Articles tagged with Erosion
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Researchers in southern Africa used beryllium-10 and aluminum-26 to measure erosion rates, finding five meters per million years in non-tectonically active regions. This rate is significantly lower than basin-average erosion rates, with stable upland surfaces remaining unchanged since the Pliocene.
A team of scientists analyzed a gorge on the Da'an Chi river in Taiwan over almost ten years, revealing a new mechanism that drives this process. Downstream sweep erosion is caused by a wide braided channel upstream, which gradually washes away bedrock surrounding the gorge.
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem used laser scans and atomic force microscopes to study the Western Wall's erosion. They found that fine-grained limestone erodes up to 100 times faster than coarse-grained limestone, potentially weakening the structure.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that acidity from soft drinks and fruit juice can cause lifelong damage to young people's teeth within 30 seconds. Parents are advised to limit their children's consumption of acidic beverages to prevent long-term dental issues.
New research by Steve Israel and colleagues reveals that the Northern Cordillera is a 'collage' of terranes with shared histories, blurring the definition of tectonic terranes. This challenges long-held assumptions about the geologic history of North America.
Two articles investigate influence of climate, erosion, and tectonics on Bolivian Andes landscape. Researchers conclude that tectonics play primary role in shaping Earth's surface, not rainfall patterns. Tectonic deformation controls pattern of rock uplift and erosion rates.
Researchers found that lava flows, not water, carved the massive Noctis Labyrinthus and Valles Marineris canyons on Mars. The study suggests that there was less water on Mars than previously thought, making life on the planet less likely.
The St. Elias Erosion/Tectonics Project investigates the role of glacial erosional processes in mountain belts, with a focus on southern Alaska's unique geology. Researchers found that fast-moving ice can remove rock at rates of centimeters per year.
Researchers have discovered detrital pyrite and uraninite grains in sedimentary rocks, which constrain the rise of oxygen to younger than 2.415 billion years ago. A new model also reveals an ancient atmosphere with less than ~10^-5 atm of O2 at 2.4 billion years ago.
New research extends our understanding of seawater chemistry by ~300 million years with direct measurements of mid-Neoproterozoic marine sulfate concentrations. Additionally, studies reveal spatial variation in 10Be erosion rates and increasing relief in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA.
Scientists found that Hurricane Sandy did not significantly damage the offshore barrier system controlling erosion on Long Island. However, the storm churned up new pollutants in the waters off the island, which could exacerbate long-term problems if continued sea-level rise occurs.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers documents the historic sediment record along the Danube River delta and offers simple and inexpensive strategies to maintain delta environments. The team analyzed sediment cores and found that mimicking natural distributaries can help keep sediment on flood plains, rather ...
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.
A team of scientists led by NAU's Nadine Barlow found a new type of impact crater on Mars, known as Low-Aspect-Ratio Layered Ejecta (LARLE) craters. These craters feature a thin, uniform outer deposit that extends far beyond the normal ejecta blanket.
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.
A study from the University of Hawaii – SOEST found that sea-level rise is a primary driver of shoreline change in Hawaii, with historical rates of erosion being about two orders of magnitude greater than SLR. The research highlights the importance of targeting SLR impacts in coastal zone decision-making and planning.
A new report finds that fewer states are holding alcohol retailers liable for harms caused by customers who were served illegally, leading to reduced protection against excessive drinking. The erosion of commercial host liability laws is seen as a public health failure contributing to high human and economic costs.
A new study reveals that interactions between landslides and erosion, caused by rivers, explains why some mountain ranges exceed their expected lifespan. The study found that large landslides can overwhelm river transport capacity, while landslides also deliver abrasive agents to streams, accelerating erosion.
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.
A study published in General Dentistry found that soda consumption, especially diet soda, can cause severe tooth erosion and damage similar to methamphetamine and crack cocaine use. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends minimizing soda intake and using sugar-free gum or rinsing with water after consumption.
A study evaluates long-term effectiveness of abdominal sacrocolpopexy surgery, finding that it effectively provides relief from POP symptoms but deteriorates over time. The procedure also decreases the risk of stress urinary incontinence, but mesh erosion remains a problem.
Researchers used Kauai's unique rainfall gradient to test the relationship between precipitation and erosion, finding a strong correlation between rainfall rates and erosion rates. They also found that factoring precipitation into a widely used mathematical formula improved accuracy in predicting erosion rates.
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.
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.
Researchers studied two hoodoos in Red Rock Canyon to estimate the force necessary to break sandstone shafts, shedding light on ground motion during recent earthquakes. The study suggests median or low-level ground motion despite large quakes in the area, providing valuable constraints for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments.
Research reveals that recreational fishing and Great Depression-era ditches are causing significant erosion and die-off of cordgrass habitat in Cape Cod salt marshes. The unchecked growth of purple marsh crabs has led to the destruction of this essential ecosystem, threatening the region's ecological balance.
A recent University of Pennsylvania study published in Geology has challenged the long-held assumption that mountains play a significant role in regulating the Earth's climate. The research found that mountains contribute only a small amount of sediment to the world's oceans, and instead, gently sloping land areas are major contributors.
A study suggests removing sea defenses in low-lying coastal areas could reduce the impact of flooding associated with rising sea levels. The research highlights the need for strategic planning to balance flood protection and erosion control.
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 designed an experiment to replicate natural erosion, finding that water flow acts as a shearing force against objects, shaping them into unique forms. The study's findings suggest that water works as a sculptor to naturally mold materials into new shapes.
The Geological Society of America's Geosphere journal has added four special issues exploring the Sierra Nevada, Colorado River system, Laurentia, and the deep sea. New research reveals that Basin and Range volcanism was triggered by extensional tectonics, while Cenozoic erosion in southwestern North America was linked to surface uplif...
A new study in Nature Geoscience reveals that the high-elevation flat surfaces of Norway's landscape are geologically young due to extensive glacial erosion. The research contradicts previous views and suggests a complete re-interpretation of Scandinavia's tectonic history.
A new Delft model reveals that coastline erosion due to rising sea levels is greater than previously thought, particularly near inlets. The model accurately predicts coastline development in areas with high rainfall and compensating effects, such as basin infilling.
Researchers suggest that the Tibetan Plateau's growth of high topography began around 30 million years ago, contrary to previously held beliefs. This new finding was made possible by analyzing samples from the eastern edge of the plateau using various geological methods.
Researchers analyzed images of Titan's river networks, finding that they resemble early stages of terrestrial rivers' evolution. In some regions, rivers have caused little erosion, raising questions about Titan's geologic past and potential processes such as tectonic upheaval and icy lava eruptions.
A recent study found that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exacerbated existing environmental problems in Louisiana's salt marshes, causing erosion and permanent habitat loss. However, the study also suggests that healthy marsh plants can quickly regrow and recolonize affected areas, potentially mitigating the damage.
Researchers link steep mountain slopes to landslide erosion caused by plate tectonics and powerful streams. The study found that small increases in slope angle above 30 degrees translate into large increases in landslide erosion.
A recent study found that 70 percent of beaches on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are undergoing long-term erosion, with an average rate of 0.4 feet per year from the early 1900s to 2000s.
A new £2.9m project aims to forecast the future of the UK's coastline up to 100 years, addressing flooding and erosion risks.
Researchers have identified a new type of landform on Mars, periodic bedrock ridges, which provide valuable information about the planet's geological past. The ridges, formed by wind erosion of bedrock, offer a unique window into Martian history and potentially allow scientists to study the planet's ancient layers.
A Simon Fraser University professor will present on how climate change is expected to impact historical sea level changes in the Pacific Northwest. The talk highlights the vulnerability of low-lying coastlines in the region, particularly those with large human populations and infrastructure.
Researchers investigate giant submarine landslides using subsurface data to understand their form and origin. The study also sheds light on the tectonic history of the Eastern Cordillera and provides new insights into the formation of mountains along the Atlantic margin of northeastern Brazil.
Researchers create erosion-resistant surfaces using patterns inspired by yellow fattail scorpions, reducing material damage and equipment failure. The new technology has potential to save millions of dollars in damage each year.
A new study predicts that California beach towns will experience significant economic losses due to sea level rise, with visitor hotspots like Venice Beach facing up to $440 million in tourism revenue losses. The study also found that accelerated erosion could cause up to $540 million worth of damage at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
Researchers studied arroyo cycles and canyon paleoflood records in Utah, magma formation in the Karakoram shear zone in India, and brine origin in the Alberta Basin. They found that arroyo cycles control chronologies of paleoflood sequences and that magma formation in the Karakoram shear zone provides pathways for removing magma from d...
The August 2011 Geosphere issue explores the tectonic influence on the Surveyor Fan and Channel system in the Gulf of Alaska and reviews advancements in measuring currents in submarine canyons. It also delves into the origin and evolution of the Sierra Nevada magmatic arc and the consequences of lithospheric removal in California.
Researchers studied sea surface temperatures to understand Earth's temperature trend, finding large variability that could mask anthropogenic warming. Meanwhile, a new study detected ionospheric disturbances caused by the Tohoku earthquake in Japan, with ripples in ionized gas nearly 350 kilometers above the Earth.
A new study by University of Vermont geologists provides the first broad, standardized view of pre-human erosion rates, measuring 1599 measurements from 87 sites worldwide. The study reveals that slope is a key driver of erosion, contradicting previous assumptions about rainfall's role.
Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia developed a method to evaluate coastal storm vulnerability, finding that one-third of the region's coasts are at risk of severe flooding and erosion. The study used wave data from 1958-2008 to assess the vulnerability of a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline.
Researchers used clinker deposits and U-Th/He isotopic dating to determine the pace of recent evolution in the Powder River Basin. The study found that the basin has experienced increasing incision and topographic relief over the last million years, with rates of up to 0.3 km/million years.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides that choked rivers and overwhelmed the Panama City water-treatment plant, forcing a month-long shutdown. The new digital map of landslide scars will help authorities calculate future storm risk and minimize its impact on water supply.
Ancient cave systems near Allgäu Mountains preserved oldest radiometrically dated dripstones from European Alps. The study quantifies erosion and uplift rates for northern rim of Alps over 2 million years, with significant altitudinal changes attributed to glacial erosion.
Researchers employ helium-4/helium-3 thermochronometry to reconstruct the landform history of Fiordland in New Zealand from 2.5 million years ago, finding that most valley-making occurred at downstream mouths of glaciers for the first million years and later at glacier heads.
A University of Arizona-led research team found that wind can be up to 100 times more effective at eroding mountains than previously thought. The study suggests that wind played a key role in shaping the Loess Plateau, with over half of its dust coming from the Qaidam Basin.
Researchers confirm that stream bank failure is a significant contributor to high sediment levels in the Mississippi River, with seepage erosion playing a crucial role. The study finds that stable stream banks can become unstable when seepage erosion is added to factors promoting bank failure.
By adding subsoil information to a sedimentation and erosion model, researchers at Delft University of Technology gained a clearer picture of how rivers and deltas develop over time. This new understanding can help with delta management and reservoir geology, particularly in finding oil reserves.
A team of researchers led by David Furbish from Vanderbilt University is studying the erosion of Locke Island, which has been alarmingly eroding away since the 1970s. The island's difficulties began when the east bank of the river adjacent to it collapsed, causing a landslide that pinched down the channel flowing around the island.
Research reveals that glaciers in cold climates protect mountain tops and sides from erosion, allowing them to grow higher. By analyzing rocks exposed on remote glaciers in Patagonia, scientists found that the protective effect of glaciers reverses the conventional view of them as powerful agents of erosion.
Researchers found that glaciers in southern Patagonian Andes have helped mountains grow, not erode, by providing an icy shield. The study's findings contradict the glacial buzzsaw theory, which predicted glaciers would slow mountain growth.
Scientists present new data estimating motion of the Sagaing fault and study river deposits to understand flood frequency and magnitude. Researchers also explore enigmatic volcanism and find evidence for cryogenic origin of brine in southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.