The Center for Inquiry (CFI) is a US nonprofit organization that works to mitigate belief in pseudoscience and the paranormal, as well as to fight the influence of religion in government.
Urbanisation and increasing vehicular emissions have led to a marked deterioration in air quality, particularly in rapidly developing Indian cities. This study evaluates the extent of anthropogenic pollution in the eastern region of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, using a combined approach of magnetic susceptibility and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis. A total of 111 samples, including road dust, topsoil, and tree leaf dust, were collected along five major traverses and analysed for low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (chi lf) and frequency-dependent susceptibility (chi fd%) to assess pollution load and magnetic grain characteristics. SEM-EDS imaging further confirmed the presence of angular to sub-rounded magnetic particles such as magnetite, hematite, ilmenite, pyrite, and trace heavy metals, including Pb, Ti, and Ce, associated with fossil fuel combustion and vehicular abrasion. Spatial variation in chi lf values enabled the classification of road sections into low, moderate, and high pollution zones, with northern and central parts of the city exhibiting significantly elevated magnetic signatures. The results underscore the effectiveness of magnetic susceptibility measurements and SEM imaging as rapid, non-destructive tools for urban pollution assessment. This integrated approach offers valuable insights for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and future pollution mitigation strategies in growing metropolitan areas.
Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs) play a crucial role in atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. Tropical cyclones (TCs) are considered one of the potential sources of AGWs. This study investigates four extreme category tropical cyclones from the last two decades over the Indian subcontinent: VSCS Phailin (2013), ESCS Fani (2019), SuCS Amphan (2020) over the Bay of Bengal, and ESCS Tauktae (2021) in the Arabian Sea. The meteorological observations confirmed the presence of deep convective activity during these TCs, which reached higher tropospheric altitudes during the TC's duration. The low cloud-top temperatures exhibited a positive correlation with the increasing lightning activity. Further, a notable increase in lightning activity was found during the intensification phases of the storm, particularly within the wind-field regions in all four cases, which could have led to an intensification of TCs. Simultaneously, an enhancement in AGW activity occurred in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) region. Possibly, mesoscale convective system associated with the TC led to the formation of AGWs that propagated in both the vertical and horizontal domains to higher altitudes in the MLT region. The propagation of vertical and horizontal AGWs induced by TCs at higher altitudes has been validated and quantified by analyzing vertical temperature profiles obtained from SABER and day-night band DNB imagery from VIIRS satellites. Both vertical and horizontal wavelengths of AGWs showed peak power of waves during the maximum intensity stages of TCs. Both vertical and horizontal components of AGWs are quantified for the first time over the Indian region.
This article presents the observations of the extreme ground-level enhancement (GLE #77) of Solar Cycle 25 that occurred on 11 November 2025, using ground-based NaI(Tl) gamma-ray detectors deployed at Arctic and Antarctic stations, together with neutron monitor data and particle measurements from the GOES-18 satellite. The event was associated with an intense X-class solar flare and a strong solar energetic proton event. This paper reports the first ground-based detection of a GLE using gamma-ray detectors operating simultaneously in both polar regions, which are concurrent with increases in neutron monitor counts. Thus highlights the capability of polar gamma-ray detectors to complement traditional neutron monitor observations during extreme solar proton events. A detailed analysis revealed distinct prompt and delayed responses during the event evolution. Interestingly, the signature of the prompt peak of GLE#77 (at 10:38 UT) was observed up to high-rigidity neutron monitors (low latitudes). However, the delayed peak (at 13:08 UT) was not seen at the stations with rigidity > 6 GV. The timing of the prompt and delayed peaks coincided with the proton flux peaks observed by the GOES-18 satellite at energies > 150 MeV and 12-99 MeV, respectively. It is observed that the GLE amplitude has a strong dependence on geomagnetic cutoff rigidity and has a weak solar zenith angle dependence.
The magnetic polarity stratigraphy of the 320 m thick Turial- Seling section from the Middle Bhuban Formation (Surma Group), Mizoram, Northeastern India, is presented. The mean characteristic remanent magnetisation (ChRM) directions, determined through thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetisation techniques, are recorded as D = 30.9 degrees, I = 31.6 degrees for normal polarity and D = 208.8 degrees, I = -23 degrees for reverse polarity. Magnetostratigraphic investigation reveals two normal (C6An.1n and C6n) and one reverse magnetic polarity zone within the studied section. These findings indicate an age range from approximately 20.73 Ma at the base of the section to similar to 19.05 Ma at the upper section, spanning a total duration of similar to 1.68 million years. The long normal magnetic sub-chron (20.13 - 19.05 Ma), correlated with the C6n event of the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS), represents the primary polarity event recorded in this section, extending over a thickness of approximately 275 m. The sediment accumulation rate (SAR) for the long normal polarity event (C6n) is calculated to be 25 cm/1000 years, while the average SAR for the entire section is estimated at 19 cm/1000 years. The magnetic susceptibility (chi) of the Middle Bhuban sediments ranges from 9.3 x 10(-5) SI units to a maximum of 235 x 10(-5) SI units, with an average value of 20.6 x 10(-5) SI units. Isothermal remanent magnetisation (IRM) and high-temperature susceptibility measurements (chi vs T, up to 700 degrees C) confirm that magnetite is the primary magnetic mineral responsible for carrying the remanent magnetisation. The coercivity of remanence (B(0)cr), which varies between 33 mT and 67 mT, further supports the presence of a low-coercivity magnetic mineral, consistent with magnetite, in the Middle Bhuban sediments.
Groundwater is a vital resource, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where surface water availability is limited. This study focuses on mapping groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) in the Dhule district of Maharashtra, India, an area characterized by complex hydrogeological conditions within the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). Utilizing a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, the study integrates geospatial techniques with geoelectric data to accurately delineate areas with high groundwater potential. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) combined with Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies enables a detailed assessment of various influencing factors, including geological structures, soil texture, slope, drainage density, and land use patterns. Key findings highlight that regions with specific geological formations, such as weathered and fractured basalts and areas with dykes, show higher groundwater potential due to their enhanced porosity and permeability. The study identifies the central Shindkheda, southern Sakri, and Dhule subdivisions as critical areas for implementing groundwater recharge techniques to mitigate surface runoff and erosion. Recommendations for these regions include the construction of trenches, bunds, recharge pits, and percolation tanks. Additionally, the adoption of water-saving technologies such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting is emphasized to improve groundwater recharge and management. The validated approach establishes a strong foundation for future research and interventions aimed at enhancing water security in similar hydrogeological settings. The integration of AHP and GIS provides a robust framework for groundwater resource management, offering valuable insights for decision-makers focused on sustainable water resource utilization.
