Researchers have discovered what may be the earliest dinosaur, a creature the size of a Labrador retriever, but with a five foot-long tail, that walked the Earth about 10 million years before more familiar dinosaurs like the small, swift-footed Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus. UW Biology post-doc Sterling Nesbitt led the study – read more here. 

Washington State’s recent release of a Blue Ribbon Panel’s findings on how to mitigate and adapt to ocean acidification has garnered national attention.  CoEnv scientists and staff played an important role on the Panel – read more about ocean acidification, the report’s findings, and next steps here. 

For decades, a source of powerful earthquakes and volcanic activity on the Pacific Rim was shrouded in secrecy, as the Soviet government kept outsiders away from what is now referred to as the Russian Far East.  But research in the last 20 years has shown that the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands are a seismic and volcanic hotbed, with a potential to trigger tsunamis that pose a risk to the rest of the Pacific Basin.  

The National Park Service and the UW College of the Environment are pleased to announce the 2013 George Melendez Wright Climate Change Youth Initiative. This program provides opportunities for young people to work on diverse issues related to climate change and its effects in national parks. The opportunities take two forms – competitive fellowships awarded to advanced graduate students (Masters and Doctorate levels) to support their independent research, and paid internships in which undergraduate or beginning graduate students work for approximately 12 weeks on projects in research, interpretation, park operations, policy development, or other fields. 

Right now California is experiencing what some call a “pineapple express” — a jet stream of moisture that has already resulted in over 10 inches of rain in some locations. How common are these rivers of atmospheric moisture, and how might they change with climate change? Check out this in-depth story from Scientific American, published early in light of the current storms.