Science In Action
Flash floods in the Sahara
Sep 19, 2024
Moshe Armon from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem discusses unusual flash floods sweeping through the Sahara due to an extratropical cyclone. Brian Huber from the Smithsonian sheds light on a 485 million-year temperature record revealing Earth’s climate variability. Mary Lewis from Reading University explores puberty in ancient adolescents, showing striking similarities between their development and that of today’s teens. The conversation spans climate change implications and intriguing insights into our ancestors' lives.
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Quick takeaways
- The Sahara Desert's recent flash floods, caused by an extratropical cyclone, highlight the alarming disruptions in traditional weather patterns linked to climate change.
- Research on Upper Paleolithic teenagers reveals that puberty onset occurred similarly to modern adolescents, although their growth periods were significantly longer due to harsh living conditions.
Deep dives
Rapid Changes in Climate and Their Implications
Recent studies indicate that the Earth is currently experiencing temperature increases at a pace far beyond what is observed in geological history. While periods of higher average temperatures have occurred naturally over millions of years, the current rapid changes are linked to human-induced carbon emissions. This swift escalation raises concerns about the potential impacts of climate change, particularly regarding extreme weather events and flooding. The frequency of such occurrences suggests that ongoing climate patterns may disrupt traditional weather behaviors, leading to more severe consequences.
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