A giant volcanic eruption 21.9 million years ago buried an entire landscape beneath volcanic deposits, preserving clues to how the Andes were built. The study found that the landscape was built slowly, with rocks pushed upward by 0.26 km every million years.
Extreme weather events like drought, flooding, and wildfires alter soil carbon inputs, microbial processes, and sequestration, with repeated drought leading to declining soil organic carbon. The review highlights the importance of protecting soil carbon for climate mitigation and sustainable agricultural productivity.
A new study proposes that wildfires and erosion in the southern Levant may have inspired Neolithic communities to discover pottery-making. The study suggests that observing naturally baked clay during intense fires led to the development of ceramics.
Researchers discovered that major earthquakes can rapidly alter coastline evolution, with Kaikōura's erosion rates more than doubling after the 2016 earthquake. This study provides a rare example of how tectonic events reshape rock coasts, relevant to tectonically active coasts worldwide.
Scientists propose a colossal cliff across ancient North America may have exposed Grand Canyon's oldest rocks nearly a billion years before it was carved by the Colorado River. The study suggests the 'great escarpment' of steep rocky cliffs formed when the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart 800 million years ago.
A new study reveals that topography is the key factor controlling how mountain erosion responds to large earthquakes. Researchers found that differences in landscape steepness, hillslope-to-channel connectivity, and river transport capacity determine the erosion process. In steeper areas, deep-seated landslides carried material from de...
Researchers found that water erosion increases microbial conversion of soil carbon to CO2, favoring decomposition of recalcitrant substrates. In contrast, deeper SOC remains more effectively protected within mineral-organic complexes and aggregates.
A new study suggests that unsweetened sparkling water may lower the risk of enamel erosion more effectively than sugar-sweetened soda. Researchers found that saliva quickly restored the mouth's acidity to normal after consumption, regardless of beverage type.
Researchers uncover new evidence about the timing and intensity of asteroid bombardment on the Moon's surface, finding it declined gradually rather than a short burst. The discovery allows scientists to reconstruct over three billion years of lunar impact history.
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
A new study uses a thermal analysis technique to distinguish between different sources of organic carbon transported by rivers after extreme events, such as earthquakes and storms. The findings show that these events can continue to influence carbon transport in river systems for over a decade.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that California has lost more than 60% of its coastal dune systems, primarily due to human activity. The assessment highlights the importance of preserving these ecosystems for biodiversity and coastal resilience.
Climate change is accelerating Himalayan river migration rates by nearly doubled, with increased risk of flooding, erosion, and damage. The study reveals that thawing frozen ground and glacier melt are driving these changes, posing implications for water security and infrastructure planning.
Researchers found significant erosion damage to graves in a 17th-century whaling site in Svalbard, with textiles nearly completely degraded over 30 years. The study reveals the physical cost of climate change on Arctic cultural heritage sites and the need for revised policies.
A new international study confirms that erosion plays a key role in forming and accumulating natural hydrogen in mountain ranges. The Pyrenees and Alps are identified as key targets for natural hydrogen exploration, with the right conditions allowing for efficient serpentinization and hydrogen production.
Researchers developed an interfacial buffering strategy to address solvent-induced damage in pseudo-planar heterojunction organic solar cells, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 20.21%. The buffer layer preserves the structural integrity of the donor layer and maintains a well-defined heterojunction interface, facilitating effi...
A new review highlights biochar's potential to reverse land degradation, improve soil health, and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Biochar can increase crop yields, reduce erosion risks, and enhance soil resilience, while also contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
Soil erosion redistributes vast quantities of nitrogen, altering nitrogen stocks, transport, and transformation in terrestrial ecosystems. Erosion modifies soil properties and microbial communities, controlling nitrogen transformations and availability.
The Spanish initiative Spongy Slopes has successfully restored key sponge functions in a steep slope landscape through nature-based measures. The project, which involved around 250 volunteers and local associations, has improved landscape-level hydrological resilience, retained rainwater, reduced erosion and increased biodiversity.
Researchers found that Southern California beaches experienced a significant widening of 10% between 1984 and 2024, while Northern California showed moderate growth, and Central California showed no significant trend. Beach growth was concentrated at human-made coastal structures.
A 56-million-year-old study found that global warming caused by CO2 emissions led to widespread forest fires and soil erosion. The research team discovered that even small changes in temperature can have significant impacts on ecosystems, leading to the release of more carbon into the atmosphere.
A three-year study by the University of Stirling has shown that Himalayan balsam disrupts riverbank stability, causing erosion during high-flow periods. This leads to increased sedimentation, damaging habitats and wildlife, and changes to river shape and structure.
A team of researchers used innovative approaches, including public data and machine learning models, to create more accurate predictions of coastal erosion and infrastructure damage. The project aims to improve storm preparedness and timeliness.
Sixty-million-year-old rock samples have revealed how massive amounts of carbon dioxide are stored in piles of lava rubble on the seafloor. This discovery sheds light on the importance of breccia, a geological sponge for carbon in the long-term carbon cycle.
Most San Diego County beaches grew in width last year during the post-El Niño recovery phase. California's average beach width has remained stable across nearly four decades despite notable examples of beach erosion. Beach nourishment projects also contributed to recent increases in beach width.
Researchers developed artificial mangrove roots that mimic natural mangrove root systems, serving as an additional option to mitigate erosion in areas where hard structures have caused negative end effects. AMRs allow water to pass through and help reduce wave impact, promoting sediment retention and enhancing shoreline stability.
A recent study found that Mongolia has become a major source of dust emissions in Central East Asia, with total emissions increasing sevenfold from 2020 to 2023. The study attributes this shift to stronger surface winds, vegetation degradation, and reduced soil moisture.
A new study reveals that 16% of the Arctic Ocean's dissolved organic carbon comes from land, primarily from thawing permafrost and coastal erosion. This finding has significant implications for understanding how terrestrial organic matter affects Arctic marine ecosystems and the ocean's ability to store CO2.
This study provides the first nationwide map of urban gullies in the DRC, quantifying their extent, recent dynamics, and human impacts. Researchers found that gullies were formed mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as unplanned urbanization and inadequate infrastructure.
A team of researchers from Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, has discovered the Jinlin crater, a 900-meter diameter impact structure preserved within a thick granite weathering crust. The discovery provides new insights into the scale of small extraterrestrial object impacts on Earth during the Holocene epoch.
A new study reveals that Madagascar's striking landscape was shaped by two great rifting events, separated by nearly 80 million years. These tectonic shifts created fragmented environments where species evolved independently, contributing to the island's extraordinary biodiversity.
UT Dallas researchers are developing a material to protect spacecraft from atmospheric drag and erosion, which can damage vehicles in space. The new coating has shown promising results, withstanding atomic oxygen conditions better than those in space.
Researchers found that biochar can dramatically reduce erosion by 45% and improve soil's ability to store water, even under intense rainstorms. Biochar also improved soil structure and increased infiltration, making vineyard soils more resilient to extreme weather.
A new study co-authored by Simon Fraser University researchers found that river widening can worsen flood impacts. River widening caused bottlenecks in the Meuse River, increasing water velocity and erosion potential. This led to devastating infrastructure damage and overflow above riverbanks.
Agricultural practices such as ploughing, fertiliser use and irrigation boost crop yields in the short term but degrade soils over time, reducing their resilience and triggering cycles of erosion, salinisation and declining yields.
Human activities such as agricultural expansion and soil dumping are narrowing Oman's wadis, altering soil chemistry and sediment distribution. This process accelerates erosion during flash floods, creating a "bottleneck effect" that increases floodwater velocity and spreads contaminants downstream.
A study found that Lake Michigan shoreline armoring has increased fivefold in response to high-water levels, posing threats to coastal ecosystems. The increase in structures like seawalls and groins raises concerns about their long-term effects on the environment.
A new study shows that mixing mice from different populations can create genetically healthier populations, increasing survival and reproductive success. The research challenges common perceptions about the risks of outbreeding depression, highlighting the benefits of genetic rescue in conservation programs.
A team of researchers analyzed sediment cores from the Indian Ocean, revealing that intensive agriculture led to severe soil erosion around 500 years ago. This finding indicates a profound impact of human activities on the environment much earlier than previously believed.
Researchers used fiber-optic technology to measure how falling ice drives glacial retreat in Greenland. The impact of warming seawater on glacier melting and erosion was found to amplify calving and mass loss.
A global analysis using machine learning predicts glacial erosion rates for 180,000 glaciers worldwide, with most experiencing erosion between 0.02-2.68 millimeters per year. The study identifies complex factors influencing erosion, including temperature, water under the glacier and rock type.
Researchers found that agro-pastoral activities increased soil erosion rates 4-10 times faster than natural formation over 3,800 years. The study reveals the degradation of high-altitude soil first, followed by medium- and low-altitude soils with agricultural development.
Researchers discovered that rivers develop multiple channels if erosion outpaces deposition on their banks, leading to a widening and division of the channel over time. This understanding could revolutionize flood planning and restoration efforts for over 3 billion people worldwide.
Researchers discovered a novel combination therapy for rheumatoid arthritis that reduces bone destruction by targeting the M6A methylation pathway. The study showed that triptolide and medicarpin combination therapy significantly alleviates arthritis symptoms and delays disease onset.
Water erosion models in China have been dominated by empirical approaches, but these lack reliable validation and are limited to specific regions. Research has identified challenges, including a verification gap and regional limitation, which hinder accurate predictions and optimization.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
A new study finds that California's Central Valley is a major contributor to human-caused dust events, with 77% of fallowed land in the region associated with 88% of major dust events. The study highlights the need for mitigation efforts to reduce wind erosion and improve soil health.
High levels of pollution and sea-level rise have led to an explosion in sea-urchin numbers, threatening the recovery of Hawaii's coral reefs. The reef in Hōnaunau Bay shows slow growth and high erosion rates, highlighting the need for robust fisheries management.
Researchers at University of Illinois develop novel AI approach combining machine learning with SHapley Additive exPlanations to enhance gully formation prediction and understanding. The method achieved a prediction accuracy of 91.6% compared to 86% for individual models.
A new study reveals that the Neolithic Revolution in the southern Levant was triggered by catastrophic wildfires and climate-driven soil erosion, forcing early communities to adopt agriculture. Fertile soils formed in valley basins after hillslope degradation became hotspots for settlement and farming.
A new study reveals that 81% of O’ahu's coastline could experience erosion by 2100, with a further 40% loss happening by 2030. The research used computer models incorporating satellite imagery to predict the seasonal movement of sand, resulting in more severe erosion projections than previous studies.
A study led by Australian National University researchers has found that the critically endangered regent honeyeater's population decline has not been mirrored by genetic diversity loss. Despite a 99% population decrease, the species has lost only 9% of its genetic diversity due to a time-lag in genetic erosion.
Researchers created a new GIS-based multi-criteria decision tool to guide decisions on using nature-based shorelines or hybrid solutions in the Florida Keys. The study finds that nearly 8% of the shoreline is suitable for nature-based solutions, while 67% is already vegetated or represents another natural shoreline.
The TUdi project has developed nine multilingual leaflets to provide information and share findings on various topics related to sustainable agriculture. The leaflets offer guidance on managing soil health, assessing soil structure stability, detecting erosion, and managing nutrient loss through water movement.
The deliberate destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war unleashed a hidden environmental crisis, destroying ecosystems and releasing polluted sediments into downstream water systems. The study found that the collapse triggered substantial erosion, soil loss, and vegetation uprooting, driving extensive h...
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has selected six papers to receive the 2024 Cozzarelli Prize, recognizing originality and excellence in research. The winners are recognized for their work on permafrost thaw, eye blinking as a visual processing stage, and complex network analysis.
A new MSU-led study found that translocation successfully bolstered population numbers, but failed to prevent genetic erosion and inbreeding in Florida Scrub-Jays. The researchers analyzed decades' worth of data and sequencing the entire genomes of 87 jays, identifying reproductive skew as a limiting factor.
The increasing extraction of sand across the world is causing significant harm to marine ecosystems, leading to coastal erosion, habitat destruction, and the spread of invasive species. Integrating sand mining into broader environmental policies is crucial to mitigating its impacts.
A new study reveals the extreme vulnerability of young volcanic soils to wildfires in the Arequipa shrublands of Peru. The research found that vegetation and soil combustion, combined with post-fire erosion, have caused a severe loss of soil organic carbon, hindering ecosystem recovery.
A new study estimates the societal costs of blowing dust and wind erosion at approximately $154 billion per year across the United States. Dust can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses, causing significant medical costs, while also damaging homes and landscaping, transportation systems, and agricultural productivity.