Coping with catastrophe
Japan incorporates more disaster planning into its buildings and public spaces than any other nation. Miho Mazereeuw’s new book explains how they do it.
Study reveals climatic fingerprints of wildfires and volcanic eruptions
In research that could help elucidate humans’ role in global warming, scientists showed how three major natural events impacted global atmospheric temperatures.
Featured video: How tiny satellites help us track hurricanes and other weather events
Mini microwave sounders developed at Lincoln Laboratory, demonstrated on a NASA mission, and now transferred to industry, are expanding storm-forecasting capabilities.
Decoding the Arctic to predict winter weather
With the help of AI, MIT Research Scientist Judah Cohen is reshaping subseasonal forecasting, with the goal of extending the lead time for predicting impactful weather.
New research may help scientists predict when a humid heat wave will break
As these events become more common at midlatitudes, a phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will determine how long they last.
Post-COP30, more aggressive policies needed to cap global warming at 1.5 C
Global Change Outlook report for 2025 shows how accelerated action can reduce climate risks and improve sustainability outcomes, while highlighting potential geopolitical hurdles.
Earthquake damage at deeper depths occurs long after initial activity
While the Earth’s upper crust recovers quickly from seismic activity, new research finds the mid-crust recovers much more slowly, if at all.
MIT geologists discover where energy goes during an earthquake
Based on mini “lab-quakes” in a controlled setting, the findings could help researchers assess the vulnerability of quake-prone regions.
Collaborating with the force of nature
Ongoing research by three architecture faculty aims to yield structures that protect communities from the devastation of volcanic eruptions.
Hundred-year storm tides will occur every few decades in Bangladesh, scientists report
With projected global warming, the frequency of extreme storms will ramp up by the end of the century, according to a new study.
Rooftop panels, EV chargers, and smart thermostats could chip in to boost power grid resilience
MIT engineers propose a new “local electricity market” to tap into the power potential of homeowners’ grid-edge devices.
Jarrod Goentzel receives 2024 Humanitarian Logistics Award
Director of the MIT Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab, within the Center for Transportation and Logistics, honored for “leading the way ... to help disaster survivors in their own backyards and around the world.”
Study: Marshes provide cost-effective coastal protection
As climate change accelerates sea-level rise and intensifies storms, marsh-fronted seawalls can provide an economical coastal defense, MIT engineers report.
Helping robots zero in on the objects that matter
A new method called Clio enables robots to quickly map a scene and identify the items they need to complete a given set of tasks.
Making climate models relevant for local decision-makers
A new downscaling method leverages machine learning to speed up climate model simulations at finer resolutions, making them usable on local levels.