Signs From Earth

Earth Scene: Golden Parachute Edition

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL INGALLS, NASA

Astronauts from the International Space Station float to a safe landing in the Soyuz spacecraft in Kazakhstan, after spending six months in space.

 Space Station Astronauts Float to Earth in Golden Parachute

The Soyuz spacecraft returned to Earth carrying an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts March 12. Details here in my brief report at National Geographic.

Earth Signs: Vanishing Snowpack Edition

 NG STAFF. SOURCE: PRISM CLIMATE GROUP, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

In February 2015, while temperatures in the eastern U.S. were far colder than normal, mountain temperatures in the western U.S. were far warmer than normal, ranging from 7 to 13 degrees above average, hampering the buildup of snowpack.

 

My March 4 piece at National Geographic takes a look at the scarce snowpack situation in the West. While media attention has focused on the frigid and snowbound East, California and parts of the West have been facing a winter too warm to build up essential snowpack needed for summer water supplies. California, which has seen record temperatures, faces a fourth year of drought.

A couple of pieces from last year examine impact of drought and groundwater depletion in the region.