Jul 30, 2018

Sea-level rise report contains best projections yet for Washington’s coasts

One certainty under climate change is that global ocean levels are rising. A new report led by Washington Sea Grant and the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group provides the clearest picture yet of what to expect in Washington state. The report includes projections for more than 150 different sites along the Washington coastline, from all marine shorelines in Washington state.

Harold Tobin named director of Pacific Northwest Seismic Network

Harold Tobin, the new director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and professor in Earth and Space Sciences

The College of the Environment is pleased to announce that Harold Tobin has been named director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and professor within the Department of Earth and Space Sciences. Tobin will start his new position at the University of Washington on September 1, 2018. Tobin’s research involves interdisciplinary and integrative studies of subduction zone processes, with a focus on fault mechanics and seismic structure.

Study shows why eastern U.S. air pollution levels are more stagnant in winter

Particulate haze over eastern Pennsylvania in winter, as seen from the WINTER campaign aircraft.

The air in the United States is much cleaner than even a decade ago. But those improvements have come mainly in summer, the season that used to be the poster child for haze-containing particles that cause asthma, lung cancer and other illnesses. A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by the University of Washington explains why winter air pollution levels have remained high, despite overall lower levels of harmful emissions from power plants and vehicles throughout the year.

Aquatic and Fishery Sciences' Daniel Schindler elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences

Daniel Schindler, a professor at the College of the Environment’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, is one of 14 UW scientists elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2018. According to a statement released by the organization, the new members were selected for “their outstanding record of scientific achievement and willingness to work on behalf of the academy in bringing the best available science to bear on issues within the state of Washington.”

UW Oceanography ranks No. 1 in Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

University of Washington's School of Oceanography ranks No. 1 globally.

The University of Washington’s School of Oceanography is ranked No. 1 in the world on the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects list for 2018. The ranking, released this week, was conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The group ranked more than 4,000 universities around the world in 52 subjects across natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences.