Lunar eclipses are special events that only occur when certain conditions are met. First of all, the Moon must be in <a href="/the_universe/uts/moon3.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">full phase</a>. Secondly, the <a href="/sun/sun.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Sun</a>, <a href="/earth/earth.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Earth</a> and <a href="/earth/moons_and_rings.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Moon</a> must be in a perfectly straight line. If both of these are met, then the Earth's shadow can block the Sun's light from hitting the Moon. The reddish glow of the Moon is caused by light from the Earth's limb scattering toward the Moon, which is reflected back to us from the Moon's surface.<p><small><em>Image credit - Doug Murray, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida</em></small></p>Scientists at the University of Michigan have found that <a href="/earth/polar/cryosphere_permafrost1.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">permafrost</a> in the <a href="/earth/polar/polar_north.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Arctic</a> is extremely sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight releases carbon gases trapped in the permafrost, including <a href="/earth/climate/earth_greenhouse.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">climate-warming</a> <a href="/physical_science/chemistry/carbon_dioxide.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">carbon dioxide</a>, to the <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/overview.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">atmosphere</a> much faster than previously thought.<p><small><em>George Kling, The University of Michigan</em></small></p>The massive 9.0 magnitude <a href="/earth/geology/quake_1.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">earthquake</a> off of Honshu, Japan on <a href="/headline_universe/march112011earthquaketsunami.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">11 March 2011</a> generated a <a href="/earth/tsunami1.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">tsunami</a> that exceeded 10 meters on the coast near the epicenter. This image shows model projections for the tsunami wave height in cm which are in good agreement with the observed waves. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were lost, and their families, as we remember this event.<p><small><em><a href="http://blogs.agu.org/wildwildscience/files/2011/03/680_20110311-TsunamiWaveHeight.jpg">NOAA Tsunami Wave Height Projections image</a></em></small></p>An image of Hurricane Sandy taken by the GOES-13 satellite on October 28. This category 1 <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/hurricane/hurricane.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">hurricane</a> was huge, spanning a horizontal distance of about one-third the US continental landmass. The storm came onshore in New Jersey, and gradually moved northeast. The storm disrupted the lives of tens of millions in the eastern US, doing billions of dollars in damage, resulting in over 30 deaths. Visit the National Hurricane Center's webpage on <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/">Hurricane Sandy</a> for details.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of NASA</em></small></p>Sinkholes are <a href="/teacher_resources/main/frameworks/esl_bi8.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">natural hazards</a> in many places around the world. They are formed when water dissolves underlying <a href="/earth/Water/carbonates.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">limestone</a>, leading to collapse of the surface. Hydrologic conditions such as a lack of rainfall, lowered water levels, or excessive rainfall can all contribute to sinkhole development. On 2/28/2013, a sinkhole suddenly developed under the house outside of Tampa, Florida, leading to the tragic death of its occupant, Jeff Bush.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District</em></small></p>As temperatures rise and soil moisture decreases, plants are stressed, which can lead to <a href="/earth/climate/crops_withering.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">crop withering</a>. <a href="/teacher_resources/online_courses/health/events_health.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Droughts</a> accompanied by increased temperatures can lead to famine, social and political disruptions. Scientists are helping with early identification of drought that might trigger food shortages. Watch the NBC Learn video - <a href="/earth/changing_planet/withering_crops_intro.html&dev=1/moons/images/adaptation.ppsx">Changing Planet: Withering Crops</a> to find out more.<p><small><em>Image taken by Tomas Castelazo, Creative Commons <a href=&quot;http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en&quot;>Attribution 3.0 Unported</a> license.</em></small></p>


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