New radar measurements suggest Ligeia Mare on Titan is eerily still, with surface waves smaller than one millimeter. The solid terrain surrounding the sea may be composed of solid organic materials instead of frozen water, similar to Earth's early evolution.
Researchers used crowdsourcing to collect hurricane rainwater samples during Hurricane Sandy, revealing the storm's chemical signature and improving understanding of extra-tropical hurricanes. The study provides new insights into how these storms interact with weather systems, aiding in hurricane forecasting.
Scientists have identified a large, deep magma chamber below Kilauea volcano using seismic data. The crustal magma reservoir is composed of 'magma mush' and is similar to those found beneath mid-ocean ridges, posing significant hazards to the volcano.
Researchers discovered an additional active process producing nanodiamonds in sediments less than 3,000 years old, suggesting a possible extraterrestrial event. The study found no correlation between nanodiamond concentration and alternative processes, supporting the ET impact hypothesis.
Researchers found that interplanetary dust particles carry both water and organics needed for the origin of life. This mechanism could also work for exoplanets, enabling water formation through solar wind irradiation. The discovery sheds light on the Moon's OH and water ice, as well as asteroid and comet origins.
A new technique developed by Stanford scientists uses weak ocean vibrations to predict the ground movement and shaking hazard from real quakes. The approach was used to confirm a prediction that Los Angeles will experience stronger-than-expected ground movement if a major quake occurs south of the city.
Studies examine the role of hydrated fault zones in carrying large amounts of water from Earth's oceans to the mantle. Researchers also investigate vertical structural heterogeneities within cratonic lithosphere, shedding light on continent destruction and evolution.
Researchers challenge conventional wisdom that super-Earths are waterworlds, proposing they can have exposed continents and an Earth-like climate. The model suggests most tectonically active super-Earths store water in the mantle, enabling a stable climate.
Kerry Sieh's pioneering work transformed the study of earthquakes, revealing frequent but irregular recurrence. His research led to the development of paleoseismology and improved seismic hazard assessment.
Researchers found that the southern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone is complex and still only moderately understood. The study suggests a possible link between the 2013 Lushan earthquake and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, with a 62% probability that Lushan is a strong aftershock of Wenchuan.
A team from MIT and Stanford University identified a 'runaway process' in which the sliding of rocks at great depths causes surrounding temperatures to spike. This influx of heat encourages more sliding, generating an earthquake.
Researchers have discovered huge active plumes containing water vapour being released from the surface of Europa, a liquid ocean lies beneath its icy crust. The plumes, comparable to earth geysers in size, will aid further investigations of the moon and potentially make life discoveries
Scientists found that Hurricane Sandy did not significantly damage the offshore barrier system controlling erosion on Long Island. However, the storm churned up new pollutants in the waters off the island, which could exacerbate long-term problems if continued sea-level rise occurs.
Intermediate-depth earthquakes, accounting for one in four quakes worldwide, occur at depths of 30-190 miles. Stanford scientists studied the Bucaramanga Nest in Colombia, where quakes are clustered, and found that heat generated by friction causes a 'runaway process' that facilitates fault sliding.
Researchers found that warm ocean currents near Europa's equator and subsiding currents at the poles could create chaos terrains on the surface. This process may help initiate upwelling ice pulses, which form features like these terrains.
A team of scientists found evidence for bromides converting to reactive gases in Martian soil, leading to variable sulfur-chlorine ratios. This could alter existing models of aqueous processes and oxidants on Mars, affecting the search for life. The study also suggests that volatilized halogens may have impacted subsurface distribution.
A new image analysis and segmentation algorithm helps quantify grain sizes in Martian rock and soil images, revealing subtle trends with composition. The semi-automated algorithm provides better consistency across multiple images than human segmentation.
A newly discovered species of tyrannosaur, Lythronax argestes, has been unearthed in southern Utah and possesses unique features that challenge previous timelines. The study indicates that tyrannosaurs likely evolved in isolation on the continent of Laramidia.
Guoquan Wang, a UH professor, has received an $168,000 NSF grant to develop GPS and LiDAR education at the university. The project includes creating an upper-level applications course and augmenting field methods courses with real-time GPS and seismic instruments.
A new study found that underground gas injection was correlated with small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas, between 2006 and 2011. The researchers suggest that geological faults may be responsible for the triggering of these quakes in some areas but not others.
Researchers found that ocean warming is melting the Pine Island Glacier's floating ice shelf, causing rapid movement of glaciers in Antarctica. This process can lead to increased sea level rise as more ice is added to the mass of Antarctic glaciers.
A new study reconstructs climate in the South Pacific over the past 446 years, revealing more dramatic rainfall variability before the start of the 20th century. The researchers found a roughly 50-year cycle of rainfall in Vanuatu, with significant differences between wet and dry periods.
Researchers found a negative correlation between gravity and topography signals on Titan, attributed to large roots extending into the ocean beneath the ice shell. The study suggests that Titan's ice shell is rigid and at least 40 kilometers thick.
Researchers found that photochemical reactions break down mercury at the surface, but it's converted to its toxic form at deeper depths. This process affects ocean fish and the human seafood supply, with implications for reducing mercury emissions.
Researchers at Penn State have found a precursor signal to slow earthquakes, which can potentially foretell larger events. By studying the mechanisms behind slow earthquakes, they identified a transition in fault zone properties that supports slower velocities.
Researchers investigate the solid Earth's influence on sea level changes, divergent geologic histories in North America, and 'ghost glaciers' in Greenland. The study also examines the Picuris Orogeny in New Mexico and the Cryogenian Perry Canyon Formation in Utah.
Researchers documented an acceleration in coastal Antarctic permafrost melt rates, rising to 10 times the historical average. The change is attributed to increased sunlight due to changes in weather patterns, leading to 'retrogressive thaw slumps' and potential dramatic increases in melting if Antarctica warms as predicted.
A new horned dinosaur species, Nasutoceratops titusi, has been discovered in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The species features an unusually enlarged nose region and exceptionally long, curving horns, with possible functions including visual signals of dominance and mate attraction.
Dr. Steven M. Stanley receives the GSA Penrose Medal for his work on the punctuational model of evolution and its application to fossil data. His contributions focus on major climate change, seawater chemistry changes, and patterns of large-scale evolution and extinction.
A team of researchers found geologic evidence that challenges the conventional explanation for Antarctica's initial glaciation. Volcanic rocks in the Scotia Sea suggest an ancient volcanic arc may have blocked ocean currents, leading to a colder climate.
Researchers have used innovative radar analysis to accurately image the vast subglacial water system under Thwaites Glacier, a Florida-sized outlet glacier in Antarctica. The findings suggest that the dynamics of this water system may play a crucial role in predicting the fate of the glacier.
Researchers developed a new method using radioactive carbon-14 from nuclear bomb tests to determine the age of ivory, helping to combat illegal poaching. The method has immediate applications in enforcing international trade bans and reducing demand for ivory.
Dr. Steve Holbrook receives Walter Munk Award for his pioneering work in Seismic Oceanography, providing novel insights into internal waves and ocean dynamics. He is honored for his research and service to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the field.
GeoResJ aims to publish top research in the entire earth science field with rapid publication and open access. Elsevier's new journal joins its existing earth and planetary science journals offering authors more choice for scope and access.
Researchers found a massive cone-shaped structure made of basalt stones weighing an estimated 60,000 tons, dating back to the early Bronze Age. The site is believed to be connected to ancient city of Beit Yerah and may provide insights into geological history.
A Stanford University study reveals that sound waves from earthquakes can reach land tens of minutes before a massive tsunami, potentially providing an early warning. The research identifies a specific acoustic signature that could indicate the presence of a tsunami-generating earthquake, allowing for faster-acting warning systems.
Two special issues of Geosphere cover the India-Asia collision in the Himalaya and the origin of the Colorado River System II. The articles also explore other geological features such as the Jemez Mountains volcanic field and the Alabama and western Georgia Blue Ridge.
Researchers identify two gemstones linked to plate tectonics, including ruby and jadeite. Ocean island coral reefs are shaped by sea-level history and carbonate accumulation rates.
The article highlights the importance of geophysics in disaster planning, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address natural hazards. Brian McAdoo's presentation compares death counts and economic fallout from similar magnitude earthquakes in areas with different levels of economic development, showing that dea...
Geologists at Indiana University studied the 'Eternal Flame' in Erie County, N.Y., which may feature high concentrations of ethane and propane. The researchers identified natural gas seeps in the region, suggesting they could contribute to atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Researchers developed large ring laser gyroscopes six orders of magnitude more sensitive than commercial instruments. These devices can measure the Earth's rotation rate with unprecedented accuracy, capturing momentum exchange between atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved funding for ten additional core facilities to make existing research instrumentation more easily accessible to researchers. The facilities will provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, enabling researchers to conduct complex studies efficiently.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that superstorm Sandy caused significant seismic activity along the East Coast as well as in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm's 'standing waves' created energy at the seafloor, detectable by seismometers across the US.
James R. Rice, Harvard professor, will receive the Harry Field Reid Medal for his influential research on fracture mechanics and its application to earthquake processes. His work has defined standards for numerous frontiers of research, integrating theory, experiment, and observations.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a 25-kilometer-thick layer of partially melted rock below the edge of the Cocos plate, which may be facilitating the sliding motions of tectonic plates. This finding has significant implications for understanding earthquakes and volcanism.
The research team will develop an integrated model of coral reef development to link climate change, sea level, tectonics, and reef growth rates. The findings will provide a record of tropical climates and coral reef growth.
Researchers found evidence of a unique post-glacial world, revealing life's remarkable ability to restore balance after a global glaciation. The study estimates the Marinoan Oxygen-17 Depletion event lasted 0-1 million years, suggesting an ultra-high carbon dioxide atmosphere following the Snowball Earth glaciation.
Researchers at MIT analyzed MESSENGER data to identify two distinct rock compositions on Mercury's surface, suggesting a massive lava flow and subsequent magma ocean. The team recreated the rock types in the lab and simulated geological processes to support their hypothesis.
Scientists have developed a new approach to study the composition of Earth's deep interior by detecting long-range spin-spin interactions. The technique, which relies on a hypothetical fifth force, could provide new insights into the geophysics and geochemistry of the planet's interior.
Researchers found a Florida-sized zone of partly molten rock beneath the Pacific Ocean, which could trigger massive eruptions. The collision between two or more continent-sized piles may lead to supervolcano-like eruptions and large igneous provinces.
Glaciers in the tropical Andes have been retreating at an increasing rate since the 1970s, with a 30-50% shrinkage since then. Climate change is blamed for this rapid melting, which could affect water supply to Andean populations.
Researchers at Caltech and JAMSTEC developed a new fault model that shows stable segments can behave differently during earthquakes, leading to larger events. This challenges current assumptions about seismic hazard in areas like the San Andreas Fault.
A rapid response science team from the University of Texas at Austin will map the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island's offshore barrier system. The study aims to restore sand and protect coastal residences, estuaries, and ecosystems affected by the storm.
A new study found that the asteroid collision that killed the dinosaurs also led to the extinction of a newly identified lizard species, Obamadon gracilis. The impact wiped out nearly 83% of all snake and lizard species, with no species larger than one pound surviving.
Researchers highlight the need for fundamental research in geothermal and shale gas development to overcome challenges and maximize energy recovery. Enhanced geothermal systems and shale gas extraction face roadblocks, including induced seismicity and environmental impact.
Scientists at Stanford University have identified segments of the Main Himalayan Thrust fault that could lead to massive earthquakes in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, researchers are studying small tremors in the Cascadia subduction zone to improve earthquake prediction and mitigation strategies for the Pacific Northwest.
A new analysis of Titan's topography and gravity data reveals the moon's icy outer crust is significantly thicker than previously estimated. This finding has significant implications for understanding Titan's ocean and internal structure.
Geoscientists highlight the importance of fundamental research in unlocking the full potential of emerging energy sources, including geothermal and shale gas. The development of these resources is hindered by geological and environmental challenges that must be addressed through basic scientific inquiry.
The Geosphere journal has published 17 new studies on various topics including the Hosgri strike-slip fault zone, Mount Katmai's eruptive history, and the Barreirinhas Basin in Brazil. These studies provide insights into shallow structure, geomorphology, volcanic eruptions, and climate-tectonic interactions.
Harry W. Green II, a distinguished professor at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2012 Roebling Medal by the Mineralogical Society of America. He is recognized for his novel approach to geophysics using transmission electron microscopy, which has borne significant fruit in understanding natural deformations and mineral reactions.