Earth Systems and Climate Change

Planetary CT scans and lab experiments reveal layering and intricate flows in the mantle.

Wildfires spark new research in the Aerosol Interdisciplinary Research Group’s lab, AIR Lab, at Washington University in St. Louis. 

To conduct a comprehensive analysis of what makes up wildfire smoke plumes, Rajan Chakrabarty’s team spent 45 days in wildfire locations in the western United States where they sampled gaseous smoke and aerosol species and analyzed their chemical and optical properties.

Rising temperatures and heaps of remaining snow and ice create the perfect growing conditions for a pesky allergen.

BJC Health System and Washington University have each donated $5 million to the Brickline Greenway project, the 10-mile biking and walking trail system that officials hope to extend across the city over the next few years.

People across the US are reporting a mysterious fog with a ‘chemical smell’ that they believe is making them sick within minutes of exposure. 

Revelation is blow to hopes for habitability and future space missions

Researchers are studying dark brown carbon deposition from wildfires which can accelerate the snow melting process of midlatitude glaciers. The new research could go a long way ensuring accurate climate models and measurements.

Suzanne Renner, a professor of biology at WashU, answers the question “Does a changing climate impact the timing of when the leaves change colors and how vibrant fall foliage can become?”

A recent study has cast doubt on the long-held belief that drought, caused the decline of Cahokia, a once-thriving Native American settlement near present-day St. Louis.