LDEO June 2026 Newsletter: Earth & Environmental Science News
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Shining Examples
In a 40-day expedition in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, scientists aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth mapped the Queen Charlotte Fault, Canada's equivalent to the San Andreas Fault, finding that the region is structurally capable of generating powerful megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis. Data gathered during the expedition provided high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the Queen Charlotte plate boundary. 📷 Here, the view from the Langseth during that August 2021 mission of the moon shining over Haida Gwaii, a remote, culturally rich archipelago located off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia taken by Langseth science officer Cody Bahlau. Learn more about how the R/V Marcus G. Langseth uses seismic imaging to make detailed maps of the seafloor.
As American science faces cuts in research funding, your support is more important than ever. By making a gift to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory today, you help advance our mission, strengthen our community of researchers, and expand our education and outreach initiatives—ensuring that Lamont continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. At a time when research funding is increasingly uncertain, your support is more important than ever. Every dollar donated stays at Lamont, supporting Lamont science and scientists.
A New Study Explains How Carbon Dioxide Cools the Upper Atmosphere—and Warms Earth Below
Researchers have solved a long-standing atmospheric puzzle: how rising carbon dioxide cools the stratosphere even as it warms Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere.
“Near-miss” Tsunami in Alaskan Cruise Area Offers Lessons for Steep Landscapes Near Glaciers
As glaciers retreat in warming regions, the risk of related hazards can increase, and improved monitoring may help reduce some of those dangers, according to a new study.
Antarctic Dust Reveals Signs of a Diminished Ross Ice Shelf
Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may have been far smaller during one of Earth’s most recent warm periods, according to a new study.
Lamont Paleoclimatologist Maureen Raymo Receives the 2026 Nemmers Prize
Raymo received the award for her pioneering development of hypotheses that explain climate change across Earth’s history, and her educational leadership in the Earth system sciences.
Geologist Mike Kaplan Named 2026 Guggenheim Fellow
Kaplan studies the ways ice sheets, mountain glaciers, climates and landscapes changed in the past.
The Paradox of AI and Climate
AI is a two-sided coin, with tremendous potential to benefit the environment while also requiring an immense amount of water and energy. How will these two opposing dynamics balance out—or can they?
Indonesia May Soon Lose Its Last Glaciers
Scientists estimate that Indonesia will lose its two remaining glaciers by 2030—a warning for glaciers around the world.
You Asked: Lamont and Climate School Experts Tackle Reader Questions on Science and Sustainability
We invite readers to share their most pressing questions about climate, science and sustainability.
Lamont researchers are in the field studying the dynamics of the planet on every continent and every ocean. Journalists may join and cover expeditions when possible. Learn more about this essential fieldwork.
Events
On Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10am to 4pm, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House—our biggest, best science fun and discovery event of the year—will take place on our beautiful campus in Palisades, NY. Mark your calendar and join us for this free, family-friendly celebration of science!
Open House returns this year thanks to the support of individual and corporate partners–and you can be part of its return. Your support helps keep this beloved community event free and accessible to all while advancing the vital research conducted at Lamont-Doherty year-round. There are many ways to make an impact, from individual contributions to presenting sponsorship opportunities. For more information, please contact Stacey Vassallo.
Art Meets Science
On display at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory are three fascinating art exhibits:
Research as Art featuring works by Lamont researchers (Monell Building through Oct 15, 2026)
Paradise featuring oil paintings by Selva Ozelli and photographs by Ian Hutton (Lamont Café through June 30, 2026)
Climate Disasters Inspired by Great Masters featuring works by Palisades, NY artist Mary Tiegreen in collaboration with BingAI for Climate Change Resources (Monell Building through June 30, 2026)
Contact Miriam Cinquegrana for more information/appointments.
Lamont-Doherty Hudson River Field Station
We are located at 200 Ferry Road, Piermont, NY at the eastern end of Rockland County's Piermont Pier. We are open for the summer with drop-in hours, community science programs, and our weekly Science Saturday events! Summer hours: Monday 9:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday through Friday 10am-6pm, Science Saturday 12-4pm, and closed Sunday.
Our many educational resources and all our sampling data are regularly updated and always available on the Field Station website! Questions about our community science programs, school and group education programs, or upcoming events at the Lamont-Doherty Hudson River Field Station? Contact Marisa Annunziato.
Our weekly summer Science Saturdays kick off on June 6 from 12-4pm! Join us every Saturday during summer to learn more about the Hudson Estuary, get an opportunity to interact with the abundant wildlife that calls the Hudson home, and participate in interactive environmental activities such as:
Seining and fish identification
Water chemistry
Hudson-based games
Oyster monitoring
Microplastics
More!
For the most up-to-date information about Science Saturdays, follow our Field Station's Instagram @ldeo_fieldstation.
Education
Summer 2026 Pre-College Program
Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains (July 5-17, 2026) is a two-week, campus-based program in Vermont that empowers high school students to take action on climate change through hands-on learning and community impact.
During the Columbia Climate School Green Mountains program, students participate in an “Ecosystem Extravaganza” at Lake Bomoseen to investigate the health of a local ecosystem through hands-on scientific fieldwork. To truly understand climate impacts on ecosystems, scientists rely on long-term datasets, requiring 30 years or more of consistent observations to identify meaningful climate trends and ecosystem responses over time.
During the field experience, students work collaboratively to collect data across a wide range of environmental parameters, including site assessments, weather and current conditions, water quality measurements, biological surveys, and sediment coring. Each of these variables is interconnected, helping students explore the complexity of systems science and understand how changes in one part of an ecosystem can influence another.
Together, these measurements provide a valuable snapshot of the ecosystem at a single moment in time. While one day of sampling cannot reveal long-term climate trends on its own, the data collected contributes to a growing scientific understanding of ecosystem health and helps establish important baseline conditions for future comparison.
Apply now to join a community of young changemakers creating solutions for a sustainable future in the Green Mountains Program!
Climate LIVE K12 features live lectures and interactive activities with our scientists and experts for K-12 students, educators, families, and the public! FREE! Check out our YouTube archive of all past workshops.
Up Next: On Jun 17, 4-4:30pm ET, join us for The National Wildlife Federation's Youth-focused Climate Solutions in Action. The NWF has two climate education programs based in New York to engage the next generation in climate solutions. The Resilient Schools and Communities program engages NYC middle and high school students in building nature-based solutions to shore up coastal resilience in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The Climate Resilience Education Task Force Youth Steering Committee empowers New York State high school students through a year-long climate education and civic engagement program where students advocate at the state and local level for policy improvements. RSVP today (free but registration required)!
Lamont in the Media (Select Stories)
Carbon Dioxide Is Cooling the Upper Atmosphere While Warming the Planet
Earth.com
Fifteen Maps that Changed How We See the Ocean Floor
The Library of Lost Maps
Fluoridated Water Is Safe for Pregnant Women, and Other Recent Discoveries
Columbia Magazine
