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Nucleation and growth of Earthâs solid inner core has a crucial role powering the geomagnetic field. This Review explores the timing and mechanisms of inner core growth consistent with physical constraints and first-order observations of the thermal evolution of Earth.
Atmospheric rivers provide the majority of water vapour transport to the high latitudes. This Review summarizes Antarctic atmospheric river dynamics and climatology and discusses their impacts on the mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet.
Anthropogenic warming is perturbing the Arctic carbon cycle. This Review provides an overview of contemporary carbon stocks and fluxes across terrestrial, aquatic and oceanic components of the integrated Arctic system.
Extreme heat is increasing in magnitude and frequency, threatening human health. This Review assesses mortality risk associated with extreme heat, revealing that human thermal tolerances (that is, uncompensable thresholds) were crossed for ~2% and 21% of global land area for young adults and older adults, respectively, from 1994 to 2023.
Antarctic coastal polynyas have a critical role in the Earth system, influencing the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere. This Review outlines the importance of Antarctic coastal polynyas and documents their changes over time.
In celebration of the fifth year anniversary of Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, we ask authors of some of our most impactful articles (with respect to news stories, social media engagement, Altmetric scores, citations, policy mentions and article accesses) to reflect on the successes of their Reviews.
Rapid transitions between extreme wet and extreme dry conditions â âhydroclimate whiplashâ â have marked environmental and societal impacts. This Review outlines observed and projected changes in hydroclimate whiplash, suggesting that subseasonal and interannual volatility will increase markedly with ongoing warming.
Soil carbon cycling is closely linked with landscape complexities in soil properties, climate and land use. This Perspective outlines how soil formation theory could provide insight on landscape-scale soilâcarbon interactions as well as carbon sequestration and improve predictions of future soil organic matter dynamics.
Understanding of the Sumatran subduction zone and its hazards has increased since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. This Review commemorates the 20th anniversary of this event by outlining these insights and how they can inform future strategies to improve tsunami preparedness.
The redox transformations of sulfur mean it is a key component of global biogeochemical cycles. This Review explores the sulfur cycle over geological time, including its role during major climate perturbations, oceanic anoxic events and the evolution of life.
Sinking slabs at subduction zones generate complex patterns of mantle flow that affect global mantle convection, surface deformation and volcanism. This Review explores how dynamic subduction-generated mantle flow evolves and causes surface topographic and volcanic expressions.
Rising temperatures are increasing heat stress, in turn, influencing the labour force. This Review outlines observed and projected changes to labour supply, labour productivity and labour capacity, offering insight into their macroeconomic impacts and adaptation opportunities.
The phosphorus cycle limits primary production on geological timescales, influencing climate. This Review explores the environmental drivers impacting the rates of continental weathering and phosphorus burial in marine sediments, which are the primary sources and sinks in the global phosphorus cycle.
Land-use and climate changes can reduce the resilience of river deltas to regime shifts in channel morphodynamics, estuarine turbidity and the state of coastal wetlands. This Review discusses how these regime shifts can be triggered, monitored and prevented.
The Planetary Boundary (PB) framework â which provides guardrails to maintain the safe operating space for humanity â has received widespread scientific and societal interest. This Review outlines the emergence and mainstreaming of PB thinking, including relevance to Earth system science, justice, governance, economics and sustainability.
The trade of virtual water â the water associated with the production of traded goods â acts as a mechanism for the distribution of water resources between different countries. This Review discusses the major participating countries and industries, and current trends. It concludes by exploring how the analysis of virtual water could be further refined.
Changes in the seasonal cycle amplitude of atmospheric CO2 (SCA) reflect large-scale changes in the global carbon cycle. This Review summarizes the positive SCA trend in the northern high latitudes, where the signal is strongest, and explores the underlying mechanisms driving the trend and their relative importance.
Global patterns and trends in primary production are estimated using remote-sensing-based models. This Perspective outlines ways to ensure that the next generation of model predictions robustly characterizes how this key element of the terrestrial carbon cycle is changing.
Urbanization and climate-induced rainfall changes are enhancing flood risk, putting increased demand on urban hydrology management. This Review summarizes how perceptions and approaches in stormwater management are evolving, and emphasizes the need to transform stormwater from a hazard to a resource.
Hydropower is a renewable energy source that can contribute to growing energy demands. This Review considers the ecological consequences of hydropower plants on riverine systems and emphasizes the urgent need to mitigate ecological impacts to ensure sustainable development.
