Journalists Terri Cook and Phil McKenna have been awarded the EGU Science Journalism Fellowship to investigate sustainable water development and seismic wave mitigation. They will explore how artificial floods support water development and whether trees can weaken seismic vibrations.
A new study using an advanced computer model casts doubt on the previously held theories about Yellowstone's origins, adding to the mystery of its formation. The simulation results showed that a mantle plume was blocked from traveling upward toward the surface by ancient tectonic plates.
A new book by UC Santa Barbara geologist Arthur Sylvester explores the region's complex geology and notable features like the San Andreas Fault and Joshua Tree National Park. The guide includes 196 geo-referenced photographs, maps, and diagrams to help drivers appreciate the region's geological treasures.
Scientists have discovered evidence of ancient continental collisions in the Teton Range, dating back 2.68 billion years, providing new insights into the early history of plate tectonics. The study found significant differences in the composition of the ancient crust compared to modern plates.
The study suggests that humans have entered an 'Age of Plastic,' where plastics are forming fossils and persisting in the Earth's geology. Plastics can travel thousands of miles, get caught up in oceanic garbage patches, and be buried by increasing layers of plastic waste by mid-century.
Scientists Matthew Tarling and Christina Rowe used dry lentils to explore the formation of 'scaly fabrics' found at the base of landslides, faults, and glacier beds. The lentils exhibited a tendency to shift constantly against each other when shearing, prohibiting long-lasting fault development.
A new gravity dataset covering 73% of Antarctica has been released, providing geoscientists with a tool to investigate the deep structure of the continent. The dataset will aid in studying subglacial geology, tectonic structures and their impact on ice sheet dynamics.
A new study shows that Aboriginal burning practices in Australia had a minimal effect on the erosion of their inhabited landscapes. The researchers used beryllium-10 to model the impact of fire on landscape erosion and found that it was not intense enough to change the natural rate of erosion over thousands of years.
Researchers present a novel method to analyze apatite inclusions in magmatic zircon and titanite, allowing estimation of whole-rock Sr and SiO2 concentrations. This technique provides insight into petrogenesis and provenance, enabling better understanding of the continental crust's evolution.
New research reveals how mountain ranges on New Zealand's South Island directly impacted the evolution of diverse freshwater fish species. The study shows that the island's landscape developed in six main tectonic zones, each with distinct river drainage catchments, which led to divergent fish DNA sequences over time.
Researchers have developed a new approach to recover flood frequency and magnitude data from temperate lakes, providing new sources of paleohydrological information. The study uses sediment dynamics to establish relationships between river discharge and deposit preservation, helping model and mitigate future flood risk.
A groundbreaking international study has revealed that mountain ranges actively evolve with the Earth's climate, responding to changes in temperature and ice cover. The research found that erosion accelerated sharply during global cooling periods, wearing down mountains faster than plate tectonics can build them.
Bishal Upreti's research has practical implications in earthquake landslide hazard assessment, mineral exploration, and water resource development. His work maps active faults to evaluate seismic hazard in the Nepal Himalayan region.
Researchers found that cold, steep slopes produce coarser sediment than gentle slopes, suggesting variations in climate, topography, and weathering rates shape mountain landscapes. This discovery quantifies the relationship between sediment size and erosion rates, providing new insights into the interplay of climate and tectonics.
A team of scientists has found evidence of iron-rich dust from 300 million years ago, which suggests that atmospheric dust acted as a fertilizer for life. The discovery provides new insights into the biogeochemical impacts of iron on the oceans and the climate system during the late Paleozoic era.
Researchers found evidence of significant natural climate change in ancient Morocco that led to the introduction of early agriculture. The study, published by UC geologist Yurena Yanes, analyzed oxygen isotope samples from snail shells and found a clear link between climate change and the shift from hunting to farming.
Scientists estimate volume of open pore space in subsurface using geophysical surveys and computer models, revealing new theoretical framework for understanding watershed porosity. The study predicts distribution of pore space based on stress in the earth's crust, with implications for streamflow, aquifer systems, and landscape evolution.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati uncovered ancient parasites on marine animals, including snails and worm-like creatures. The parasitic interactions between crinoids and these organisms reveal complex adaptations and co-evolutionary relationships over hundreds of millions of years.
The study found that the glacial ice covering New England's highest peaks was unable to erode the rock below, preserving the landscape in a fossil state. The contrast between stable summit landscapes and adjacent valleys deeply eroded by glacial ice contributed to the development of northern Appalachian topography.
Floodwaters in Vermont (2011) and Colorado (2013) highlighted the impact of downstream increases and decreases in stream power on erosion and sedimentation. The study successfully predicted river channel and floodplain responses in almost 90% of cases, revealing the potential role of downstream changes in stream power.
A mathematical analytical tool developed by University of Cincinnati scientists can predict strontium ratios in surface water, soil, vegetation, fish, and mammal skeletal tissues with high accuracy. The tool is most successful when applied to mammals, making it a valuable tool for ecological and paleoecological research.
New study on Karoo Basin finds no support for climate aridification, floral collapse, and tetrapod turnover as part of the extinction event. Multidisciplinary data indicate that terrestrial response occurred earlier than previously thought.
The Geoscience Career Master's Preparation Survey report assesses students' experiences in geology, geography, and hybrid programs. The study reveals valuable insights into workforce readiness of graduates for government and industry-related positions.
A new study published in Marine and Petroleum Geology has established a national baseline for earthquakes caused by human activity in the UK. Since 1999, an average of at least three onshore earthquakes per year with local magnitude greater than or equal to 1.5 have been linked to anthropogenic activities.
Researchers found that wind blew dust from the Mu Us Desert into the Loess Plateau, creating a massive accumulation of consolidated dust. The plateau is not static but slowly moving downwind due to wind erosion, and linear ridges on its top are also sculpted by the wind.
A new digital seafloor geologic map created using artificial intelligence reveals that deep ocean basins are more complex than previously thought. The map shows diatom accumulations on the seafloor are nearly entirely decoupled from diatom blooms in surface waters, highlighting a key link in the carbon cycle.
The University of Sydney has created a digital map of the seafloor's geology, covering 70% of the Earth's surface, after 40 years without update. The map provides key findings on diatom accumulations and their relationship with ocean carbon cycle.
The study provides the first complete account of the Gorkha earthquake's physical process, revealing a contained rupture at depth. The findings suggest that while the earthquake did not cause widespread destruction, it increased stress on an adjacent portion of the fault, potentially leading to future earthquakes.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum's 30-year anniversary is celebrated with a special edition of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, featuring research papers on Alberta's geology and palaeontology. The journal recognizes the museum's contributions to understanding life on Earth.
Researchers from Michigan Tech study geohazards on San Vicente Volcano in El Salvador, combining traditional hazard assessments with social science techniques. Their work helps develop a more in-depth understanding of the risks present at the volcano.
Researchers have taken a closer look at the geology deep beneath the Tibetan Plateau using gravity data captured by satellite. The analysis offers some of the clearest views ever obtained of rock moving up to 50 miles below the plateau, revealing a complex interplay of wavy patterns at the boundary between the crust and mantle.
The Geological Society of America recognized James W. Head, Jerry X. Mitrovica, Brandon Schmandt, and others for their groundbreaking contributions to geology. The GSA also honored individuals for their public service, outstanding achievements in science, and dedication to the profession.
Research by Franz Neubauer and Fariba Kargaranbafghi reveals lithospheric thinning associated with the formation of a metamorphic core complex in the Central Iranian plateau. The study suggests that this process was linked to extension, upwelling of hot asthenosphere, and subsequent uplift of the plateau.
Researchers at the University of Leicester identify four key changes driven by human activity: homogenization of species, Homo sapiens as top predator, direction of evolution, and interaction with technology. These changes represent a planetary transformation as fundamental as major extinction events.
Researchers have identified glass formations on Mars that could preserve signs of ancient biological activity. The glass-rich impactites found by Kevin Cannon and John Mustard are preserved on billion-year timescales and could provide a promising target for searching for possible ancient Martian life.
Researchers from the Geological Society of America discovered intricate microbe-sediment systems in ancient rocks, suggesting thermophilic life forms existed at least 3.3 billion years ago. The findings indicate that these early life forms were deeply rooted in time and flourished in hydrothermal environments.
Researchers at the University of Kansas are working to improve the detection of life on Mars by combining Raman spectroscopy with gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. They aim to analyze rocks from Earth similar to those found on Mars to strengthen evidence collection, as conditions on the Martian surface are inhospitable.
Large landslides in the Himalaya-Karakoram ranges predominantly occur in the lower portions of the landscape, whereas glaciers and rock glaciers occupy the higher elevations almost exclusively. The study also introduces a new method called excess topography (ZE) to identify potentially unstable rock-mass volumes.
A recent study published in Geology has shown that parrotfish play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands. The research found that parrotfish produced over 85% of the new sand-grade sediment on reefs around island communities in the Maldives.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati uncover evidence that bison, deer and other present-day species survived Ice Age climate change, while mammoths and mastodons perished. Fossil analysis reveals radical shifts in environmental temperature and vegetation, forcing animals to adapt or die.
Scientists at UiT The Arctic University of Norway have discovered a new source of methane in the Arctic Ocean, abiotic methane formed by chemical reactions in the oceanic crust. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the origin of methane and suggests vast systems of methane hydrate throughout the Arctic.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin found that Typhoon Haiyan's storm surge contaminated two aquifers on the island of Samar, with one taking up to 10 years to recover. The study highlights the need for strategies to mitigate groundwater contamination in coastal areas affected by climate change.
A University of New Hampshire professor has identified a new source of abiotic methane for gas hydrates in the Arctic Ocean, suggesting a previously undiscovered stable reservoir. The findings indicate that gas hydrates throughout the Arctic may be supplied by a significant portion of abiotic gas.
A new international study finds that glacier movement in the Southern Hemisphere is primarily influenced by sea surface temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide rather than changes in the Earth's orbit. The results contradict the Milankovitch theory of climate, which suggests orbital fluctuations drive ice sheet expansion in the Nort...
Researchers at CU-Boulder propose that water trapped deep below Earth's crust may have flooded the lower crust, creating buoyancy and lift, which could explain the region's high elevation. This mechanism is supported by past seismic studies showing a correlation between crustal thickness/density and elevation.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism for generating glass spherules through the combination of lightning and volcanic ash. The study, published in Geology, reveals that high heat generated by lightning discharge can transform volcanic ash particles into spheres of glass, forming fulgurites in geologic deposits.
A Wayne State University assistant professor has received a $520,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate the causes of seismic anisotropy. The research aims to improve our understanding of Earth materials and their impact on seismic waves.
A new study published in Geology reveals a close correlation between solar activity and sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic during cool periods over the last 4,000 years. The research sheds light on the importance of solar forcing in shaping climate change patterns, providing a crucial piece of the overall climate puzzle.
In the Early Triassic period, a prolonged period of delayed ecological recovery led to the widespread production and preservation of vertebrate swim tracks. This was due to minimal sediment mixing in stressful environments, which created firm-ground substrates ideal for recording subaqueous trace fossils.
A new network of underground sensors in the Texas Hill Country is connected to NASA's SMAP satellite, providing vital information for determining drought and dangerous floods. The Texas Soil Observation Network will help answer questions about how much rainfall gets soaked up by the soil and how much fills reservoirs.
Researchers studied sediment rocks in Italian Dolomites and found high acidity levels, similar to vinegar or lemon juice, indicating repeated acid rain events. These acidic conditions led to a decline in plant life, causing a collapse in the food chain and contributing to the mass extinction of end-Permian life on land.
Scientists have made new discoveries about Antarctica's geology and biology using a hot-water drill and an underwater robotic vehicle. The expedition uncovered a unique ecosystem of fish and invertebrates living in an estuary deep beneath the Antarctic ice.
Scientists propose the Anthropocene began with the nuclear age on July 16, 1945. Human-made changes, such as artificial radionuclides and increased carbon emissions, altered the Earth system, leading to a 'Great Acceleration'. The start date marks the historic turning point when humans accessed an enormous new energy source.
A study published in Geology highlights the dangers of coral reefs facing erosion due to ocean acidification and nutrient pollution. The researchers found that bioeroders can thrive in waters with high nutrient levels and low pH conditions, tipping the balance towards erosion.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and found that sediment in affected river catchments remained for decades, longest where landsliding was highest. They also discovered low friction in the fault zone, contradicting previous observations.
A catastrophic landslide, one of the largest known on Earth's surface, took place in southwestern Utah over 21 million years ago. The Markagunt gravity slide, measuring 1,300 square miles, is comparable in size to the Heart Mountain slide discovered in northwest Wyoming.
Researchers reconstructed the spatial pattern of major earthquakes along the Tangshan-Hejian-Cixian fault in Tianjin, revealing a 160-km seismic gap that has not been ruptured for over 8,400 years. This gap may be the next to rupture, generating a devastating earthquake similar to the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.
A new study published in the journal Geology challenges traditional views on tectonics by showing that Pacific plate deforms and contracts horizontally due to cooling. The research suggests a significant shortening of the oceanic plates, which can lead to intraplate earthquakes.
A recent study published in Geology reveals that harmonic tremor occurs within mountain glaciers and that individual icequakes can exhibit harmonic properties. This discovery suggests a complex network of fluid-induced fracture processes at the glacier base, which can lead to damaging floods in valleys below the glacier.
Researchers have discovered naturally occurring asbestos in Boulder City, Nevada, posing a risk to local residents. The fibrous minerals were found in areas not previously considered at risk, highlighting the need for further investigation into their occurrence and toxicity.