John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities

The Ocean Floor Is Littered with Humanity's Garbage

There's a vast accumulation of bottles, plastic bags, and other human-generated rubbish – perhaps the world's largest hidden waste dump, drifting on the currents for a virtual eternity.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• May 2, 2014

An Aerial View of China's Colossal Dust Storm

It's not often that weather rolls in carrying a distinct "mouthfeel." Yet that's been the case the last few days in China, where a massive windstorm coated buildings, cars, and tongues with gritty desert dust.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• April 25, 2014

Mapping More Than a Century of Major Earthquakes Around the World

Thanks to the hard work of innumerable researchers and the U.S. Geological Survey, we can see all the hot spots for seismic activity in Chile and elsewhere since 1900. 

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• April 21, 2014

Ukraine's Crazy Building-Climber Is Somehow Still Alive

Breaking all expectations from his previous stunts – like hanging from insanely high places with only two fingers – the mad urban climber "Mustang Wanted" remains alive. 

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• April 8, 2014

Climate Officials Warn that Most of the West Is Ripe for Drought

 Severe drought persists across the American West and, looking ahead, the arid conditions will likely remain or grow even worse.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• March 21, 2014

Even China Is Ragging on France's Air Pollution Problem

China has some gall. Take a look at this cartoon that ran recently in the Global Times, a paper that Shanghaiist dubs "[e]veryone's favorite vitriolic nationalist rag."

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• March 19, 2014

Blobs of Exxon-Valdez Oil Are Still Fresh on Alaska's Beaches

It may be a quarter century since the Exxon Valdez disaster, yet blobs of oil along Alaska's coastline look as fresh as if they'd been spilled less than two weeks ago.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 28, 2014

The Aurora Borealis Was (Briefly) Visible in the Contiguous U.S. Yesterday

First-time visitors to Michigan, Maine, and other northern states might've woken up Wednesday morning preparing for an alien abduction.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 20, 2014

The Great Lakes' Massive Ice Cap Could Bring a Cooler Summer to the Region

This year, Canada opened the fridge door on America and forgot to shut it. This was not the case at this time in 2013, however.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 19, 2014

There Is Snow on the Ground in 49 U.S. States Right Now

Damn it, Florida: We almost had a magical thing going on here, then you had to ruin it by remaining so warm, sunny and, well, mulishly Floridalike.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 14, 2014

What Google Autocomplete Thinks of the Americas

Type "Why is Canada" into the search engine, and the first thing that pops up is the insulting "a country?". But there's plenty more to be discovered from this search-based look at international stereotyping.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 7, 2014

Looking for a Respite from Cold Weather? Head to Alaska.

Those dreaming of warmth during the polar vortex should've been considering Alaska, where an unusual and potent heat wave raised temperatures to 40 degrees above average.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• February 4, 2014

A Video Treasury of Awful Drivers Running Red Lights in St. Louis

Because American Traffic Systems decided to focus on St. Louis in this highlight reel of the "worst red-light accidents of 2013," I guess we just have to pick on that city's piss-poor drivers.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• January 24, 2014

This Warped World Map Shows Global Warming's Biggest Offenders

Here's an item to help governments point fingers at the next climate-change conference: a map of the world's countries, scaled to highlight those disproportionately responsible for generating greenhouse gases.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• January 17, 2014

Philadelphia Has a Bed Bug Problem and It's Getting Worse

Is anybody in Philadelphia itching? That could be because their mattress is infested with bed bugs, which are showing signs of a huge population surge all over the city.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• January 9, 2014

Visualizing Every Country's Life Expectancy

What's the best nation in the world to live in if you enjoy, ya know, staying alive?

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• January 8, 2014

This Worldwide Wind Simulation Will Put You in a Trance

Where on the planet are people's hats being knocked off by roaring wind? The answer lies within this trance-inducing model of near-real-time wind patterns.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• December 17, 2013

The Worst Wildfires in a Decade Pour Acrid Smoke Over Sydney

Going outside in many parts of southeastern Australia right now is like sucking on a stogie filled with smoldering grass and bark.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• October 18, 2013

A Map of the Uneven Spread of Happiness in the World

Where are people all whistles and chuckles? Where are they the most miserable? If you have a fatalistic view of life, the answer will utterly not surprise you.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• October 1, 2013

Here's Where You're Most Likely to Die from Air Pollution

Where on earth are you most likely to die early from air pollution? NASA provides the answer with this mortally serious view of the planet, and it is: lots of places.

• John Metcalfe, The Atlantic Cities
• September 19, 2013