The Fredy & Nadine Herrmann

New research uncovered remarkable evidence of past climate patterns in the Levant region through analysis of a 220,000-year-old Dead Sea sediment core. Led by Yochanan Kushnir of Columbia University, in collaboration with Prof. Mordechai Stein and Dr. Yonatan Goldsmith from the Earth Sciences Institute at the Hebrew University, the study reveals that extensive salt deposits in the core indicate prolonged periods of aridity in the Eastern Mediterranean, occurring during specific orbital configurations and abrupt cooling events in the North Atlantic. Published in PNAS, their research demonstrates how these ancient climate patterns were driven by changes in the North Atlantic's surface temperature gradient, which affected atmospheric circulation and rainfall patterns across the region. Particularly significant is the discovery that similar mechanisms are at play today, as greenhouse gas-driven climate change intensifies the North Atlantic's temperature gradient, suggesting that understanding these past climate dynamics may provide crucial insights into current and future climate trends in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Groundbreaking Research Links Atmospheric Electric Fields to Weather Prediction

Dr. Roy Yaniv, along with collaborators Dr. Assaf Hochman and Prof. Yoav Yair from Reichmann University, have discovered a novel method to predict severe weather events through atmospheric electric field measurements. The study revealed that during "Cyprus Lows" weather systems, electric field values surge dramatically from 100-200 to thousands of volts per meter before heavy rainfall. Published in Atmospheric Research, this research demonstrates how monitoring electric field variations could enhance early warning systems for extreme weather events, particularly crucial for regions like Israel that are vulnerable to sudden weather changes. This innovative approach could significantly improve community preparedness in areas prone to flash floods and severe weather conditions.

For the full paper 

Press article