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

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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 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.

   Image courtesy of Jean Pennycook/Penguin Science

From: Jean Pennycook
Cape Royds, Antarctica, December 8, 2007

Visitors to the Cape

Cape Royds is the nesting ground for over 2000 breeding pairs of Adelie Penguins. The only other Antarctic penguin, the Emperor, does not make a nest. Instead Emperor Penguins keep the eggs warm by holding them on their feet for two months. This way they can raise their chicks out on the ice and do not need to find land. The Emperors also start their breeding cycle in May and the chicks are fledged by December. These Emperors have come to Cape Royds for a visit; they will not stay long. As you can see the Emperors (50-70 lbs) are much larger than the Adelies (12-15 lbs). Besides their size, one other difference is the way they walk. The Emperors walk slowly with their wings tucked at this side. The Adelies walk quickly with their wings out to the side. From a distance this is one way to tell them apart.

Learn more about life in the polar regions.

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Postcards from the Field: Adelie Penguins 2007

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