Articles tagged with Geophysics
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the 2014 meteor fireball's signal was not from an extraterrestrial source but likely from a truck. The team re-examined data and found that the signal matched a road near the seismometer, contradicting earlier reports of alien materials.
A new study found that climate change significantly alters seasonal patterns of river flow worldwide, particularly in high northern latitudes. The research, which combined in situ observations and model predictions, reveals a discernible weakening of the seasonal cycle in rivers above 50° N.
Researchers have discovered large undersea faults on the Pacific Ocean floor that are pulling the Pacific Plate apart. The newly found faults, some thousands of meters deep and hundreds of kilometers long, are weakening the plate due to immense forces within it.
A massive dike formed beneath Grindavík, Iceland, reaching an unprecedented subsurface magma flow rate of 7400 cubic meters per second. Fracturing and tectonic stress drove the high flow rate, providing insight into dike formation and hazard potential for similar systems.
A team of scientists found evidence that the moon's shrinkage led to surface warping in its south polar region, including areas proposed for crewed Artemis III landings. Shallow moonquakes can devastate hypothetical human settlements on the moon due to loose sediments and unstable surface slopes.
A study by ETH Zurich identified a physical mechanism causing the Brumadinho dam collapse. The researchers found that creep deformation in fine-grained tailings led to the dam's failure, highlighting the need for new monitoring systems and risk analysis tools.
A joint research team has reported the discovery of buried palaeo-polygonal terrain beneath Utopia Planitia on Mars using the Zhurong rover's radar. This finding suggests that ancient Mars experienced a cold polar region and significant climate changes.
Researchers found that space weather events can trigger 'wrong side' failures in rail signalling systems, which are more hazardous than 'right side' failures. This study highlights the need for the industry to consider the risks of space weather and explore mitigation strategies.
The 2023 Geothermal Rising Conference highlights growing interest in superhot rock geothermal, with papers validating its viability for high power output and small spatial footprint. Researchers are developing new technologies to access these resources, including millimeter wave energy to drill deeper holes.
A recent study found that women-led studies have more female coauthors than men-led studies, closing the gender gap in ice core science. The research also shows that senior women play a crucial role in catalyzing women's participation in publishing.
Research confirms Greenland's glaciers are melting rapidly due to climate change, with a 5-fold increase in melting over the past 20 years. The study reveals that 25 meters of ice are lost annually, contributing significantly to sea level rise and posing significant challenges for renewable energy and ecosystems.
Researchers from China University of Geosciences have clarified the extent of Greater India, a single plate of 2,000 to 3,000 km, before it subducted under Asia. This finding resolves questions surrounding the age of the collision and the emergence of geological structures in the region.
Researchers analyzed whiteschist from the Dora Maira Massif to study rapid upward movements, revealing a sharp decrease in pressure or decompression. This suggests that UHP rocks may not have reached a depth of 120 kilometers before returning to the surface.
Researchers used seismic data to locate and identify a thin layer of molten silicates overlying Mars' metallic core. The discovery reveals a denser and smaller Martian core, aligning with other geophysical data and analysis of Martian meteorites. This finding provides new insights into how Mars formed, evolved, and became a barren planet.
Researchers at ETH Zurich analyze Mars' seismic data and computer simulations to determine the planet's interior structure. They discover a layer of liquid silicate (magma) about 150 km thick between the core and mantle, contradicting initial estimates of the Martian core's density.
A joint research team demonstrates that tectonics, not large climatic fluctuations, caused the emergence of the modern global monsoon from Pangea's megamonsoon. Continental area and fragmentation drive land-monsoon area and intensity respectively.
Scientists have discovered that superdeep diamonds can provide a window into the growth and formation process of ancient supercontinents like Gondwana. By analyzing tiny inclusions within these diamonds, researchers were able to determine the age of the mantle rocks that helped buoy and grow the supercontinent from below.
Researchers have created high-resolution underground images of the Long Valley Caldera, revealing a 'hardened lid' of crystallized rock covering the magma chamber. The findings suggest that the area is not gearing up for another supervolcanic eruption but may experience earthquakes and small eruptions due to cooling and gas release.
An international team of scientists has discovered that the largest ever Martian quake was caused by immense tectonic forces within Mars' crust, contrary to initial suspicions of a meteorite impact. This groundbreaking study, led by the University of Oxford, reveals that Mars is more seismically active than previously thought.
A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.
Scientists have found that magnetic contamination in lunar samples can be easily removed using standard techniques, disproving previous theories. The study's findings suggest that paleomagnetism is a powerful tool for understanding core processes and planetary evolution, enabling the long-term preservation of atmospheres.
A new study estimates over 10,000 pre-Columbian archaeological sites remain undiscovered in the Amazon basin. Remote sensing data and predictive modeling identified relationships between human-made earthworks and domesticated tree species, highlighting the importance of indigenous forest management practices.
Researchers have found a large water reservoir beneath the ocean floor off New Zealand's North Island, which may be linked to the country's mysterious slow earthquakes. The discovery provides new insights into the correlation between fluids and tectonic fault movement, shedding light on the phenomenon of slow slip events.
A new LSU-led project will install up to eight high-frequency radar systems along the Louisiana coastline, providing near-real-time monitoring of ocean surface currents. The system will contribute data to NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System, enhancing marine forecasts and safety in coastal waters.
A team of scientists has discovered a more accurate pressure scale using synchrotron studies, leading to a significant increase in the amount of light material in the inner core. The new scale found double the expected amount of lighter material in the inner core and five times that of the Earth's crust.
Researchers have created a new model using deep learning to forecast aftershocks, outperforming the current ETAS model on larger datasets. The Recurrent Earthquake foreCAST (RECAST) model demonstrates better performance and computational efficiency.
A UNIGE team has developed a method to rapidly obtain valuable information about the structure of volcanoes. By analyzing three key parameters: height, rock thickness, and chemical composition of magma, scientists can identify the active volcanoes most likely to produce large-scale eruptions.
Researchers confirm fracking triggers tremors, which can be used to track fluid movement and monitor fault activity. This finding has implications for sustainability and climate science, as carbon sequestration through fracking may reduce atmospheric emissions.
A team of scientists at Caltech used a section of fiber optic cable to measure the intricate details of a magnitude 6 earthquake, pinpointing four individual asperities that led to the rupture. The study demonstrates the potential of distributed acoustic sensing technology to improve our understanding of earthquake physics.
Researchers used Fibonacci's method to calculate the Moon's shape, finding that its poles are half a kilometre closer to its centre of mass than its equator. This information is crucial for applying GPS technology to the Moon.
Scientists have developed a new radar technique that can image hidden features within the upper few feet of ice sheets, including melting glaciers on Earth and potentially habitable environments on Jupiter's moon Europa. The technique boosts resolution by combining two different radar bandwidths and looking for discrepancies.
A team of international scientists has discovered a large granite mass buried under the surface of the Moon's far side, measuring 50km across. This finding is unexpected, as granites are nearly absent in the Solar System outside of Earth.
A global team led by University of Minnesota professor Donna Whitney accurately determined the age and formation process of the East Anatolian fault, which runs from eastern to south-central Turkey. The study sheds light on the earthquake history and seismic activity in the region.
The Zhurong rover's first 1-km traverse revealed extremely weak magnetic fields on the Martian surface, contradicting previous orbital measurements. This finding suggests that either the crust remained unmagnetized or was demagnetized by a massive impact, providing new insights into early Mars' magnetic, climatic, and interior history.
Researchers found a hierarchical rupture growth through a complex fault network, promoting and halting rupture growth. The earthquakes' source areas developed a network of faults with bends, steps, and branches, leading to irregular rupture evolution and diverse triggering behaviors.
Scientists have discovered that sinking seamounts leave behind a trail of soft sediments, which help release tectonic pressure in slow slip earthquakes. This finding can be used to adjust earthquake models and improve understanding of the mechanisms driving earthquakes.
Researchers in China have developed a new NMR-based wettability index for rocks, utilizing magnetic susceptibility contrast and internal gradient measurements. This method enables accurate assessment of wettability in complex reservoirs like tight oil and shale oil formations.
A team of researchers led by Indiana University's Chen Zhu aims to understand the chemical processes that trap CO2 in rocks. They will employ an isotope tracer method to investigate basalt-CO2-water interactions, which have shown potential for rapid carbon storage.
New research by Oregon State University suggests the Ontong Java Plateau is younger and its eruption was more protracted than previously believed. The findings contradict long-held assumptions about the formation of the plateau being linked to a global oxygen-depletion event that formed black shale deposits worldwide.
A new study reveals that human activities such as groundwater withdrawal have shifted the Earth's rotational pole nearly a meter over two decades. This shift is caused by the redistribution of mass due to water movement, with implications for climate change and sea level rise.
Researchers have found a surprising correlation between global seismic activity and changes in cosmic radiation intensity, potentially aiding in earthquake prediction. The periodicity of this phenomenon has been identified as every 10-11 years, but its exact cause remains unknown.
Analysis of the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica shows there is less sedimentary rock than expected, a finding that could affect how the ice slides into the ocean. The new map of the geology of the region provides an exciting basis for better predictions of future ice flow and sea level rise.
Researchers have created a detailed map of the geology beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, showing that only about a fifth of the ground is sedimentary rock. This finding could affect how the glacier behaves as it retreats due to climate change, with potential implications for ice flow and loss from other glaciers.
New research from Rice University suggests that ancient microorganisms helped cause massive volcanic events by facilitating the precipitation of minerals in banded iron formations. The study provides insight into processes that could produce habitable exoplanets and reframes scientists' understanding of Earth's early history.
The newly discovered planet, LP 791-18d, is almost the same size as Earth and has a chaotic environment with intense temperatures and possible volcanic activity. The planet's proximity to its neighbor LP 791-18c could create hazardous gravitational forces, but also potentially seed its atmosphere with gases and water.
Researchers used NASA InSight data to directly measure Mars' core properties, finding a completely liquid iron-alloy core with high percentages of sulfur and oxygen. This discovery provides new insights into Martian formation and geological differences between Earth and Mars, potentially impacting planetary habitability.
Researchers used computer simulations to understand the formation of new subduction zones and the development of the Caribbean large igneous province. The study found that simultaneous subduction of two plates led to a major mantle flow, triggering the formation of a plume and extensive magmatic activity.
Climate change is driving a shift towards more frequent flash droughts worldwide. The study, published in Science, reveals that regions with limited time for preparation are at highest risk. Early warning systems can help mitigate the impacts of these rapid-onset events.
Researchers used a novel method to study tectonic plate movement, finding two significant slowdowns in the South American plate over the past 15 million years. These events may have contributed to the widening of the Andes mountain range by causing unstable material to tear free and sink into the mantle.
An international team, led by Eric Sandvol from the University of Missouri, aims to better understand the makeup of the earthquake zone and surrounding areas. The team plans to deploy 250 seismometers around the East Anatolian fault to study energy waves produced by earthquakes.
A recent study determined that the magnitude of a February 2023 Turkish earthquake is the largest ever recorded in its history. The researchers used a novel method to measure the event's moment magnitude, which yielded results higher than previously reported ones.
Researchers Paul Byrne and Rebecca Hahn have compiled a global catalog of 85,000 volcanoes on Venus, providing the most comprehensive understanding of the planet's volcanic properties. The dataset includes detailed analyses of volcano distribution, size, and clustering, which will aid in locating future active lava flows.
Researchers at USTC and Stanford University propose a novel approach to determine crustal stress from fluid flow signatures in deep boreholes. The method uses binary classification and image logs to efficiently estimate the stress state, which is comparable to conventional methods.
Researchers used a 3D radar scan to reveal that Malaspina Glacier is undercut by channels, making it more vulnerable to melting and potentially contributing significantly to global sea level rise. The glacier's bulk sits below sea level, and its coastal barrier erodes, allowing ocean water to access the glacier and accelerate its retreat.
Heat flow in the Earth's core is linked to anomalies in the magnetic field, particularly over Africa and the Pacific. The cooling process does not happen uniformly, causing regional changes to the magnetic field.
Scientists used rare isotopes to study erosion rates in the Andes Mountains, finding that sediments eroded from high mountain watersheds were shielded from cosmic rays for at least 7-15 thousand years. This helps predict where future landslides might occur and understand landslide risks.
A new German Research Foundation-funded project investigates the possibility that a Roman land ditch was created in the Hessian Ried in the 1st century AD. The research aims to find the canal's original course and study its relationship with nearby Roman settlement sites.
Researchers from ETH Zurich, Harvard, and Cambridge join forces to study chemical and physical processes of living organisms and environmental conditions for life on other planets. Synthetic cells enable scientists to deconstruct complex systems, understand basic principles of life and evolution.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 will peak by 2100 and become less efficient after 2300 due to a surface layer of low-alkalinity water. This emergence hinders CO2 absorption, leading to faster warming.
A detailed and dynamic model of the Earth's surface over the past 100 million years provides a high-resolution understanding of its creation and sediment flow to oceans. The model will help scientists predict future changes and understand ocean chemistry.