Articles tagged with Mountains
A University of Arizona-led research team found that wind can be up to 100 times more effective at eroding mountains than previously thought. The study suggests that wind played a key role in shaping the Loess Plateau, with over half of its dust coming from the Qaidam Basin.
Scientists have found that quartz plays a crucial role in initiating the viscous cycle of plate tectonics, which drives the formation of mountains and earthquakes. The research uses seismic data to measure the effects of temperature, water, and quartz on rock flow properties.
Two studies published in Lithosphere suggest the existence of a pre-3.3 billion year old continent in the East Indian Shield, implying a possible original supercontinent. Additionally, measurements of SKS splitting in South America indicate that asthenospheric flow plays a significant role in shaping the upper mantle's anisotropy.
The article discusses recent movements and past deformation in Central America, California, Turkey, and Canada. Key findings include the present rates and directions of movement between El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as the role of low-angle normal faulting in active tectonics in the northern Owens Valley.
A new study projects that mountain glacier melt will contribute up to 12 centimeters to global sea-level increases by 2100. Glaciers in Arctic Canada and Alaska are expected to be the largest contributors.
Martina Navratilova, a former tennis champion, was hospitalized with pulmonary edema after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The study highlights the risks of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude pulmonary edema among climbers of high peaks.
Researchers identified a large colony of Siboglinidae tubeworms on the side of an underwater mountain in the Eastern Mediterranean. The discovery was made possible by a team of scientists ashore and the public watching live via internet, using high-definition video cameras and satellite telecommunications.
New research reveals that the Alps' U-shaped valleys can endure glacial attack and retain their V-shaped notches. Scientists found that glaciers fill the gorges with ice and rock, protecting them from being scoured away. The rivers then return to clear out debris deposited by previous glaciers.
Researchers analyzed geophysical changes leading up to the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions, finding that magma movement triggered the reawakening. The volcano swelled for 11 weeks before erupting, with a rapid deformation stopping after the eruption began.
The US Geological Survey estimates approximately 13 million metric tons of rare earth elements exist in known deposits across the country. Significant deposits have been found in 14 states, including California, Alaska, and Wyoming.
Research from Tel Aviv University reveals that cloud seeding with materials like silver iodide and frozen carbon dioxide does not produce rain. Instead, changes in weather patterns are responsible for increased rainfall.
A new study reveals climate change impacts low-elevation mountain plants more significantly than expected, with increased drought stress observed in forests below 4,000 feet. The findings inform local conservation strategies by predicting biological responses to climate change.
The new field guide covers evolution of the Colorado Rockies, Front Range uplift, and urban ecosystems, among other topics. It also examines tectonic evolution, sedimentation, and anthropogenic impacts on the San Juan volcanic field.
In laboratory tests, water fleas from clear-water alpine ponds in Washington state's Olympic Mountains survived UV rays better than those from murkier ponds. The fleas lack melanin, a protective pigment found in most animals.
A study found that female bears with cubs and independent young bears in the Cantabrian Cordillera do not enter hibernation. In contrast, older bears, including females preparing to give birth, exhibit typical hibernation behavior.
Climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro are at risk for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to rapid ascent rates. Prior acclimatization to increased altitude offers a significant protective effect against AMS, whereas prophylactic drug use or mid-climb rest days do not significantly reduce the risk.
The research team analyzed rock samples to reveal the mountain's 2,200-kilometer journey from Peru to its modern position on the Caribbean coast. The findings link the mountain's foundation to other old massifs in the Americas.
Research published in PNAS reveals that windborne dust on high peaks in the Colorado River Basin reduces snow cover duration and increases runoff, leading to a 5% annual loss of water. This decrease in runoff affects water management, as peak flows occur earlier and are more compressed.
A new NASA-funded study reveals that increased desert dust caused by human activities is cutting Colorado River flow, resulting in reduced water availability. The study shows peak spring runoff now comes three weeks earlier than before, with annual runoff lower by more than 5 percent.
A new NASA study shows that increased dust in the Colorado River basin is causing snowmelt to occur earlier, reducing runoff and available water downstream. This results in a 35-billion cubic feet annual loss of water, enough to supply Los Angeles for 18 months.
Researchers found that glaciers in southern Patagonian Andes have helped mountains grow, not erode, by providing an icy shield. The study's findings contradict the glacial buzzsaw theory, which predicted glaciers would slow mountain growth.
A study by University of Utah neuroscientists found that higher altitudes significantly increase the risk of suicide in the Western US. The research suggests that altitude may contribute to metabolic stress associated with mood disorders, particularly in areas with high gun ownership and low population density.
This article explores various geological phenomena, including the origin of rhyolites from South Mountain, Pennsylvania, growth faults in the Kaiparowits Basin, Utah, and extension of the Anaconda metamorphic core complex. The studies provide new information on volcanic magmas, tectonic deformation, and Earth's crust behavior.
Researchers from Ohio State University drilled through Indonesian ice caps, collecting cores that may provide a long-term record of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon. The project aims to capture a record of ENSO and reconstruct a high-resolution climate record going back over 500 years.
The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) for advanced breast cancer research and treatment. The donation will support groundbreaking research into the genetic components of common and complex diseases, including advanced breast cancer.
After making landfall in northeastern Mexico, Tropical Storm Alex has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving west at 12 mph. The system is expected to weaken further, with heavy rainfall the main threat, before dissipating in 24-36 hours.
In European mountains, burning has become a common tool for managing scrubland, but its impact on bird populations is varied. The study found that some species, such as the Dartford warbler, recover more slowly after fire at higher altitudes.
A team from Ascension Island's Conservation Department rediscovered the long-thought-extinct parsley fern, Anogramma ascensionis. The fern was found on a knife-edge ridge and has been successfully relocated to sterile conditions for cultivation.
Researchers have discovered synchronized faults in California's Mojave Desert and Nevada's mountains, which can lead to simultaneous big quakes. This phenomenon occurs when faults are near their breaking points and aligned in their seismic cycles, changing the way we assess earthquake hazards.
Researchers Wang and Chang have found Pliocene cyprinid fish fossils in the Kunlun Pass Basin, suggesting relatively extensive water systems in the area during the Pliocene. The study suggests a more humid climate and less amplitude of uplift compared to previous proposals.
A new study reveals that abandoning traditional beliefs in local Islamic Saints is linked to agricultural expansion and the introduction of new sheep breeds, affecting agro-pastoral resource management. The research highlights the importance of individual religious beliefs in shaping environmental practices.
This special issue of Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases explores the connections between high-altitude medicine and low-altitude diseases. Studies have elucidated fundamental mechanisms involved in lung edema and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, while also detecting vascular dysfunction in humans.
Seamounts, previously thought to be rare, are found to be the most common ocean habitats, hosting a vast array of marine biodiversity. Researchers estimated that over 45,000 seamounts exist worldwide, covering an area larger than South America.
Scientists uncover thousands of years-old hunting tools, including wooden arrows and dart shafts, as warming temperatures melt ancient ice patches in the Mackenzie Mountains. The discovery sheds new light on ancient caribou migration patterns and hunting practices.
A new study finds that complex mountainous terrain can significantly change the effects of global warming over small distances. Researchers used Oregon's H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest data to predict variations in temperature caused by steep hills and valleys.
The new field guide highlights complex interconnections between geologic features, including karstification and hydrology, in the Ozark region. It also examines connections to culture, history, and economic development of the area.
Researchers have made significant findings on the state of stress in central and eastern North American seismic zones, providing insights into earthquake-generating stresses. Additionally, studies have mapped the depth domains of the Eastern Ghats Belt in India, offering clues to understanding ancient collisions.
Researchers will present their findings on the latest dark matter detection experiments and detectors, shedding light on one of science's last great frontiers. The UCLA symposium aims to advance our understanding of dark matter, a mysterious substance thought to make up almost 25% of the universe.
A new special issue of Oceanography presents groundbreaking research on seamounts, highlighting the importance of these underwater mountains for marine life and global ocean health. The study reveals devastating impacts from overfishing and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
The Biathlon event demands high aerobic capacity and motor functions, yet faces limitations in respiratory system performance at high-altitude and cold conditions. Understanding these challenges is crucial for elite winter athletes to optimize their performance.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that high-altitude climbers experience corneal swelling, but their vision remains unaffected at elevations of up to 20,670 feet. The authors suggest that oxygen levels may play a crucial role in maintaining corneal health.
A recent study found that mountain plant communities are susceptible to invasion by exotic species, contrary to previous beliefs. The research highlights the ease of propagule movement, low biological resistance, and increased transport between high-altitude areas as key factors contributing to these invasions.
Assistant professor Jessica Lundquist uses low-cost temperature sensors and tennis balls to study mountain precipitation and its impact on lower-elevation communities. The system provides accurate temperature readings for up to 11 months in remote locations, helping improve computer models and storm flooding forecasts.
The Himalayas' distinct geography, combined with industrial soot and dust, exacerbates glacial melting. Aerosols enhance the monsoon's intensity, transferring heat from low-lying lands to high-altitude surfaces, hastening glacial retreat.
The study examines crustal melting during continental subduction, revealing evidence of igneous diapirism and its impact on mountain belts. Researchers also investigate the weight of the Andes affecting the continental crust and correlate the Mocha fracture zone with orogenic uplift.
Researchers at Purdue University found that the recovery of understory plants from logging depends on a forest's history and climate. The study, published in Forest Ecology and Management, suggests that forests with similar climate conditions can recover differently from logging due to their past disturbances.
Recent decades saw a significant increase in bristlecone pine growth, with wider rings than at any time in the last 3,700 years. The research suggests that warmer temperatures play a key role in this surge in growth, particularly for trees near treeline.
The study reveals a significant ice loss on Mount Kilimanjaro, primarily attributed to rising global temperatures. The ice volume has decreased by roughly equal proportions through thinning and shrinking, with 85% of the ice lost since 1912.
Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed a functionally-integrated bicycle seat post made from carbon fiber composite materials, offering noticeable ride comfort and reduced weight. The innovative seat post uses laminated springs to absorb shocks, providing a smoother ride for cyclists.
This field guide features 33 geological trips in the Pacific Northwest, covering topics such as volcanoes, floods, and vineyard terroir. The guide offers new insights into the region's geologic processes and history, inspiring readers to explore and understand this dynamic corner of the world.
Research from the University of Alberta found that sold-out products create a sense of urgency, increasing consumer demand for similar items. Consumers infer that if a product is sold out, it must be good and therefore desirable.
The University of Arizona has been awarded a $4.35 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish a Critical Zone Observatory in the Southwest. The observatory will study the ecological, geological and hydrological components of the critical zone, which is the area between the treetops and the groundwater table. By com...
A team of researchers, led by University of Alberta biologist David Coltman, have been studying the personalities of bighorn mountain sheep. They found that bold individuals tend to have shorter lifespans, while those with more submissive personalities are more likely to produce multiple offspring.
The article discusses four main questions: Subducted oceanic asthenosphere flow beneath the Juan de Fuca slab, Arkosic rocks from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole, long-term strain records of the Parkfield Earthquake Prediction Experiment, and mechanisms responsible for map-view curvature over a range of scal...
The GSA Bulletin highlights studies on the Lesser Himalaya, southern Chinese Altai Range, and San Ysidro fault in New Mexico. Researchers unravel tectonic processes responsible for building the Himalayan foothills and provide new insights into faulting mechanisms and magmatic evolution of Western Amazonia.
Research reveals that desert dust accelerates snowmelt in Colorado alpine meadows, changing how plants respond to seasonal climate cues and affecting their annual growth cycles. This could lead to increased competition for resources among plants and potentially alter the composition of alpine meadows.
A new study reveals that Michigan mammal species are rapidly expanding their ranges northward in response to climate change. This shift is replacing historically northern species with southern equivalents, which could have significant ecological implications.
Research by Charles Horowitz at Indiana University reveals that the crusts of neutron stars are 10 billion times stronger than steel or other earth's strongest metal alloys. The findings have significant implications for understanding surface irregularities, star quakes, and magnetar giant flares.
Researchers predict Yucca Mountain crest erosion due to local geology, potentially affecting repository stability. The study used a numerical landscape evolution model to explore the rate of erosional decay.
A study published in Northwest Science has verified the origins of a California wolverine through genetic analysis. The animal, photographed in 2008, is most closely related to Rocky Mountain populations and shares unique genetic characteristics with other North American wolverines.