Articles tagged with Geophysics
The Matterhorn oscillates at two frequencies, with movements up to 14 times stronger at the summit than at the foot. Researchers detected these subtle vibrations using seismometers, which are also found in bridges and high-rise buildings, revealing a broader phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered that the Matterhorn sways at a frequency of 0.42 Hertz, oscillating roughly in a north-south direction, with similar frequencies in an east-west direction. The mountain's summit experiences amplified vibrations up to 14 times stronger than the reference station at its base.
Freshwater from melting sea ice delays carbon absorption and storage in the Arctic Ocean. The study found that four months of organic carbon production were trapped above 50 meters, with more nutrients and biomass reaching the ocean floor.
Researchers from CNRS and ENS de Lyon reveal the driver behind Pluto's Sputnik Planitia basin's flat polygons separated by narrow troughs, which is a sign of thermal convection within the icy mass. The process bears resemblance to ocean movements, not ice layer behavior on Jupiter and Saturn moons.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals chemical heterogeneities in Apollo 17 sample troctolite 76535, indicating an early rapid cooling of the Moon. This finding challenges previous estimates of a 100-million-year cooling duration and supports initial rapid cooling of magmas within the lunar crust.
Researchers at CU Boulder found that lunar pits and caves showcase remarkably stable conditions, making them attractive options for establishing a long-term human presence on the moon. The environments can help astronauts weather some of the moon's worst extremes but may not be ideal spots to find water.
Researchers have documented a new type of slow earthquake in British Columbia, Canada, triggered by hydraulic fracturing. The events exhibit unique features suggesting they rupture more slowly than conventional earthquakes, challenging the current understanding of induced earthquakes.
Researchers detect distinctive seismic patterns caused by electron spin-crossover in the deep Earth's mantle. The detection method reveals material with altered wave-speed features, consistent with ferropericlase presence.
Researchers have synthesized a new form of carbon glass with three-dimensional bonds, the hardest known glass material. The discovery has potential for mass production and opens up new possibilities in devices and electronics.
A research team analyzed seismic noise recorded over the last decade to better understand volcanic processes at Campi Flegrei. They found that directionality loss in noise data indicates the migration of deep fluids towards the eastern caldera, which triggers earthquakes.
Scientists discovered that low-frequency energy from earthquakes travels in a four-leaf clover pattern near the fault, while higher frequency waves travel in all directions. This finding could improve building designs and mitigate earthquake damage by prioritizing vulnerable areas within the pattern.
Researchers from UNLV have discovered a new mineral, davemaoite, which originated between 410-560 miles deep within the Earth's lower mantle. The calcium silicate compound was trapped in a diamond and preserved due to its incredible strength, making it possible for scientists to study its structure.
New research reveals that sinking tectonic plates are significantly weakened as they enter the mantle, but not broken apart entirely. The study's computer model shows a 'tectonic snake' shape, with stresses pinching the plate along weak points.
Researchers identified a high-pressure calcium silicate perovskite, named davemaoite, trapped inside a deep-earth diamond. This discovery confirms the existence of a new mineral that concentrates elements incompatible in the upper mantle, including rare-earth elements and radioactive isotopes.
A new study presents a broad survey of monogenetic volcanoes in the US Southwest, providing insights into their characteristics and potential hazards. The research reveals that over 1,800 volcanoes have erupted in the region over the past 2.58 million years, with some still posing threats despite being dormant.
Researchers examine how heat affects salt and brine in underground tests to refine computer models and inform policymakers about spent nuclear fuel disposal. The understanding gained will help assess the viability of salt beds as a safe storage option for radioactive waste.
Researchers analyze iron-mass fraction of low-mass rocky exoplanets and find correlation with host star compositions, suggesting role of planet formation processes in shaping final composition. The study reveals distinct populations of super-Earths and super-Mercury class exoplanets with differing compositions.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new, low-cost seismic monitoring system that can detect changes in pore pressure with greater than 99.99% accuracy. The system uses a small seismic source and distributed acoustic sensing technology to monitor subsurface formations over an extensive area at a relatively low cost.
A geoscientist is using a $640,000 NSF grant to investigate why the Earth retains surface water instead of sequestering it in the mantle. He aims to develop a novel technique that links noble gas concentrations with water in subducted rocks to construct a map of water concentration across pressures and temperatures.
Scientists have discovered a hydraulic jump mechanism that injects water vapor from the troposphere to the stratosphere above supercell thunderstorms. This process, which can occur several kilometers above the storm, drives intense hydration of the lower stratosphere and may play a major role in severe weather events.
The Dartmouth Engineering team will conduct research on planetary science relating to icy planets' geophysics and astrobiology, aiming to understand the nature of these worlds and their habitability. The project will provide valuable tools for interpreting measurements taken by future missions.
Scientists at Ehime University successfully measured the longitudinal and shear velocities of MgSiO3 majorite garnet up to 18 GPa and 2000 K. The results suggest that elastic softening occurs in mantle garnets with increasing pressure, potentially affecting subducted slab speeds.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder has shed new light on the Great Unconformity, a mysterious gap in the Grand Canyon's rock record that covers hundreds of millions of years. The research suggests that a series of small faulting events may have caused rocks and sediment to wash away, creating the missing window of time.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that seismicity at the Castor gas reservoir was triggered by pore pressure diffusion and the failure of loaded asperities on a shallow fault. The research identified three phases of the crisis, including a fast backward migration of earthquakes that resulted in the largest tremors.
Slow slips, or silent earthquakes, are fractures of the Earth's crust that propagate slowly without producing seismic waves. The new database sheds light on the mechanisms behind these events and their potential to trigger regular earthquakes.
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that lunar samples do not show signs of magnetization from a magnetic shield. The lack of magnetization suggests that the moon has never had a prolonged dynamo field. Without this protection, solar wind implanted volatiles like helium 3 in the lunar soil.
Researchers analyzed data from Kīlauea's caldera collapse to characterize friction at a large scale. The study confirms the role of slip-weakening distance in earthquake mechanics and provides insights into the physics governing caldera collapses.
A study by the University of Wyoming reveals that climate and erosion rates significantly impact the relative importance of physical and chemical weathering in rock breakdown. Anisovolumetric weathering, a previously underrecognized process, is now recognized as a common occurrence, influenced by environmental conditions.
The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded its highest honors to Professor Sandra Moore Faber and Professor Yvonne Elsworth for their groundbreaking research in galaxy structure, cosmology, and solar physics. Their achievements have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe.
Researchers developed a numerical method that speeds up calculations for modern supercomputers, making the inverse problem tractable. The new algorithm enables prospectors to make do with fewer exploratory holes and is applicable for searching other types of ores.
Dr. Kelsi Singer has been awarded the 2019 Harold C. Urey Prize for her outstanding contributions to planetary research, particularly in impact cratering and the geology of icy worlds. Her work has revealed insights into the collisional history of the Kuiper Belt and planetesimal formation.
Phytolith dating suggests rice domestication occurred at Shangshan in China around 9,400 cal yr BP, or possibly earlier. The study found that rice bulliform phytoliths with more than nine fish scales were present in early occupation stages, indicating the beginning of rice domestication.
The Royal Astronomical Society has funded five public engagement projects to promote astronomy and space science, including tactile stargazing for blind people and adventures in space for girls. The projects aim to increase interest and participation in these fields, particularly among underrepresented groups.
A team of scientists from France has developed a method to visualize ice crystals in three dimensions as they grow, providing new insights into their formation process. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis, the researchers can capture rapid images of ice crystals growing and measure their expansion rates.
A team of specialists is working on a project to create new insight into Leonardo da Vinci's life using DNA science. They aim to compare DNA from his relatives past and present with physical remnants associated with the Renaissance figure.
A Syracuse University professor examines the impact of the deep Earth on ice-sheet stability, particularly the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. His research suggests that regions with sub-glacial topography may be more stable today than during past global warming periods.
The University of Wyoming will receive a new borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument to measure aquifer levels, enhancing its subsurface hydrology research capabilities. The Javelin device, developed by Vista Clara Inc., will visualize water storage and changes in aquifers.
A team of scientists has uncovered a previously unknown sub-glacial basin beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, suggesting this region is at higher risk of collapse. The basin's unique shape and smooth bed could trigger positive feedback mechanisms leading to ice sheet retreat.
University of Miami doctoral student David Weinstein has received the 2010 Zale Parry Scholarship from the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences. The scholarship recognizes his research on mesophotic reef bioerosion in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a key area of study in marine conservation.
Scientists have discovered a connection between ancient climate, carbon dioxide levels, and vegetation in deep sea algae. The study found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were up to five times greater than today during the Paleogene Period, leading to rapid global cooling and the origin of land plants sensitive to CO2.
The American Geophysical Union and the American Geological Institute conducted a survey of recent Ph.D. graduates in earth sciences, revealing significant shifts in job prospects and postdoctoral positions. 80% of geoscience Ph.D.s found jobs in the geosciences, with negligible unemployment rates compared to previous years.
The American Geophysical Union has named Robert C. Cowen its award for sustained achievement in science journalism, recognizing his 50-year career as a science writer and editor at The Christian Science Monitor. The award honors Cowen's contribution to the public understanding of science.
Scientists warn that living near active volcanic systems poses a significant risk due to unpredictability. Researchers are working to develop predictive models to mitigate the threat of volcanic eruptions, with some areas like Yellowstone and Long Valley Caldera still considered active systems.
A team of Stanford geophysicists used satellite radar images to detect rising volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands, a sign that they may erupt soon. The study found four out of six volcanoes on Isabela Island had risen in size over a seven-year period.
The American Geophysical Union is seeking nominations for the 2001 Sullivan and Perlman Awards, which recognize outstanding reporting in science journalism that makes geophysical science accessible to the general public. Nominations must be submitted by January 13, 2001.
The American Geophysical Union Fall 2000 meeting will take place at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco from December 15 to 19. Press registrants can access scientific sessions, the Press Room, and Briefing Room with a valid badge.
A new iceberg has broken from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf, just east of one discovered on March 17. The new iceberg is approximately 130 km by 20 km and was detected using high-resolution satellite data provided by the Antarctic Meteorological Research Center.
Researchers at Ohio State University used ground penetrating radar to detect creosote deposits buried beneath an EPA cleanup site in Marion, Ohio. The technique showed promise for finding other kinds of buried hazardous waste.
Scientists have developed a new technique using ice-penetrating radar to study long-ago changes in West Antarctic ice streams. This allows them to look at changes much farther back in time, indicating possible fluctuations in the stability of the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A new study suggests the West Antarctic Ice Sheet's complete disintegration in 7,000 years could be inevitable due to its potential instability. The ice sheet's collapse would raise global sea levels, flooding low-lying coastal regions and posing a significant threat to global climate patterns.
A new study reveals that global surface temperatures have increased by 14.6 degrees Celsius, with the warmest years on record occurring in the 1990s. Most of the warming has occurred over the northern continents during specific seasons.
Scientists Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson and colleagues developed a helium-3 map of the Moon based on factors like exposure age, solar wind, and titanium content. The greatest amounts of helium-3 are expected to be found on the far side maria and in nearside areas with high concentrations of titanium dioxide.
Dinosaur tooth enamel holds secrets to ancient climate conditions, with new analysis suggesting middle latitudes may not have been warmer than today. Data from Madagascar indicates sub-tropical latitudes were warmer and more arid during the Late Cretaceous era.
Researchers have assembled 20 articles to study interactions at the Antarctic Continental Margin, presenting new techniques and expanding year-round measurements. The volume includes a bathymetric chart of the southern Weddell Sea, providing insights into longer-term cycles.
Scientists have identified several elements in the lunar atmosphere, including oxygen, silicon, and aluminum, but only in small amounts. The study aims to learn which other atoms the regolith may release and form part of the Moon's atmosphere.
Researchers have demonstrated an instance of a thin ion layer being pushed downward to create a neutral sodium layer. Contrary to predictions, the formation of this layer was not significantly affected by intense auroral ionization, revealing new insights into the physics and chemistry of the upper atmosphere.
The University of Illinois has created a 2,500 square meter prehistoric domestic compound to teach students how to conduct non-invasive archeogeophysical testing. The site, called CATS, features various archaeological features typical of Eastern and Midwestern Native American cultures of 600 to 2,000 years ago.