Articles tagged with Geology
Prolonged greenhouse warming during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum caused rapid forest thinning, reshaped plant communities, and reduced vegetation carbon storage. Modern forests may lose capacity to store carbon, accelerating climate change.
Researchers analyzed millions of high-frequency turbidity measurements to reconstruct daily sediment movement, revealing a major shift: Rivers are becoming more 'bursty', with a 20-day decrease in the time it takes to transport 90% of their annual sediment. This change can overwhelm water treatment systems and damage aquatic habitats.
A 304-million-year-old warming event could inform scientists about rapidly changing Earth conditions. A small temperature spike led to a larger one from melting permafrost, with global sea surface temperatures rising by over 7 degrees Celsius.
A new study presents high-resolution nitrogen isotope records from the Tarim Basin, documenting a persistent depth-dependent redox gradient across the basin. The findings support the hypothesis that stepwise shallow-ocean oxygenation modulated the multi-phase trajectory of the Cambrian Explosion.
Researchers developed a method to detect water ice on the moon using seismic waves, which can travel faster through frozen soil. This discovery is critical for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send crewed landings to the moon's south polar region in 2028.
A new study has mapped landslide hazard zones across the US, revealing that 6.5 million Americans live in areas prone to landslides. The research highlights a significant urban-rural divide in disaster preparedness, with rural residents facing greater challenges in recovering from such events.
Researchers analysed stone blocks and bricks from the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia, revealing the materials came from at least two different quarry areas in what is now Germany. The study used advanced geochemical techniques to trace the origin of the cargo, uncovering hidden details about global trade routes.
The Genesis Mission aims to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery and national security through AI-powered research. Texas A&M University has joined the initiative, contributing to a unified discovery platform connecting government, industry, academia and philanthropy.
Recent research suggests Venus is geologically active, with evidence of recent rifting and volcanic activity. Computer models indicate that rift flanks can form along the edges of rift valleys, widening rapidly over time.
A UMaine-led research team has been awarded the inaugural DOE Genesis Mission to develop AI-powered models that simulate the impact of microbes on underground chemical reactions. The project aims to improve predictions in groundwater management, environmental remediation, and energy infrastructure planning.
Researchers found that when bedding strata incline above the topographic slope, rainwater infiltrates deep into the subsurface through fractures. In contrast, on dip slopes with aligned bedding direction, landslide landforms develop due to rapid runoff after rainfall events.
Ester Sztein, GSA's Director of International Programs, receives the AGI Award for her work in expanding access to geoscience education and fostering international collaboration. The award recognizes Sztein's commitment to increasing public awareness of the critical role geoscientists play in addressing societal challenges.
A new study by NTU Singapore reveals that major earthquakes can trigger decades-long land sinking in Southeast Asia, affecting relative sea-level projections. This phenomenon may underestimate coastal flood risks for low-lying regions if not accounted for in sea-level modeling.
A UH Mānoa study reveals the Hawaiian mantle plume has gotten hotter, producing two of the largest volcanoes in the Main Hawaiian Island chain. The research found a strong correlation between mantle temperatures and volcano size, with heat surges occurring at 14-20 million years ago and 0-6 million years ago.
New research proposes a new model for understanding mud volcano behavior, revealing that large flows grow progressively through repeated small events. A hidden layer beneath the surface acts as a lubricant, allowing overlying mud to slide slowly, reshaping the landscape in ways not immediately visible.
Scientists used a new method to measure Earth's temperature over the Phanerozoic period, finding past temperatures were around 10 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The study suggests that natural processes have regulated the planet's climate for millions of years, and humans must take action to maintain a habitable range.
Researchers have found evidence that water played a major role in shaping the Earth's interior and driving volcanic activity over 3.1 billion years ago. The study suggests that another process called 'dripduction' may have been transporting water into the mantle, influencing the formation of volcanic rocks.
A study by Professor Masaki Yoshida suggests that there is a physically meaningful upper limit to viscosity beyond which materials effectively become rigid. The research found that the maximum viscosity inferred from stable lithospheric regions is around 10^30 Pa s, making it roughly 10^33 times greater than water's viscosity.
A new study suggests that slow uplift of the continent played a critical role in forming Antarctica's vast East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The research, published in Science, proposes that geological and climatic events that began over 120 million years ago led to rapid ice-sheet expansion.
Researchers found that the formation of escarpments and mountains in East Antarctica created high ground for snow and ice to accumulate. This led to the initial ice sheet formation 34 million years ago, allowing it to spread across the continent and eventually become the largest ice sheet on Earth.
A review paper synthesizes nearly 20 years of research on the Great Barrier Reef's responses to sea-level shifts, finding five distinct reef phases that formed, drowned, and reformed over 30,000 years. The study highlights the reefs' dynamic nature and reveals they were shaped by multiple environmental pressures.
Researchers found that 77% of rocks analyzed cooled at roughly the same time between 5-7 million years ago, providing direct evidence for a massive uplift event. This timing coincides with a previously known event during which the Pacific plate rotated, causing widespread deformation and uplift along the Ring of Fire.
Glenn Thackray takes the helm as GSA President, focusing on advancing geoscience research, education, and public service. With a strong background in leadership experience and passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists, Thackray aims to strengthen the Society's impact.
Researchers found that the Andes of west-central Argentina formed in four distinct and rapid pulses of activity, each lasting about 5 to 8 million years. This growth rate is faster and more punctuated than previously thought, outpacing the steady timeline expected from subduction.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient human DNA on cave walls, even where bones or artifacts are absent. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studying prehistoric human behavior without disturbing archaeological deposits.
A study by geoscientists at the University of Sydney reveals why some ancient continental edges became fertile sites for major mineral deposits, while others did not. The research developed a dynamic model of the Earth going back 1.8 billion years to identify how mineralised ores formed in specific places.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is hosting GSA Connects 2026, a premier international gathering in the geoscience community. Abstracts are welcomed across various topics and disciplines, with a focus on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The 'Hess Evolution' expedition aims to uncover the origin and age of Hess Rise, a vast volcanic plateau. Researchers will analyze rock samples collected from depths of up to 6,000 meters to determine if they reveal systematic age patterns across the plateau.
Researchers developed a digital twin framework to predict permafrost degradation in Alaska's thawing permafrost. The framework uses real-time measurements and AI to simulate the physical properties of frozen soil, enabling more accurate predictions of climate change impact.
A University of Michigan study finds that North America has sufficient rare earth element deposits to support a domestic supply chain, but most are of lower quality than those in China and Australia. The US could prioritize light rare earth elements and cooperate with Canada on heavy ones.
Researchers propose a thermochemical mantle plume formation process for the Ontong Java Plateau, contradicting previous hypotheses. The model explains spatial variations in crustal thickness and lava composition across the plateau.
A new study reveals that Antarctic glaciers are speeding up and moving towards the ocean due to meltwater draining from their surface to their base. This process, known as hydrofracturing, reduces friction and accelerates glacier movement.
A new study in Geology has discovered evidence of a major impact event about 3.5 billion years ago on the Moon, matching the ages of known impacts on Earth and in the asteroid belt. The discovery provides a key link to the history of the inner solar system and sheds light on catastrophic events that may have affected early life on Earth.
Researchers found that superheating in magma delays crystal formation, allowing magma to rise rapidly and potentially promoting dramatic lava fountaining behaviour. This discovery helps address a long-standing scientific debate on how magma's thermal history influences crystallisation processes before and during eruptions.
Researchers tracked microbial community shifts across six sites over four years and discovered that each site had its own stable microbial community. These communities were organized around two broad groups of microbes, with stable microbes maintaining core processes and responsive microbes capitalizing on new opportunities.
Joshua Martin will serve as a GSA-sponsored Congressional Science Fellow, bringing geoscience expertise to Capitol Hill. The announcement marks the 40th anniversary of the GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellowship, which aims to integrate actionable Earth science into federal decision-making.
A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet responded sharply to climate change following a major shift in Earth's ice age cycles. The simulation found that below a critical atmospheric CO2 level, the amplitude of Antarctic ice variations increases in response to changes in temperatures.
Researchers from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences mapped CO2-rich igneous rocks, finding their distribution is strongly tied to variations in Earth's lithosphere. The findings could guide the search for new rare earth deposits, particularly along the edges of thick and ancient continents.
The study shows a significant 5°C warming of intermediate waters at 800m depth in the equatorial Atlantic over the last 11,000 years. This warming is not mirrored by changes in tropical sea surface temperatures, indicating an extratropical origin.
The University of Utah is launching a groundbreaking testbed, SMART, to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies in rare earth elements. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and address the nation's growing need for critical minerals.
Scientists found that meltwater destabilized methane hydrates beneath northwest Greenland, releasing large stores of methane. This process may have contributed to past climate events and could influence future climate change as polar ice sheets continue to retreat.
Stephanie Plaza-Torres, a geoscientist with a background in paleontology and geochemistry, has been named the 2026-2027 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow. She will support legislative work on issues where science informs public decisions.
Researchers identify a 'vertical conveyor' mechanism that transports moisture from the mid-latitudes to the Asian Water Towers through a process of nocturnal decoupling. This process integrates up to 30% of westerlies-advected moisture into the local cycle without precipitation, sustaining near-surface moisture accumulation.
Researchers analyze helium isotope readings from geothermal springs in Zambia's Kafue Rift to confirm the presence of a weakness in the Earth's crust that has broken through to reach the mantle. The discovery could have significant economic implications for geothermal energy and potentially influence the future shape of Africa.
Reanalysis of 540-million-year-old microfossils from Brazil reveals they are not animal traces but rather communities of fossilized microscopic bacteria and algae. This finding suggests that invertebrates may not have existed or left marks during the Ediacaran period due to limited oxygen levels.
A Harvard study resolves a longstanding climate puzzle by proposing that the Sturtian glaciation could have lasted 56 million years due to oscillating 'snowball' and 'hothouse' conditions. The researchers suggest intense weathering of volcanoes triggered global glaciations, which warmed and retreated over repeated cycles.
Researchers identified a massive landslide triggering a megatsunami in the Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, which posed distinct hazards due to confined environment. The study highlights potential new tools for identifying and monitoring landslide-generated tsunamis, including precursory warning signals.
A study redefines continental evolution by identifying relamination as a key mechanism shaping continents over billions of years. This process explains the origin of certain magmas and offers new insights into post-collisional magmatism, resulting in the formation of large granitic batholiths.
Researchers developed a new method to predict debris flows in post-fire landscapes, incorporating vegetation recovery, which reduces unnecessary warnings and improves accuracy. The updated method reflects changes in soil absorption and plant water uptake after wildfires, providing more accurate hazard maps and rainfall threshold guidance.
Researchers at TU Wien have demonstrated a remarkable mineralogical mechanism where certain minerals convert CO2 into solid carbonate quickly, mediated by water. This process enables rapid CO2 capture and storage in rocks, potentially solving the issue of atmospheric CO2 removal.
The University of Michigan study reveals that Napata, an ancient city in Sudan, benefited from the Nile's relatively stable flow and deposits of clay and silt. This landscape feature reduced flood risk while maintaining access to water, allowing for successful settlement and cultural development.
Researchers found that a dense piece of lithospheric mantle beneath the Hangay Mountains broke off and sank into the deeper mantle about 125-114 million years ago. This 'foundering' event triggered melting of the mantle, generated magma, and caused the overlying crust to dome upward.
Quaise Energy is building the world's first power plant using superhot geothermal energy, with the goal of producing at least 50 megawatts of clean electricity. The project aims to harness temperatures greater than 300 degrees C and validate its long-held hypothesis that higher subsurface temperatures can improve power production.
A study published in Geology found that up to 75.7% of landslides occur during low or no rainfall periods, with early-stage rainfall reaching the sliding surface through three runoff supply modes and two migration stages. The team recommends mass monitoring, public education, and engineering mitigation measures to prevent such disasters.
Researchers suggest that an ancient lake overflowed 5.6 million years ago, establishing the Colorado River's course through the Grand Canyon. The study used uranium-lead dating to confirm a shared sediment source and indicate that the ancestral river was connected by 6.6 million years ago.
Researchers discovered that the river flowed into an upstream lake before flowing into the Grand Canyon, marking its transition to a continental-scale river. The study provides new insights into the formation of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River's path.
Researchers used a novel technique to analyze millions of individual particles in Antarctic ice cores, revealing common dust sources during the last Ice Age. The study highlights the importance of atmospheric circulation changes and provides insights into ancient climate systems and potential future environmental shifts.
Scientists at MIT have developed a new wave model called PlanetWaves that predicts how waves will behave on planetary bodies with different liquids, atmospheres, and gravity. The model reveals that gentle winds can create massive waves on Titan, while hurricane-force winds barely move the surface of lakes on exoplanet 55-Cancri e.
Research reveals strong global link between ancient subduction zones and formation of rare earth element deposits and carbonatites. Ancient tectonic processes are critical to locating economically viable rare mineral deposits.
A new study reveals that human transformations in land cover have a substantially greater influence on landslide fatalities than physical factors, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income nations. This research highlights how increasing human pressure on nature worsens the vulnerability of socioeconomically disadvantaged people.