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  • Irish Chronicles Document Links Between Volcanoes and Weather
    A study of over 40,000 written entries in Irish Annals and ice core measurements shows a strong corr...Read more

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    Irish Chronicles Document Links Between Volcanoes and Weather

    A study of over 40,000 written entries in Irish Annals and ice core measurements shows a strong correlation between the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and extreme cold weather in Ireland over a 1200 year period. Data analyzed in this study cover the period from 431 to 1649, during which time up to 48 volcanic eruptions are identified in Greenland ice core records through deposition of volcanic sulfate in annual layers of ice. You can find the study (open access), published on 6 June 2013 in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters, at http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/2/024035/article. Find out more about how volcanoes can influence climate.
  • EF-5 Tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma Widest Ever Recorded in US
    The EF-5 tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma on May 31st was the widest ever recorded in the US, acco...Read more

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    EF-5 Tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma Widest Ever Recorded in US

    The EF-5 tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma on May 31st was the widest ever recorded in the US, according to the National Weather Service in Norman Oklahoma. The tornado, which remained on the ground for 40 minutes and reached 2.6 miles across (4.2 km), took the lives of 18 people including storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young. For more information on the tornado, visit http://ow.ly/i/2hfDG.
  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
A scientist prepares to launch a balloon with an ozonesonde and radiosonde attached. The dual instruments will collect ozone and weather information at heights up to 115,000 feet (35 km).
Click on image for full size
Source: MILAGRO Image File

People Involved in MILAGRO

More than 300 scientists from over 60 universities and research institutions in the United States, Mexico, and several other nations participated in the MILAGRO field campaign. The focus of the fieldwork was air pollution in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities with a population of 22 million people. Teachers were also involved in the project and shared their field science experience through Postcards from the Field.

The scientists’ roles are many and varied during field campaigns. So, too, are the tools and instruments that are used. The MILAGRO campaign was actually composed of four large science projects, each with many groups of scientists responsible for specific areas of research. Together, their work aimed at broading our knowledge of the transport and life cycle of air pollution.

Before the actual field campaign began, the various project scientists worked together to design, organize, and prepare for their mission for nearly two years to ensure that all of MILAGRO’s science objectives would be met. Similarly, their work now continues long after the field campaign is over. The scientists must review and process the data collected to determine what has been learned.

The best way to learn about the people involved in science field work, however, is from the scientists themselves and from the teachers working side-by-side with them. The links below will introduce you to a handful of MILAGRO scientists and teachers. Through their stories, we hope to bring science to life and illustrate the important being done in the area of air quality.


Teachers' and Scientists' Postcards from the Field

Scientists

Dr. Chris Cantrell

David Greenberg

Dr. Barry Lefer

Dr. Judy Lloyd

Robert Long

Oscar Peralta

Dr. Dara Salcedo

Teachers

Catalina Everaert

Alison Lehnherr-George

Last modified August 7, 2006 by Teri Eastburn.

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