World’s Lakes May be Much Shallower than Previously Thought

New mathematical analysis from MIT provides more accurate estimate of the depth and volume of the Earth's lakes, Adrian Cho of Science Magazine reports.

The world’s lakes are only about two-thirds as deep, on average, as previously thought according to a mathematical analysis presented by Follows Group graduate student B. B. Cael at a meeting of the American Physical Society this week.

If correct, Cael's finding could help climate scientists more accurately model global climate change, as shallower lakes generate more heat-trapping methane gas.

Read more about Cael's discovery at sciencemag.org and about Cael's work here.