
Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is an associate editor at Scientific American, where she covers sustainability, energy and the environment. Prior to that, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered Earth science and the environment. She holds a graduate degree in science health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a bachelor of science and and masters of science in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Latest articles by Andrea Thompson

Pockets of Oil from Exxon Valdez Spill Persist Along Alaskan Coast
By Andrea Thompson published
Oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the largest in U.S. history until the Deepwater Horizon spill, has been found nearly untouched in small pockets along Alaska's coast.

Deadly 'Sneaker Waves' Get Warnings, Thanks to Forecaster
By Andrea Thompson published

Snow Day: Images of the East Coast Storm
By Andrea Thompson published
A major winter storm walloped the eastern United States from Alabama up to New England. LiveScience collected photos of the snow and ice from across the area.

Southern Britain Soaking in Record Wet January
By Andrea Thompson published
Atmospheric patterns have been keeping parts of southern England in a steady stream of rain

State of Emergency Declared for West Virginia Chemical Spill
By Andrea Thompson published
The spill of a chemical into a West Virginia river upstream of a water treatment plant has prompted officials to issue a warning to residents not to consume or use tap water.

China Destroys Part of Illegal Ivory Stockpile
By Andrea Thompson published
In a ceremony today (Jan. 6), China destroyed 6 tons of its stockpile of illegally traded ivory, part of what experts see as a trend in crackdowns on poaching in the country.

China to Destroy Confiscated Illegal Ivory on Monday
By Andrea Thompson published
China will destroy ivory and other wildlife products confiscated from illegal trade on Monday (Jan. 6).

Passengers of Stuck Antarctic Ship Rescued
By Andrea Thompson published
All 52 passengers aboard the Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy have been rescued by helicopter and transported to an Australian icebreaker ship.

13 Amazing Species Discovered in 2013
By Andrea Thompson published
Every year, scientists add to our knowledge of the wide variety of species that live on Earth. Here, LiveScience looks at 13 amazing species announced in 2013.

Gallery: Zoo Babies Born in 2013
By Andrea Thompson published
A bevy of adorable baby animals arrived at zoos around the world this year, and from rare panda twins to fluffy swan cygnets, LiveScience is taking a look at some of the cutest.

Major US Winter Storm Spotted from Space
By Andrea Thompson published
The major winter storm hitting the West and moving into the Midwest was spotted by a satellite in orbit on Dec. 3, 2013.

Subtropical Storm Melissa Forms, Breaks Long Lull
By Andrea Thompson published
Subtropical Storm Melissa has formed far out over the Atlantic Ocean, the 13th named storm of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, coming after a nearly month-long lull in activity.

One Year Ago Today: Future Superstorm Sandy Formed
By Andrea Thompson published
One year ago, what would become Superstorm Sandy, one of the worst hurricanes in U.S. history, first formed in over the Caribbean Sea.

Hurricane Raymond Seen from Space (Satellite Photos)
By Andrea Thompson published
Two satellites snapped pictures of Hurricane Raymond of the Pacific coast of Mexico just a day apart, -- it was only a tropical storm one day, but a major hurricane the next.

US Carbon Dioxide Emissions Drop 3.8 Percent
By Andrea Thompson published
US carbon dioxide emissions have dropped for the fifth year in the last seven, with the second largest yearly drop seen since 1990, according to newly released government numbers.

Shutdown Over: Science Agencies Send Celebratory 'Back to Work' Tweets
By Andrea Thompson published
They're back and tweeting about it! From NASA to the EPA, federal workers returned to the job today with the end of the government shutdown and took to Twitter to announce their return.

National Parks Closed, but Still Plenty of Leaf Peeping Spots
By Andrea Thompson published

Tropical Cyclone Phailin Barrels Toward India
By Andrea Thompson published
Tropical Cyclone Phailin, headed toward northeast India, could be a major storm when it makes landfall, potentially wreaking havoc on the area.

Weather Service Forecasters Hike Through Blizzard to Work
By Andrea Thompson published
In the midst of a strong blizzard, government forecasters trekked over huge drifts of snow to get to work, even though they aren't being paid during the shutdown.

Image Gallery: Hurricane Season 2013
By Andrea Thompson published
Take a look at the tropical storms and hurricanes that have formed during the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season. We'll update each time a new named storm forms.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.