Articles tagged with Geologic History
A team of international researchers suggests that a large and hot mantle plume was necessary to break the early Earth's lithosphere, leading to the first subduction and Plate Tectonics. The conditions required for this process included a thick and heavy lithosphere, liquid water in the oceans, and a large enough plume to produce signif...
A new study published in Nature indicates that the Earth's inner core was formed between 1 and 1.5 billion years ago, based on magnetic records from ancient igneous rocks. This finding suggests that the solid inner core started to form as it cooled from the surrounding molten iron outer core.
Research predicts Earth's mineralogy is unique in the cosmos, with over 1,500 undiscovered minerals, influenced by physical characteristics, geological activity, and biological processes.
Scientists from Brown University and Carnegie Institution for Science have identified the volatile gas that drove lunar fire fountain eruptions, a type of eruption that occurs frequently in Hawaii. The gas is found to be carbon monoxide (CO), which combined with oxygen to form, responsible for the fire fountains that sprayed volcanic g...
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that Earth's first crust was torn from the planet and lost to space due to asteroid bombardment, leading to the evolution of its plate tectonics, magnetic field and climate. This phenomenon, known as impact erosion, helps explain why Earth is habitable while Venus is not.
A team of researchers has obtained an improved age for the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary, a geological event that occurred approximately 780,000 years ago. The team used radiometric dating and sedimentary rock samples to determine the exact age of this event, which is now confirmed as 770.2 thousand years ago.
A study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters reveals new insights into the Earth's early core by analyzing the magnetic signatures of mineral grains in ancient rocks. The findings, led by Michigan Tech geophysicist Aleksey Smirnov, shed light on the planet's mysterious past.
A team of researchers from GFZ explains possible barriers for the ascent of mantle plumes and resolves major conflicts surrounding present model predictions. They found that low-buoyancy thermochemical plumes can develop, preventing massive volcanism and environmental catastrophes.
The USGS has released a new map that portrays the diverse pieces of Earth's crust comprising the nation's geologic basement. The map provides a framework for examining mineral resources and other geological aspects by considering the age and origin of the basement rocks.
Researchers use geological features to predict seismic activity in regions with low historical earthquake records. Experts warn that even seemingly quiet areas can harbor significant quake risks, highlighting the need for increased preparedness and monitoring.
Researchers at University of Maryland generate new isotopic fingerprint of the moon, reconciling accepted model with surprisingly similar Earth and moon fingerprints. The findings suggest a thorough mixing of debris before forming the moon, supporting an explosive and interconnected past.
Researchers found metallic lead nanospheres in 3.4 billion-year-old zircons from Antarctica, which could alter ages determined using high-resolution ion probe techniques. The inhomogeneous distribution of lead in zircon might falsify ages, highlighting the need for reevaluation of geological age determination methods.
Researchers analyzed seabed samples off the coast of Turkey and found six large earthquakes in the area between 136 and 1896 AD. The study assigns past earthquakes to specific segments of the North Anatolian Fault, shedding light on the recurrence rate of earthquakes near Istanbul.
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.
Research suggests that super-Earths can maintain oceans for at least 10 billion years due to a planet-wide recycling process. This finding implies that older super-Earths are more suitable for searching for complex life.
A team of geoscientists discovered a buried canyon beneath the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which helped reconstruct the gorge's geological history. The findings show that rapid tectonic uplift, not river capture, formed the Tsangpo Gorge and its steep form.
The UCR-led 'Alternative Earths' team will analyze ancient rocks to determine how oxygen developed on Earth billions of years ago. By studying the chemical fingerprints left by early life forms, they aim to understand what evidence would confirm that a planet is habitable and teeming with life.
New research suggests that Chicxulub's impact was not the sole cause of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Volcanism, climate changes, and other factors also played significant roles in four out of five major mass extinctions in Earth history.
Research suggests that consecutive earthquakes occurring seconds apart can amplify ground motion and impact structures, leading to devastating effects. The study used the 2012 Emilia seismic sequence to simulate a scenario of triggered end-to-end earthquakes along adjacent fault patches.
Scientists use LiDAR to create detailed topographical models of the Haiyuan fault zone, providing new insights into tectonic geomorphic features and displacement measurements. The high-resolution digital models enable accurate identification of fault traces and improved site-specific fault activity studies.
Researchers from Harvard University believe they've found signs of an ancient Earth within the Earth's mantle, challenging the theory of the Moon's formation. They analyzed noble gas isotopes and found significant differences between shallow and deep mantle regions.
Researchers from GEOMAR and King Abdulaziz University have made new findings on the formation of the Red Sea. The study reveals that the ocean's emergence occurred through a series of smaller fracture zones, which suggests that the Red Sea is not an exception to the general process of plate tectonics.
A new study suggests that the maximum earthquake magnitude scales with the maturity of a fault, putting limits on seismic hazard for less mature parts of fault zones. The study found that older sections of transform faults produce the largest earthquakes, such as the North Anatolian Fault Zone and the San Andreas Fault.
Scientists at Michigan State University have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges long-standing theories on the origin of massive lava flows in Africa. The study found that some of these lavas came from within the African tectonic plate itself, rather than deep within the mantle.
Researchers analyzed 40 Martian meteorites to understand the evolution of Mars' atmosphere, shedding light on whether life existed or could have existed on the red planet. The study found that the atmospheres of Mars and Earth diverged early in the solar system's history, with sulfur playing a key role in shaping the Martian environment.
Scientists reconstructed the phylogeny and biological history of Yellow-shouldered bats in the New World tropics, revealing three new species. The study highlights the importance of museum collections in uncovering new knowledge and demonstrates the need for ongoing revision of the Earth's biological history.
Scientists discovered a relationship between the time of the Moon-forming event and material added to Earth, forming a 'clock' to date the Moon. The new method estimates the Moon's age to be 95 ±32 million years after the beginning of the solar system.
A new international study reveals that humans have left an unprecedented legacy of technofossils, including built environments and consumer products, which will be preserved for millions of years. These technofossils are expected to become the defining characteristic of the Anthropocene epoch.
Oxygen production by cyanobacteria may have initiated 3 billion years ago, with dynamic concentrations rising and falling over billions of years. This new understanding sheds light on the balance between photosynthesis and consumption, impacting life on Earth.
A team of researchers from University of California, Riverside claims that ancient zircons contain 'diamonds' which are actually fragments of polishing compound used in the laboratory analysis. The discovery was made using high-resolution electron microscopy and suggests no indigenous diamonds exist in these samples.
The discovery of supervolcanoes in southern Utah reveals massive eruptions that buried a vast region, affecting areas from central Utah to Nebraska. This research has significant implications for understanding geological history and the impact of volcanic activity on ecosystems.
A team of scientists discovered well-preserved remnants of a complex ecosystem in nearly 3.5 billion-year-old sedimentary rock sequence in Western Australia. Advanced chemical analyses point to a biological origin of the material, suggesting that complex mat-forming microbial communities likely existed almost 3.5 billion years ago.
The US is largely dependent on foreign sources for rare earth elements, a trend exacerbated by global demand. Dr. Lawrence Meinert highlights the need for domestic development and secure supply chains to mitigate disruptions.
Alpine plants show genetic differences in appearance and features due to Ice Age climate changes, highlighting their adaptability to environmental conditions. The study discovered variations within species are partly driven by natural selection, with plants adapting to shorter growing seasons.
Researchers found evidence of low atmospheric oxygen concentrations in 3.8 billion-year-old soils from South Africa, challenging previous estimates that oxygen began accumulating in the atmosphere around 2.3 billion years ago. The discovery supports a longer antiquity for oxygen-producing photosynthesis and aerobic life.
ASU researchers are part of a $28 million NSF-FESD grant program to study the Great Oxidation Event and ancient climate change. They aim to understand the role of Earth system dynamics in human evolution, using a combination of models, geochemical proxies, and laboratory experiments.
A new study finds that global sea levels could rise by more than 2 meters due to the melting of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. The research suggests that Antarctica will contribute half of this rise, while Greenland will add another quarter.
Researchers have identified a 30km-long fault zone near Istanbul as a potential starting point for a strong earthquake. The area, located just 15-20km from the historic city center, has shown no seismic activity in recent years.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania used a fossil-based technique to study the 1700 Cascadia earthquake and its impact on coastal land levels. The study revealed that the rupture was heterogeneous, similar to recent major earthquakes in Japan, Chile, and Sumatra.
Researchers propose a more complex biological oxygen cycle on early Earth, with sulfur isotope signals persisting in ocean sediments long after oxygen accumulation. This 'memory effect' could blur dating of the Great Oxidation Event and provide new insights into early life.
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, led by Chris Goldfinger, admit that existing predictive models are no longer valid due to limited historical records. Paleoseismic evidence suggests that several regions previously thought incapable of producing megathrust earthquakes may be due for reconsideration.
Researchers have discovered that some of the tectonic processes driving volcanic activity were occurring as early as 3.8 billion years ago. The study found compositions comparable to modern oceanic islands in ancient rocks, strengthening arguments for subduction-related tectonics.
A University of Missouri scientist suggests that earthquake hazard maps often fail due to bad assumptions, data, physics, and luck. Developing better maps and alerting people to their limitations could potentially save lives and money in areas prone to earthquakes.
A new study published by Arizona State University researchers has found nearly 1,000 small-magnitude earthquakes in Arizona over a three-year period. The improved seismic data from the EarthScope project enabled the detection of these events, which are often not felt by humans.
A new study by Emanuela Guidoboni and colleagues reveals the historical record on ancient and medieval earthquakes in L'Aquila has gaps that must be addressed to assess seismic hazard. The region experienced multiple strong earthquakes, with a tendency to produce simultaneous events varying in impact.
Research finds green rust played a crucial role in oxygenating the Earth's atmosphere, scavenging heavy metals like nickel from water. The mineral's high reactivity makes it promising for cleaning up polluted sites and removing toxic metals.
Recent research analyzed two Martian meteorites from within the Red Planet's interior, revealing a vast amount of water similar to Earth's. This discovery raises the possibility that Mars could have sustained life and suggests volcanoes as the primary vehicle for getting water to the surface.
Researchers have found that terrestrial planets like Earth could have formed earlier than expected in the universe's history. The study suggests that rocky worlds don't need to orbit metal-rich stars to form and that their sizes are not directly linked to the star's metallicities.
Researchers warn of an impending catastrophic event where the planet's ecosystems irreversibly collapse due to extreme fluctuations in climates and biodiversity loss. The study suggests that governments must take immediate action to reduce population growth, invest in sustainable technologies and adopt environmentally-friendly practices.
A new doctoral dissertation published in Nature sheds light on the dynamics of the earth and crust formation before 3 billion years ago, revealing a significant shift in the Earth's dynamics. This new understanding has significant implications for future climate change.
A new study by Carnegie's Andrew Steele provides strong evidence that Martian organic carbon originates from the planet itself, not Earth or other meteorites. The findings reveal insights into Mars' volcanic history and suggest the presence of organic chemistry throughout its history.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers reveals six major volcanic eruptions in Sumatra over the past 35,000 years, with explosive intensity comparable to Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption. The findings highlight a potentially deadly natural phenomenon threatening residents of the region.
Researchers have developed a new technique to analyze spherules embedded in rock layers, providing precise information about asteroids impacting Earth between 3.5 billion and 35 million years ago. The findings support a theory that the early Earth endured an intense period of asteroid bombardment.
Researchers used gravity and seismic geophysical methods to study the San Juan volcanic field in Colorado, revealing new constraints on its development. In Alaska, subducting plate geology was studied during three great earthquake ruptures, providing insights into tsunamis and future earthquake hazards.
Scientists have found that Mercury's core is larger than anticipated, occupying 85% of the planet's radius. The planet's topography shows smaller elevation ranges compared to Mars or the Moon, with evidence of large-scale changes since its geological history.
ChronoZoom is a web-based software that enables users to visualize history and discover new connections. The project uses Microsoft Azure and HTML5 to allow for easy updates and expansion of content.
A large-scale shift to green energy sources could lead to a significant increase in demand for rare earth elements, used in wind turbines and electric vehicles. To mitigate this, researchers suggest materials substitution, improved efficiency, and increased reuse, recycling, and use of scrap.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen have reconstructed the isotopic composition of 3.8 billion-year-old seawater, revealing that young planet's oceans had proportionately more 'normal water' than 'heavy water'. This discovery suggests Earth has lost less than ¼ of its water budget over the last roughly 4 billion years.
The Chugach Metamorphic Complex in southern Alaska reveals short-lived metamorphism, while a study of Shiveluch Volcano provides insights into lava dome growth. Meanwhile, a team from Tulane University proposes a new calibration model for the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, and researchers in Tibet explore pulsed Miocene range growth.