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A survey of snow growth signatures from tropics to Antarctica using triple-frequency radar observations

Despite the increasing complexity of snow microphysics schemes employed in numerical models, whether the dominant snow microphysical process is reasonably identified remains an open question. This study using unprecedented triple-frequency radar observations for the first time unravels the key snow growth processes over diverse geographies. The unique cross-continental datasets from triple-frequency campaigns shed new insights for model evaluation and future satellite missions.

Review article: Social media for managing disasters triggered by natural hazards: a critical review of data collection strategies and actionable insights

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
DOI 10.5194/nhess-26-215-2026
27 January 2026

This paper critically reviews 250 studies (2010–2023) on how social media are used to manage disasters triggered by natural hazards. Supported by a newly created Social Media Literature Database, it identifies trends, data collection and analysis strategies, actionable information types, and major research gaps. Best practices are proposed for community use of social media during disasters and for researchers seeking to enhance its integration into disaster management and resilience strategies.

Impact on cloud properties of reduced-sulphur shipping fuel in the Eastern North Atlantic

The amount of sunlight reflected by marine boundary layer clouds in the Eastern North Atlantic does not change due to a decrease in aerosol caused by reduced sulphur in shipping fuel because adjustments to liquid water path offset the decease in cloud droplet number concentration.

High resolution monthly precipitation isotope estimates across Australia from machine learning

We used a random forest approach to produce estimates of monthly precipitation stable isotope variability from 1962–2023, at high resolution across the entire Australian continent. Comprehensive skill and sensitivity testing shows that our random forest models skilfully predict precipitation isotope values in places and times that observations are not available. We make all outputs freely available, facilitating use in fields from ecology and hydrology to archaeology and forensic science.

Quantifying the time of emergence of the anthropogenic signal in the global land carbon sink

We study when anthropogenic signal becomes detectable in the global land carbon sink, which has risen since the 1950s due to CO₂ fertilization and mid- to high-latitude warming. The signal emerges earlier at the global than at regional scales. Future scenarios (2016–2100) take longer to detect than the historical period (1851–2014) because the signal is weaker relative to larger natural variability. Removing circulation-induced variability with dynamical adjustment shortens the detection time.

Emerging Mineral Dust Source in ’A’ą̈y Chù’ Valley, Yukon, Canada Poses Potential Health Risk via Exposure to Metal and Metalloids Enriched in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 Size Fractions

Glacial sediment of the ’A’ą̈y Chù’ Valley in Yukon, Canada is exposed to strong winds, and consequently, has become a significant mineral dust source. Mineral dust is known to have an impact on human health, partly due to various metals it contains, with the size of the particles also being an important factor. The goal of this study was to determine the concentration of various metals in the dust, how this relates to dust size, and whether air quality standards were surpassed.

A novel laser-based spectroscopic method reveals the isotopic signatures of nitrous oxide produced by eukaryotic and prokaryotic phototrophs in darkness

We present a new method for the accurate laser-based analysis of N₂O isotopes. For the first time, we measured the Site Preference-N₂O signatures of pure cultures of microalgae and cyanobacteria. Our study is a first step to ultimately develop process-specific N₂O monitoring from aquatic ecosystems. Further research is now needed to determine the occurrence and significance of N₂O emissions from microalgae and cyanobacteria from aquatic ecosystems.

Culturing experiments reveal mechanisms of daily trace element incorporation into Tridacna shells

This study explores daily geochemical variations in giant clam (Tridacna) shells from controlled, isotopically-labelled day-night growth experiments. Results show five times higher daytime calcification rates. Light availability and metabolic activity significantly influence elemental incorporation mechanisms. The findings enhance our understanding of clam geochemistry and growth dynamics, offering valuable insights for studies on past environmental changes.

Remineralisation changes dominate oxygen variability in the North Atlantic

Oxygen is essential to marine life, but the amount of oxygen in the ocean has been decreasing in recent decades. Using observations of oxygen concentration interpolated across a section of the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, we show that deoxygenation in the region is primarily driven by an increase in oxygen being consumed during remineralisation of organic matter. The impact of this is strongest at depths of around 600 m, where the process drives up to 70 % of the total deoxygenation.

The first Earthquake Early Warning System for the high-speed railway in Italy: enhancing rapidness and operational efficiency during seismic events

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
DOI 10.5194/nhess-26-299-2026
20 January 2026

The first Italian Earthquake Early Warning system protects the Naples-Rome high-speed railway by detecting earthquakes in real time and sending alerts within seconds. Using seismic sensors and smart algorithms, it slows or stops trains only where needed, avoiding full-line shutdowns. Directly linked to train control, it boosts safety and minimizes disruption during potentially damaging earthquakes.

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