like so many other cities, New York faces a high risk of flooding due to rising sea levels. Since 1993, the average sea level has risen by just over 3 millimeters worldwide every year.
A survey conducted last year suggests that nearly 40 percent of lower Manhattan will be at risk for destructive storm surges by the middle of this century. New York City traces its origins to a trading post founded on the southern tip of Manhattan Island by Dutch colonists in 1624. Also the settlement was named New Amsterdam in 1626 and was routed as a city in 1653. The city came under English control in 1664 and was renamed New York after King Charles II of England granted the lands to his brother, the Duke of York. Therefore the city was gained back by the Dutch in July 1673 and was renamed New Orange for one year and three month. The city of New York has been continuously named New York since November 1674.  New York City was also the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790, and has been the largest U.S. city since 1790.
Video 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
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