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Earth Sciences
Results 1 - 50 of 93.
The man who thinks big
Christophe Girot brought landscape architecture into the digital world and taught a generation of architects how to think on a larger scale.
Christophe Girot brought landscape architecture into the digital world and taught a generation of architects how to think on a larger scale.
A habitable planet
Life has existed on Earth for billions of years. Stabilising mechanisms have helped our planet remain habitable to this day.
Life has existed on Earth for billions of years. Stabilising mechanisms have helped our planet remain habitable to this day.
NASA’s InSight Lander has retired
The lander's team has tried to contact the spacecraft twice without response, leading them to conclude it has run out of energy. NASA's InSight mission has ended after four years of collecting unique science on Mars.
The lander's team has tried to contact the spacecraft twice without response, leading them to conclude it has run out of energy. NASA's InSight mission has ended after four years of collecting unique science on Mars.
A scout of the atmosphere
Internationally recognized atmospheric scientist and Distinguished Senior Researcher at Empa: Dominik Brunner is a scientist who has explored his subject area from many angles - with a weatherproof motivation and curiosity that drives him to this day.
Internationally recognized atmospheric scientist and Distinguished Senior Researcher at Empa: Dominik Brunner is a scientist who has explored his subject area from many angles - with a weatherproof motivation and curiosity that drives him to this day.
Green and blue food webs differ
Terrestrial and aquatic food webs respond differently to changes in the environment. Understanding these differences is fundamental to identifying the species most important to an ecosystem and to effectively protecting biodiversity. This is shown by a study led by the research institutes Eawag and WSL and published in the journal Nature Communications .
Terrestrial and aquatic food webs respond differently to changes in the environment. Understanding these differences is fundamental to identifying the species most important to an ecosystem and to effectively protecting biodiversity. This is shown by a study led by the research institutes Eawag and WSL and published in the journal Nature Communications .
He makes it light
Belgian-born Wim Malfait is a trained geologist who once searched for gold on behalf of a mining company. Today, he heads the Building Energy Materials and Components laboratory, which develops, among other things, super-lightweight aerogel insulation materials and materials with heat exchange capabilities.
Belgian-born Wim Malfait is a trained geologist who once searched for gold on behalf of a mining company. Today, he heads the Building Energy Materials and Components laboratory, which develops, among other things, super-lightweight aerogel insulation materials and materials with heat exchange capabilities.
Swiss glaciers are melting more than ever before
2022 was a disastrous year for Swiss glaciers: all ice melt records were smashed by the great dearth of snow in winter and continuous heatwaves in summer.
2022 was a disastrous year for Swiss glaciers: all ice melt records were smashed by the great dearth of snow in winter and continuous heatwaves in summer.
Ecological stability of lakes declining globally over time
Of over a thousand lakes studied worldwide, about one in ten shows strange behaviour. In general, there is an increasing tendency for aquatic ecosystems to tip over.
Of over a thousand lakes studied worldwide, about one in ten shows strange behaviour. In general, there is an increasing tendency for aquatic ecosystems to tip over.
New research program will study fjord ecosystems in Greenland
In a four-year field research program led by EPFL, in association with several other Swiss institutions, scientists will aim to understand the ecosystem of Greenlandic fjords in the context of a changing climate.
In a four-year field research program led by EPFL, in association with several other Swiss institutions, scientists will aim to understand the ecosystem of Greenlandic fjords in the context of a changing climate.
Fjords in the Swiss Plateau
A team of researchers of the University of Bern supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation drilled a borehole into the Bernese subsoil.
A team of researchers of the University of Bern supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation drilled a borehole into the Bernese subsoil.
Swiss rivers on track to overheat by the end of the century
According to an EPFL study, if we take immediate measures to reduce CO2 emissions, we could limit the rise in the temperature of Swiss rivers to 1°C between now and 2090 without drastically affecting their discharge.
According to an EPFL study, if we take immediate measures to reduce CO2 emissions, we could limit the rise in the temperature of Swiss rivers to 1°C between now and 2090 without drastically affecting their discharge.
Climate and Soil Determine Distribution of Plant Traits
An international research team succeeded in identifying global factors that explain the diversity of form and function in plants. Led by the University of Zurich, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena and the University of Leipzig, the researchers collected and analyzed plant data from around the world.
An international research team succeeded in identifying global factors that explain the diversity of form and function in plants. Led by the University of Zurich, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena and the University of Leipzig, the researchers collected and analyzed plant data from around the world.
Deepwater renewal in Lake Geneva in light of climate change
Scientists have studied two mechanisms that can help bring oxygen to the depths of a lake - essential for preserving the lake's ecosystem.
Scientists have studied two mechanisms that can help bring oxygen to the depths of a lake - essential for preserving the lake's ecosystem.
Tracking down track ballast
Switzerland may soon be facing a shortage of railway ballast. ETH geologists are heading into the wilds to track down new sources of crushed rocks.
Switzerland may soon be facing a shortage of railway ballast. ETH geologists are heading into the wilds to track down new sources of crushed rocks.
New report details Switzerland's geo-energy potential
Switzerland has considerable capacity for carbon storage and a bright future in shallow geothermal energy. These are the two main findings presented in Innosuisse's final report on the 2013-2020 Energy Funding Programme, in the chapter on geo-energy. Lyesse Laloui, a full professor in civil engineering at EPFL, is the chapter's author and the head of a research group on this topic.
Switzerland has considerable capacity for carbon storage and a bright future in shallow geothermal energy. These are the two main findings presented in Innosuisse's final report on the 2013-2020 Energy Funding Programme, in the chapter on geo-energy. Lyesse Laloui, a full professor in civil engineering at EPFL, is the chapter's author and the head of a research group on this topic.
Helping engineers better predict clay landslides
Norway experiences dangerous landslides due to its clay-rich soil. For her Master's thesis in civil engineering at EPFL, Mathilde Metral outlined steps that the country's geotechnical engineers can take to improve the predictive computer model they're currently developing. The heavy rains that sweep across Europe with growing frequency can be particularly damaging in Norway, where the clay-rich soil is susceptible to landslides.
Norway experiences dangerous landslides due to its clay-rich soil. For her Master's thesis in civil engineering at EPFL, Mathilde Metral outlined steps that the country's geotechnical engineers can take to improve the predictive computer model they're currently developing. The heavy rains that sweep across Europe with growing frequency can be particularly damaging in Norway, where the clay-rich soil is susceptible to landslides.
Untapped solar and wind potential in Swiss mountains
Scientists at EPFL and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF have issued recommendations for what type of renewable energy should be produced in Switzerland's various regions, to help achieve the country's goals of carbon neutrality and energy self-sufficiency. According to a new study, the most effective way for Switzerland to become carbon-neutral and energy self-sufficient is to install a combination of wind turbines and solar panels in its Alpine regions.
Scientists at EPFL and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF have issued recommendations for what type of renewable energy should be produced in Switzerland's various regions, to help achieve the country's goals of carbon neutrality and energy self-sufficiency. According to a new study, the most effective way for Switzerland to become carbon-neutral and energy self-sufficient is to install a combination of wind turbines and solar panels in its Alpine regions.
Europe’s largest capacity research centrifuge
The most capable geotechnical research centrifuge in Europe is currently being built on the Hönggerberg campus.
The most capable geotechnical research centrifuge in Europe is currently being built on the Hönggerberg campus.
Climate change and Swiss lakes
A new simulation study shows that climate change risks significantly altering water temperature, ice cover and mixing of many Swiss lakes. Mid altitude lakes are especially under pressure, running the risk of completely losing ice cover and no longer fully mixing twice per year. Such a change would have fundamental consequences for the functioning of lake ecosystems.
A new simulation study shows that climate change risks significantly altering water temperature, ice cover and mixing of many Swiss lakes. Mid altitude lakes are especially under pressure, running the risk of completely losing ice cover and no longer fully mixing twice per year. Such a change would have fundamental consequences for the functioning of lake ecosystems.
Using science to explore a 60-year-old Russian mystery
Researchers from EPFL and ETH Zurich have conducted an original scientific study that puts forth a plausible explanation for the mysterious 1959 death of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains in the former Soviet Union.
Researchers from EPFL and ETH Zurich have conducted an original scientific study that puts forth a plausible explanation for the mysterious 1959 death of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains in the former Soviet Union.
A new take on an old mystery
Researchers from EPFL and ETH Zürich have conducted an original scientific study that puts forth a plausible explanation for the mysterious 1959 death of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains in the former Soviet Union.
Researchers from EPFL and ETH Zürich have conducted an original scientific study that puts forth a plausible explanation for the mysterious 1959 death of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains in the former Soviet Union.
Extreme weather from the stratosphere
ETH climate researcher Daniela Domeisen has documented how the stratosphere influences extreme weather events.
ETH climate researcher Daniela Domeisen has documented how the stratosphere influences extreme weather events.
Leading European universities unite to battle climate change
Researchers from four leading European technical universities, all members of IDEA League, are looking for new solutions against climate change in the EASYGO project.
Researchers from four leading European technical universities, all members of IDEA League, are looking for new solutions against climate change in the EASYGO project.
Modeling avalanche protection in forests
Two EPFL students have compared the ability of a forest in Vaud Canton to protect against avalanches before and after it was ravaged by fire in 2018.
Two EPFL students have compared the ability of a forest in Vaud Canton to protect against avalanches before and after it was ravaged by fire in 2018.
Thallium: highly toxic, but little studied
In Agatha Christie's novel The Pale Horse, the victims die of thallium poisoning.
In Agatha Christie's novel The Pale Horse, the victims die of thallium poisoning.
Who’s evaluating Swiss landscapes?
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, how do you define a beautiful landscape? Machine learning algorithms can be helpful here, says Adrienne Grêt-Regamey.
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, how do you define a beautiful landscape? Machine learning algorithms can be helpful here, says Adrienne Grêt-Regamey.
"My dream discovery would be to map the Moon’s geology."
Maria Schönbächler investigates how our solar system formed. Her work often reminds her of the importance of breaking out of established patterns.
Maria Schönbächler investigates how our solar system formed. Her work often reminds her of the importance of breaking out of established patterns.
"We need to study biodiversity in a more holistic way."
Catherine and Florian, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is "Our solutions are in nature".
Catherine and Florian, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is "Our solutions are in nature".
WIITE, the exoskeleton for backcountry skiing
While backcountry ski racers are disappointed that they won't be starting the Patrouille des Glaciers, one disabled skier is happily strapping on the climbing skins once again.
While backcountry ski racers are disappointed that they won't be starting the Patrouille des Glaciers, one disabled skier is happily strapping on the climbing skins once again.
Interview on World Water Day on 22 March 2020
Martin, Switzerland is now known as the "water tower of Europe". Will Switzerland still have an excess of water in the future? Overall, Switzerland will still have enough water in the future.
Martin, Switzerland is now known as the "water tower of Europe". Will Switzerland still have an excess of water in the future? Overall, Switzerland will still have enough water in the future.
Postglacial erosion: new insights from the Mont Blanc massif
Assessing the impact of Quaternary glaciation at the Earth's surface implies understanding of the long-term evolution of alpine landscapes.
Assessing the impact of Quaternary glaciation at the Earth's surface implies understanding of the long-term evolution of alpine landscapes.
Seismology in the service of peace
News By: Michèle Marti and Felix Würsten Twenty years ago, Switzerland ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
News By: Michèle Marti and Felix Würsten Twenty years ago, Switzerland ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
EPFL champions energy geostructures
Energy geostructures provide a constant source of renewable heating and cooling in buildings and infrastructures and perform very well.
Energy geostructures provide a constant source of renewable heating and cooling in buildings and infrastructures and perform very well.
Benoît Ferrari takes over as interim director of the Ecotox Centre
After studying biology and biochemistry at the University of Lorraine (Metz, F), Benoît Ferrari worked on the ecotoxicity of solid waste in his dissertation.
After studying biology and biochemistry at the University of Lorraine (Metz, F), Benoît Ferrari worked on the ecotoxicity of solid waste in his dissertation.