Earthquake Shakes New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, and More
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near Lebanon, N.J., at 10:23 A.M. EDT. Shaking was felt over a broad area, including parts of New York State, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Stories by Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is an associate editor covering the environment, energy and earth sciences. She has been covering these issues for 16 years. Prior to joining Scientific American, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered earth science and the environment. She has moderated panels, including as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Media Zone, and appeared in radio and television interviews on major networks. She holds a graduate degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a B.S. and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The Latest Weather Forecast along the Total Solar Eclipse Path
From cloud coverage to clear skies, here’s up-to-date weather conditions expected along the path of April 8’s total solar eclipse
How Texas’s Smokehouse Creek Wildfire Just Grew into the Largest in State History
More than one million acres are burning in Texas after freezes, dry weather and winds
The Internet’s ‘Dog Mom’ Talks about the Science of the Human-Dog Bond
Jen Golbeck, “dog mom” to a group of golden retrievers called the Golden Ratio on social media, talks about the science of the bond between humans and their dogs and all the ways that the canines benefit people
2023 Was the Hottest Year on Record by a Long Shot
The year 2023 is officially the hottest on record, edging close to the mark of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. But that doesn’t mean that the goals of the Paris climate accord are out of reach
The Surprising Health Benefits of Dog Ownership
Dogs are good for you, science says.
The Most Important Climate Stories of 2023 Aren’t All Bad News
In 2023 climate news was a mixed bag: we saw unrelenting heat but also glimmers of hope of progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions
7 Weird Animal Behaviors That Amazed Us in 2023
From fish that dance to “see” to frogs disguised as poop to boat-attacking killer whales, Scientific American rounds up our favorite odd animals of 2023
Climate Adaptation Can Backfire If We Aren't Careful
The choices we make in how we adapt to climate change can sometimes come back to bite us
Earth Just Had the Hottest 12-Month Span in Recorded History
The planet just saw the hottest span of 12 months in human history because of climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels
South America’s Winter Hot Spell Was 100 Times More Likely with Climate Change
A heat dome that baked parts of South America in late September was made much more likely and at least 1.4 degrees Celsius (2.5 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter by climate change
September Was the Most Anomalously Hot Month Ever
September shattered a record for the highest temperature anomaly of any month and could help push 2023 to be the first year to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures
New York City’s Floods and Torrential Rainfall Explained
Record-breaking rains caused major flash flooding in New York City, reminiscent of Hurricane Ida and a sign of what climate change will increasingly bring
A Record Number of Billion-Dollar Disasters Show U.S. Isn't Ready for Climate Change
The U.S. has already seen a record number of disasters costing at least $1 billion in 2023, which underscores how unprepared the nation is to withstand climate-driven catastrophe
Half the World’s Population Faced Extreme Heat for at Least 30 Days This Summer
Nearly every person on the planet saw high temperatures that were made at least twice as likely by climate change this summer
Hurricane Idalia Turns into a Monster Storm because of Heat in Gulf of Mexico
Abundant warm ocean waters caused Hurricane Idalia to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before striking the Gulf Coast of Florida and bringing significant impacts
Hurricane Hilary Brings Major Flood Risks to U.S. Southwest
Hurricane Hilary is set to cause torrential rains and flooding in the desert Southwest. It could even potentially bring California its first direct hit from a tropical storm since 1939
What Caused Maui’s Devastating Wildfires?
Dry conditions and strong winds set the stage for the disastrous wildfires that tore through the historic town of Lahaina and other areas of Hawaii
Here Are the Stunning Heat Records Set So Far This Summer
From Phoenix, Ariz., to China to Spain, heat records are being set all over the world
July 2023 Is Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth
Preliminary analyses show that this July is virtually certain to be the hottest month on record for the planet by a wide margin, largely because of global warming
This Summer’s Record-Breaking Heat Waves Would Not Have Happened without Climate Change
Climate change made heat waves in the U.S. Southwest, Europe and China hotter and more likely
Why Hot Overnight Temperatures Are So Dangerous
It’s not just the soaring temperatures of day that make heat waves dangerous. High nighttime temperatures add to the stress on human bodies
Death Valley Could Set a World Record Hot Temperature
The temperature in Death Valley could rise above 130 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend. If it does, it would set a record for the hottest temperature ever reliably measured on Earth
What’s Causing This Record-Breaking Heat?
Yet another heat dome will send temperatures skyrocketing across the U.S. Southwest just after the planet saw its hottest week on record