Recently engaged in providing support to the successful landing of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity rover, ESA’s Mars Express has now returned to its primary mission of studying the diverse geology and atmosphere of the ‘Red Planet’ from orbit. Earlier this year, the spacecraft observed the 120 km wide Hadley Crater, providing a tantalizing insight into the martian crust. The images show multiple subsequent impacts within the main crater wall, reaching depths of up to 2600 m below the surrounding surface.

Changes in Canadian lake water chemistry have left small water organisms vulnerable to ambush by predators, according to a new study. Low calcium levels affect the exoskeleton development of water fleas, which are food for fish and keep lakes clean. Plankton in the world’s oceans may also be affected.

Destruction of coastal habitats may release as much as one billion tons of carbon emissions into the atmosphere each year, 10 times higher than previously reported, according to a new study.

Scientific deep sea drilling vessel Chikyu sets a world new record by drilling down and obtains rock samples from deeper than 2,111 meters below the seafloor off Shimokita Peninsula of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

Oceanographers have thought of a novel way to measure the global ocean – weigh it.  Scientists have proposed an idea that will assess the mass of the world ocean by weighing at a single point.

Crabs living half-a-mile down in the ocean, beyond the reach of sunlight, have a sort of color vision combining sensitivity to blue and ultraviolet light. Their detection of shorter wavelengths may give the crabs a way to ensure they grab food, not poison.

New research indicates that storms from the west are the main reason that Norwegians can enjoy temperatures 5-10°C warmer than other places so far north. Climate researchers are casting more and more doubt on the Gulf Stream’s role as the primary cause of Norway’s relatively high temperatures.