Articles tagged with Mountains
Research by Andreas Hemp reveals a host of rare plants in Kilimanjaro's forests, contrary to previous thought, and explains the mountain's unique bamboo zone absence due to elephant lack. The complex links between plants and animals are showcased, highlighting human impact on forest diversity.
A new study analyzing western hemlock distribution in North America's Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountains reveals that climate alone cannot explain species range. Spatial analysis suggests hemlock adapts better to drier summer conditions in the Rockies than coastal regions.
A recent study using DNA analysis from giant panda feces found the population underestimated by over 50% in previous surveys. The findings suggest a better chance of long-term viability for the species, but warn against complacency due to still-perilously low numbers.
Recent research using genetic data analysis and simulation software challenges the common assumption that modern residents of a region are direct descendants of their earlier inhabitants. The study suggests that the Etruscan population may have been more diverse or socially elite, leading to little overlap with modern Tuscans.
The Rwenzori Mountains, home to one of four remaining tropical ice fields outside the Andes, are experiencing substantial reduction in glacial cover due to increasing air temperature over the last four decades. Glaciers are receding tens of meters each year, with less than one square kilometer of glacier ice remaining.
The Rwenzori Mountains' glaciers are receding at a rate of tens of meters per year, halving their area between 1987 and 2003. The researchers expect the remaining ice to disappear within twenty years due to increased air temperature without significant changes in precipitation.
Researchers have developed a computer model to help conserve the Mount Graham Red Squirrel, which is isolated in a small area of Arizona desert. The model will identify areas where conservation efforts can be focused to address threats such as grey squirrels and habitat damage.
Researchers used computer simulations to recreate Tropical Storm Gert's conditions, improving model accuracy and understanding of hurricane formation. The study revealed the importance of topography in Mexico's role in helping storms form.
The HIAPER aircraft will fly over treacherous whirlwinds, known as rotors, in the California Sierra Nevada range. Scientists will study the rotors' structure and evolution to improve forecasters' ability to predict when and where they occur.
The ice fields on Kilimanjaro are losing up to 50% of their surface area in just five years, with the northern ice field expected to disappear within two years. This rapid melting threatens local water supplies, which rely on glacier meltwater and precipitation from surrounding rainforests.
Researchers from UC Berkeley found no signature of life in Earth's topography, contrary to previous assumptions. Instead, they suggest that life's influence is more subtle, shaping landforms like rounded hills and meandering rivers, but not creating unique features.
Scientists found high levels of ozone at extreme altitudes in Tibet, forming a 'halo' that may put climbers at risk due to its medical effects. Ozone concentrations are higher than expected and could exacerbate hypoxia and respiratory issues.
A combination of factors makes future landslides inevitable in La Conchita, including active faulting, rapid tectonic uplift, and weak rocks. Experts propose a beach park solution and installation of sensors to detect slope movement to mitigate the risk of landslides.
Researchers suggest that high winds over rough terrain can generate acoustic waves that heat the atmosphere at prodigious rates. These waves could account for mysterious 'hotspots' observed above the Andes and Rocky Mountains.
Historical records show salinity concentrations increasing in groundwater and aquifers due to urbanization and deicer use. High chloride levels can induce mortality in aquatic animals and alter plant composition.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, can be effectively treated with specific antibiotics if caught early. Symptoms include body-wide aches, headache, sudden high fever, sore throat, and nausea, often accompanied by a telltale spotty rash.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder developed a new method to visualize forces beneath the Himalaya, allowing for a deeper understanding of earthquakes and mountain formation. The study uses seismic sensors and creates high-resolution images of the crust and upper mantle.
Scientists have found that strain is rapidly accumulating within a specific area south of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles, primarily in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. The study suggests that the Puente Hills Fault and nearby faults may be more likely to break than others, increasing the risk of earthquakes.
A new long-haired forest primate, named Highland Mangabey, has been discovered in Tanzania's Southern Highlands. The critically endangered species is characterized by a distinctive call and adaptation to the cold climate, with an estimated population of between 500-1,000 animals.
The Mt. Everest team, comprising anaesthesia and intensive care experts, aims to study human physiology in extreme environments by testing a closed-circuit breathing system and investigating the effects of hypoxia on brain function and genetics. The expedition seeks to understand acclimatization at the very limit.
A 15-year study in rural Greece found that living in a mountainous area was associated with lower death rates and healthier heart profiles compared to lowland areas. Higher blood lipids and blood pressure were linked to increased risk, but other protective factors may be at play.
Scripps scientists challenge conventional theory on seamount chain formation by finding that hot spot chains can change direction due to processes unrelated to plate motion. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of the earth's interior and suggests alternative explanations for seamount patterns.
The loss of 6% of mountain gorilla habitat in the Virunga National Park is a significant step backward for the endangered species. Scientists are using NASA satellite imagery to monitor land changes and develop a monitoring system with conservation groups to protect the remaining habitats.
Researchers found that hummingbirds' lifting ability declines with altitude, leaving less reserve power for quick bursts of flight. The study also revealed a clear correlation between power margin and elevation, with birds dominating territories at lower elevations.
A new method of paleoelevation has been developed by Jennifer McElwain at the Field Museum, allowing scientists to estimate land elevation over geological eras. The method uses stomata on leaves to determine past carbon dioxide levels and elevation, providing a more accurate understanding of climate evolution and plant animal migration.
Eurasian giant deer were found to have survived until 7,000 years ago, according to a recent study published in Nature. The discovery pushes back the previously believed extinction date for the species by 3,000 years, leaving scientists to question what ultimately led to their demise.
A recent BioScience article highlights that decades of fire suppression may have been overly criticized, and climate has a significant impact on fire spread in high-elevation forests. The studies also reveal how invasive alien plants can dramatically alter fire regimes, proposing a scheme for evaluating the dangers of these invasions.
Scientists at Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory have made new discoveries about the formation of underwater mountains along the Mid-Ocean Ridge. They found that the height and width of these mountains are highly correlated to the direction the ridge and connecting plates move across the planet's surface.
Research suggests that rainfall and snowfall in distant mountains can significantly impact river levels years later, highlighting the importance of water table recharge. This phenomenon has significant implications for development in semi-arid regions, emphasizing the need for long-term planning to ensure sustainability.
A computer model reveals that rainfall in New Mexico's mountains can recharge the Rio Grande River's water table after a 50-year lag. This finding has significant implications for sustainable aquifer management and river management planning.
A study by UC Berkeley post-doctoral fellow Vance T. Vredenburg shows that non-native trout have devastated native frog populations in high-Sierra lakes, but removing fish allows the frogs to flourish. The mountain yellow-legged frog has declined dramatically due to introduced trout, with only 5,000 adults remaining in its range.
Alpine tree lines are shifting up-slope due to global warming, threatening regional plant populations. The study suggests that pine trees could help protect drinking water catchments from erosion and pollution in the City of Vienna.
Researchers analyzed DNA from western gorilla fecal and hair samples to find that neighboring social groups are often led by genetically related males. This suggests connections between genetic relationships and group interactions, parallels with human social structures, and clues to the early human social world.
The INEEL-designed closure system will demonstrate operations and equipment, with the prototype constructed and operated at the INEEL. The project builds on INEEL's expertise in spent fuel canister welding and robotics to develop a remote-operated waste package closure system.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologist Rosemary Gillespie found that Hawaiian spiders diversified to fill a wide range of habitats on the Hawaiian Islands. The research suggests that evolution plays a key role in shaping communities on these islands, similar to mainland processes.
A four-year study reveals that Himalayan erosion rates are uniform across wet and dry regions, contrary to expectations. The Indian Ocean's monsoon rains create a striking difference in precipitation between the north and south, yet erosion rates remain relatively constant.
A recent catastrophic landslide on Kilauea has created a debris buffer that stabilizes the Hilina slump, reducing the likelihood of future collapse. The buffer was formed when a detached piece of the mountain slid away and settled beneath the ocean, creating a broad, bench-like structure.
Researchers found widespread zeolites across Yucca Mountain, abundant at a depth considered ideal for waste storage. A combination of man-made safeguards and natural features is necessary to prevent waste migration.
Researchers at USGS and international universities reveal that hot vaporized seawater contributes to the formation of new oceanic crust. High-pressure images of lava cavities show molten salt and exotic minerals formed from steam bubbles, challenging previous assumptions about seawater's boiling point at great depths.
Researchers found that glacial icebergs carried boulders, known as erratics, from the Rocky Mountains to Rattlesnake Mountain in south-central Washington. The rocks were deposited along northeast-running gullies and show signs of weathering, suggesting they were carried by older Ice Age floods.
Researchers use a lightweight device to extract core samples from sediment deposits in Bolivia, revealing that sediment transport is only possible during La Niña events. The findings suggest that the Andes Mountains play a crucial role in shaping the Amazon River's sediment load.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that obesity is associated with acute mountain sickness in high-altitude destinations. Obese individuals are more susceptible to symptoms such as headache, nausea, and fatigue, highlighting the importance of gradual ascent and medication for preventive measures.
Researchers discovered that glacial erosion is controlled by the relationships of the ground beneath the glacier, the rubble pile, and the glacier itself. Glaciers achieve a steady state existence when the angle between their toe and sediment pile becomes too steep, causing streams to stop flowing and erosion to cease.
A staged development concept for Yucca Mountain aims to allow decisions based on latest available information, avoiding rigid timelines. A pilot stage will study performance before storing large amounts of radioactive waste.
The study found that ocean circulation plays a less significant role in climate change, while atmospheric circulation has a major impact on temperature differences between Europe and North America. The Rocky Mountains contribute significantly to the temperature contrast by creating a persistent wave in winds downstream.
The Sirente crater field is the world's first known impact crater in Italy, dated between the 4th and 5th century A.D. The crater features fine-grained lacustrine sediments and a well-preserved structure due to its young age.
Scientists have identified a new mammal species in Australia, the short-eared possum, which is morphologically and genetically distinct from the mountain brushtail possum. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these two species, which require old-growth forests to survive.
The book, Small Is Profitable, explains how properly sizing and siting electrical production can significantly increase the value of electrical resources. This leads to improved system planning, service quality, and avoided societal costs, making seemingly expensive technologies economically viable.
UMass geoscientists are part of a team studying the retreat of Kilimanjaro's glaciers, using continuous data from a mountaintop weather station and monitoring the glaciers. The researchers found an 80% decrease in glacier area between 1912 and the end of the 20th century.
Recent geophysical data shows Mauna Loa's summit caldera swelling at a rate of 2-2.5 inches per year, indicating magma accumulation. Scientists warn that this could be a precursor to an eruption, which would be the first time imaged with precise clarity.
Scientists found that magma could reach speeds of 200-600 mph, filling parts of the repository within hours. This could displace radioactive canisters and cause extensive damage.
Researchers studied Paleocene-Eocene syncontractional sedimentation in east-central Tibet, numerical modeling of fluid flow in Utah, and syndepositional thrust-related deformation in a Central Colorado trough. The findings provide insights into the geological evolution of these regions.
Researchers have discovered that mountain streams follow a rhythmic pattern in their step-pool sequences, dissipating energy through vertical adjustments. This finding sheds new light on the complex dynamics of high-gradient mountain streams.
Researchers found Tibetans retain no deterioration in physiological processes when exposed to acute hypoxia, unlike lowlanders. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for hypoxic injury and prevention of mountain sickness.
The discovery of a new insect order, Mantophasmatodea, brings the total number of orders to 31. The species, resembling a mix between a stick insect and a preying mantis, was found in Namibia's Brandberg Mountain, which may have preserved its unique habitat for millions of years.
Roger Balm examines the extent to which original pictures of Machu Picchu were framed to fit popular ideas about lost worlds rather than provide scientific documentation. He revisits an explorer's first photo-shoot at Machu Picchu using the same camera and film as the original 1911 expedition.
Geologists find strong similarities in Silurian marine fossils between Alaska, Urals, and Siberia, indicating a shared contiguous seaway. This discovery contradicts a previous hypothesis that the Alexander terrane was located in the Southern Hemisphere during the Silurian period.
Researchers propose a more heterogeneous model of protein folding, which offers alternative pathways to the traditional view. This new understanding may lead to drugs that mimic molecular chaperones' role in fending off neurodegenerative diseases.
A study of 262 climbers found that three out of four healthy, recreational climbers have mild subclinical HAPE shortly after a modest climb. This suggests a significant risk of the disorder among climbers, highlighting the need for better markers and methods to identify individuals at risk.
The Gemini Observatory has dedicated its second telescope, Gemini South, marking a decade of work by hundreds of people to build two advanced 8-meter instruments. Astronomers in the US and around the world now have access to unprecedented sky coverage.