Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features smoke plumes stretching across the Iberian Peninsula, as wildfires suddenly intensified across Spain and Portugal.



The image was captured on August 15 by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor on NASA’s Terra satellite.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-breaking-fire-season-nbsp">Record-breaking fire season&nbsp;</h2>



Hot, dry conditions pushed fire risk to extreme levels, leaving vast landscapes scorched. The fires aren’t just dramatic visuals - they are shaping the year’s record-breaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-weather-seasons-are-overlapping-more-than-ever-before/">fire season</a>.



“As of August 19, fires in Spain had scorched more than 382,000 hectares (944,000 acres) since the start of the year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS),” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154691/smoke-blankets-the-iberian-peninsula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



This exceeds any previous yearly total in the EFFIS records, which date back to 2006. Firefighters were stretched thin, tackling roughly 20 major blazes nationwide, with a particularly severe cluster near Ourense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-devastation-in-portugal">Fire devastation in Portugal</h2>



Portugal faced a similarly devastating season. By mid-August, more than 347,000 hectares (857,000 acres) had been consumed by fire.&nbsp;



The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre reported 10 large fires burning across the country at that time. The largest fire, near Trancoso, alone had already scorched over 39,000 hectares.



The blazes forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Essential services were disrupted, including the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Galicia, which had been closed for nearly a week.&nbsp;



Firefighters worked tirelessly under extreme conditions, navigating both flames and smoke to protect people and property.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-pollution-and-far-reaching-effects">Smoke, pollution, and far-reaching effects</h2>



The fires didn’t stay local. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">Smoke</a> from the Iberian Peninsula carried high into the atmosphere, drifting across France, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.&nbsp;



It even mixed with smoke from wildfires in Canada, creating hazy skies across parts of Europe. Carbon emissions from these fires hit record levels in Spain and near-record levels in Portugal, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.



Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) released by wildfires, poses serious health risks. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially aggravating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.&nbsp;



Residents in affected regions were warned to limit outdoor activity and monitor air quality as smoke lingered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-in-spain-and-portugal">Wildfires in Spain and Portugal </h2>



Spain and Portugal are no strangers to wildfires, but the 2025 season is unusual for its speed and scale.&nbsp;



Heatwaves have become more frequent in southern Europe, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-2024-record-heat-and-rising-seas/">rising temperatures</a> and prolonged droughts creating tinderbox conditions for forests and grasslands.&nbsp;



Experts link this increase to ongoing climate change, which has amplified the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in the region.



The EFFIS database shows that Spain’s burned area this year surpassed previous records, while Portugal’s figures ranked second only to the catastrophic fires of 2017. These trends highlight the growing challenge of managing wildfires in a warming climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-toll-of-wildfires-nbsp">The human toll of wildfires&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond environmental impacts, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/">wildfires</a> take a heavy toll on communities. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and homes, farms, and critical infrastructure have suffered extensive damage.&nbsp;



Emergency services scrambled to coordinate evacuations and protect residents, while volunteers and local authorities provided support on the ground.



Firefighters faced particularly difficult conditions, battling flames under record heat and through thick <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">smoke</a>. The work was physically demanding and dangerous.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-technology-and-firefighting">Satellite technology and firefighting</h2>



NASA’s Terra satellite and the MODIS sensor provide crucial monitoring for wildfire activity. These tools allow authorities to track the spread of fires in near-real time, identify hotspots, and deploy resources more efficiently.&nbsp;



The data feeds into systems like EFFIS and the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), offering a broader picture of wildfire patterns and trends across Europe.



This combination of satellite monitoring, on-the-ground firefighting, and coordination among emergency services is vital for managing the ongoing crisis. As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and intensity, technology can help limit damage and protect communities.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Wildfires scorch Spain and Portugal amid extreme heat

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, which is located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. 



The striking image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



“A prominent bar of stars stretches across the center of this galaxy, and spiral arms emerge from each end of the bar. Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” said <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-hubble-spies-spiral-galaxy-ngc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“As NGC 2566 appears to gaze at us, astronomers gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxy's star clusters and star-forming regions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-appearance-of-ngc-2566">Complex appearance of NGC 2566</h2>



NGC 2566 lies at a considerable distance from Earth, making it a challenging object for amateur astronomers to observe in detail without powerful telescopes.&nbsp;



It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere sky and is better observed from locations with minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-light-pollution-influences-interest-in-astronomy/">light pollution</a>. 



The galaxy's arms are populated with young, bright stars, regions of active star formation, and interstellar gas and dust - giving it a dynamic and complex appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-ages-of-stars">Measuring the ages of stars</h2>



According to NASA, data from Hubble is especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old. “These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”



“Using these data, researchers can measure the ages of NGC 2566's stars, which helps piece together the timeline of the galaxy's star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-galaxies">Star formation in galaxies</h2>



Star formation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/">galaxies</a> is a fascinating and complex process that unfolds over millions of years. It begins in vast clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, which are often found in the spiral arms of galaxies or in regions of irregular or starburst galaxies. 



These clouds provide the raw material for star formation, consisting primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of heavier elements.



As the molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, regions within them begin to condense and fragment, forming dense clumps. Within these clumps, protostars emerge. Their formation is driven by the gravitational pull drawing in surrounding gas.&nbsp;



During this process, the gas heats up due to increasing pressure, eventually igniting nuclear fusion in the core, signaling the birth of a new star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rates-of-star-formation">Rates of star formation</h2>



The rate of star formation varies across galaxies is influenced by numerous factors. In spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, star formation is most active in the spiral arms, where density waves compress gas and dust, triggering the collapse of molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Elliptical galaxies, which often have little cold gas and dust, typically exhibit low rates of star formation or none at all.



On the other hand, starburst galaxies experience episodes of exceptionally high star formation, often triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/">galactic collisions</a> or interactions.



These events can funnel large amounts of gas into central regions, leading to intense star-forming activity. However, such bursts are usually short-lived on cosmic timescales, exhausting the available gas quickly.



The environment within a galaxy also plays a significant role. Stellar winds and supernova explosions from existing stars can both inhibit and promote star formation. They may disperse gas, preventing further collapse, or compress nearby clouds, triggering new star formation.&nbsp;



As galaxies evolve over time, the availability of gas diminishes, leading to a gradual decline in star formation activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puppis-constellation-nbsp">The Puppis constellation&nbsp;</h2>



The Puppis constellation in the southern sky represents the stern of a ship. It was once part of a larger constellation known as Argo Navis, which depicted the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts.&nbsp;



However, Argo Navis was later divided into three separate constellations: Puppis, Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails). Puppis is the largest of these three and contains many notable celestial objects.



This constellation is home to several bright stars, including Naos (Zeta Puppis), a hot, massive star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation. Puppis also hosts a wide variety of deep-sky objects, such as open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/">star clusters</a> and nebulae. 



Among these, Messier 46 and Messier 47 stand out. Both are beautiful star clusters that are visible through binoculars or small telescopes. The region is dense with stars because it lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/">Milky Way</a>, making it a prime area for stargazing and astrophotography. 



Image Credit: NASA



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Eye in the sky: A galaxy that appears to be gazing back

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a large phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine.



The image was captured on June 21, 2025, by the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on NASA’s PACE satellite.&nbsp;



“In summer 2025, waters in the Gulf of Maine popped with vivid swirls of blue and green. The cause was a massive bloom of phytoplankton - microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the ocean surface,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154472/a-booming-bloom-returns-to-the-gulf-of-maine">NASA</a>.



“Scientists say it was one of the largest blooms of its kind to show up in the Gulf’s waters in recent years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bloom-in-the-gulf-of-maine">Bloom in the Gulf of Maine </h2>



Catherine Mitchell is a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. She noted that the Gulf of Maine bloom contained coccolithophores, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/">phytoplankton</a> that makes the water appear milky blue.



“The tiny organisms, along with other types of phytoplankton, including diatoms that bloom here in spring, lie at the base of the marine food web,” explained NASA.



“Their presence - or absence - in Gulf of Maine waters can affect the entire ecosystem, from finfish to shellfish, and the region’s fisheries that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-and-plankton-communities-nbsp">Shifting conditions and plankton communities&nbsp;</h2>



Mitchell said that coccolithophore blooms like this one became less common in the Gulf’s waters starting around 2010. But in recent years, they’ve started to come back.&nbsp;



Scientists have also seen more dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton that move with tiny tails) and an overall drop in phytoplankton productivity over the past few decades.



These changes in plankton are linked to shifting ocean conditions. For instance, heavy rainfall from 2006 to 2009 made the Gulf’s waters fresher. Then, starting in 2008, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">warm water</a> from deep in the North Atlantic began heating the Gulf from the bottom up.&nbsp;



However, by spring 2025, bottom-water temperatures were cooler than they’ve been in 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



“The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf remains unclear, but ongoing research could begin to provide some answers,” noted NASA.



“In fact, Mitchell and colleagues scrutinized this PACE image just days before heading out on a research expedition to study the bloom and other ocean properties up close. The cruise, the third so far this year, offers scientists the chance to validate ocean color data collected by PACE with real-world ocean samples.”



Mitchell pointed out that a major benefit of the PACE satellite is its ability to “see the rainbow,” which makes it easier for scientists to distinguish between groups of phytoplankton.



“With our continuing field measurements, we will validate ocean color observations from PACE, enabling satellite observations in the Gulf of Maine and supporting the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-signs-of-ocean-health">Vital signs of ocean health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">Phytoplankton blooms</a> like the one captured in the Gulf of Maine are vital signs of ocean health. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of marine food webs, feeding everything from tiny zooplankton to large fish, whales, and seabirds.&nbsp;



When conditions are right - such as warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and available nutrients - phytoplankton populations can grow rapidly, creating colorful blooms that are visible from space.



The Gulf of Maine is particularly sensitive to environmental change. Located at the intersection of cold northern currents and warmer waters from the south, it’s a dynamic ecosystem where small shifts in temperature or salinity can have outsized effects.&nbsp;



This region is also one of the fastest-warming ocean areas on the planet, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">temperatures</a> rising more than three times the global ocean average in some years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-changes-with-ocean-monitoring-nbsp">Forecasting changes with ocean monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Changes in water temperature and salinity have ripple effects across the food chain. Warmer waters can favor certain types of phytoplankton over others, shifting the balance of species in ways that affect what fish and shellfish are available to predators - and to the region’s fisheries.&nbsp;



For example, coccolithophores may thrive in clearer, warmer waters, while traditional spring-blooming diatoms do better in colder, more nutrient-rich conditions.



Long-term monitoring is essential to understand and predict these shifts. Satellites like PACE provide a global view of ocean color, which reflects the presence and composition of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



By combining these observations with ship-based sampling, scientists can get a more complete picture of how plankton communities are evolving and how that affects everything from carbon cycling to fisheries sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-in-the-gulf-of-maine-nbsp">Warming in the Gulf of Maine&nbsp;</h2>



The Gulf’s warming trend has already caused noticeable ecological changes. Some species of fish have moved farther north or into deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures.&nbsp;



Lobsters, a key commercial species, have shifted their range as well. Meanwhile, harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">algal blooms</a> - caused by certain types of phytoplankton - have become more frequent in some parts of the Gulf, threatening shellfish harvests and public health.



Scientists are working to better predict how blooms will respond to future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding which species are likely to dominate under warmer, fresher, or more acidic conditions can help predict changes in fish stocks, shellfish safety, and ecosystem stability.&nbsp;



This kind of forecasting is especially important in the Gulf of Maine, where marine resources are closely tied to local economies.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Giant bloom in the Gulf of Maine signals change

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic. 



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another photo from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A photo taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway. 



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Bear Gulch Fire, which has persisted for weeks on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.  



The fire was ignited on July 6, 2025. Over the past month, it has grown into one of the most significant wildfires in the region's recent history. 



The <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154682/fire-burns-through-olympic-wilderness">image</a> was captured by the Landsat 8 satellite on August 12. “On that day, smoke reached a height of nearly 30,000 feet because of significant fuel consumption and unstable atmospheric conditions,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progression-of-the-bear-gulch-fire-nbsp">Progression of the Bear Gulch Fire&nbsp;</h2>



By August 12, the fire had expanded by approximately 1,200 acres in just 24 hours, burning a total of 7,390 acres.  



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">rapid growth</a> was fueled by a combination of high temperatures - reaching 93°F - and dry vegetation that had been primed by weeks of drought. Firefighting efforts were further complicated by the region's rugged terrain, making containment challenging. 



The fire's progression into the forest canopy in certain areas has been particularly concerning.  Flames have spread with the help of hanging moss. 



Rock outcrops - which normally act as natural firebreaks - have been consumed due to the burning of moss on them. This behavior demonstrates the fire's intensity and the unusual conditions contributing to its spread. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-and-environmental-response">Community and environmental response</h2>



In response to the fire's advancement, the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, along with several trails and campgrounds in the adjacent Olympic National Forest and Mount Skokomish Wilderness Area, were closed as of August 14, 2025.  



These closures aim to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">public safety</a> and allow firefighting efforts to proceed without interference. As of the latest reports, no structures have been damaged, but the situation is still evolving. 



Firefighters continue to battle the Bear Gulch Fire. They are using a number of strategies to contain its spread, including bucket drops from helicopters.  



The coming days will be critical in determining the fire's trajectory and the effectiveness of suppression efforts.  Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed through official channels and to follow all safety advisories. 



The Bear Gulch Fire serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, especially under the influence of climate change.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The wildfire highlights the need for ongoing vigilance, preparedness, and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental conditions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-and-ecological-toll">The human and ecological toll</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">Wildfires</a> don’t just threaten trees and wildlife - they disrupt communities. Evacuations and road closures become part of life during fire outbreaks. 



Residents often have to adjust daily routines to reduce exposure to smoke, taking steps ranging from keeping windows closed to limiting outdoor activities. Local health services may see an increase in respiratory issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. 



At the same time, fire crews and emergency responders face heightened risks as they work to contain the flames - highlighting the human effort required to protect both communities and the environment during these events.



Smoke can travel miles from the blaze, affecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">air quality</a> and public health in nearby towns. 



Wildlife faces habitat loss, and even small changes to forest ecosystems can have ripple effects on biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-wildfire-risks">Climate change and wildfire risks</h2>



The Bear Gulch Fire reflects a broader pattern affecting the Pacific Northwest. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting precipitation patterns are making forests more susceptible to wildfires.&nbsp;



Over the past few decades, wildfire seasons in Washington and neighboring states have lengthened, and fires have become more intense and harder to control.



Scientists say climate change doesn’t just make fires more likely - it changes the way they behave.&nbsp;



Forests stressed by heat and dry conditions burn faster and hotter, with flames that can leap into tree canopies and travel across areas that would have naturally slowed a fire in the past.&nbsp;



The combination of high winds and dry vegetation can turn small ignitions into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a> that cover thousands of acres within days.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Bear Gulch Fire rages across Washington forests

Heat defined the summer of 2024, a harsh reminder of our changing climate. In the West African city of Kayes, temperatures soared past 119 degrees Fahrenheit in April. 



People couldn't escape the brutal heat. Air conditioners strained electrical grids. Hospitals filled with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-and-humidity-sharply-raise-heart-risks/">heat</a>-related illnesses. This wasn't just a bad week of weather. It was part of a dangerous trend that's reshaping life across an entire continent. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-heat-waves-in-europe-can-be-predicted-by-melting-sea-ice/">Heat waves</a> are becoming Africa's new normal. These prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather now hit harder, last longer, and happen more often than they did just decades ago. 



The change is so dramatic that scientists are calling it a complete transformation of African climate patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-africa-s-heat-waves-changed">How Africa's heat waves changed</h2>



New research reveals just how much things have changed. The research team examined heat wave patterns using large-ensemble computer models that could separate different contributing factors. They looked at daytime, nighttime, and compound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humid-heat-days-are-a-growing-threat-to-public-health/">heat</a> waves that combine both.



Between 1950 and 1979, Africa experienced relatively mild heat waves that occurred roughly once every three to eight years. During this earlier period, natural factors dominated the climate system. 



About 80% of heat wave activity came from natural causes like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-orbit-may-trigger-massive-volcanic-eruptions/">volcanic eruptions</a> and normal weather variations. Sulfate aerosols - tiny particles released by volcanic eruptions and some human activities - actually helped cool the planet by making clouds reflect more sunlight back to space.



Fast forward to recent decades, and the picture looks completely different. From 1985 to 2014, heat waves started showing up every two years or less. They lasted up to three times longer than before. 



By this period, human influences had taken over. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">Greenhouse gas emissions</a> from burning coal, oil, and gas trapped more heat in the atmosphere. Black carbon emissions - essentially soot from incomplete combustion - absorbed sunlight and added to the warming effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-driven-heat-waves-in-africa">Human-driven heat waves in Africa</h2>



The researchers found that only 30% of recent heat wave activity could be blamed on natural causes. The rest comes directly from human actions. 



The team also found a strong connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-on-pace-to-surpass-1-5c-global-temperature-increase-for-second-year-in-a-row/">heat</a> wave frequency and near-surface air temperatures. This relationship makes sense because both are influenced by similar factors like air circulation patterns and how energy moves between the Earth's surface and atmosphere.



"Raising awareness of heat waves is critical to saving human life," said Akintomide Afolayan Akinsanola, head of the Climate Research Lab and assistant professor of Earth and environmental sciences in the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 



"In a developing continent like Africa, where the capacity for adaptive infrastructure is relatively low, heat waves can have greater consequences."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-africa-suffers-more-from-heat">Why Africa suffers more from heat</h2>



Africa sits in a particularly vulnerable position as our planet warms. The continent lacks the extensive air conditioning, emergency cooling centers, and heat-warning systems that help protect people in wealthier regions. Many communities depend on outdoor work and lack access to reliable electricity for cooling.



The human cost is already mounting. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-2024-record-heat-and-rising-seas/">Heat</a>-related illnesses kill about 5,600 people annually in the United States - a country with extensive cooling infrastructure and emergency services. Some experts predict that Nigeria alone could see heat-related deaths rise to 23,000 or even 43,000 per year by the end of this century.



The most vulnerable people - infants, older adults, and those with existing health conditions - face the greatest risks. But heat waves don't just threaten individual health. They damage entire ecosystems, reduce crop yields, and overwhelm energy systems when people desperately need power for cooling.



"I was surprised to see that these changes were consistent across the African subregions, not just a specific isolated area," said Vishal Bobde, a doctoral student in Akinsanola's lab and the study's first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-extreme-heat">Ripple effects of extreme heat</h2>



Heat waves create a cascade of problems that extend far beyond uncomfortable temperatures. When crops fail due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-pushing-parts-of-earth-beyond-human-survival/">extreme heat</a>, food prices rise and communities face shortages. 



Energy systems struggle to meet cooling demands, leading to blackouts that make the heat even more dangerous.



These climate pressures can force people to leave their homes in search of cooler, more livable areas. Large-scale migration puts stress on destination communities and can create conflicts over resources. The researchers warn that these effects don't stay contained within Africa's borders.



"The impacts are wide-ranging, from productivity to food shortage to energy," said Akinsanola, who is jointly appointed at the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory. 



"Remember that the African population is close to 2 billion. Heat waves can lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drought-kills-trees-faster-than-previously-thought/">drought</a>, trigger migration and spark conflicts, thereby impacting regional, continental and even global stability."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-toward-heat-solutions">Looking toward heat solutions</h2>



Scientists hope their findings will help African communities, governments, and international organizations develop better strategies for dealing with heat waves. 



This includes creating early warning systems that can alert people when dangerous heat is approaching, and improving what researchers call "heat-risk literacy" - helping people understand and respond to heat dangers.



"While Africa contributes a relatively small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is a global issue that is intensifying heat waves everywhere. Addressing this requires global cooperation to aggressively reduce emissions and build adaptive capacity," said Kayode Ayegbusi, co-first author and UIC doctoral student in Akinsanola's lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-a-hotter-future">Preparing for a hotter future</h2>



The research team plans to investigate how future heat wave patterns might change depending on whether the world meets the goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This international treaty aims to limit global temperature increases and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.



Understanding these climate patterns represents just the first step. The real challenge lies in translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that can protect vulnerable communities from an increasingly hostile climate.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02578-6">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Africa’s heat waves are getting hotter, longer, and deadlier

Heat defined the summer of 2024, a harsh reminder of...

Flyers may soon help unlock one of the most mysterious regions of Earth’s atmosphere. Between 30 and 60 miles above our heads lies the mesosphere - a stretch of sky too high for planes and weather balloons, too low for satellites, and nearly impossible to reach with current tools. 



Yet inside this no-man’s land sits valuable data that could sharpen weather forecasts and strengthen climate models.



Now, a group of scientists from the Harvard John A. Paulson <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Engineering and Applied Sciences</a> and the University of Chicago may have found a way in.



Their new study introduces an ultra-light flying device that can lift itself into this thin, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-may-amplify-the-impacts-of-geomagnetic-storms/">upper atmosphere</a> using only sunlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightweight-flyers-lifted-by-sunlight">Lightweight flyers lifted by sunlight</h2>



The secret behind these floating flyers is a little-known physics trick called photophoresis.



“We are studying this strange physics mechanism called photophoresis and its ability to levitate very lightweight objects when you shine light on them,” said Ben Schafer, the lead author of the study.



Photophoresis happens when gas molecules bounce harder off the warm side of an object than the cool side. That creates a tiny push. In most environments, the force is too weak to notice. But in very low-pressure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-space-station-observes-something-unknown-55-miles-above-earth/">conditions</a> - like those in the mesosphere - that small push can turn into a steady lift.



The research team built ultra-thin structures from ceramic alumina and coated one side with a thin chromium layer to absorb sunlight. When exposed to light, the temperature difference between the two sides generates a lift strong enough to counter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/">gravity</a>.



“This phenomenon is usually so weak relative to the size and weight of the object it’s acting on that we usually don’t notice it,” Schafer explained. “However, we are able to make our structures so lightweight that the photophoretic force is bigger than their weight, so they fly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthroughs-in-technology">Breakthroughs in technology </h2>



The idea for these light-powered devices started over a decade ago. David Keith, now at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, had been exploring ways photophoretic particles might be used in climate engineering. 



That sparked a collaboration with Schafer and Joost Vlassak, a materials engineering expert with deep knowledge in nanofabrication.



Recent breakthroughs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanotech-material-graphene-passes-human-safety-tests/">nanotech</a> made it all possible. Scientists can now build featherweight structures with precise control over material thickness and shape.



“We developed a nanofabrication process that can be scaled to tens of centimeters,” said Vlassak. “These devices are quite resilient and have unusual mechanical behavior for sandwich structures. We are currently working on methods to incorporate functional payloads into the devices.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunlight-powered-flyers-in-the-atmosphere">Sunlight-powered flyers in the atmosphere</h2>



To see if the theory would hold up, the team designed and built their devices in the lab. They placed them inside a low-pressure chamber, designed by Schafer and Harvard postdoctoral fellow Jong-hyoung Kim, to simulate conditions found in the upper atmosphere.



“This paper is both theoretical and experimental in the sense that we reimagined how this force is calculated on real devices and then validated those forces by applying measurements to real-world conditions,” Schafer said.



In one key experiment, a structure just one centimeter wide was able to float at a pressure of 26.7 Pascals when exposed to light at 55% the intensity of sunlight. That’s about what you'd experience 60 kilometers above Earth.



“This is the first time anyone has shown that you can build larger photophoretic structures and actually make them fly in the atmosphere,” Keith said. “It opens up an entirely new class of device: one that’s passive, sunlight-powered, and uniquely suited to explore our upper atmosphere. Later they might fly on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-plan-terraform-mars-nanoparticles-would-make-it-habitable-for-humans/">Mars</a> or other planets.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-ways-to-study-the-mesosphere">New ways to study the mesosphere </h2>



These devices could open up entirely new ways to monitor and study the mesosphere. With small sensors attached, they could collect data like wind speed, temperature, and pressure - information that’s hard to come by today, but critical for accurate forecasting and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exxons-climate-predictions-were-remarkably-accurate-but-ignored/">climate predictions</a>.



Fleets of flyers in the mesosphere could also be used for emergency communication networks or defense, acting like near-Earth satellites but without the high cost or lag time.



And since the atmosphere on Mars shares similar characteristics with our mesosphere, these devices could even help in future planetary missions. The team is now working on building communication payloads that will let the devices send back data in real time.



“I think what makes this research fun is that the technology could be used to explore an entirely unexplored region of the atmosphere. Previously, nothing could sustainably fly up there,” Schafer said. “It’s a bit like the Wild West in terms of applied physics."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09281-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: Ben Schafer and Jong-hyoung Kim



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Sunlight-powered flyers could unlock secrets of Earth's atmosphere

Flyers may soon help unlock one of the most mysterious...

Silhouette,Business,People,Discussion,Communication,Meeting,Concept

Body posture sends steady social signals. Long before anyone speaks, the way a person naturally stands can hint at how they see status, power, and the people around them. Not just in heated moments - your baseline stance matters.



Most research on posture looks at quick shifts tied to mood. This current study asked a different question: Are there trait-level differences in posture that stick over time and actually tell us something <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychologists-claim-the-7-38-55-rule-is-secret-to-exceptional-eq-emotional-intelligence/">about personality</a>?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-posture-to-social-personality">Linking posture to social personality</h2>



The research tested whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-men-and-women-react-differently-to-stress/">individual differences</a> in everyday, natural posture relate to individual differences in personality. 



In a large sample, the team tracked posture in neutral settings and linked those measures with attitudes toward competition, power, and social hierarchy.



The work was led by Soren Wanio-Theberge and Jorge Armony at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>, who have argued that body language connects directly to emotions; these studies put that idea in a more precise frame.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-mood-and-posture">Social mood and posture</h2>



The relationship the authors describe reflects individual differences in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36048034/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">postural dominance</a> and submission. 



People vary in how “open” or “closed” they tend to hold themselves at rest, and those patterns align with how they think about social rank. 



The work suggests that postural signaling of social rank occurs not only in brief displays but as a stable individual trait with consequences for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/social-processing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">socioaffective processing</a>.



To ensure the posture measure was sound, the researchers validated it against physiological data from relevant musculature and showed that it remained stable over a one-month interval.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-they-measured-it">How they measured it</h2>



Across the five studies, four relied on photos participants submitted of themselves standing in a natural pose. One brought participants to the lab for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-felt-emotions-in-unusual-body-parts/">physiological measurements</a>. 



In total, there were 608 young adult participants. Postural ratings across time tended to be stable, which supports the idea that baseline stance is more than a passing mood.



In one experiment, participants were instructed to pose in a dominant or submissive way. 



In the submissive stance, they adopted a stooped, bent-forward posture. When instructed to appear dominant, they stood upright, with hips forward and torso leaning backward. 



This might remind you of the “power pose” idea, but there was no indication in this particular study that an altered posture produced an altered state of mind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neck-flexion-and-positioning">Neck flexion and positioning</h2>



The most informative feature was how much the head tilts down or up - <a href="https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/lifestyle-medicine/movement/resources/neck" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neck flexion</a>. The scientists focused on the angle that captures chin-down vs. chin-up - i.e., how much the head is tilted forward relative to the neck/torso. 



The team extracted body keypoints from simple front/side photos, then computed posture angles - including a neck-flexion angle - from those keypoints.



The position of your neck, combined with your body posture and stance, correlated to personality: more-upright individuals tended, on average, to endorse more dominance-oriented views and scored higher on some manipulative/antisocial trait measures. 



To clarify, people who naturally held their head higher (less flexion; more “chin up”) tended, on average, to score higher on dominance-related and some antisocial/manipulative traits (e.g., social dominance orientation, primary psychopathy, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/machiavellianism" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Machiavellianism</a>). They also scored lower on empathy and anger control.



Crucially, neck flexion was a group-level correlation, not a diagnosis, and the pattern held when participants returned about a month later, suggesting a stable trait rather than just a passing mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-posture-and-social-cues">Posture and social cues</h2>



Some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/body-language-expresses-emotions-across-cultures/">body-emotion links</a> are well known: raising the fists (anger), moving the torso backward (fear), curving the lower back or “lordotic” posture (sexual receptiveness in female mammals), and arching the back (rats and other four-legged animals). 



In social situations, an open, erect, and expanded stance often reads as dominant. A slumped, closed posture tends to read as submissive.



These visible patterns form a practical “menu” of cues people use, especially with strangers. Any one of them, or a mix, can help you <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39311863/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">figure out what someone may be signaling</a> without saying a word.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personality-links-that-showed-up">Personality links that showed up</h2>



Early in the series, people with more erect postures scored higher on personality traits associated with psychopathic tendencies. Later work broadened the view. 



The final study assessed psychopathy, manipulativeness, competitiveness, and belief in the existence of social hierarchies. 



In the authors’ words, this range of attributes reflects “the use of intimidation in order to improve one’s access to resources in the environment at the expense of others."



The authors reasoned that for some dominant individuals, “the experience of being at the bottom of the heap can be intolerable." 



A feedback loop can follow: standing tall and straight takes effort and often draws deferential treatment. That social response can reinforce a dominant posture over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-everyone-stands-the-same">Not everyone stands the same</h2>



People who scored lower on these dominance-related traits showed a wider range of stances rather than sticking to one “strong” look. 



Flexibility in posture - opening up in some moments, settling into neutral in others - fits with lower endorsement of competitive, top-down views of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/having-an-active-social-life-helps-the-brain-make-better-sense-of-the-world/">social life</a>.



The big picture here is that natural posture, captured in everyday conditions, carries information about personality and social attitudes. It wasn’t just a flash in the pan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underlying-issues">Underlying issues</h2>



There are limits. The sample leaned heavily toward female undergraduates, and the methods were correlational. Culture also shapes how people use space and stance. 



As people age, normal changes in muscle and body mass can affect posture, no matter their personality. Those realities matter when you apply these findings to new groups or settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-this-into-the-real-world">Bringing this into the real world</h2>



When you meet someone new, you take in many cues at once - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/">face</a>, voice, handshake, movement. Posture is one cue among many, and it’s a useful one. 



A person standing up straight can come across as confident and trustworthy. However, in special circumstances, a consistently erect, expanded stance was associated with stronger endorsement of social dominance and related traits. 



On the flip side, a person who slumps isn’t automatically timid; context matters.



The study closes with a practical note: a person who appears to use their body to intimidate you - even if they do not fully succeed - is someone to avoid.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-you-should-take-from-this-study">What you should take from this study</h2>



Trait-level posture exists - that isn't up for debate. It links directly to how people think about rank and competition. The measure was checked against muscle activity and held steady over one month. 



Briefly adopting a pose - dominant or submissive - didn’t seem to change people’s mindset in this set of studies. 



And while posture can inform first impressions, it should sit alongside other signals before you decide how to engage.



That’s the takeaway: pay attention, stay thoughtful, and use posture as one clear piece of the larger social puzzle.



The full studies were published in the journal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39311863/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PubMed</a>.



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You can quickly determine someone's personality type by the way they stand

Body posture sends steady social signals. Long before anyone speaks,...

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