Researchers study beach nourishment decisions and find that decentralized management can lead to resource inefficiencies. The stratigraphic record is controlled by physical processes such as sediment deposition rates and river channel migration, with gaps often left due to pauses in deposition or heightened erosion.
Researchers used Kauai's unique rainfall gradient to test the relationship between precipitation and erosion, finding a strong correlation between rainfall rates and erosion rates. They also found that factoring precipitation into a widely used mathematical formula improved accuracy in predicting erosion rates.
A retrospective multicenter study of 677 patients found that intraoperative, early postoperative, and mesh-related complications are common in pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Mesh-related complications were the most common, with erosion being the most frequent complication.
A team of geoscientists from the University of Arizona led by Stuart N. Thomson discovered that East Antarctica's landscape changed dramatically when big glaciers appeared there, carving deep valleys quickly. The research used sediment cores to analyze minerals and determine the rate of erosion over time.
Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, removing protective berm and beach erosion. The facility is now working to conduct an out-of-cycle beach replenishment and repair the damaged berm.
Researchers studied wind erosion and sediment traps in the Qaidam basin, rain erosion on Kauai, new insights from the Petrified Forest, a forearc sliver in Costa Rica, and bending and buckling mountain belts. Erosion rates on Kauai vary across a steep rainfall gradient, with modern rates no more than 2.3 times faster than past rates.
Climate change affects Alaskan forests with potential shifts to broadleaf forest or grasslands, but plastic greenhouse farming conserves water and binds carbon. Urban renewal and watershed restoration projects in Baltimore demonstrate social cohesion and improved storm-water management.
A research team at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has found a way to effectively control erosion of Hall thruster walls by shaping the engine's magnetic field. By minimizing the effect of plasma on the magnetic field lines, they demonstrated 100 to 1,000 times less wall erosion when using magnetic shielding.
Researchers found that Bacteroidetes were more predominant in fine dust, while Proteobacteria were associated with coarse sediments. This knowledge can inform management practices to minimize damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
Climate change is threatening US coastal communities' social, economic, and natural systems, with increased risks of sea-level rise, erosion, storms, and flooding. The report emphasizes the need for coordination and planning to ensure resilience against climate change impacts.
Researchers found that Mound A at Poverty Point was constructed in under 90 days, requiring an estimated 9,000 laborers. The site's unique soil composition and lack of erosion during construction support this rapid build timeline.
Research reveals that recreational fishing and Great Depression-era ditches are causing significant erosion and die-off of cordgrass habitat in Cape Cod salt marshes. The unchecked growth of purple marsh crabs has led to the destruction of this essential ecosystem, threatening the region's ecological balance.
Research using Cassini spacecraft observations reveals that Titan's craters are being filled by exotic sand dunes, suggesting a much older surface. The team compared craters on Titan to those on Ganymede and found that Titan's craters were significantly shallower, indicating erosion from windblown sand.
A recent University of Pennsylvania study published in Geology has challenged the long-held assumption that mountains play a significant role in regulating the Earth's climate. The research found that mountains contribute only a small amount of sediment to the world's oceans, and instead, gently sloping land areas are major contributors.
Research by Brigham Young University geologists reveals Hawaiian Islands are dissolving from within, with groundwater removing more mineral material than stream water. The study predicts Oahu will continue to grow for up to 1.5 million years before eventually declining in elevation.
Rivers erode at an estimated 80 billion metric tons yearly, with 20 billion ending up in ocean water via rivers. Researcher Panos Diplas studies river mechanics to improve erosion process understanding and develop measures to control scour around bridge foundations.
A study suggests removing sea defenses in low-lying coastal areas could reduce the impact of flooding associated with rising sea levels. The research highlights the need for strategic planning to balance flood protection and erosion control.
Researchers examine the effects of human activity on land modification, finding over 50% of Earth's surface has been transformed. This transformation influences local and global food production, leading to concerns about planetary resources and population overshoot.
A CU-led effort is transplanting biological soil crusts onto damaged military lands in the American West. The goal is to decrease erosion and increase water retention and soil fertility in these areas. The research team will evaluate the effectiveness of such soil inoculations and determine the optimal dosage for field test sites.
Researchers designed an experiment to replicate natural erosion, finding that water flow acts as a shearing force against objects, shaping them into unique forms. The study's findings suggest that water works as a sculptor to naturally mold materials into new shapes.
A team of researchers used advanced soil analysis to uncover evidence of ancient Maya maize production in lowland areas, but also found signs of erosion in steeper soils. This study demonstrates the power of modern soil science in understanding past civilizations' treatment of the land and its impact on food security.
Researchers suggest governments should prioritize adaption policies to address the negative impact of global warming, rather than focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and modeling the impacts of climate change on Earth surface systems.
A new Delft model reveals that coastline erosion due to rising sea levels is greater than previously thought, particularly near inlets. The model accurately predicts coastline development in areas with high rainfall and compensating effects, such as basin infilling.
A team of University of Georgia researchers has developed a technique combining LiDAR and satellite imagery to create precise coastal maps. The new website provides access to high-resolution data on beach availability, tidal ranges, and erosion for policymakers, conservationists, and tourists.
Tropical Storm Haikui is heading towards landfall in southeastern China, bringing strong winds, flooding, and coastal erosion. The storm's size and shape are being monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite, which captured a detailed image of its ragged eye.
Researchers analyzed images of Titan's river networks, finding that they resemble early stages of terrestrial rivers' evolution. In some regions, rivers have caused little erosion, raising questions about Titan's geologic past and potential processes such as tectonic upheaval and icy lava eruptions.
A massive die-off of pinyon pine and juniper trees in the Southwest threatens to unleash devastating soil erosion and exacerbate water scarcity in the Colorado River basin. The trees' loss is expected to lead to increased dust storms, melting snowpacks, and reduced river flows.
A recent study found that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exacerbated existing environmental problems in Louisiana's salt marshes, causing erosion and permanent habitat loss. However, the study also suggests that healthy marsh plants can quickly regrow and recolonize affected areas, potentially mitigating the damage.
Researchers link steep mountain slopes to landslide erosion caused by plate tectonics and powerful streams. The study found that small increases in slope angle above 30 degrees translate into large increases in landslide erosion.
A recent study found that 70 percent of beaches on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are undergoing long-term erosion, with an average rate of 0.4 feet per year from the early 1900s to 2000s.
Researchers have found that fire was more widespread than previously thought during the Cretaceous period, potentially altering dinosaur communities. Charcoal deposits in fossil records indicate frequent wildfires, which could have exacerbated erosion and flooding.
A new £2.9m project aims to forecast the future of the UK's coastline up to 100 years, addressing flooding and erosion risks.
Researchers have identified a new type of landform on Mars, periodic bedrock ridges, which provide valuable information about the planet's geological past. The ridges, formed by wind erosion of bedrock, offer a unique window into Martian history and potentially allow scientists to study the planet's ancient layers.
A new study published in GSA BULLETIN suggests that linear dunes may have formed through erosion rather than deposition. The research found evidence of erosional origin similar to yardangs in China's Qaidam Basin, which could provide insights into the formation of linear dunes on other planets, such as Saturn's moon Titan.
Scientists link periodic extinctions and increased strontium-87 in marine fossils to a 60-million-year cycle of continental uplift. This process may have reduced sea depth, leading to habitat loss and decline in marine biodiversity.
A Simon Fraser University professor will present on how climate change is expected to impact historical sea level changes in the Pacific Northwest. The talk highlights the vulnerability of low-lying coastlines in the region, particularly those with large human populations and infrastructure.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
Researchers create erosion-resistant surfaces using patterns inspired by yellow fattail scorpions, reducing material damage and equipment failure. The new technology has potential to save millions of dollars in damage each year.
Research at Kansas State University is exploring the use of lignin, a plant-based material, to stabilize and strengthen unpaved roads. The study found that adding lignin to soil can improve road cohesion and reduce erosion, potentially reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Researchers develop a new method to reduce erosion in areas ravaged by forest fires using an organic polymer. The treatment, tested on burnt soils in Israel, shows promise in reducing erosion by up to 50%.
A groundbreaking study by University of Miami researcher Shimon Wdowinski reveals a strong temporal relationship between tropical cyclones and large earthquakes. The study found that very wet tropical cyclone events can induce landslides and severe erosion, releasing stress loads and encouraging movement along faults.
A three-year project led by University of Bangor aims to assess how climate change affects the movement of muddy sediments in rivers, estuaries, and seas. The study focuses on the interaction between cohesive muds and sandy sediments, which plays a crucial role in understanding coastal erosion and deposition.
The US health care system scored 64 out of 100 on key measures, with notable improvements in quality of care but significant erosion in access and affordability. The scorecard highlights the need for targeted efforts to improve areas such as adoption and use of health information technology and prevention of premature deaths.
Geologists Jay Quade and his team discovered rubbing boulders in the Atacama Desert that have been smoothed by seismic activity over millions of years. The phenomenon, which resembles a crowded train station, answers long-standing questions about erosion and landscape evolution.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new computer program that enables highway construction engineers to analyze soil movements caused by active landslides and erosion in real-time. This technology uses LIDAR to better assess and deal with these issues, ultimately improving construction quality and safety.
A multi-state research team will develop a blueprint for using marginal farmlands to grow perennial grasses for biomass, reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a market for perennial grass that gives farmers a solid return, promoting sustainable land use and biofuel production.
USDA researchers explore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor changing land-use patterns in western rangelands. The results show that aerial data can be comparable to information gathered through ground-based surveys, with potential applications for erosion control and invasive species monitoring.
A new study predicts that California beach towns will experience significant economic losses due to sea level rise, with visitor hotspots like Venice Beach facing up to $440 million in tourism revenue losses. The study also found that accelerated erosion could cause up to $540 million worth of damage at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
A recent study reveals that humans are the primary agents of exotic earthworm dispersal in North America's forests. Non-native species can accelerate organic material breakdown, reducing habitat for animals and increasing soil erosion.
Researchers at NIST and Clemson University measured the energy of highly charged ion impacts on thin film surfaces, revealing that 27% of the remaining energy goes into changing the material's shape. This study aims to improve predictive models for surface damage and erosion in various industries, including fusion reactors.
Researchers used a global circulation model to demonstrate how atmospheric waves affect Titan's weather patterns, leading to sharp and surprising cloud shapes. The study reveals that these waves can cause intense precipitation, shaping Titan's surface through erosion.
A groundbreaking study compiled 1528 calculations of surface erosion rates from 80 study areas worldwide. The analysis found that bare rock outcrops had significantly lower erosion rates than surfaces covered with thin layers of soil, highlighting the global importance of soil formation as a geomorphic process.
A new study by University of Vermont geologists provides the first broad, standardized view of pre-human erosion rates, measuring 1599 measurements from 87 sites worldwide. The study reveals that slope is a key driver of erosion, contradicting previous assumptions about rainfall's role.
Researchers at Iowa State University discovered that a perennial cover crop can be used on corn fields to achieve similar yields to traditional farming methods while also improving soil quality and reducing erosion. The study found that using Kentucky bluegrass as the perennial cover crop resulted in yields of over 200 bushels per acre.
Researchers at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have created a unique fingerprinting method to identify the source of soil, distinguishing between soils from rural roads and agricultural fields. This innovation has significant implications for managing wind erosion and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers have identified a promising conservation tillage technique called undercutting, which can reduce PM10 emissions by 30-70% compared to conventional tillage. This method creates an aerodynamically rougher soil surface, promoting retention of crop residue and reducing wind erosion.
Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia developed a method to evaluate coastal storm vulnerability, finding that one-third of the region's coasts are at risk of severe flooding and erosion. The study used wave data from 1958-2008 to assess the vulnerability of a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline.
Researchers used clinker deposits and U-Th/He isotopic dating to determine the pace of recent evolution in the Powder River Basin. The study found that the basin has experienced increasing incision and topographic relief over the last million years, with rates of up to 0.3 km/million years.
Researchers discovered that a calcium-sensing receptor plays a major role in the development of hypercalcemia, a deadly syndrome associated with squamous-cell lung cancers. The receptor releases a hormone that sets off a biological cycle leading to bone erosion and calcium release, ultimately promoting cancer growth and spread.
The planet's soils face unprecedented threats from erosion and human activity, which can lead to loss of food production, carbon storage, and biodiversity. International research efforts aim to develop mathematical models to predict soil changes and design solutions to mitigate these impacts.