Unraveling the Mystery of Ekman Transport: The Role of Coriolis Effect in Air Currents
Weather & ForecastsThe Coriolis effect and Ekman transport are two important concepts in Earth science that explain the behavior of air currents. The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes objects moving on the Earth’s surface to appear to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to
Disrupting the View: How Primate Behavior Can Impact Distant Cloud Observation
Natural EnvironmentsThe event I recently had an unusual experience that highlighted the unexpected ways in which our environment can affect our ability to observe and understand the world around us. While attempting to observe a large cloud formation 300 miles away, my snarky cousin decided to throw a monkey into my line of sight. While the
The Surprising Role of Sublimation in Glacial Ice Mass Balance: An Energy Balance Perspective
Outdoor GearGlaciers are one of the most important sources of freshwater on Earth, and their mass balance (the balance between ice accumulation and loss) is a key indicator of the health of our planet’s cryosphere. A positive mass balance occurs when the amount of ice gained by a glacier exceeds the amount lost through melting, calving,
Exploring Plate Tectonics through Time: An Interactive Online Demonstration with Google Earth
Geology & LandformPlate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains how the outermost layer of the Earth is made up of plates that move and interact with each other. It is a fundamental concept in Earth science and helps us understand a wide range of geological phenomena, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to the formation of mountain
The Basics of 0 Degree Isotherm and Its Calculation in Snow Science
Polar & Ice RegionsIn snow science, the 0-degree isotherm is an important concept that helps determine the temperature profile of the snowpack. The 0-degree isotherm, also known as the freezing level, is the height or elevation at which the temperature is 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). The location of this isotherm is influenced by factors such as
Calculating the Horizontal Distance to the Visible Horizon: Exploring the Effects of Earth’s Curvature on Sea Level Observations
Water BodiesObserving the horizon is a common sight for people who live near the coast or are on a boat. The horizon is the apparent line that separates the sky from the land or sea. What many people do not realize is that the apparent horizon they see is not actually flat, but curved. This curvature