Articles tagged with Geophysics
Researchers found that tilling and compaction disrupt intricate capillary networks within the soil, causing it to pool rainwater and form a muddy crust. The study provides a clear explanation for why tillage changes the structure of soil in ways that affect water retention.
Researchers used airborne electromagnetic surveys to characterize a deep freshwater reservoir beneath Farmington Bay and Antelope Island. The study revealed that freshwater saturates the sediments beneath the lake's hypersaline surface to depths of 3-4 kilometers, extending towards the interior of the lake.
Asteroids in binary systems actively exchange rocks and dust through gentle, slow-motion collisions, reshaping them over millions of years. The DART mission's findings confirm the YORP effect, where sunlight makes small asteroids spin faster, causing material to fly off their surfaces.
A recent study has precisely dated the end of a geomagnetic field reversal, revealing asynchronous land–ocean responses to ancient ocean anoxia. The findings provide new insights into Early Cretaceous geodynamics and the evolution of marine and terrestrial carbon cycles.
Researchers found the Cascadia Subduction Zone to be more active than previously thought, with signs of shallow earthquakes and fluid flow detected offshore. The study suggests variable fluid pathways could alter the behavior of large earthquakes on the fault, potentially influencing the severity of future events.
Leading climate scientists, including Prof Benjamin Santer, reiterate the role of humans in global warming and warn against using an inaccurate government report to inform legal decisions. The report's claims are factually incorrect, contradicting decades of research on human-caused temperature changes.
Researchers used continuous and integrated readings of methane and ethane to identify overlooked emissions from restaurants, commercial facilities, and private residences. The study highlights the need for technology and policy to fix these hidden sources, which are estimated to be higher on weekdays.
A team of researchers applied adaptive-bandwidth kernel density estimation to analyze the latest reversal timing dataset, revealing four distinct dips in the new reversal frequency model following the Cretaceous Normal Superchron. This suggests that short-time-interval geomagnetic reversals may be missing from the compiled record.
Researchers at the University of Bergen have discovered that thermal convection, a slow churning movement inside the ice driven by vertical differences in temperature, is responsible for the giant plumes. This finding could help reduce uncertainties in models of future ice sheet mass balance and sea-level rise.
Researchers at Norway's NTNU are using advanced geophysical methods to improve the accuracy of carbon capture and storage site monitoring. A new laboratory equipped with a mock-up of an undersea storage site allows for real-time testing and validation of monitoring techniques. This breakthrough could reduce costs and improve the effici...
Researchers developed a new method to measure ecosystem resilience and predict glacier surges, enabling early warnings for natural hazards. The study applies the approach to the Amazon rainforest and mountain glaciers in Alaska and Asia.
Deformation mechanisms of serpentinite, a key research target for understanding plate boundaries, have been investigated. Grain boundary sliding dominates deformation, producing 'B-type' CPO patterns, which contribute to seismic activity and earthquakes.
Scientists have discovered that ancient Earth magnetic field reversals lasted up to 70,000 years, revealing a new perspective on the geomagnetic phenomenon. This extended reversal period had significant impacts on atmospheric chemistry, climate processes, and the evolution of living organisms.
Researchers have identified a global map of rare continental mantle earthquakes, which will help scientists understand the mechanics of these events and potentially improve knowledge of risks from common earthquakes. The study, published in Science, used a new method to distinguish between mantle and crustal earthquakes.
The study suggests that ionospheric charge variations could interact with pre-existing fragile structures in the Earth's crust, influencing fracture processes. Strong solar activity could generate electrostatic pressures comparable to tidal or gravitational stresses, potentially contributing to earthquake initiation.
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.
A team of scientists discovered the King's Trough Complex, a colossal submarine canyon off Portugal's coast, formed by tectonic processes and hot mantle material. The structure extends over 500 kilometers, with Peake Deep as one of the deepest points in the Atlantic Ocean.
West Virginia University scientists create digital twin models using AI technology to monitor astronaut movements and muscle activity, predicting potential health risks. The system can detect subtle early signs of trouble, providing personalized exercise routines and helping astronauts cope with balance issues upon return to Earth.
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.
Researchers use ground-based seismic sensors to detect sonic booms from reentering space debris, estimating its trajectory, size, composition, and potential impact locations. The approach was tested on the Shenzhou-15 orbital module's reentry, revealing a progressive fragmentation pattern that matched eyewitness reports.
Researchers used a custom-designed microscope to image individual lunar regolith grains, revealing the carriers and origins of their magnetism. The study provides insights into the Moon's internal structure and thermal evolution history.
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.
Scientists found that a planet's interior composition, specifically the 'softness' of its vortex base, determines the formation of polar vortices. The study suggests that Saturn may have a harder interior than Jupiter, leading to a single massive polar vortex, while Jupiter's softer interior gives rise to multiple smaller vortices.
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.
Kevin Milner, a research geophysicist at the USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center, has been awarded the Seismological Society of America's Charles F. Richter Early Career Award for his innovative work in seismic hazard analysis modeling and earthquake forecasting.
Ruth Harris has made outstanding contributions to the Seismological Society of America through her drive to create student presentation awards and support open access options. Her active participation in numerous committees has benefited nearly every SSA committee.
A team of researchers led by Alian Wang has discovered the isotopic geochemical consequences of Martian dust activities. The study reveals that dust-induced electric discharges can lead to various oxidized chemicals, including volatile chlorine species, activated oxides, and airborne carbonates.
The study found that organic materials in sediments decompose under supercritical conditions, releasing hydrogen molecules. This process is a more significant source of dissolved hydrogen in the ocean than previously believed.
A comprehensive review of ultrasonic measurements assesses cement bond quality in wells. Recent advances include high-resolution insight into casing-cement interfaces using pulse-echo and pitch-catch techniques.
Researchers confirm that a 30-meter-thick layer of soft and slippery pelagic clay at the Japan Trench enabled the earthquake to rupture all the way to the trench, producing a massive tsunami. The discovery sheds new light on why the 2011 earthquake behaved so differently from predicted models.
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.
A new study reveals that Southeast Asia is a significant source of climate-warming gases, with deforestation and fossil fuel use leading the way. The region's natural carbon sinks are being overwhelmed, making it challenging for countries to reach climate neutrality without urgent regional action.
New research using earthquake and satellite data reveals the Iberian Peninsula is rotating clockwise due to collision between Eurasia and Africa plates. The study provides insights into geodynamic processes and deformation fields in the region.
Researchers found that coral reefs governed the pace of climate recovery by tuning the planet's carbon and climate cycles. The study suggests that reefs played a crucial role in stabilizing climate, but modern reef systems are declining due to warming and ocean acidification.
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.
Researchers have discovered that tidal heating can cause ice shells to melt, leading to ocean boiling and unique geological features. The process can also drive compressional tectonics, shaping the surface of icy moons.
Scientists at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research tracked the impact of recent X-class solar flares on Earth's upper atmosphere. The flares triggered radio blackouts across Africa and Europe, producing auroras that reached unusually low latitudes, including as far south as Florida.
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.
A team of scientists discovered a unique radio emission, the hectometric continuum, that appears after sunset and disappears before sunrise. This phenomenon is linked to processes in the near-Earth plasma and may be related to exoplanetary magnetic fields.
Scientists use XL-Calibur telescope to measure polarization of light around Cygnus X-1 black hole, gaining insights into matter's fall and energy release. The observations will be used to test computer simulations and shed light on black hole physics.
Hongfeng Yang has been appointed as the first deputy editor-in-chief of Seismological Research Letters (SRL), a journal published by the Seismological Society of America. Yang brings over a decade of editorial experience and fresh ideas to promote SRL's growth.
Machine learning models detected subtle signals that emerge just before the onset of laboratory earthquakes. The key predictive factor is the evolution of shear stress on creeping regions of the fault.
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.
Researchers found that Kīlauea's magma system started behaving anomalously about a year before the 2018 eruption, suggesting a blockage formed between the volcano's summit magma reservoirs. Continuous monitoring data accumulated, gaining insights into Kīlauea's inner workings and its long-term behavior.
Researchers found extreme warming of Amazon lakes in 2023, with water temperatures soaring above 40°C and lake levels plummeting to record lows. The study highlights the vulnerability of tropical lakes to intense warming and calls for better monitoring of these ecosystems under climate change.
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.
Scientists have developed computer models to predict the spreading of saltwater in soils, like in southern Australia's Murray–Darling River. This helps manage river water quality while increasing ground salinity.
Experimental tests demonstrate that interactions between magma oceans and primitive atmospheres during early years can produce significant amounts of water. This process has major implications for the physical and chemical properties of planets' interiors, with potential effects on core development and atmospheric composition.
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.
A study reveals how plate tectonics reshaped the planet, triggering conditions for oxygen-rich oceans and eukaryote evolution. The findings link deep-Earth dynamics to near-surface geochemical and biological evolution, offering a unifying framework.
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.
New research reveals Greenland is shrinking slightly, but expanding in some regions, due to accelerated melting and prehistoric ice mass movements. The island's horizontal movements are being pulled in different directions, with areas of expansion and contraction observed.
Researchers develop geophysical-machine learning tool that estimates soil strength parameters using limited borehole data, enabling continuous subsurface characterization. The approach reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming drilling in challenging terrains.
Researchers from Poland, USA, and Slovenia found a mathematical description of stalagmite shapes, revealing that shape matters for climate science. The study provides an analytical solution for the growth of ideal stalagmites in constant cave conditions.
Researchers found that methane, ethane, and hydrogen cyanide can interact in ways previously thought impossible, expanding our understanding of chemistry before life emerged. This discovery has implications for the origin of life on Earth and may shed light on similar conditions in other cold environments in space.
A Rutgers study reveals that modern sea level rise is happening faster than at any time in the past 4,000 years, posing a significant risk to China's coastal cities. The team examined geological records and found that the global mean sea level rise rate since 1900 exceeds any century-long period in the past four millennia.
Researchers measured methane and ethane concentrations in Osaka using mobile measurements and found a discrepancy between observed emissions and official estimates. Several areas of elevated methane concentrations were detected, attributed to various overlooked contributors such as industrial plants, restaurants, and biological sources.
Scientists have detected tremor signals at the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania, revealing details about magma movement and volcanic activity. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of magma movement and offer a step forward for volcano seismology.
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.
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.