All Images
News Release 09-161
Dead Ahead: Similar Early Warning Signals of Change in Climate, Ecosystems, Financial Markets, Human Health
Scientists identify 'tipping points' at which sudden shifts to new conditions occur
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
![Photo of Wisconsin's side-by-side Peter and Paul Lakes.](/news/mmg/media/images/early_warning1_f.jpg)
Early warning indicators have been found in Wisconsin's side-by-side Peter and Paul Lakes.
Credit: Steve Carpenter, University of Wisconsin
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (1.1 MB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Photo of emaciated, dead animal in a desert.](/news/mmg/media/images/early_warning2_f.jpg)
Drought is turning many of Earth's formerly verdant regions into deserts.
Credit: Government of Australia
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (118 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Photo of melting ice sheets in the Arctic.](/news/mmg/media/images/early_warning3_f1.jpg)
Ice sheets in the Arctic are rapidly disappearing, reaching possible points-of-no-return.
Credit: NOAA
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (80 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Illustration showing signals among neurons that precede an epileptic seizure.](/news/mmg/media/images/early_warning4_f.jpg)
Abrupt changes in signals among neurons precede an epileptic seizure.
Credit: NIH
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (100 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Photo of people walking and viewing computer monitors on the stock market floor.](/news/mmg/media/images/early_warning5_f.jpg)
Financial markets have the same early warnings, scientists are finding, as the natural world.
Credit: State of New York
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (143 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.