News Climate

Tracking how rainfall morphs Earth’s surface could help forecast flooding

Using GPS, scientists measured Hurricane Harvey’s daily flood footprint

Hurricane Harvey flooding

THE WEIGHT OF WATER By measuring how the land morphed daily under Hurricane Harvey’s floodwaters in Houston, scientists were able to calculate the weight of the water — and how it eventually evaporated or flowed out to sea.

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By Jennifer Leman

- More than 2 years ago

By mapping how downpours cause Earth’s crust to sag and swell, scientists may one day better forecast floods.