Researchers identify three stages in convergent plate margin formation, from low-angle subduction to rifting zones. They also reveal the importance of material movement and thermal state changes in shaping these dynamic systems.
A new study published in Geology describes the earliest record of wildfire found yet to date, dating back 430 million years. The discovery provides valuable insights into the role of wildfires in Earth's systems during the Silurian period.
Researchers at UT Austin discovered a rule connecting channel belts to river patterns, finding that channels in ancient rivers lead to narrower belts. Multichannel rivers take up more space on the belt and are closer to the floodplain, influencing landscape shaping.
Researchers have categorized convergent plate margins into three stages based on geometric structure, dynamic regime, and thermal state. The transformation from subduction zones to rifting zones involves two steps: lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling.
A new discovery in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has found the oldest known mayfly swarm, dating back to the Early Jurassic period. The finding reveals complex mating-swarm behavior in stem-group mayflies, highlighting the underappreciated ecological significance of insects in ancient ecosystems.
A team of geologists successfully forecasted a Sierra Negra volcano eruption in June 2018 using a supercomputer-powered model. The model predicted an imminent eruption five months before it occurred, highlighting the power of high-performance computing in volcanic forecasting.
Researchers investigate protogenetic clinopyroxene inclusions for diamond dating and find implications for understanding Earth's mantle processes. They also study Andean deformation and its relation to flat slab subduction and tectonic inheritance.
Research by University of Texas Institute for Geophysics reveals how ancient global warming affected the Gulf of Mexico's marine life and chemistry. The study found that radiolarians thrived in the Gulf due to nutrient-rich river sediments, providing valuable lessons about current climate change.
A specialized limb in a mature male trilobite species sheds light on trilobite mating behaviors for the first time. The discovery, published in Geology, reveals that complex mating behaviors originated during the Cambrian Explosion over 500 million years ago.
A new volcanic modeling study found that ice-capped volcanoes like Westdahl Peak are delayed in eruption by approximately seven years due to the added pressure from glacial ice. This increase in time may seem insignificant on a geologic scale, but it's significant on the human time scale.
Researchers discovered fossilized trilobite appendages exhibiting characteristics similar to those found in male horseshoe crabs. These findings suggest a unique mating strategy, where males use the appendages to grasp females during reproduction, providing insight into the reproductive behavior of ancient complex animals.
Researchers report rapid exhumation of Qinling and Taihang Mountains, linked to Asian climate reorganization. Thermal profiles reveal complex mantle structure with anomalous midlithosphere discontinuities in Siberian craton.
Researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that microalgae-produced diatoms played a crucial role in preserving ancient spider fossils at Aix-en-Provence. The unique chemical process, similar to industrial vulcanization, stabilized carbon-based exoskeletons and promoted sulfurization, resulting in exceptional fossil preservation.
Researchers validated the origin of mantle eclogites through Zn-, Mg- and O-isotope analysis, supporting the magmatic model. Type II eclogites formed through kinetic isotopic fractionation of melt-peridotite reaction, resulting in heavy Zn and light Mg isotope enrichment.
Researchers reconstruct source-to-sink systems using detrital zircon core & rim ages. Apatite petrochronology reveals deformation and metasomatism timing. Groundwater seepage drives theater-headed valley formation in jointed limestone.
Geologists study ancient sheath folds that demonstrate extreme subhorizontal shear strain, similar to modern plate tectonics. The article also reports on the Oligocene onset of uplift in the Cascadia forearc basin, southern Oregon Coast Range, USA.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ancient grains of sand, revealing details of the Earth's distant geological past. The 'age distribution fingerprint' of zircon minerals sheds light on the evolution of continents and the accumulation of mineral resources.
A new study of rocks from nearly 2 miles under the surface suggests that the San Andreas fault's central section has hosted many major earthquakes, including some that could have been fairly recent. The researchers found altered compositions in sedimentary rock, indicating more than 100 quakes with potential magnitudes over 6.9.
Scientists applied a social networking algorithm to the fossil record to track changes in ancient communities during mass extinctions. The study found that community losses did not always correlate with biodiversity decline, suggesting complex ecological interactions.
A study in the journal Geology explores the formation of rifts as tectonic plates pull apart, finding that slow plate movement is the primary driver. The research focuses on a newly formed rift in Iceland, where magma did not play a key role in its creation.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst developed a physical model that yields unprecedented high-resolution look at slip rates of faults, determining likelihood of earthquakes. The study reveals fault lines in kitchen sinks can predict earthquake-causing forces.
Researchers investigate the end-Triassic mass extinction, volcanic lightning at Taal volcano, and rapid retreat of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet. The study provides new insights into glacial isostatic adjustment models and ice-sheet sensitivity to climate forcing.
Researchers at USTC reconstructed precipitation patterns in East Asian monsoon region during the Holocene and proposed a driving mechanism. The study suggests that low-latitude seasonal insolation changes, modulated by Western Pacific Subtropical High, control monsoon precipitation variation.
A new study reveals that modern top-down climate-related factors combined with traditional bottom-up tectonic models can help uncover the history of the Andes Mountains. The research suggests that a submerged volcanic hotspot chain, known as the Juan Fernandez Ridge, plays a crucial role in shaping the Andes' unique tectonic setting.
Researchers study bedrock river-gorge incision using historical records and field observations. They also investigate the thermal history of eclogites by analyzing the infrared absorption patterns of water in omphacite.
A team of researchers from Northern Arizona University discovered that water briefly existed in the Arabia Terra region on Mars. The study used thermal inertia to understand how rock layers were formed, revealing that the deposits could have only had water for a brief period.
A new Digital Solutions Hub will provide a gateway to interconnected toolkits and resources, integrating existing data sources on pollution, flooding, biodiversity, geology, carbon capture, and environmental health. The hub aims to improve decision-making by providing cross-sectional data for informed decisions in various sectors.
A study published in Geology suggests that ancient glassy rocks in the Atacama Desert, Chile, were created by a cometary fireball explosion around 12,000 years ago. The glasses contain minerals with signatures similar to those found in comet samples, providing evidence of an extraterrestrial origin.
Researchers have made new discoveries about the Martian water record, with a fragile record of fleeting water found. Petrographic microscopy techniques are also being used to analyze geological materials, revealing new insights into microstructures.
The special issue covers observations of exoplanet geology, composition, atmosphere, and potential habitability. SwRI researchers Dr. Natalie Hinkel and Dr. Cayman Unterborn collaborated with Dr. Oliver Shorttle to create a diverse overview of exoplanets, making it accessible to a wide community of scientists.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new tool to aid in the conservation of critical habitats by tracking the migratory patterns of wide-ranging hawks and falcons. By analyzing isotopes from the feathers of young birds, scientists can pinpoint their likely origins with surprising precision.
Researchers studied Martian transverse aeolian ridges to identify interaction bounding surfaces, which provide insights into wind patterns and sediment supply. The study also examined the formation of individual marine terraces in response to rock uplift rates during multiple sea-level stands.
Researchers study Martian sand ridges to understand wind behavior, finding evidence of dune interactions similar to those on Earth. By analyzing these features, scientists can better interpret wind patterns on Mars and gain insights into the planet's geology.
A new study reconstructed the Kuroshio Current Extension's past behavior, finding it was sensitive to global climate change during the Pliocene era. The current's sensitivity to CO2 levels is a concern for its potential impact on ecosystems, weather patterns, and regional climates.
A machine learning algorithm called HORUS has improved the resolution of images of lunar shadowed regions, allowing scientists to better understand the geology and potential hazards. The algorithm achieved a resolution of about 1-2 meters per pixel, revealing small geological structures such as boulders and mini-craters.
Researchers found that dough mixing vats and millstones from Roman-era ruins were made from specific rock types that improved each tool's function. The stones were sourced locally, challenging a theory that some millstones were imported from Italy.
A study published in the journal Geology confirms that a giant meteorite impact caused the mass extinction of species in the late Cretaceous. The researchers analyzed sediments and rocks from the Zumaia cliffs, revealing three intense climatic warming events unrelated to Deccan volcanic activity.
Researchers have discovered a molecular biomarker for the end-Permian plant extinction in South China, revealing synchronous extinction among continental and marine organisms. A study in Namibia reveals a preserved fjord-network morphology, allowing reconstruction of paleo-ice thicknesses and glacial dynamics.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder has shed new light on the Great Unconformity, a mysterious gap in the Grand Canyon's rock record that covers hundreds of millions of years. The research suggests that a series of small faulting events may have caused rocks and sediment to wash away, creating the missing window of time.
Researchers analyzed sediments from Lake Nvshan to reconstruct a high-resolution model of the monsoon precipitation in the Jiang-Huai region. They found large fluctuations of sediment redness over the past 1800 years, indicating wetter and drier periods during the Little Ice Age and Medieval Warm Period.
Computer modeling suggests giant blobs of subducted sediment floated up through deep Earth, forming enormous diapirs. These rocks are now found in places like the Mojave Desert and western Arizona.
Researchers investigate how alluvial rivers shape the sedimentary record, revealing a range of channel patterns and paleocurrent directions. Additionally, studies examine the efficient release of bromine during super-eruptions and shed light on the complex geology of northern Iberia's crustal roots.
Scientists from Cornell University have found evidence of explosive volcanic activity on Venus, using phosphine gas as a geological signature. This discovery supports the idea that volcanism is responsible for phosphine's presence in the planet's upper atmosphere.
A global team led by Case Western Reserve University's Beverly Saylor will investigate how ecological factors influenced the evolution of early human ancestors using advanced technology. The project aims to gain a more granular understanding of two fossil sites in Ethiopia and their distinct records of the human genus' early predecessors.
A new UK study finds racial minority students are significantly underrepresented in geology, physical geography, and environmental science. This systemic exclusion risks alienating large sections of the global population from addressing climate change.
The Gulf Coast region is well-positioned to develop a carbon storage economy, thanks to its unique geology and high concentration of industry. The study highlights the region's potential for capturing and storing CO2, which can help reduce emissions in the near term.
Researchers have discovered a new style of invisible gold hosted in pyrite crystals with deformation-related dislocations. Additionally, a study reveals the impact of diagenesis on iron speciation in ancient sedimentary rocks, suggesting true euxinia may be less than previously thought. Submarine fans also exhibit dynamic environments ...
Scientists investigate volcanic deposits and flows in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts to better understand pyroclastic surge movement across complex terrain. The research aims to improve knowledge of volcanic hazards and inform hazard assessments.
Duke University engineers developed a prototype X-ray scanner that can reveal molecular composition of objects, revolutionizing cancer surgery, pathology, drug inspection, and geology. The technology can accurately diagnose cancerous tissues and analyze pharmaceuticals in real-time.
Researchers studied sediment scour and bedrock erosion in waterfall plunge pools, finding mass balance controls on these processes. Climate change was also explored during the end-Permian extinction, with a focus on the impact of chemical weathering and land surface temperature.
Researchers map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome, revealing microspherules merge to form larger crystals, and stones undergo multiple cycles of partial dissolution and growth. The new classification scheme and GeoBioCell device aim to accelerate research, diagnostic testing, and individualized treatment targets.
Newly discovered fish fossils from an eastern Egyptian desert site show that marine fishes thrived in at least some tropical areas during the PETM. The study provides a snapshot of an ecosystem during an extreme warming event and may provide insights for the future.
A study found that drastic changes in the Mediterranean climate and geology 6 million years ago led to the emergence of new species in wall lizards. The researchers believe hybridization played a key role in this process, fueling evolution and promoting biodiversity.
A new University at Buffalo study uses ocean-bottom sediments to learn about ancient summer temperatures in southern Greenland, revealing that prolonged warmth may be disastrous for the Greenland Ice Sheet. The findings hold a message of caution as the world warms again today, with potential long-lasting effects on Earth's temperature.
New research from UBC Okanagan campus uses geology to predict planet habitability. By analyzing the amount of iron present, researchers can determine if a planet's crust is thick enough for liquid water and atmosphere.
Researchers will study the ethics of mining, bringing together geohumanities and geology with communities impacted by mining. The project aims to create an interdisciplinary understanding of mining's social, political, and environmental implications.
The latest Geology articles publish research on shocked zircon, the Holocene Sonoran Desert, Himalayan collision dynamics, and more. Recent studies reveal nonlinear fault damage zones, a history of the Larsen C Ice Shelf reconstructed from sediment cores, and evidence for slow titanium diffusion in quartz.
A new study from the University of Amsterdam and the Dutch State Forestry Service highlights the importance of landscape in rewilding efforts. Researchers developed an index to measure and predict rewilding success, finding that varied landscapes show greater conservation potential.
A team of researchers identified an unusual belt of igneous rocks stretching over 2,000 miles from Canada to Mexico, defying expectations of volcanic activity. The rock formation, dated to 80-50 million years ago, originated deep underground and lacks evidence of volcanoes.
Space agencies are turning their attention back to Venus, the closest planet to Earth, to learn more about its atmosphere and geology. Recent findings have generated renewed interest, and multiple missions are planned to study Venus' surface and atmospheric chemistry.