Articles tagged with Earth Surface
Geologists challenged the idea that the Tibetan plateau is losing elevation as it spreads out over India. Instead, new research suggests the plateau is being compressed between the Indian subcontinent and the North China block, causing Tibet to split like an orange squeezed by a vise.
Dr. Paul Ribbe will be honored with a symposium for his significant advances in the crystallography of feldspars, which led to the creation of definitive work on mineralogy. The symposium features keynote addresses from internationally recognized scientists and explores the 'micro to macro' approach pioneered by Ribbe.
Researchers found that human activities, mainly agriculture and construction, cause more soil erosion than all natural processes combined. This situation is particularly critical due to the rapid growth of the Earth's population and widespread land use.
A team of seismologists at Arizona State University has discovered a highly active region beneath Earth's surface, where the mantle meets the liquid iron core. The study found unusual layering in the deep interior, which may hold clues about how the interior churns and convects.
Researchers found a 10% higher concentration of iron in lava samples from Hawaii compared to other volcanic regions, providing new insights into the Earth's mantle. The discovery could help scientists study the iron-rich core below the mantle using this method.
A new study suggests the Seattle fault played a role in causing damage to unreinforced brick chimneys in West Seattle and Bremerton after the 2001 earthquake. The research found that areas with heavy chimney damage experienced stronger shaking, indicating the fault may have acted as a megaphone to amplify seismic waves.
The newly launched San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) will provide researchers with tools for continuous monitoring from inside an active earthquake zone. This project is part of the larger EarthScope initiative, which aims to investigate geological forces shaping the North American continent.
A recent study by Tibi et al. provides new insights into the mechanism of deep earthquakes, with implications for earthquake prediction. The researchers demonstrated remote triggering of one deep earthquake by another, shedding light on how these powerful events begin.
A global analysis reveals that 44% of the Earth's land surface consists of 24 wilderness areas, but they are occupied by only 3% of the world's population. These high-biodiversity wilderness areas face significant threats from human activities, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect them.
Researchers from Lehigh University and other institutions have found evidence suggesting that erosion and tectonic processes are contributing to the growth of the Himalayas. The study uses short- and long-term measurements, including seismological, geomorphic, and GPS data, to understand the geological processes at play.
Researchers predict fewer asteroids with diameters over 200 meters will hit the surface, approximately once every 160,000 years, and many more will explode in the atmosphere, lowering the hazard posed by impact-generated tidal waves or tsunamis.
A new brain atlas developed by neuroscientist David Van Essen aims to improve our understanding of the brain's structure and function. The atlas provides a comprehensive map of the brain's cortical and cerebellar regions, which are essential for thought, learning, emotion, perception, sensation, and movement.
Scientists used NASA's Terra satellite to study the effects of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in India, detecting dewatering and surface water far from the epicenter. The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument provided compelling evidence of surface water in remote locations inaccessible to teams on the ground.
Researchers used GIS techniques to assess New Minia City's site risk and bedrock stability, revealing soft limestone prone to dissolution. The model was found effective in identifying geo-environmental problems, allowing for informed decision-making on sustainable development.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the brain's cerebral and cerebellar cortex, which will help physicians understand brain damage and guide neurosurgeons. The maps will be freely available online, revolutionizing the field of neuroscience.
A new theory suggests that the Earth's surface features can be explained by rapid changes in crustal plate direction due to convection in the mantle. The research uses powerful computer systems to model the Earth's interior in three dimensions, revealing dynamic processes that shape our planet.
Scientists discovered well-preserved carbon dioxide and other compounds in deep-sea basalt, providing a rare glimpse into the Earth's mantle composition. This data may help determine the rate at which carbon dioxide is supplied to the atmosphere through volcanoes.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a model that explains how slabs in the Earth's mantle drive convection and surface plate motion. The research found that slabs attached to plates can directly pull them towards subduction zones, while those not well attached create suction forces drawing nearby plates towards the ...
The Antarctic ozone hole is smaller than usual this September due to unusual stratospheric weather patterns. The researchers warn that a single year's pattern does not make a long-term trend, and the data are not conclusive that the ozone layer is recovering.
The University of Minnesota and the Science Museum will collaborate on a $19.3 million NSF grant to study earth-surface dynamics and develop predictive models for landscape changes. The center will explore four themes, including landscapes and seascapes, basins, and human impact on landscapes.
Scientists have discovered proof of an ancient earth-shaking asteroid impact in South Africa and Northwest Australia, using ancient rocks containing spherules formed from vaporized meteor material. The study provides insight into the earliest known meteor strike on Earth, which had a profound impact on the planet's surface and climate.
Researchers have detected a rigid material within the fluid outer core, with implications for Earth's magnetic field and rotation axis. The discovery was made using advanced seismic tomography techniques.
Researchers suggest deploying vibration-sensitive acoustic sensors on Europa's surface to probe the interior structure and search for signs of life. Massive ice fractures generate unusual cracking sounds that could penetrate the thick ice layer and propagate through the underlying ocean.
Two Dartmouth researchers, Erland Schulson and Carl Renshaw, propose a theory that brittle materials like rocks and ice crack in the same manner. They identify a specific type of cracking mechanism, 'comb' cracks, which leads to collapse in both ice and rock.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that buoyancy plays a crucial role in causing hot, partially molten rocks to rise and erupt through the surface at mid-ocean ridges. This finding contradicts the long-held assumption of passive sea-floor spreading.
Researchers at UMass have created a new electron microprobe technique that can date specific parts of rocks with greater precision. This method will provide valuable insights into the movement of tectonic plates and the evolution of rocks over time.
Scientists at University of Michigan developed a new approach to date shallow faults, essential for understanding the evolution of Earth's crust and fault processes. The technique provides precise ages within a couple of million years, narrowing down previous estimates that spanned many million years.
A new database reveals that humans have reshaped the global landscape for centuries, leading to significant environmental degradation. The study highlights the urgent need to address the depletion of natural resources and mitigate climate change.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission will attempt a controlled descent to the surface of asteroid 433 Eros on February 12, gathering close-up pictures of its boulder-strewn surface. The primary goal is to study the asteroid's composition and behavior, with a secondary aim of practicing maneuvers for future landing missions.
Scientists found that warmer surface temperatures can splinter an ice shelf and prime it for a major collapse. The process is triggered by the added pressure from surface water filling crevasses, which can crack the ice entirely through.
Researchers from UCLA and Curtin University of Technology found ancient zircons in a rock that suggest liquid water existed on Earth's surface around 4.3 billion years ago. This discovery supports the idea that the conditions for life were met early on, possibly allowing for the emergence of life as early as 4.3 billion years ago.
Research suggests that most of the time during the Late Heavy Bombardment period, conditions on Earth were livable for microbes. The team's study indicates that only rarely would severe bombardment have made survival at the surface difficult, allowing hardy bacteria and viruses to find sheltered places to ride out the storm.
Astronomer Joseph Veverka's team observed a 'saturated' surface with tiny craters and abundant blocks of ejected debris on asteroid 433 Eros. The low gravity is puzzling, as most ejecta would be expected to escape into space.
The NEAR mission has provided definitive mass and density measurements of asteroid 433 Eros, confirming it is an undifferentiated, homogeneous structure. The asteroid's surface features spectacular images and movies showing ridges, pits, troughs, and grooves that provide fascinating clues about its history.
A new model of the northern Hayward Fault in California's San Francisco Bay Area suggests that a major earthquake along that portion of the fault may be less likely than previously suspected. Aseismic creep has been relieving strain on the northern part of the fault, making a large earthquake on this segment unlikely.
Researchers found that the northern Hayward fault slips at a rate of 5-7 millimeters per year, similar to the surface, indicating it is not locked and releasing built-up strain. This reduces the threat of a major quake on this segment, but other hazards remain high.
Researchers from Malin Space Science Systems found steep-sided gullies and sinuous channels that suggest liquid water may be present beneath the Martian surface. The team proposes a scenario where water seeps through porous rock layers, builds up pressure, and eventually bursts forth in short-lived torrents.
A team of Boston University astronomers has captured new ground-based photos of Mercury's surface, revealing details similar to those on the Moon. The images, taken in August 1998, show bright craters and dark lunar mare-like markings, providing insights into Mercury's geology.
The NEAR Shoemaker mission suggests asteroid Eros is a primordial relic from the solar system's formation, with an elemental composition similar to chondritic meteorites. Studying Eros could help scientists understand how rocky planets evolved.
A University of Illinois researcher has shed light on the formation of silica-rich glasses in xenoliths by studying the chemical interaction between sodium and mantle rocks. The study reveals that sodium diffusion can significantly alter magma composition, leading to anomalous mineral ratios found beneath mid-ocean ridges.
A new study reveals that over 600 areas in the Gulf of Mexico experience natural oil seeps, releasing twice an Exxon Valdez spill worth of oil annually. The oil breaks down into carbon dioxide and is harmless to marine animals, with surface tension spreading it thinly across the ocean surface.
Microorganisms can survive deep underground due to high temperatures, availability of water and chemical nutrients, porosity of the surrounding rock, and flow of fluids. Subsurface scientists have identified these factors to understand how extremophiles colonize environments and potentially shed light on life on other planets.
Researchers developed a model that relates seismic velocity differences to properties of the mantle, shedding light on mantle evolution and its impact on plate movement, volcanism, and earthquakes. The study suggests temperatures high enough to cause melting in some regions, potentially explaining volcanic activity.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new way to measure slippage deep within the Earth using tickers, groups of identically repeating tiny earthquakes. By analyzing the timing and intervals between these quakes, scientists can track changes in fault strain associated with larger earthquakes.
Researchers believe that microflares, miniature solar flares, are the key to heating the sun's corona. These events release as much energy as 10 million H-bombs and are found near magnetic islands and extended loops. The study suggests that cooler microflares drive the heating in these areas.
Researchers at UC Davis and MIT propose a new model of Earth's mantle as two layers, reconciling conflicting evidence from seismologists and geochemists. The new model suggests that tectonic plates encounter a geological barrier in the lower mantle, preventing them from mixing with deep-mantle material.
A new study by Purdue University researchers reveals that snowpacks not only absorb chemicals but also produce them in the Arctic atmosphere. The findings challenge previous assumptions about how atmospheric gases are processed and may require a re-evaluation of data from ice core studies.
A 40-kilometer-long fault system has been identified directly under the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is believed to have caused significant damage in recent earthquakes. The newly mapped 'blind-thrust' fault system stretches from downtown LA to northern Orange County and could potentially generate massive 7.0-magnitude quakes.
Researchers have developed a new method to engineer glass that can withstand stress without catastrophic failure, reducing the variability in strength. This new approach creates internal compressed layers that stop crack propagation, making the glass more consistent and reliable.
Researchers have identified a 150-million-year-old piece of Earth's crust submerged in the mantle beneath Siberia's Lake Baikal. The study provides evidence that subducted slabs eventually sink to the Earth's core, shedding light on the planet's internal dynamics.
A new study using precise elevation measurements from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft provides a detailed picture of Mars' north polar region. The findings suggest that any water in the region should flow towards the pole, rather than the equator, due to its depression-like structure.
Io's volcanic hot spots reach surface temperatures of over 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, more than double previous measurements. The extreme temperatures suggest a unique process of differentiation and heavy element composition, shedding light on the moon's geological history.
Researchers at Arizona State University have found a large deposit of mineral hematite on Mars, suggesting the presence of hydrothermal activity and potentially water in the past. The find makes a strong case for future NASA missions to explore this area near the Martian equator.
The U.S. Geological Survey is using GIS techniques to investigate the origin of ancient river valleys on Mars and map impact craters, faults, and volcanoes. The research reveals that geothermal activity led to valley formation on early Mars.
Recent data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft suggests that Jupiter's moon Europa may have a slushy ocean beneath its icy surface, with evidence including shallow impact craters and gaps in the ice. The findings support the idea that warmth from tidal forces could be keeping parts of the ocean liquid.
Scientists confirm evidence of past water on Mars, including minerals and sedimentation patterns. Theories about the disappearing water include evaporation, seepage, or storage at Martian poles.
A study published in Environmental Geology suggests that a magnitude 5 or 6 earthquake could raise the water table by up to 750 feet at the Yucca Mountain storage site, leading to potential flooding. The researchers used computer modeling based on geological data and historical quakes to make their predictions.
Researchers caught Kilauea's erupting volcano in a net by analyzing GPS data, revealing the ground stretching and expanding before the rift opened. The team predicts that future analysis of similar events could enable quick warnings for lava flows, allowing people to evacuate in time.
A team of scientists from NCAR analyzed global temperature trends obtained via satellites and surface instruments. They found that satellite data can produce spurious drops due to changes in satellite records, which can mask actual rises in global temperatures.
Researchers measured steady, imperceptible movements of faults since the 1994 Northridge earthquake using GPS data from over a dozen receivers. The force of 'after-slip' has added about six inches to nearby Granada Hills, highlighting the difficulty in fully accounting for strain leading up to earthquakes.