The large, fast-moving mudslide that buried much of Oso, Washington in March 2014 was the deadliest landslide in U.S. history. Since then it’s been revealed that this area has experienced major slides before, but it’s not known how long ago they occurred. University of Washington geologists analyzed woody debris buried in earlier slides and used radiocarbon dating to map the history of activity at the site.
Read more at UW Today »Op-Ed: We must take action now for a healthy Puget Sound
In a Seattle Times op-ed, Dean Graumlich and leaders at the Puget Sound Partnership call for continued investment in the future of Puget Sound.
Read more at The Seattle Times »Oxygen provided breath of life that allowed animals to evolve
It took 100 million years for oxygen levels in the oceans and atmosphere to increase to the level that allowed the explosion of animal life on Earth about 600 million years ago, according to a study co-authored by two University of Washington scientists and led by the University College London. Before now, it was not known how quickly Earth’s oceans and atmosphere became oxygenated, and whether animal life expanded before or after the rise in oxygen.
Read more at UW Today »Composting food waste remains your best option, says UW study
Many people compost their food scraps and yard waste because they think it’s the right thing to do. A new University of Washington study confirms that sentiment, and also calculates the environmental benefits associated with keeping these organic materials out of landfills. The biggest takeaway for residents of Seattle, San Francisco and other places that offer curbside compost pickup is to take advantage of that service — and pat yourself on the back for using it.
Read more at UW Today »Governor hosts climate conversation at UW's College of the Environment
From the Conference of Parties in Paris to the University of Washington, Governor Jay Inslee is leading the climate conversation forward in Washington.
Read more and see the video from King 5 »