Geologists are exploring shales as a potential site for America's spent nuclear fuel, with some formations showing natural groundwater pressure anomalies that can be analyzed on a large scale. A new computer model is also being developed to evaluate the behavior of various forms of nuclear waste and waste containers in different rocks.
Researchers predict that future storms could cause even more damage to New York City's barrier islands, such as Staten Island and Long Island. To mitigate this risk, the scientists propose building parks on these areas instead of rebuilding homes in flood zones.
The new field guide delves into the geological history of the Rocky Mountains, spanning over 1.7 billion years. The book also examines the effects of unprecedented heavy rains and catastrophic flooding that hit the region in 2013, causing widespread destruction and altering the landscape.
Research reveals selective glacial erosion in Norway's passive margin, links gold to pyrite in carbon-rich sediments, and analyzes seawater Sr/Ca ratios. These findings advance our understanding of Earth's geological history and plate tectonics.
The Geological Society of America has published three Special Papers in celebration of its 125th anniversary, showcasing advances in geosciences, technologies, and societal impacts. The volumes highlight the past 50 years' progress, from understanding plate tectonics to exploring space and developing new technologies.
New publications in Geosphere examine the Colorado River system, sea-level change, and Grenville geology. Researchers used LiDAR technologies to study lava flows and deformation of the Reelfoot rift, providing insights into regional structure and geological processes.
Recent studies published in Lithosphere explore the tectonic history of ancient mountain chains, including the Central Iberian Massif, Arctic Alaska, and the Wet Mountains of Colorado. These findings shed light on the deformation mechanisms and crustal-scale magmatism across these regions.
Recent studies examine sea-level change offshore New Jersey, the geological processes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and post-subduction magmatism in northern California. These articles provide new insights into the geological history of these regions and their ongoing tectonic activity.
Researchers uncover new geological phenomena, including mirror-like faults, petit-spot volcanism, and water in nominally anhydrous minerals. These discoveries shed light on the complex processes shaping our planet's surface.
Biofilms interact with sediment dynamics to form distinctive structures called microbialites. Stromatolites, with their multilayered structure, are a well-known example of microbial activity in early Earth's history. However, the formation mechanisms and differences between stromatolites and microbial induction of sedimentary structure...
A new study on carbonado diamonds reveals the presence of a 3D connected pore network, while another paper discusses sea-level change off New Jersey and ancient Sierra Nevada faulting. Meanwhile, volcanic activity in Hawaii is examined through core-seismic-log integration.
Researchers investigate calving barchan dunes, stress fields on the West Salton detachment fault, and chemical interaction between peridotite and intruding melts. These studies provide insights into geological processes, such as landscape evolution and global climate models.
Researchers studied China's Qinling and Tibetan Plateau orogens, finding evidence of late-stage foreland growth. In India, scientists proposed a cost-effective method for locating diamonds using geological, geochemical, and geochronological data. Additionally, a Middle Paleozoic continental arc was identified in southern China, providi...
The new articles examine ancient whale coprolites in central Italy, fault slickensides in San Francisco, and earthquake hazards in Cascadia. They also discuss the formation of silica gel during fault slip and the microstructures of superplastically deformed materials.
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 studied various locations across North America, including the Black Canyon of Gunnison, Colorado, and the Sierra Nevada batholith. They found that spatio-temporal variability in fluvial incision rates provides data on uplift and denudation histories of landscapes.
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.
The Geological Society of America recognized Steven M. Stanley, Richard W. Carlson, and Naomi E. Levin for their groundbreaking research in geology and earth sciences at the 2013 Annual Meeting & Exposition. The winners received prestigious medals, including the Penrose Medal and the Young Scientist Award.
The journal Geology has published new articles on various geoscience topics, including the tracking of silicic magma reservoirs and thermal decomposition along natural carbonate faults during earthquakes. The studies provide valuable information about the chemical and thermal histories of magmatic systems.
Researchers investigate strain localization, atmospheric CO2, and ultra-high pressure metamorphism, shedding light on geological phenomena. Intensified Southern Hemisphere Westerlies are found to regulate atmospheric CO2 during the last deglaciation, highlighting critical parameters for the global carbon cycle.
Six new papers in Geosphere explore the geology of North America, focusing on the Colorado River sediment budget and its link to uplift and erosion. The papers also examine the magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the western Nevada volcanic field, shedding light on ignimbrite chronology and caldera formation.
Studies reveal CO2 gas following seismic swarms, growth of Mount Everest, and remarkably modern Cretaceous seawater composition. Loess paleosol sequences in central Europe provide insights into the progressive evolution of a continental climate during the Middle Pleistocene.
Researchers analyzed newly discovered ice-age deposits from Garwood Valley to understand the rise and collapse of Antarctic ice sheets. They also studied the geological history of granite emplacement and glacial evolution in Death Valley, California.
Researchers propose a new model for the eruption of Yellowstone Park's Old Faithful geyser, based on three stages of convective boiling in the conduit. The model reproduces the geyser's bimodal eruption pattern, with long and short eruption intervals followed by similar durations.
Studies in Western Europe reveal local forces driving tectonic activity, while a paper on the Osa Peninsula describes rapid vertical deformation of crustal blocks. Another study examines the extension of an orogenic wedge through the exhumation of high-pressure terranes in Norway.
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.
Researchers explore ancient iron oceans, Antarctic climate feedbacks and evidence of catastrophic spillover from Mars. High-resolution imagery reveals standing bodies of water in eastern Valles Marineris region of Mars.
Researchers utilized various geoscience technologies, including LiDAR, to study geological formations and processes. The study of the Sakhalin-Hokkaido Shear Zone revealed insights into strike-slip plate boundaries, highlighting the differences between the Russian island's boundary and the San Andreas fault in California.
Researchers investigate how surface-derived fluids can penetrate deep levels in Earth's crust, a challenge to widely accepted notions. They also explore the kill mechanism for a mass extinction event and the formation of hydrothermal base metal ore deposits. Additional studies focus on polar reversals, earthquakes, and archeological fi...
Researchers study Carboniferous collision in central Asia, crystal xenoliths in Bolivia, and the Tsakhir Event in southern Mongolia. The GSA Bulletin also examines iron oxide deposits in Brazil, paleotopography of Norway, and the Cheyenne belt suture zone.
The new themed issues explore the geological consequences of lithospheric removal in the Sierra Nevada, California, and the ignimbrite province and flareup swarms of subduction-related supervolcanoes. These events are linked to colossal explosive volcanic eruptions that spread ash across western Utah, Nevada, and eastern California.
Researchers studied detrital zircon Hf isotopic compositions to connect the Alexander terrane in Canada with northern Caledonian granitoids. In California, a kinematic analysis of mélange fabrics near San Simeon reveals sinistral slip on the Nacimiento fault zone. The Western Alps also experienced short-lived fast erosional exhumation ...
The article discusses various geology topics, including the use of ancient lava-fed deltas to estimate paleo-water levels and past ice thicknesses. It also explores the formation of bubbles in volcanic conduits and the presence of iron-silicate microgranules in banded iron formations.
Researchers uncover analogous cratering patterns at the Ries Impact Crater and Mars, while also analyzing camelopard-like camouflage in trilobites. The study of Hydrate Ridge and the Sahara Desert reveals insights into volcanic unrest and paleoweather conditions.
A team of scientists proposes a new system for classifying units of the Geological Time Scale, resolving the debate between single-time and dual-time hierarchies. The proposed realignment maintains both parallel sets of units, allowing for flexibility in choosing one or the other as needed.
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.
Studies reveal ancient ocean diamonds, soil depletion drives early Holocene lake acidification, and modeling world's largest rivers to understand their diversity. Insects' colorful evolution also sheds light on environmental factors.
This study investigates the sedimentary fingerprint of the 2011 Mississippi River flood across the Louisiana coast, identifying key indicators of sediment provenance. Chemostratigraphy also reveals a complete Late Permian to Early Triassic sequence in western Utah, shedding light on the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event.
Researchers studied the origin of freshwater bodies in the New Jersey shelf and found it comes from modern rainwater, seawater, and a brine from deep sediments. They also investigated active methane formation beneath the seafloor and its potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions during ice ages.
The GSA Bulletin has published 13 new papers covering topics such as Holocene record of strong earthquakes in the Lake Tahoe region and evaporite tectonics in the Cumberland basin. The studies reveal a history of major earthquakes throughout the Holocene, with some fault ruptures occurring every 2,600 years.
The article discusses various geological topics, including the flatness of Earth, chemical weathering, and the distribution of radiogenic lead in zircons. The findings show that mountains do not play a significant role in 'carbon drawdown' effect and challenge previous studies.
New research reveals that topographic relief in the southern Appalachians increased by over 150% since the Miocene era, suggesting a link to post-orogenic regional uplift. The findings contradict previous theories attributing landscape rejuvenation to climate change or erosion, instead supporting an epeirogenic uplift-driven explanation.
New Geosphere articles explore Sonograms of Earth, a 1138-m-long drill core representing 20 million years of glacial history. The articles also examine alternative hypotheses for the origin of Grand Canyon and solve debates over Death Valley.
The Geological Society of America published a special series of invited papers to mark its 125th anniversary, including a revised geologic time scale. The articles cover various topics such as mammal fossils, sediment delivery rates, volcanic material provenance, and ecosystem changes.
GEOLOGY articles reveal high-resolution images of Mercury's surface, further study of giant gypsum crystals in Naica Cave, and the provenance of North Atlantic ice-rafted debris. The publication also covers various geophysical studies, including the impact of the Galápagos hotspot on the East Pacific Rise.
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.
Researchers develop a sediment budget for an alpine cirque in British Columbia, Canada, revealing glacial retreat rates of 0.5-0.9 mm per year. In Tibet, new data supports a model of rift evolution involving upper crustal thinning and isostatic rebound.
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.
The study analyzes the Taiwan mountain belt to understand the initial formation of topographic curvature in a geologically young region. It also presents new U-Pb zircon ages for rocks in the Jurassic Bonanza arc, Vancouver Island, Canada, shedding light on the timing and character of ancient volcanic and plutonic activity.