Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a volcanic plume drifting from Anak Krakatau, a small island in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. 



Anak Krakatau, which means "Child of Krakatoa," emerged from the sea in 1927, forming over the caldera of the infamous Krakatoa volcano, which erupted catastrophically in 1883.&nbsp;



This earlier eruption was one of the most violent volcanic events in recorded history, known for its immense power and the global climate impact it had due to the large amount of ash it sent into the upper atmosphere.



Anak Krakatau has been growing continuously since its emergence, with frequent eruptions that have reshaped its structure and size over time.&nbsp;



"Geologists have tallied 57 eruptive periods from this location since the beginning of the Holocene, roughly 11,700 years ago," said NASA. "The most recent eruptive period, which started in May 2021 and continued into December 2023, has featured frequent but generally mild Strombolian blasts of volcanic gases and ash particles."&nbsp;



"Materials ejected from the volcano’s vent are typically lofted a few hundred meters above the summit, and small lava flows occasionally drain down the island's flanks and into the sea."



"Beginning on November 26, 2023, geologists with the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation began to report more intense explosions, with plumes of volcanic material rising up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the vent."&nbsp;



The public has been warned to stay at least 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the crater. Due to elevated risks of ash in the area, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, has issued multiple warnings to the aviation community.



The image was captured on December 2, 2023 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Volcanic activity has intensified on Anak Krakatau

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a false-color image of Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.&nbsp;



"Visible as the large round dark area, Lake Abbe, also known as Lake Abhe, straddles the border of Ethiopia to the west and Djibouti to the east. The lake is 19 km wide and 17 km long and is extremely salty. It is dotted with clusters of steaming limestone chimneys and surrounded by large salt flats, visible in white, and rift volcanoes," says ESA.



"The biggest volcano in the image is Mount Dama Ali, a dormant 25-km-wide shield volcano that rises on the northwest shore of the lake."



"Lake Abbe and Lake Afambo, which is visible at the top of the image, are part of a chain of six connected salt lakes, fed by the Awash River - one of Ethiopia’s biggest rivers.'



Copernicus Sentinel-2’s near-infrared channel highlights vegetation in bright red. This strategy makes it easy to spot algal blooms, such as the one that is visible in Lake Abbe. According to ESA, the light blue color on the west shore indicates sediment discharged into the lake.



"Because of its dry, desert, almost lunar landscape and the steaming, sulphuric vents, Lake Abbe is considered one of the most inaccessible areas on Earth," says ESA. "Earth observation satellites are key in these cases as they are particularly relevant for monitoring remote regions such as this."



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia

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>&nbsp;features an astronaut photograph of Abu Dhabi, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf.



Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates.&nbsp;



Abu Dhabi possesses around 9% of the world's proven oil reserves and about 5% of the world's natural gas. Consequently, oil exports have fueled its rapid development and provided substantial wealth.



"Prior to the formation of the UAE in the 1970s, Abu Dhabi was a municipality of less than 62,000 people. The region experienced a rapid population increase over the past five decades due to its role in the petroleum and financial industries, which enabled the city’s population to grow to about 1.5 million people by the early 2020s," said NASA.



The city places a strong emphasis on promoting Emirati culture and heritage. It hosts numerous events, festivals, and has several museums and cultural centers.



"The landscape of the Abu Dhabi emirate is mainly composed of wind-blown sand, mangroves, rocky outcrops, and intertidal flats. The Abu Dhabi Sabkha, visible along the coastline as brown, non-vegetated land, was produced by wind erosion of ancient dunes and the deposition of tidal sediments," said NASA.



"Sabkhas are flat coastal areas that are characteristically high in salt. The abundance of salt in the soil limits the ability of vegetation to develop on the sabkha."



"In contrast to the barren sabkha, green mangrove forests are present along the coastline as well. Mangrove forests are regions of shrubs and trees with dense root systems that protect the intertidal zones from coastal erosion."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission view of Tutuila, a tropical island in the American Samoa archipelago.



American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of five main islands and two atolls. The largest and most populous island is Tutuila, where Pago Pago, the capital city, is situated.



The eastern part of the chain of islands forms the American Samoa, while the western part forms the independent state of Samoa.



Tutuila Island is known for its rugged terrain, lush landscapes, and deep harbors. It's the economic and political center of American Samoa, with the majority of the population residing here. The island's geography features volcanic peaks, with Mount Alava and Matafao Peak being the highest points, offering stunning views and rich biodiversity.



American Samoa as a whole has a unique blend of American and Samoan culture. The territory maintains traditional Samoan customs, making it a fascinating place for cultural studies. The economy primarily revolves around fishing and the services sector, with canned tuna being a significant export.



The National Park of American Samoa, partly located on Tutuila, helps preserve the tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture. This park is unique because it's one of the only national parks in the United States that's leased rather than owned by the government, reflecting the strong communal land traditions of Samoa.



Image Credit: ESA 



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Tutuila in the American Samoa archipelago 

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the summit crater of Mount Erebus peeking through the clouds. Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and the second-highest volcano in Antarctica.



Mount Erebus is situated on Ross Island in the Ross Sea. It was discovered in 1841 by the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who named it after his ship, the Erebus.



It stands at an elevation of about 3,794 meters (12,448 feet). It's a stratovolcano, characterized by a conical shape and layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.



Mount Erebus is known for its persistent lava lake, which is visible in the image. "The lake has been active since at least 1972 and is one of only a few long-lived lava lakes on Earth. It constantly churns and occasionally spews bombs of molten rock in Strombolian eruptions," said NASA.



"Geologists want to learn why an active lava lake has persisted here for so long. Recent research suggests one reason could be the magma’s low water content, which makes it less volatile as it approaches the surface."



Due to its unique features, Mount Erebus is an important site for scientific research. Researchers study its geology, unique gas emissions, and microbial life in its extreme environment.



However, the harsh Antarctic climate and its remote location make it a challenging environment for research. Additionally, its volcanic activity poses risks.



The image was captured on November 25,2023 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Mount Erebus breaks through the clouds

A comprehensive report from the <a href="https://wmo.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO) confirms that the last decade was the hottest on record.&nbsp;



<a href="https://library.wmo.int/records/item/68585-the-global-climate-2011-2020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration</a> reveals an alarming acceleration in the rate of climate change during this time period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hottest-decade">The hottest decade</h2>



Released at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), the report highlights the urgent need for more ambitious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lancet-2023-immediate-climate-action-critical-to-safeguard-billions/">climate action</a> to limit global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;



The WMO found that 2020 was one of the warmest years of the decade as well as 2016, which was due to a strong <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-unpredictable-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño event</a>. The largest temperature deviations for the decade - places more than 2 °C above the 1981-2010 average - were in the Arctic.



The authors emphasize the concerning transformation of polar regions and high mountains, including record rates of ice melt and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-melting-of-petermann-glacier-signals-even-worse-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a> fueled by rising concentrations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-becomes-a-more-potent-greenhouse-gas-as-climate-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a>.



One of the most striking findings is the rate at which glaciers have thinned, averaging around one meter per year. The unprecedented losses pose significant long-term threats to water supplies for millions globally.&nbsp;



The Antarctic continental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-sea-ice-extent-hit-a-record-low-this-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheet's ice loss</a> increased by nearly 75% between 2011-2020 compared to the previous decade, signaling a troubling trend for future sea level rise and the consequent risk to low-lying coastal regions.



Despite these alarming trends, the report offers a glimmer of hope regarding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ozone-hole-is-now-one-of-the-largest-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ozone hole</a>. It was smaller during the 2011-2020 period than in the two preceding decades. This positive outcome is attributed to international efforts to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals under the Montreal Protocol.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gas-emissions-nbsp">Greenhouse gas emissions&nbsp;</h2>



“Each decade since the 1990s has been warmer than the previous one and we see no immediate sign of this trend reversing. More countries reported record high temperatures than in any other decade. Our ocean is warming faster and faster and the rate of sea level rise has nearly doubled in less than a generation. We are losing the race to save our melting glaciers and ice sheets,” said WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas.



“This is unequivocally driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. We have to cut greenhouse gas emissions as a top and overriding priority for the planet in order to prevent climate change spiraling out of control."



“Our weather is becoming more extreme, with a clear and demonstrable impact on socio-economic development. Droughts, heatwaves, floods, tropical cyclones and wildfires damage infrastructure, destroy agricultural yields, limit water supplies and cause mass displacements. Numerous studies show that, in particular, the risk of intense heat has significantly increased in the past decade.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-events">Extreme events</h2>



The report documents the devastating impact of extreme events on food security, displacement, migration, and the hindrance of progress toward the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs). 



The experts note that improvements in forecasts, early warnings, disaster management, and response are making a difference, with a decline in casualties from extreme events despite increased economic losses.



Financial aspects are also addressed, with the report stating that public and private climate finance almost doubled between 2011 and 2020. However, the authors emphasize the need for a substantial increase in funding to meet climate objectives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-from-the-hottest-decade">Key findings from the hottest decade</h2>



The report is based on analyses and assessments from numerous experts, including those at National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, Regional Climate Centres, and UN partners.&nbsp;



Key findings include the record-breaking global mean temperature for 2011-2020, the consistent warming trend across successive decades, and the alarming increases in greenhouse gas concentrations. The authors also highlight the increased rates of ocean warming and acidification, the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, and the accelerating global mean sea level rise.&nbsp;



In summary, the WMO report serves as a crucial reminder of the accelerated pace and complex impact of climate change. It calls for urgent global action to mitigate these changes, including the need for a sustainable reduction in emissions and ambitious climate policies to safeguard our planet's future.



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The last decade was the hottest decade in recorded history 

A comprehensive report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirms...

By adopting key measures, we could slash 60 percent of the predicted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-expected-to-reach-a-new-high-in-2023/">emissions</a> from the cooling sector, according to a new report published during the COP28 climate talks in Dubai.



The <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/global-cooling-watch-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Cooling Watch</a> report, authored by the UN Environment Programme-led Cool Coalition, could lead to a significant shift in how we approach the cooling sector's environmental impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cooling-crisis">The cooling crisis</h2>



The cooling sector is currently at a crossroads. On one hand, it's essential for human health, food safety, and economic productivity. On the other, it's a significant contributor to global emissions.&nbsp;



The report highlights the gravity of the situation: cooling equipment accounts for 20 percent of total electricity consumption, and this figure could more than double in the next couple of decades.



The report states that, under a business-as-usual scenario, emissions from cooling are predicted to account for more than 10 percent of global emissions by 2050.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-cooling">Sustainable cooling</h2>



The report introduces a sustainable roadmap for the cooling sector, which emphasizes three key strategies:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-passive-cooling-measures">Passive cooling measures</h3>



These include insulation, natural shading, and ventilation, potentially reducing cooling demand by 24 percent in 2050.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-efficiency-standards">Energy efficiency standards</h3>



Tripling global average efficiency could deliver 30 percent of the modeled energy savings.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hfc-refrigerants">HFC refrigerants</h3>



In line with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the accelerated phase down of HFC refrigerants could halve these emissions by 2050.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-cooling-pledge">Global Cooling Pledge</h2>



A pivotal aspect of the report is its support for the Global Cooling Pledge, a joint initiative between the United Arab Emirates and the Cool Coalition.&nbsp;



Over 60 countries have committed to this pledge, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce the climate impact of the cooling sector.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-energy-efficiency">Improving energy efficiency</h2>



Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, stressed the importance of improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in the cooling sector, particularly for vulnerable communities.



“As temperatures rise, it is critical that we work together to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from the cooling sector while increasing access to sustainable cooling. This access is especially important for the most vulnerable communities, who have often contributed the least to climate change but are the most exposed to its impacts,” said Dr. Al Jaber.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-carbon-cooling-growth">Low-carbon cooling growth</h2>



Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, said thar the cooling sector must grow to protect everyone from rising temperatures, maintain food quality and safety, keep vaccines stable, and keep economies productive.



“But this growth must not come at the cost of the energy transition and more intense climate impacts. Countries and the cooling sector must act now to ensure low-carbon cooling growth. Fortunately, the solutions are available today."



"Getting energy efficient, sustainable cooling right offers an opportunity to cut global warming, improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people, and realize huge financial savings," said Anderson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-humanitarian-aspects">Economic and humanitarian aspects</h2>



The report outlines the substantial benefits of following its recommendations:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humanitarian">Humanitarian</h3>



3.5 billion more people could benefit from cooling services by 2050.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic">Economic</h3>



Potential savings of $1 trillion in electricity bills by 2050 and a cumulative $17 trillion between 2022 and 2050.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy">Energy</h3>



Reduction in peak power requirements by 1.5 to 2 TW, avoiding up to $5 trillion in power generation investments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-nbsp">Broader implications&nbsp;</h2>



For the cooling sector's transformation, comprehensive approaches are needed. This includes integrating sustainable cooling in national policies, enhancing financial mechanisms, and fostering public-private partnerships.



The Global Cooling Watch report is more than a set of guidelines - it's a blueprint for a sustainable future.&nbsp;



“The private sector has a huge role to play in financing and driving innovation to advance sustainable cooling, which can help fulfill vital local development needs and support global carbon reduction targets," said Makhtar Diop, managing director, International Finance Corporation. 



"We are pleased to contribute to the Global Cooling Stocktake Report and to support the Global Cooling Pledge."



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Cooling sector emissions could be drastically reduced by 2050

By adopting key measures, we could slash 60 percent of...

3d,Illustration,Of,A,Landscape,Of,Enceladus,,Saturn's,Moon

Astrophysics and space research have long been intrigued by one persisting question: Is there life beyond Earth? Saturn's icy moon, Enceladus, emerges as a prime candidate in this search. 



Enceladus is known as an '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shock-discovery-saturns-moon-enceladus-has-all-of-the-ingredients-necessary-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean world</a>' and possesses all three key essential elements for life as we know it -- water, energy, and organic material.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-plumes-on-saturn-s-moon-enceladus">Ice plumes on Saturn's moon Enceladus</h2>



NASA's <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cassini spacecraft</a>, during its remarkable 20-year mission, uncovered that Enceladus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-on-saturns-moon-enceladus-massive-water-plume-has-scientists-wondering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ejects ice plumes</a> at a staggering speed of approximately 800 miles per hour. 



These plumes are not only fascinating but also offer a unique opportunity to study the composition of Enceladus' oceans and their potential to harbor life. The main challenge, however, was the uncertainty of whether organic compounds within these ice grains could survive the high-speed ejection without degradation.



In a significant development, researchers from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, San Diego</a>, have provided clear laboratory evidence that amino acids in these ice plumes can withstand impact speeds of up to 4.2 km/s. This research supports the possibility of detecting such compounds during space missions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aerosol-impact-spectrometer">Aerosol impact spectrometer</h2>



Led by Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="http://checont6.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Continetti</a>, the team at UC San Diego developed a custom-built aerosol impact spectrometer. 



This apparatus, unique in its ability to handle single particles at high velocities, was initially not intended for studying ice grain impacts but proved to be exceptionally suited for this purpose.



Continetti explains, “This apparatus is the only one of its kind in the world that can select single particles and accelerate or decelerate them to chosen final velocities.” 



The spectrometer's versatility in examining particles of various sizes and materials adds to its significance in understanding particle behavior upon high-speed impact.



In 2024, NASA plans to launch the <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Clipper</a>, aiming for Jupiter's moon Europa. Similar to Enceladus, Europa is another 'ocean world' with icy composition. This mission, along with any future probes to Saturn, holds the promise of identifying molecules in ice grains that could indicate life in the subsurface oceans of these moons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-life-in-the-enceladus-ice">Finding life in the Enceladus ice</h2>



Continetti's team is the first to measure the effects of single ice grain impacts, a crucial step in understanding the survivability of organic molecules during high-speed ejections from moons like Enceladus and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-on-europa-co2-discovery-by-webb-increases-the-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a>.



The team generated ice grains using electrospray ionization and observed their behavior in a vacuum. They meticulously measured the mass, charge, and impact timing of these grains, providing insights into the survivability of amino acids at high velocities.



Their research bolsters the possibility of detecting extraterrestrial life and opens new avenues in chemistry. The presence of salt in Enceladus' oceans, believed to be more than Earth's, could affect the detectability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amino acids</a>. This aspect of salt altering water's properties and solubility of molecules could lead to more efficient detection methods.



“To get an idea of what kind of life may be possible in the solar system, you want to know there hasn’t been a lot of molecular fragmentation in the sampled ice grains, so you can get that fingerprint of whatever it is that makes it a self-contained life form,” said Continetti. “Our work shows that this is possible with the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/missions/cassini/the-moon-with-the-plume/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice plumes of Enceladus</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-biosignatures">Beyond biosignatures</h2>



Continetti expresses excitement about the broader implications of their work, stating, “The implications this has for detecting life elsewhere in the solar system without missions to the surface of these ocean-world moons is very exciting, but our work goes beyond biosignatures in ice grains.” 



He emphasizes the potential contributions to fundamental chemistry and the continuation of pioneering research in the field.



“It has implications for fundamental chemistry as well. We are excited by the prospect of following in the footsteps of Harold Urey and Stanley Miller, founding faculty at UC San Diego in looking at the formation of the building blocks of life from chemical reactions activated by ice grain impact," Continetti concluded.



The research by Continetti and his team at UC San Diego marks a significant step in the ongoing quest to understand the potential for life beyond Earth. As space missions continue to explore the icy moons of our solar system, this research paves the way for new discoveries and a deeper understanding of the universe we inhabit.



The full study was published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313447120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.



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How scientists plan to find alien life on Saturn's moon Enceladus

Astrophysics and space research have long been intrigued by one...

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<script src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
Recovery two years after the Cottonwood Fire Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/"> U.S. Geological Survey</a> shows the recovery of grassland in western South Dakota that was consumed by fire two years ago.
On October 16, 2018, the Cottonwood Fire burned over 41,000 acres in two days.
Igniting just north of the Badlands National Park, the fire was fueled by low humidity, intense winds, and high temperatures. Recovery from large wildfires may require some help. But forests will, in time, heal themselves. The following time-lapse video clip captures the stunning regrowth of a longleaf pine habitat over the course of two months after a controlled burn: How Fire Can Restore a Forest: A Time-Lapse (Ground View)
The natural pattern of recovery after a wildfire is referred to as “ecological succession.” This is the process whereby the land, plants and wildlife move through various ecological stages in order to return to a state of relative stability. The event included previews of a new documentary, Rebuilding Paradise, by Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, which premieres on National Geographic Channel on Nov. 8, the second anniversary of the fire. Recovery two years after the Cottonwood Fire.
&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Video Credit: U.S. Geological Survey