Articles tagged with Geology
A new study investigates the dynamics of a complex fault zone under Seattle, revealing that secondary faults rupture more frequently than previously thought. Researchers hope to refine their understanding of these faults and determine how much hazard they pose to Seattle's four million residents.
Scientists have discovered evidence of repeating climate cycles operating every few years to decades during the Cryogenian glaciation, a period known as Snowball Earth. The findings suggest that these cycles were likely exceptions rather than the norm, and were triggered by small patches of open ocean in the tropics.
An international team has successfully documented and sampled freshened water within a zone nearly 200 metres thick beneath the ocean floor. This discovery sheds light on offshore freshened groundwater systems and their relevance to coastal communities relying on groundwater for freshwater supply.
A new study in Geology suggests that massive undersea volcanism triggered at least four Triassic extinctions. Marine large igneous provinces were found to be a key driver of these events, accounting for half of the extinctions with an identifiable geological trigger.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a method to increase muon lifetime using intense laser pulses. By applying quantum interference principles, they aim to develop new scientific facilities that utilize muons instead of electrons.
A recent study published in Geology found that new single-celled marine species evolved rapidly, occurring in some places in under two thousand years. This rapid evolution helps scientists understand how ocean ecosystems respond to environmental changes and could provide insights into future mass extinctions.
Researchers discovered that a significant drop in calcium levels in the ocean led to a massive decrease in carbon dioxide, driving global cooling and ending the planet's greenhouse era. The study suggests that changes in seawater chemistry played a key role in shaping climate history.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) has increased the award amount of the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship from $2,000 to $3,000 per recipient starting with the 2026 summer field season. This increase is in honor of Dr. Paul E. Potter and aims to support students pursuing geoscience education and training.
A new study using sediment drill cores reveals a link between solar cycles and the stability of fast ice in Antarctica. The research team found that changes in solar activity disrupt zonal winds over the Southern Ocean, leading to the retreat of sea ice along the coast.
Researchers are utilizing the SWOT satellite to study how rivers and streams shape the Earth's surface, transforming scale in river studies. By covering all rivers worldwide, SWOT enables tracking of dam failures and understanding their long-term effects on ecosystems.
A new 3D model of the fault beneath the Marmara Sea reveals where a future major earthquake could take place, helping improve earthquake forecasts. The study uses magnetotelluric measurements to identify distinct high-resistivity and low-resistivity zones, shedding light on ongoing processes of fault mechanics.
Researchers found that animals living on convoluted coastlines were more likely to go extinct than those living on north-south orientated coastlines. This study provides new insight into patterns of biodiversity distribution throughout Earth history and highlights the importance of coastline geometry for survival during climate change.
Scientists have developed a new way to track landscape development over millions of years using cosmogenic krypton in zircon minerals. This method reveals how climate, tectonics, and sediment transport are linked, providing insights into the Earth's surface history.
Dr. Kelley's discovery of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field revolutionized scientific understanding of fluid–rock interactions and chemosynthetic ecosystems. Her work has also transformed ocean observation through the NSF's Ocean Observatories Initiative Regional Cabled Array.
Researchers discovered chemosynthetic microbial communities formed wrinkle structures in ancient turbidites, which should not have existed in the deep-water setting. The team analyzed geologic evidence and determined that the sediment layers were indeed turbidites with biotic textures.
Scientists discovered that authigenic clays played a crucial role in preserving the Ediacara Biota fossils. The unusual chemistry of the Ediacaran seawater helped to form these clays, which acted as cement, holding together sand particles and replicating the organisms' soft-bodied forms.
The study of new hominin fossils from Thomas Quarry I in Morocco reveals an African population near the base of the Homo sapiens lineage. The 773,000-year-old fossils provide insights into the shared ancestry of H. sapiens, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
An international scientific team led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway has discovered the deepest known gas hydrate cold seep on Earth at a staggering depth of 3,640 meters. This groundbreaking finding reveals a previously unknown ecosystem thriving in the Greenland Sea and expands the known depth limit for gas hydrate outcrops.
Researchers find ocean sediment supply crucial for salt marshes to keep pace with rising seas. Southern New England marshes are showing signs of stress due to declining coastal sediment supply.
Researchers found three major vent areas aligned with active fault zones, controlled by the island's tectonic fabric. The discovery establishes Milos as a natural laboratory for studying hydrothermal activity, volcanism, and tectonics.
A team of international researchers proposes that sticky, surface-bound gels may have played a crucial role in the origins of life on Earth. These primitive gels could have provided the necessary structure and function for early chemical systems to become increasingly complex. The study's findings also extend to astrobiology, suggestin...
A new study challenges long-standing climate science paradigms, finding that the Caribbean often experiences drought during intensified summer insolation due to the strengthening and westward expansion of the North Atlantic Subtropical High. This high-pressure system suppresses convection and reduces rainfall across the region.
A massive swarm of earthquakes in 2025 was triggered by pulses of magma tunneling far below the seafloor, according to a new study. The findings provide a detailed look at a 'pumping' magmatic dike in action and offer insights into more reliable eruption forecasting.
Researchers have discovered that sudden shifts in the Southern Westerly Winds 15,000 years ago triggered a massive growth of ancient bogs across the Southern Hemisphere. The study found that the shifting winds created an ideal climate for the swamps to form, and now believe they play a crucial role in regulating carbon stores in peatland.
A team of scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires during the Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago. The findings suggest that wildfires played a significant role in shaping ecosystems during this time period, contrary to previous assumptions based on a lack of charcoal in the geologic record.
The latest edition of Geysers: What They Are and How They Work offers fresh insights into the shifting activity and personalities of Yellowstone's iconic geysers. Readers will discover why some erupt with clockwork regularity while others slumber for decades before roaring back to life.
Researchers used drones to create detailed maps of a high-density nesting beach, identifying steepness and proximity to dune crossover stairs as key factors influencing turtle nesting success. The study provides insights into how changing coastal conditions affect sea turtle habitats, informing conservation policy and coastal development.
This study provides the first nationwide map of urban gullies in the DRC, quantifying their extent, recent dynamics, and human impacts. Researchers found that gullies were formed mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as unplanned urbanization and inadequate infrastructure.
Scientists have discovered how continents are slowly peeled from beneath the Earth's surface, stripping material that fuels volcanic eruptions over tens of millions of years. This phenomenon, known as a 'mantle wave,' explains why ocean islands contain materials distinctively continental, despite being found in the middle of oceans.
Research reveals that early Holocene ice-shelf retreat in East Antarctica was driven by oceanic forcing enhanced by meltwater discharge from neighboring regions. This self-reinforcing feedback loop accelerated inland ice loss, indicating that Antarctic ice retreat can propagate across multiple sectors through oceanic connections.
The Willcox Basin in Arizona is experiencing rapid subsidence due to excessive groundwater pumping for irrigation, with some areas sinking at rates of up to six inches per year. State management efforts, such as declaring an Active Management Area, may help slow subsidence and improve water levels.
Researchers propose a new mechanism for magma bubble nucleation driven by mechanical energy from shear forces. The study found that viscous shear can supply the energy needed to trigger bubble formation, contradicting traditional views on decompression-induced nucleation.
Tulane researchers discovered that an area of the African tectonic plate, previously thought to be weak, is now resisting deformation due to dehydration 80 million years ago. This process strengthened the plate and made it more resistant to future breakup.
A landmark study by Swansea University reveals the Hektoria Glacier lost nearly half its length in two months during 2023, a pace similar to the end of the last ice age. The rapid retreat was boosted by the shape of the land beneath it, leading scientists to identify vulnerable glaciers and prioritize their monitoring.
Research by Dr. Dorothy Vesper and her team found that abandoned coal mines can transport CO2 from bedrock to the atmosphere through unremediated discharge. The mine waters, loaded with sulfuric acid, break down carbonate rocks releasing ancient CO2 that then converts to CO2 or other forms of carbon in the water.
A new study on the March 2025 Mandalay earthquake reveals that an unusually thick, low-velocity fault zone enabled a supershear rupture to sustain for hundreds of kilometers. This behavior often occurs on simple, straight faults like the San Andreas and Sagaing faults.
Scientists will study moisture-driven mechanisms of ice sheet growth during the Miocene Climatic Optimum, a warmer climate period. The team aims to understand how increased moisture transport affects ice accumulation and mitigate sea level rise.
Climate change is projected to decimate mollusk populations in the Western Atlantic, with over 60% of their range expected to be lost. This would have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, as mollusks play critical roles in maintaining water quality and providing habitats for other species.
A new study has precisely dated New Mexico fossils to around 66.4-66 million years ago, showing diverse dinosaur species thriving in the region until the end of the Cretaceous Period. This finding challenges the long-held idea that non-avian dinosaurs were in a gradual decline before extinction.
A new study reveals that Madagascar's striking landscape was shaped by two great rifting events, separated by nearly 80 million years. These tectonic shifts created fragmented environments where species evolved independently, contributing to the island's extraordinary biodiversity.
Researchers used airborne radar to map an unexplored region in East Antarctica, discovering a subglacial sedimentary basin. The basal unit, a layer of ice, carried small amounts of material from a mountain range and left behind sediment, forming a novel kind of basin.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen have identified oxygen isotopes in 'cherts' as indicators of heat flow on early Earth. The study reveals that cherts record paleo-heat flow on the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau, providing insights into the conditions on the Earth's surface up to 3.5 billion years ago.
A new study from Yale University proposes a new model for the Earth's magnetic field that finds structure in its variability, rather than dismissing it as chaotic. By analyzing Ediacaran rocks, researchers have found an ordered geometry with shifts in the planet's magnetic poles that appear to have tumbled all the way around the planet.
Researchers estimate a medieval tsunami struck Anegada between 1381 and 1391, based on analysis of coral skeletons. The finding supports efforts to prepare for future tsunamis in the Caribbean region.
The University of Houston's $1 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to address the critical workforce gap in the US mineral industry. The initiative will sponsor high school and community college students for a four-week training camp and immersive field-based learning experiences.
Madison Myers, an associate professor at Montana State University, has been recognized by the Geological Society of America for her contributions to volcanic field-based work. Her research focuses on monitoring Yellowstone's volcano, with a particular emphasis on effective communication of science to the public.
A new study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers found that traditional Okinawan songs contain records of past climate and geological events, including wind directions and volcanic eruptions. The songs, passed down through generations, were analyzed in conjunction with Western scientific knowledge to identify matches.
Researchers found similarities in timing and structure of turbidite layers in cores from both fault systems, suggesting seismic synchronization between Cascadia and San Andreas faults. The study, led by Chris Goldfinger, suggests that earthquakes on one fault could draw down resources across the country.
A new method, pioneered by University of Sydney student Carra Williams, uses neutron computed tomography to identify well-preserved pockets of coral skeleton that can reveal precise timelines of sea-level and climate shifts. The technique has the potential to transform how scientists reconstruct ancient climates.
Researchers have resurrected ancient microbes stuck in permafrost for up to 40,000 years, which can break down organic matter and release carbon dioxide. The study's findings suggest that thawing permafrost could lead to a vicious cycle of greenhouse gas emissions, with significant implications for the Arctic and global climate.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that kink bands in rock layers exhibit strengthening rather than weakening under compressive forces, contradicting previous assumptions. The rank-1 connection ensures smooth continuity between deformed regions, leading to increased material strength.
Researchers created a high-resolution 3D liquefaction hazard map using machine learning and geotechnical data. The model accurately predicted soil properties and liquefaction risk, identifying high-risk areas in reclaimed coastal zones and river floodplains with unprecedented clarity and precision.
Researchers have identified chemical fossils in ancient rocks that suggest the ancestors of modern-day demosponges were among the first animals to evolve. The discovery, made by a team of MIT geochemists, builds on previous findings and provides strong evidence for the early origins of life on Earth.
Researchers from Perugia University explore how machine learning can aid in earlier hazard detection and improved risk communication. However, they caution that ML tools must be used responsibly and transparently to ensure accurate predictions and avoid potential pitfalls.
A new study suggests that water, even heavy rainfall, can play a role in or trigger seismic events, improving models of seismic activity. The research also helps identify optimal sites for drilling to tap sources of supercritical geothermal energy.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how diamond-bearing kimberlites erupt from deep within the Earth's mantle to the surface. By modeling the influence of volatile compounds on magma ascent, they found that diamonds can reach the surface due to rapid ascent preventing them from reverting to graphite.
The book explores the state's stunning landscapes, from the Guadalupe Mountains to the Gulf Coast, highlighting over 50 roads and natural areas. With its comprehensive guide and detailed geologic maps, Roadside Geology of Texas, Third Edition is a must-have for geology enthusiasts and travelers.
Researchers at MIT have traced the energy released by 'lab quakes' and found that 80% of a quake's energy goes into heating up the region around the epicenter, while only 10% causes physical shaking. The study's findings could help seismologists predict earthquake vulnerability in regions prone to seismic events.
A new study found that land and ocean weathering processes are linked, influencing the amount of carbon stored or released into the atmosphere. The research proposes a continuum approach to studying weathering reactions on both land and in the ocean.
A University of Michigan study reveals that the sudden loss of dinosaurs allowed forests to flourish, stabilizing sediments and creating broad meanders in rivers. This change had a profound impact on landscapes, demonstrating how life can alter its environment through catastrophic events.