Articles tagged with Geologic History
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Researchers, led by Chris Goldfinger, admit that existing predictive models are no longer valid due to limited historical records.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.
Recent geosphere research interprets Eocene–Early Miocene paleotopography in Nevada and examines the origin of the Colorado Mineral Belt. The study also investigates Miocene magmatism in the Bodie Hills volcanic field, California and Nevada, and compares mountain building processes in Alaska.
Lund University has received a total of SEK 40 million in funding for its geology and biology research. This includes SEK 25 million for Birger Schmitz's ERC-funded project Astrogeobiosphere, which explores the link between life on Earth and astronomical events.
Scientists have developed procedures to determine earthquake source information for smaller earthquakes in central and eastern North America. This improved catalog provides detailed information on faulting styles and geometry for these regions, contributing to assessing seismic hazards and constraining ground motion.
Researchers at Caltech have directly determined the surface temperature of early Mars for the first time. They found that carbonate minerals formed at about 18 degrees Celsius, consistent with a warmer and wetter Martian past. This finding provides crucial evidence for understanding Mars' history and climate.
Researchers have developed a new model to evaluate seismic wave velocities at shallow depth in the Seattle Basin, offering refined seismic hazard assessments. The study also exposes two faults in the eastern Sierra Nevada, providing new details about active faulting in the area.
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.
Scientists at University of Nevada, Reno observed an upper limit of three on the number of fault jumps through which an earthquake is likely to rupture. This finding helps reduce uncertainties in estimating earthquake sizes in complex fault systems.
Researchers discovered that flood basalts contain traces of ancient Earth's primitive mantle, challenging previous theories. The findings suggest that a significant fraction of large volcanic events originate from a modern mantle source similar to the primitive reservoir found in northern Canada and Greenland.
A thick plateau of hard, compacted sediments helped spread the rupture from tens of kilometers below to just a few kilometers below, unleashing larger tsunami waves. The study suggests locations with large thicknesses of sediments may promote more significant tsunamis during great earthquakes.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that parts of the moon's interior contain as much water as the Earth's upper mantle. The presence of this water challenges the current theory of the moon's formation and strengthens the idea that the moon and Earth share a common origin.
Researchers study island settlements to understand human resilience and capacity for colonization. Mobility, social networks, and knowledge of the local environment helped indigenous people survive in the face of natural disasters and climate change. The findings inform how we adapt to vulnerabilities and rebound from catastrophes.
Researchers detected a sequence of small earthquakes in Dallas-Fort Worth triggered by brine disposal, highlighting induced seismicity concerns. Seismologists also identified large hurricanes using microseisms recorded at distant seismic stations.
Researchers at University of Leicester introduce the Anthropocene, a geological epoch marked by significant human impact on the environment. The studies highlight effects of population growth, megacities, and fossil fuel use on global warming, sea level rise, and biodiversity.
The article discusses recent movements and past deformation in Central America, California, Turkey, and Canada. Key findings include the present rates and directions of movement between El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as the role of low-angle normal faulting in active tectonics in the northern Owens Valley.
A UC Riverside-led team discovered chemical evidence of oxygen-free ancient oceans containing abundant hydrogen sulfide. This finding suggests that ocean chemistry influenced the evolution of early life, potentially delaying its appearance and proliferation.
New data suggests that the Limon and Pedro Miguel faults in Central Panama have ruptured both independently and in unison over the past 1400 years. This indicates a significant seismic risk for Panama City and the Panama Canal, with displacements of up to 3 meters recorded.
The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a magnitude 7.9 rupture, resulted in over 80,000 fatalities and left four million homeless. The event showcased China's capability to demonstrate its earthquake science program to the global community.
The moon was bombarded by two distinct populations of asteroids or comets in its youth, resulting in a more complex surface than previously thought. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft provided unprecedented global topographic maps using the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), highlighting lunar craters with clarity.
Research using geoscientific observatories reveals high levels of manganese in certain soils linked to nearby industrial activities. The study contributes to understanding the impact of human activity on soil formation and fertility.
Scientists have found that volatile elements, including water, were present during the violent process of Earth's birth. The discovery, made using high precision equipment to measure Silver isotopes in rocks, suggests that comets and asteroids may not have brought significant amounts of volatile elements to Earth.
Karen Felzer, a USGS researcher, has been recognized with the Seismological Society of America's Richter Early Career Award for her transformative and sometimes controversial research on earthquake physics. Her statistical approaches have challenged previously held theories and reshaped the way earthquakes are understood.
The new Multiple Collector Inductively-Coupled Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) will help researchers interpret the Earth system's history and understand connections in weathering-climate systems. It will enable faster data analysis, expand isotopic techniques to new fields, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
The WUSTL-led MoonRise mission is one of three finalists for a $650 million NASA space science venture. The mission aims to retrieve two pounds of lunar rocks and return them to Earth, providing new insights into the early history of the Earth-Moon system.
The October issue of BSSA features a review on strong ground motions, suggesting that the current global record reflects only a small sample of what is physically possible. Additionally, researchers explore the correlation between toppled columns and earthquake source determination in archaeoseismology.
A new study suggests that future tsunamis could reach a scale far beyond the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, killing up to 35 people directly and causing extensive damage. The research indicates that rupture of an even larger area than previously thought could create an even bigger tsunami.
New studies by Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggest a magnitude-7 earthquake occurs every 2,000 to 3,000 years in Lake Tahoe's basin. The largest fault in the basin, West Tahoe, appears to have last ruptured between 4,100 and 4,500 years ago, capable of producing nearly 500m of overlying water tsunami waves.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake had a profound societal impact, transforming earthquake sciences and engineering. The event led to improved understanding of earthquake processes and triggered major changes in building codes and disaster response.
A new study from Purdue and Northwestern universities suggests the New Madrid fault system is less active than expected, with reduced surface movement indicating a possible shutdown. The team analyzed GPS data for eight years, finding the ground surrounding the fault system is moving at a rate of less than 0.2 millimeters per year.
Deep-sea drilling reveals extensive rock deformation and concentrated slip zones in shallow regions, contradicting long-held assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanics of faulting and tsunamis, highlighting the megasplay fault as a key contributor to largest tsunami-generating plate slips.
A team led by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been selected by NASA to focus on expanding knowledge of the Moon's formation and bombardment history. The four-year project will unravel the origin of the Earth-Moon system and the early evolution of the solar system through a multidisciplinary approach.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of at least three previous major tsunamis in the Indian Ocean over the past 2,800 years, with the most recent occurring between 550 and 700 years ago. The findings suggest that a region's tsunami history can serve as a long-term warning system, highlighting the importance of tsunami education.
Walter Alvarez, a maverick geologist, has won the prestigious Vetlesen Prize for his groundbreaking work on the link between a massive comet impact and the extinction of dinosaurs. His research, conducted over several decades, challenged conventional wisdom and revealed that life on Earth is affected by cosmic interactions.
Scientists have solved the debate about the origin of a 3 billion-year-old rock fragment using a new X-ray technique, revealing it formed in the Earth's mantle at high temperatures. This discovery provides clues about the Earth's early history and internal processes, opening up new avenues for research on the planet's evolution.
A new study by Peter K. Swart suggests that carbonate platform records are not reliable for tracking the global carbon cycle over the past 10 million years. This finding challenges widely-held ideas about CO2 levels during specific periods of Earth's geological history.
Scientists discover diverse microbes that can consume hydrocarbons without oxygen, reflecting early appearance of these compounds as nutrients. Understanding their role may help access natural climate change control.
This paper describes network analyses capabilities within GIS to describe and quantify shear zone networks. Meanwhile, structural analysis of rockslide avalanches reveals fault structures as fingerprints for motion and emplacement styles.
Researchers used a model to study stress changes on faults after the May 12 China earthquake and found heightened rupture likelihood for some faults. The study suggests that potential for failure exists on some faults, but does not predict when or if an earthquake will occur.
A Florida State University researcher has challenged the long-held 'late veneer hypothesis' regarding the formation of the Earth. By studying palladium distribution at high pressures and temperatures, Humayun's team found that it can be explained by means other than millions of years of meteorite bombardment.
Researchers are joining forces to study past earthquakes in the archaeological record, which can provide valuable insights into seismic hazard estimates. A new standardized method, known as the Archeological Quality Factor (AQF), is being proposed to document the certainty of ancient earthquake records.
Researchers uncover rare two-billion-year-old window into the Earth's mantle, shedding light on geological history. The discovery suggests the mantle is not as well-mixed or homogenous as previously believed.