Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
Assessing the Precision of ERA5 Weather Data: An Earthscience Perspective
Energy & ResourcesOne of the most important aspects of weather forecasting is the accuracy of the data used in the process. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has been providing weather data for over four decades, and its latest product, ERA5, has been adopted by many organizations worldwide. ERA5 is a reanalysis dataset that provides
Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
Geothermal Energy: A Viable Alternative to Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Power?
Energy & ResourcesThe world relies heavily on fossil fuels and nuclear power for its energy needs, but these energy sources have significant drawbacks. Fossil fuels are finite resources that contribute to climate change, while nuclear power is associated with safety concerns and the potential for catastrophic accidents. As a result, there has been a growing interest in
Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
Taphonomic Expansion: Understanding the Processes that Shape Fossil Records
Energy & ResourcesTaphonomy is the study of how organisms decay and become fossilized. It is an interdisciplinary field involving biology, geology, and paleontology. Taphonomic expansion is a concept in taphonomy that refers to the process by which the range of taphonomic processes that affect an organism is expanded. In other words, it is the idea that taphonomic
Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
Converting Averaging Kernels: From DU/DU to ppbv/ppbv for Accurate Earth Science Validation
Energy & ResourcesWhat is Averaging Kernel? The averaging kernel is a mathematical function used in the retrieval of atmospheric trace gases from remote sensing measurements such as satellite observations. The purpose of the averaging kernel is to account for the sensitivity of the observed measurements to the vertical distribution of the trace gas in the atmosphere. In
Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
The Implications of Methane Decay on Earth’s Climate
Energy & ResourcesMethane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for about 20% of the Earth’s warming. It is produced by both natural and human activities, including the decomposition of organic matter, rice cultivation and the burning of fossil fuels. Methane is also a key component of natural gas, which is used extensively for energy production around the
Posted on June 3, 2023 (Updated on July 9, 2025)
Uncovering the Slow Decay of Steel Cans in Landfills: A Decomposition Timeline
Energy & ResourcesWhen we think of landfills, we often think of a place where garbage goes to rot. But not all materials decompose at the same rate. For example, steel cans are often used to store food and beverages, but how long does it take for them to decompose in a landfill? In this article, we’ll take