Articles tagged with Geology
Researchers Jeremy McCormack and Andrei Kuzhelev at Goethe University are investigating the reasons behind prehistoric shark extinctions using new isotopic analysis methods. They also develop a novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique to study large biomolecules.
Researchers found that carbon helps accelerate freezing in the inner core, while silicon and sulfur slow it down. The new constraint on the core's chemistry suggests that carbon may be more abundant than previously thought.
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel technique to measure global ocean mass change, revealing a 90 mm surge in sea-level rise over the past 30 years. The study attributes this acceleration to increased ocean mass and land ice melt, particularly in Greenland.
A team of geoscientists identified a subtle force driving mountain building and compression of the Earth's crust hundreds of kilometers away from the zone of subduction. The study reveals that when two nearby subduction zones dip in the same direction, it affects backarc areas, leading to the formation of mountains.
New research finds Mars' mantle preserves a record of its violent beginnings, with chunky layers containing ancient fragments up to 4km wide. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of rocky planets and challenges current understanding of planetary formation.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of hidden motions in granular materials like soil and snow, which can control their movement. This discovery could help understand how landslides and avalanches work, as well as benefit industries such as construction and grain filling.
Researchers found that recovering 90% of these byproducts could meet nearly all US critical mineral needs, while one percent recovery would significantly reduce import reliance. This prospect is especially attractive due to increased demand and geopolitical conflicts in major mining regions.
A new Stanford study suggests that unvegetated meandering rivers can leave sedimentary deposits similar to those of braided rivers, rewriting the story of plants and rivers' relationship with Earth. This finding has implications for understanding Earth's ancient and future climate, including carbon storage in floodplains.
A global analysis using machine learning predicts glacial erosion rates for 180,000 glaciers worldwide, with most experiencing erosion between 0.02-2.68 millimeters per year. The study identifies complex factors influencing erosion, including temperature, water under the glacier and rock type.
Researchers at Göttingen University developed a method to reconstruct the early Earth's atmosphere using fossilized micrometeorites. The study found that intact micrometeorites can preserve reliable traces of oxygen isotopes over millions of years.
The German Research Foundation has awarded the Bernd Rendel Prize to two early geoscience researchers, Katharina Seeger and Taina Marcos Lima Pinho, for their original and promising pre-doctoral research. The prize aims to support their pursuit of academic activities.
The discovery of exceptionally preserved early animals in the Grand Canyon sheds new light on the evolution of life during the Cambrian period. The fossils, dating back 507-502 million years, reveal complex feeding styles and unique adaptations, including hair-like extensions on crustacean bodies.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have confirmed a more nuanced view of the Mazon Creek fossil site, using modern data analysis techniques to assess paleoenvironmental and taphonomic nature. The study reveals three identifiable paleoenvironments, including transitional habitats between nearshore and offshore zones.
A new UNM-led study provides conclusive evidence of the Queen Charlotte fault system's seismic hazard, confirming its potential to produce catastrophic events. The research used advanced geophysical tools to map the deep structure of the ocean floor, revealing a fault zone with the potential to generate powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers used benthic foraminifera to study the link between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength and oxygen content in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. The study found that weaker AMOCs are associated with more oxygen in the oxygen-minimum zone, which has implications for marine ecosystems.
An international team of researchers proposes that a meteorite impact just west of Winslow, Arizona, created Meteor Crater and triggered a massive landslide in the Grand Canyon. The study found evidence of a paleolake forming at the same time, with driftwood dating back to around 55,000 years.
Debris flows in the Alps are hazardous due to surge waves that can destroy everything in their path. Researchers have found that surges arise spontaneously on the surface of the flow, stemming from small irregularities that grow over time.
Molecular simulations reveal that liquid carbon can form spontaneously into graphite even when diamond is the expected stable phase. The team found complex crystallization behavior and identified graphite as a stepping stone for diamond formation, explaining long-standing discrepancies in high-pressure carbon experiments.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
A new study reveals that forests take 1-2 centuries to shift tree populations in response to climate changes, highlighting the need for human intervention to keep them healthy. Assisted migration, such as planting warmer-climate trees in colder locations, may be an effective tool to aid forest adaptation.
New research reveals that the collapse of tropical forests during Earth's most catastrophic extinction event led to a prolonged period of high CO2 levels and extreme warming. The study supports the theory that thresholds exist in Earth's climate-carbon system, which can amplify warming when reached.
Researchers used daily high-resolution images to create 3D elevation models of three glaciers: La Perouse Glacier in Alaska, Viedma Glacier in Argentina, and Skamri Glacier in Central Asia. The analysis revealed consistent thinning in the Viedma and La Perouse Glaciers but a small net gain of ice in the Skamri Glacier.
Researchers Brian Yanites and colleagues propose a unified, interdisciplinary approach to studying cascading land surface hazards. The new framework aims to refine theory, models, and hazard monitoring to better understand and manage interconnected threats.
Researchers have discovered Hadean-age rocks in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, Canada, dating back ~4.16 billion years. The preservation of these ancient materials offers a unique window into early Earth geology and potentially sets the stage for life's emergence.
Research at the University of Southampton reveals a single, asymmetric plume beneath the Afar region in Ethiopia, which is pulsing like a heartbeat. The team found distinct chemical signatures in volcanic rock samples, suggesting that the plume is dynamic and responsive to tectonic plate movement.
Research shows that island rivers shape reef passes, allowing seawater and nutrients to flow in and out. The locations of reef passes align with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast, providing circulation throughout the reef.
A research team at Hiroshima University found the presence of djerfisherite, a potassium-containing iron-nickel sulfide, in a Ryugu grain. The mineral's occurrence is unexpected, as it typically forms in very reduced environments and has never been reported in CI chondrites or other Ryugu grains.
The Fraunhofer Institute's miniaturized quantum magnetometer provides precise measurements of magnetic fields with minimal interference. This technology enables new possibilities in biochemical measurements, microelectronics, and navigation systems, including GNSS-safe navigation without GPS.
A team of scientists from Colorado State University and the University of São Paulo have developed a seismological solution to improve the resolution of ultrasound images for lung monitoring. This breakthrough could lead to improved critical care for patients, including continuous lung monitoring at the bedside. The technique uses seis...
A team of researchers used advanced techniques to analyze the surface of tiny glass beads found in moon samples, revealing information about ancient lunar volcanoes. The study provides clues about changes in volcanic eruptions over time, shedding light on the moon's past.
The Global Declaration of Commitment for Scientific Ocean Drilling aims to promote global cooperation and collaboration in ocean science. The declaration sets out core principles for transparent access to data and samples, inclusive participation, environmental responsibility, and alignment with the UN SDGs.
Researchers discovered that solid rock flows horizontally in the lower edge of the Earth's mantle, accelerating seismic waves. This finding solves the mystery of the D" layer and opens a window into the dynamics of the Earth's deepest interior.
A new study predicts that limiting warming to 1.5°C could preserve over half of the world's glacier mass, but even at this level, 39% of glacier mass would still disappear due to delayed climate change reactions.
The ECORD event will explore the importance of scientific ocean drilling in understanding Earth's systems and addressing environmental challenges. Key findings include the establishment of the new International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) and its potential impact on global scientific cooperation.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and MIT has uncovered evidence that oxygenation in the ocean—crucial for life as we know it—may have occurred earlier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the pace of biological evolution in response to rising oxygen levels.
New research finds megalodon preyed upon a variety of species, including fish, sharks, and even crustaceans, contrary to the long-held belief that it targeted large marine mammals. The discovery was made by analyzing zinc isotopes in fossilized teeth, providing insights into the prehistoric shark's ecological versatility.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding ruthenium in volcanic rocks on the islands of Hawaii. The finding suggests that material from the Earth's core is leaking into the mantle above, challenging previous assumptions about the planet's internal dynamics.
Scientists analyzed ancient DNA, fossil shape, and habitat data to determine the factors influencing the size of extinct giant ground sloths. The result shows that size differences among sloths have been primarily influenced by the types of habitats they lived in and climate change.
A 1,200-tonne boulder in Tonga is one of the largest known wave-transported rocks, providing new insights into past tsunamis. Numerical modelling suggests tsunami heights of 50m lasting 90 seconds dislodged the boulder from its cliff-edge origin.
A groundbreaking expedition aims to validate hypotheses about the origin of freshened groundwater in offshore aquifers. Researchers will collect sediment and water samples from beneath the ocean on the New England Shelf, shedding light on the dynamics of these systems and their influence on nutrient and element cycling.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) and its foundation have approved a record level of support to address funding shortfalls in the geosciences. This joint commitment will provide increased resources for research grants, travel awards, professional honors, and memberships, as well as expand support for GSA's policy initiatives.
Researchers found microplastics in Texas bay sediments, but most have been swept out to sea, not settling at the bottom. The study suggests microplastics can absorb chemicals and build up in marine life, eventually affecting humans.
A PolyU research team found a rapid decline in global soil moisture over the past 40 years, resulting in significant water loss and sea level rise. The study suggests that precipitation deficits, global warming, and changing rainfall patterns are key factors behind this depletion.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology built three embankment dams to divert lava flows in Iceland, delaying the molten lava by up to 16 days. The dams were constructed using in situ material and showed promising results in protecting civil society and critical infrastructure.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is hosting GSA Connects 2025, a premier international gathering for sharing cutting-edge research and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. The meeting will focus on three key themes shaping the future of geoscience.
A new study has investigated seismic signal shear-wave splitting to provide early warnings of dangerous eruptions. The research team discovered that the amount of splitting doubles before a larger, more explosive eruption, indicating a useful relationship between the parameter and the size of the eruption.
Researchers from China, UK, and USA collaborated to study Uturuncu volcano's 'zombie' behavior, finding that movement of liquid and gas beneath the crater is the cause of unrest. The risk of an imminent eruption is considered low, alleviating fears for local populations.
Researchers studying ancient rhino teeth found at Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park discovered that prehistoric rhinos lived in large herds. The animals' limited mobility suggests they didn't respond to the volcanic eruption or migrate seasonally, instead likely dying from prolonged exposure to ash and lack of food.
Researchers have discovered that the underside of the North American continent is experiencing 'cratonic thinning', a phenomenon where the continent is slowly losing its stability and rock layers. This process, driven by the subduction of the Farallon Plate, may eventually stop as the plate sinks deeper into the mantle.
A 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole in Belize provides the longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic, with 574 storm events over 5,700 years. The research reveals a steady increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean due to climate change.
Research reveals that mountain uplift and dynamic topography significantly shape biodiversity over geological timescales. By simulating millions of years of tectonic uplift, scientists found a direct link between species richness and the magnitude and pace of mountain building, with topographic relief stabilizing species equilibrium.
Researchers have made highly accurate calculations of global sea level rise in the early Holocene using a unique dataset from the North Sea region. The findings show that rates of sea level rise peaked at over 1 metre per century during two phases, with a total rise of around 38 metres over 11,000 years.
Researchers found evidence of biological material in desert rocks, suggesting the presence of microorganisms that can survive without light. The discovery has sparked interest in the global carbon cycle and its potential impact on climate change.
Emily Orzechowski joins the Geological Society of America with extensive experience in legislative relations, science policy, and geoscience research. She will lead GSA's advocacy efforts to support the geoscience community and its contributions to society.
A new study led by University of Maryland geologist Sujay Kaushal finds that multiple threats are making fresh water saltier, including land-based pollution and saltwater intrusion. The researchers offer a framework for predicting and preventing the issue, which affects ecosystems, agriculture, and drinking water supplies.
Researchers modelled mantle convection to show African LLVP has older, better mixed material than Pacific LLVP, which is enriched in subducted oceanic crust. This difference affects heat extraction from Earth's core, posing a challenge for observations and models.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
Since the turn of the millennium, glaciers worldwide have lost around 273 billion tonnes of ice per year, corresponding to about five and a half times the volume of Lake Constance. The loss of ice from glaciers has led to a rise in sea level of 18 millimetres, making it the second strongest driver of sea level rise after ocean warming.
Stream networks in the US increase significantly with seasonal rainfall and snowmelt, influencing sediment transport and aquatic habitats. The study provides a framework for forecasting climate-driven changes in stream networks across the continental US.
A global program called TIMES aims to synchronize age models for geological climate records, enabling the study of past warm climate stages and their impact on future climate pathways. The project is crucial for understanding the Earth's climate dynamics and obtaining reliable information about past climate events.