Researchers have discovered a new high-pressure mineral in the lunar meteorite Oued Awlitis 001, which is composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicon atoms. The newly found mineral donwilhelmsite forms at depths of 460-700 kilometers and has relevance for understanding subducted terrestrial sediments
Researchers measured streetlight contribution to urban lighting for the first time using smart city technology and satellite imagery. The study found that only around 20% of nighttime light emissions come from streetlights.
A team of researchers reconstructed the key events leading to the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, which wiped out three-quarters of land species and 95% of ocean species. Volcanic eruptions released massive amounts of CO2, causing extreme warming and acidification of the ocean.
A study published in Science Advances confirms that the Moon's localized strong magnetic fields are remnants of an ancient core dynamo. The researchers used complex simulations to disprove the asteroid impact theory, showing that the resulting magnetic field is a thousand times weaker than necessary to explain the observations.
Scientists discovered that electrons in Van Allen Radiation Belts are accelerated to extreme high speeds locally, reaching ultra-relativistic energies. This process is extremely efficient and may help understand acceleration processes in the universe.
A new method combines Deep-Learning, hydrological models and Earth observations to quantify small as well as large-scale changes to the water storage on the South American continent. The study shows that the method is particularly reliable for tropical regions, where rain forests and vast surface waters are located.
The Greenland Ice Sheet experienced a new record loss of mass in 2019, with a total loss of 532 billion metric tons, more than the previous record year 2012. The study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, found that the ice sheet is now heading towards increasing mass losses.
A new study reveals that microbes in the seabed can survive on extremely low levels of energy, with some using methane and sulphate as alternative sources. This discovery challenges our understanding of life's limits and has significant implications for Earth's carbon and nutrient cycles.
Researchers from Potsdam and the USA combined gravity field data from GRACE satellites with local measurement methods to track groundwater changes more precisely. This new approach allows for accurate water storage analysis in smaller regions, even for catchments as small as 1000 square kilometers.
The GRACE-FO satellites measured significant water mass deficits in Central Europe during the two consecutive summer droughts of 2018 and 2019. The deficits reached 112 Gt in 2018 and 145 Gt in 2019, accounting for 73% and 94% of the average fluctuation in seasonal water storage.
A typhoon-induced event altered the frequency and location of earthquakes in Taiwan by changing crustal stress levels. This study suggests that surface processes can trigger seismicity, highlighting a new connection between tectonics and external factors in earthquake hazard assessment.
Researchers find that mountain height is determined by the balance of forces in the Earth's crust, rather than erosion. This new understanding opens up opportunities to study the long-term development and growth of mountains.
Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam found that the rotation of the Victoria microplate is controlled by the configuration of weaker and stronger lithospheric regions. They used 3D numerical models to compute the dynamics of the last 10 million years, showing a best fit with GPS-derived data.
Researchers used drones to create centimeter-resolution 3D models of a volcano in Guatemala, revealing slow expansion and fast extrusion of viscous lava. The study provides new possibilities for measuring ground movements and predicting volcanic danger.
Satellite data and airborne measurements show that methane emissions from lakes in the Arctic have been overestimated, with most emissions coming from smaller thermokarst lakes in organic-rich sediments. The study also found that low-emitting large lakes play a crucial role in regional flux estimates.
Researchers found large-scale wobbling in the Earth's surface near plate boundaries before massive Chile and Japan quakes. The study suggests that periods of enhanced tugging may accelerate the inevitable failure at shallower segments of the subduction zone, leading to great earthquakes.
A new study analyzed temporal evolution of seismicity and growth of maximum observed moment magnitudes in various stimulation projects. The results show a clear linear relation between injected fluid volume and cumulative seismic moments for most projects, indicating that seismicity can be managed by changes in injection strategy.
A new algorithm can detect changes in gravity caused by earthquakes, potentially leading to earlier warnings and more accurate predictions. The signal is generated by the sudden shift in the earth's internal mass during an earthquake, and its detection could help identify strong earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.
Researchers have observed processes in the upper mantle before a new submarine volcano formed off the Comoros island. The team reconstructed the partial emptying of a large magma reservoir and identified a dramatic movement of molten rocks before the eruption.
A new method for locating potential drilling sites covered by water has been presented by an international research team, combining bathymetry measurements with geochemical profiles. This approach allows the distinction between permeable and non-permeable structures, enabling more precise location of promising locations for drilling.
A new study found that eroding permafrost coastlines in the Arctic can release significant quantities of carbon dioxide, potentially exacerbating climate change. The research simulated erosion effects in a lab experiment and found CO2 was released as rapidly from thawing permafrost in seawater as it is from thawing permafrost on land.
A new study has confirmed that a massive asteroid impact led to the extinction of dinosaurs and much of life on Earth. The impact caused rapid ocean acidification, which lasted for tens of thousands of years before life forms recovered and the carbon cycle reached a new equilibrium.
Researchers studying glacier algae in the Greenland Ice Sheet found that purple-pigmented ice algal blooms cause increased melting by darkening the surface and absorbing more sunlight. The project aims to understand the complex interactions between light-absorbing particulates and predict where and when biological darkening will occur.
A team of scientists will investigate the evolution of Earth's chemical composition and physical processes over 4.4 billion years using melt inclusions in olivine and zircon crystals. The project aims to understand the recycling of chemical elements and its impact on plate tectonics.
Researchers at GFZ Potsdam identified clear warning signs before the Anak Krakatau volcano's flank collapse, which triggered a deadly tsunami. The study analyzed data from various sources, including satellites and seismic data, to better understand the event and improve early warning systems for other volcanoes.
A new statistical approach revealed that forest fires in 19th and 20th centuries were man-made, driven by changes in forest management and vegetation. This finding highlights the need for adaptive forestry practices to address climate change.
A large international research project found that climate change is impacting the severity of flood events across Europe. Floods are increasing in central and north-western Europe due to rising precipitation and soil humidity, while decreasing in southern Europe where warmer temperatures lead to increased evaporation.
Researchers use integrated exploration tools to detect multiple hydrothermal feed zones in Lake Ngozi, Tanzania, by combining bathymetry, thermal mapping and gas emission measurements. The approach provides spatial information on the location of hydrothermal vents, their abundance and current state of activity.
Researchers developed a new method to predict vent location forecasts by combining physics and statistics, successfully testing it on the Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy. The approach improves accuracy for predicting future eruptions and expanding ash plumes, providing valuable insights for land usage planning in volcanic areas.
A new volcano monitoring platform, MOUNTS, analyzes satellite images using artificial intelligence to detect precursory signals and provide early warnings for volcanic eruptions. The platform, which integrates multiple sets of diverse data types, has been successfully tested on recent events and currently monitors 17 volcanoes worldwide.
A new study suggests that increased reactivity of land surfaces led to a decrease in CO2 in the atmosphere, resulting in cooling. The researchers used isotope analysis and computer modeling to show that constant rock weathering was not the primary cause of the temperature drop before the last ice age.
Jürgen Matzka has proposed a simplified approach to improve the global magnetic field model, reducing costs and equipment needs. The winning idea aims to measure magnetic field strength from satellites and only require one directional component on ground stations.
Researchers propose that surface erosion events played a crucial role in starting and maintaining plate tectonics. Continental sediments act as a lubricant for subduction, reducing friction between plates.
Hippos play a key role in transporting silicon from land to water through their faeces, influencing over 76% of the total silicon transported along the Mara River. This process is crucial for ecosystems like Lake Victoria, where a lack of silicon can lead to food shortages and ecosystem collapse.
A team of researchers has discovered that arsenic plays a crucial role in extracting gold from hot solutions and forms large gold deposits. The study found that the concentration of arsenic directly affects the formation of giant gold deposits, with higher arsenic levels leading to more frequent gold binding with pyrite.
A team of scientists successfully controlled induced seismicity during a deep geothermal stimulation in Finland using near-real-time monitoring. The approach allowed for prompt adjustment of pumping rates and pressure, ensuring the successful completion of the project.
The GRACE satellite mission has revealed significant changes in Earth's gravitational field, providing insights into the terrestrial water cycle, ice sheet and glacier mass balance, and sea-level rise. The data highlights the effects of global warming on ice sheets and glaciers, as well as changes in freshwater storage and ocean dynamics.
A new method combines seismic data with crowdsourced information from the internet, smartphones, and Twitter to detect earthquakes more quickly. This approach reduces detection time for felt earthquakes to just 1-3 minutes, improving situational awareness.
Researchers Christoph Sens-Schönfelder and Tom Eulenfeld used seismic waves generated by surf and tidal effects to study subsurface properties. They found that the velocity of these waves can reveal information about deformations in the Earth's material, allowing for non-destructive analysis of subsurface stress and strain fluctuations.
Researchers have reconstructed the geological history of a remote sector of the African Rift Valley using fieldwork and numerical modeling. The findings indicate that the rift valley formed around 3.7 million years ago and was short-lived, with deformation migrating westward into the Lake Turkana region.
A new web application called Radiance Light Trends allows anyone to analyze satellite data on light emissions since 1992, tracking changes in regions like Berlin and the Tucson International Airport. The app provides valuable insights into the causes of these changes, including energy-saving measures and greenhouse lighting.
A 2-month lasting ultra-slow earthquake occurred south of Istanbul, coinciding with moderate-sized seismicity at shallow depth. The study sheds light on the interaction between aseismic slow deformation and seismically released energy, enhancing regional seismic risk assessment for the densely populated city.
Researchers have detected deep low-frequency earthquakes at great depths, suggesting the movement of magmatic fluids beneath Laacher See Volcano. The earthquakes are characterized by unusually low frequencies and occur episodically in groups along a specific depth range.
A team of researchers has successfully detected rain over the ocean using GNSS Reflectometry, a technique that measures sea surface roughness to infer precipitation. This innovation could provide unprecedented temporal resolution and spatial coverage for monitoring atmospheric precipitation.
A recent study found that Tehran is experiencing rapid land subsidence due to groundwater depletion and exploitation. The city's surface has sunk by several meters, posing significant environmental concerns, including cracks in building walls and crevices in the ground.
Researchers analyzed mountain glaciers using satellite imagery and found that 4.4% of the glacier surface is covered in debris, with uneven distribution towards poles and steep mountain regions. The study provides a basis for future modeling of debris impact on ice and can inform monitoring efforts to mitigate effects on water resources.
Researchers from GFZ found micro-earthquakes prior to a 4.2 magnitude earthquake in June 2016, south of Istanbul. The study suggests that analyzing these small events could extend warning times for future earthquakes in the region.
A recent study found that glacial lake outbursts can trigger massive erosion and landslides, causing widespread damage to infrastructure. The research, published in Science, suggests that non-climatological drivers such as earthquakes and climate change may play a significant role in shaping fluvial erosion rates.
Researchers reconstructed a drastic climate change event in southern France using tree-ring width measurements and chemical analyses. They found that the region experienced increased air mass transport from the North Atlantic and regional variability in precipitation, leading to extreme weather conditions.
The International Astronomical Union has adopted the new ICRF-3 reference frame with global validity since January 2019. It provides improved precision for positioning systems like GPS and space probes, enabling accurate navigation in the sky and on Earth's surface.