Tag: Natural hazards
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Scientists warn of looming climate ‘disaster’
Scientists have greeted President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement with dismay. What could the implications be? And could scientists solve climate change?
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Scientists find evidence of ‘original Brexit’
Around 450,000 years ago, cascades of icy waterfalls caused Britain to break away from Europe. Scientists have dubbed it the “original Brexit”. Has Britain benefited from its island status?
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Climate change blamed for deadly landslide
This weekend, an “avalanche of water” caused a mudslide that destroyed the small city of Mocoa in Colombia. At least 250 people were killed. The president blamed climate change — is he right?
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Climate change row as snow storm batters USA
Storm Stella has brought chaos to millions in America’s north-east. Scientists are increasingly convinced climate change plays a role in extreme weather events. How confident can they be?
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Earth’s magnetic poles could be about to flip
Scientists are ‘abuzz’ with the discovery that the Earth’s magnetic field is rapidly getting weaker. This could be a sign that the poles are going to switch — and north would become south.
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Italy shaken by ‘apocalyptic’ earthquake
In the early hours of yesterday morning, Italians in the Apennine mountains woke to a violent earthquake. Italy has suffered similar disasters for centuries. Why are they so hard to predict?
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Climate fears over Canada’s ‘hellish’ wildfire
The world is watching in horror as a ‘multi-headed monster’ burns through a Canadian forest. It shows no sign of stopping — and scientists are blaming climate change. Can anything be done?
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US ‘Snowzilla’ storm may be ‘the new normal'
The huge snowfall in Washington and New York this weekend has created death and destruction but also frolics, community spirit, beauty and awe. What if humans are something to do with it?
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‘Storms need human names’ says Met Office
The Met Office has asked the public to help choose the official names for Great Britain’s worst upcoming storms. Why do we like to personify the things around us?
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Heatwave kills hundreds in troubled Pakistan
A vicious heatwave has hit Pakistan, with over 800 deaths amid temperatures of 45°C. How much worse do disasters affect poor countries, and are they political, as well as physical, events.
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South Koreans win ‘humanoid’ robot contest
A robot which looks human and can walk and drive a car has won a $2m prize in a US Defence Department competition. Is it just common sense to design robots that are similar to people?
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Pulverised Nepal hit by cruel second quake
Just over two weeks after a catastrophic earthquake killed thousands in Nepal, an aftershock has caused yet more devastation. Why are scientists still unable to predict seismic activity?
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Bizarre ‘platypus’ dinosaur stuns scientists
A new ‘vegetarian’ cousin of the tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered in Chile, to the amazement of scientists worldwide. Could humans go the same way as the dinosaurs of Earth’s past?
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Cash and sympathy pour into devastated Nepal
People in Nepal face the aftermath of the earthquake that killed thousands and ruined buildings and infrastructure. Emergency appeals have been launched — but how much do they say about us?
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Tragedy in Nepal as earthquake wreaks havoc
A deadly earthquake has caused destruction across Nepal, with thousands dead and a nation’s heritage in ruins. Could human-induced climate change be partly to blame?