Articles tagged with Geophysics
A study by University at Buffalo researchers reveals that some elements' semicore electrons can participate in bonding under just a few gigapascals of pressure, far lower than previously thought. This finding challenges traditional notions of core electron behavior and may have implications for our understanding of planetary evolution.
A recently discovered chain of events in a Chilean earthquake was found to have supercharged its strength, breaching temperatures above 650 degrees Celsius and leading to increased shaking. The study's findings have implications for future earthquake hazard assessments and could support emergency response and long-term planning.
Researchers discover that asthenosphere composition controls magma flux and spreading mode at slow- to ultraslow-spreading ridges. The study found higher volumes of ancient refractory mantle domains in the asthenosphere during asymmetric spreading, supporting the hypothesis that the asthenosphere modulates magma flux.
Sylvia Dee, a Rice University climatologist, has been awarded the 2025 Nanne Weber Early Career Award from the American Geophysical Union. Dee's research focuses on paleoclimate and climate dynamics, with an emphasis on understanding how natural variability interacts with human-induced climate change.
Carrie Masiello, Rice University professor, has been elected an American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow for her groundbreaking work on global carbon cycling and climate solutions. Her research has led to the development of new tools to measure physical and chemical properties of the Earth.
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.
Gordon's pioneering work revealed diffuse plate boundaries and true polar wander, advancing fundamental understanding of tectonic plates. He also developed widely used global plate motion models, including NUVEL and MORVEL.
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 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.
A research team from HKUST developed a novel AI-powered tool named STIMP for diagnosing coastal ocean productivity and ecosystem health. The tool significantly outperformed existing geoscience tools in tests across four global coastal regions.
The new textbook bridges the gap between traditional divisions in teaching and practicing tectonics, seismology, geodesy, and geodynamics. It provides a basis to explore fundamental connections between the planet's deep interior and surface.
Researchers used AI to identify four times more earthquakes than earlier tools and pinpoint previously unknown faults in the region. The study expands seismicity recorded by monitoring stations from 2022 to 2025, revealing two faults converging under the town of Pozzuoli west of Naples.
Researchers used a Taylor Swift concert as a unique opportunity to study seismic activity and engage the public in science. The 'SwiftQuake' was detected more than 100km away from the stadium, showcasing how cultural events can enhance scientific understanding.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding post-seismic velocity changes by studying the effects of friction at grain contacts. The team found that contact sliding and aging are responsible for these time-dependent changes in wave velocities.
A new study of Martian seismic data collected by NASA's InSight mission reveals a highly heterogeneous and disordered mantle on Mars, born from ancient impacts and chaotic convection. The findings offer an unprecedented window into the geological history and thermochemical evolution of a terrestrial planet under a stagnant lid.
Researchers at Princeton University found that major tropical eruptions create distinct flooding patterns depending on plume location and dispersal. The patterns mostly divide along the line of the equator, with increased rainfall in the tropics in one hemisphere and decreased flooding.
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.
A new large-scale open dataset of Asia's terrestrial ecosystems is now available, providing a long-awaited foundation for understanding the region's role in the global carbon cycle. The JapanFlux2024 dataset combines 683 site-years of eddy covariance data from 83 locations across Japan and neighboring regions.
Researchers have found that stylolites in limestone rock samples disrupt sound wave propagation, particularly affecting secondary waves that form due to scattering. This discovery has implications for monitoring hydraulic fracture propagation in rock samples containing stylolites.
The magnitude 7.7 Myanmar earthquake had the highest recorded rupture velocity, exceeding 5.3 km/s, a phenomenon known as supershear propagation. This was confirmed by analysis of satellite images and seismic station recordings.
Rice University geophysicist Richard Gordon has been honored with the Geological Society of America's Woollard Award for his transformative work on global plate motions and plate boundary deformation. He is recognized for shedding light on diffuse oceanic plate boundaries, true polar wander, and standard global plate motion models.
Researchers used large-scale simulations to reproduce near-Earth space environment, confirming opposite charge polarities between regions. Plasma motion explains the reversal in equatorial plane.
A team of geophysicists from ETH Zurich and SUSTech, China, used computer models to simulate whether a completely liquid core could generate a stable magnetic field. Their simulations showed that the Earth's magnetic field was generated in the early history of the Earth in a similar way to today.
Researchers found that ground acceleration from moonquakes can shift lunar landscapes and threaten stability of future missions. The study assesses damage risk using new models of quakes and finds a one in 20 million chance of a potentially damaging moonquake occurring near an active fault.
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.
A large region of unusually hot rock deep beneath the Appalachian Mountains in the United States could be linked to Greenland and North America splitting apart 80 million years ago. The 'mantle wave' theory suggests that hot, dense rock slowly peels away from the base of tectonic plates after continents break apart.
The University of Tokyo researchers developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can withstand ocean currents and wind, enabling the acquisition of reliable seafloor measurements. The system achieved a horizontal root mean square error of approximately 1–2 cm, comparable to existing vessel-based systems.
Researchers propose using soft X-rays to measure reconnection rates and monitor space weather. By analyzing bright X-ray features, they calculated a global reconnection rate of 0.13, closely matching theoretical predictions.
A recent study analyzed CCTV footage of the 2025 Myanmar Earthquake, capturing unprecedented details about the fault motion. The team found that the fault slipped sideways by 2.5 meters in just 1.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 3.2 meters per second.
A global Android smartphone-based earthquake detection and early warning system detects seismic activity in real time and delivers effective alerts, rivaling traditional seismic networks. The system, which harnesses the power of existing smartphones, has collected voluntary feedback through user surveys, indicating that 85% of recipien...
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.
Researchers have found extensive, previously unmapped flat surfaces beneath a 3,500 km stretch of the East Antarctic coastline, which were formed by large rivers after East Antarctica and Australia broke apart. These surfaces may currently be regulating the rate of ice loss from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Researchers analyzed seismic waveform data to reveal a complex source process with multiple rupture episodes. The study found that the earthquake exhibited unconventional rupture behavior, with asymmetric ruptures propagating in both north and south directions.
The DART mission's successful asteroid deflection has revealed a complex issue: massive boulders carrying three times the momentum of the spacecraft itself. This unexpected blast complicates future asteroid deflection efforts, as researchers now need to consider the physics of these chaotic and filamentary structures.
A recent study analyzed seismic waveform data from a tsunami earthquake (Mw 8.3-8.5) that occurred off the British South Sandwich Islands in 2021. The team found a combination of directional variation in rupture propagation and slow slip events contributing to long-duration shaking, differing from conventional models.
A recent study suggests that Mars' surface features were shaped by short periods of liquid water, followed by 100-million-year-long periods of desert. The research, led by University of Chicago scientist Edwin Kite, proposes a new explanation for why Mars became a barren desert planet.
A University of Mississippi researcher has discovered indications of near-surface water ice on Mars, which could provide drinking water, fuel, oxygen, and other essential resources for future human missions. The finding is significant because it could enable humans to explore the Red Planet without relying on resupply from Earth.
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...
Researchers used SWOT satellite data to confirm that two mega tsunamis triggered by landslides caused trapped waves in the fjord. The study provides new insights into ocean extremes and how climate change affects remote areas.
Researchers developed an AI-based framework to predict grout permeation behavior in heterogeneous soils, outperforming traditional FEM simulations. The model achieved high predictive accuracy of R^2 = 0.849 and processed predictions in under 2 seconds.
Ajo-Franklin's groundbreaking work on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) enhances subsurface imaging and opens up new applications in earthquake monitoring, geothermal energy, carbon sequestration, and environmental remediation. His research transforms how scientists study geophysical processes critical to life on a changing planet.
Scientists on IODP³-NSF Expedition 501 aim to validate hypotheses about water origin and better understand offshore aquifer systems. The expedition will collect sediment samples and water from beneath the ocean floor, shedding light on the dynamics of these groundwater systems.
A new study by UChicago scientists found that AI-powered weather prediction models are remarkable but not magical, struggling to predict unprecedented weather events. The model can achieve impressive accuracy for short-term forecasts but fails to extrapolate beyond existing training data, leading to false negatives and potential mispre...
Researchers Mohammad Afzal Shadab and Eric Hiatt developed a computer model that calculates the time it took for water on early Mars to percolate from the surface down to the aquifer, finding a 50-200 year timeframe. This process could have covered Mars with at least 300 feet of water.
Researchers precisely mapped how magma storage changes as Hawaiian volcanoes age, revealing new insights into the volcanic pluming system. The study found that magma flow diminishes and shifts deeper underground as volcanoes move away from a heat-rich hotspot.
A collaborative research project led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz aims to understand the impact of thermally induced fracture formation on mineral rock properties. The study will help reduce associated risks and improve geothermal energy's efficiency.
The MARUM-QUEST 5000 successfully tested its system and took samples during a dive at the Menez Gwen hydrothermal field at 830 meters. The new ROV replaces the MARUM-QUEST 4000 and offers improved payload capacity, control technology, and gripper arms for deep-sea observations.
A study by Virginia Tech found that all 28 major US cities are sinking, with 20-65% of urban areas affected, impacting structural integrity and flood risks. The research highlights the importance of integrating land subsidence monitoring into urban planning policies to mitigate infrastructure risks.
A new analysis reveals that the Çöpler Gold Mine site had been slowly moving for at least four years prior to the fatal landslide, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring. The study suggests integrating infrastructure management with monitoring and rapid response mechanisms to avoid future disasters.
Researchers have discovered that the Wasatch Fault's shallow dipping angle at depth may lead to stronger, more intense shaking at the surface, increasing the risk of injury and destruction. The scientists found that the fault rocks themselves are weaker due to past deformation, priming the fault for future failure.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a way to reduce fluid pressure in the geothermal reservoir under Campi Flegrei, leading to earthquakes. By managing surface runoff and water flow, they aim to prevent cyclic unrest altogether.
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.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that a major earthquake could expand the coastal floodplain by 35-116 square miles, affecting thousands of residents and properties. The impact would be most severe in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California.
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.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo used simulations to create a detailed 3D model of a fault, which helped them understand how different parts of a fault contribute to uplift during an earthquake. The study revealed that fault geometry is a critical factor in determining the impact of earthquakes on land.
Researchers found that melting ice sheets in North America and Greenland may have increased horizontal motion of plates by 25% and up to 40% at the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Ridge. This could lead to an increase in volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
Researchers used electromagnetic data to identify areas suitable for recharge, finding that up to 13 million acres in the Central Valley may be ideal for refilling aquifers. The team developed a web application called fastpath to help groundwater agencies and landowners pinpoint optimal recharge pathways.
Researchers use artificial seismic waves to image the ground beneath Yellowstone's caldera, determining the top of the magma chamber is 3.8 kilometers below surface and comprised of volatile gases and liquids. The findings indicate the long-dormant volcano is not in immediate danger of eruption.
Researchers found that ancient Homo sapiens used tailored clothing and ochre-based sunscreens to protect themselves from harmful UV light during the Laschamps excursion. This period of reduced magnetic field strength allowed more cosmic radiation to reach Earth's surface, potentially contributing to the decline of Neanderthals.