Articles tagged with Mountains
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Scientists have mapped the temperature and viscosity of the lower crust for the first time, finding hot rocks under much of the western US that are near their initial melting point. This study suggests significant regions of the lower crust lack strength, potentially leading to mountains being flattened over millions of years.
A new study reveals that an invasive Australian tree species, Pittosporum undulatum, is posing a significant threat to the global biodiversity hotspot in Jamaica's Blue Mountains. The species has already outpaced native trees, reducing their regeneration and threatening rare and endangered species.
The longest-ever record of Earth's climate history has been assembled from the oldest ice core ever drilled outside the polar regions, revealing more than half a million years of climate history. The ice core provides dramatic evidence of a recent and rapid temperature rise at some of the highest, coldest mountain peaks in the world.
Researchers at Eurac Research and Medical University of Innsbruck have identified a new medical entity: isolated high-altitude psychosis. The condition is characterized by psychotic episodes in extreme altitudes, often accompanied by hallucinations and disorientation.
The Andes were formed due to the South American subduction zone, where an oceanic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle, causing crustal shortening and mountain building. The subduction zone's size and depth led to large-scale flow in the deep mantle, resulting in the continent's westward drag and collision with the subduction zone.
Researchers found that windborne dust provides a significant source of nutrients for plants in mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. The study's results have implications for understanding the global influence of regional processes and the Earth's balance.
Researchers found that dust-derived nutrients can be vital to mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. This phenomenon is not limited to the Sierra Nevada and has been observed worldwide.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that meadows store significantly more carbon than shrubs in high-latitude alpine zones. This discovery could have implications for carbon storage and global warming, particularly in regions where climate change is altering vegetation patterns.
Scientists from CNRS and ENS de Lyon discover the world's longest sauropod dinosaur trackway, spanning over 155 meters, in the French village of Plagne. The trackway is estimated to be 150 million years old and belonged to a dinosaur at least 35m long and weighing 35t.
Wind turbines placed along mountain ridges might disrupt bat foraging and navigation patterns. Bats often use these areas for open-space foraging and launching into the sky, attracting them to wind turbines.
A genetic rescue technique has increased population numbers and survival rates of the endangered mountain pygmy possum, with a rapid growth of over 200 individuals detected since its introduction in 2011. Habitat restoration, predator control, and environmental protection also played crucial roles in conservation management.
A new satellite imaging tool has been used to track elevation changes for mountain glaciers in the US, confirming significant loss of ice over the past 60 years. The results show that cumulative ice loss at Mount Rainier is equivalent to removing a layer of ice about 25 feet thick.
A Washington State University study reveals that salmon's mating habits alter stream bed profiles, leading to erosion and changes in the landscape over time. Different salmon species have varying effects on the ecosystem, with some creating new habitats for emerging species.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of cave-adapted animal in Eastern Turkmenistan, specifically in the Kaptarhana cave. The newly described genus and species, Turkmenocampa mirabilis, is a pale and eyeless insect-like creature that represents a unique adaptation to underground environments in Central Asia.
Researchers at CU Boulder are creating a comprehensive digital archive of over 1.7 million plant specimens native to the southern Rocky Mountain region, providing a rich trove of information for scientists and educators. The project aims to standardize specimen data, correct errors, and inform public land management efforts.
A study documents the local extinction of the American pika from a 64-square-mile area in California's northern Sierra Nevada mountains due to climate change. The species is expected to decline drastically by 2050, with pikas disappearing from an area that stretches from near Tahoe City to Truckee.
Tropical Storm Pakhar is producing powerful storms in the Philippines, with some cloud tops reaching temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to strengthen before making landfall in southern China.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
In a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers at Brown University found that guppy moms in low-predation areas (LP) produce larger offspring with more mature internal anatomy, including wider mouth joints and harder heads. This adaptation enables LP guppies to better compete for food and survive in their environment.
Small mountain glaciers play a significant role in recharging vital aquifers and keeping rivers flowing during the winter. A new study found that these glaciers contribute up to 66% of annual flow in mountain streams, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecosystem processes.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that mountain gorillas harbor a strain of lymphocryptovirus 1, similar to the Epstein-Barr virus in humans. The virus is widespread among infant gorillas, infecting 52% of those studied, with no symptoms reported in live gorillas.
A newly discovered ancient reptile from Switzerland shows its unique scale armor for the first time. The Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi has a life on land skeleton despite being found with fish and marine reptiles.
Air quality has deteriorated in Dunhuang due to increased human activities, shifting from dust aerosol alone to a mixture of coarse and fine particles. Seasonal characteristics show significant variations in aerosol optical properties, with dust aerosols dominating during spring and fine urban aerosols during summer.
A new study reveals that mountain lions are afraid of humans and flee when they hear our voices. The findings show that pumas take longer to return to their kills after hearing people, reducing their feeding time by about half. This is significant as it can have implications for their well-being in human-dominated landscapes.
A study found that acetaminophen is effective in preventing acute mountain sickness, with no significant difference in incidence and severity compared to ibuprofen. The study suggests that acetaminophen may be an alternative prophylactic treatment for AMS, potentially offering fewer side effects.
Researchers found that seasonal stress changes, caused by winter rains and summer rebound, lead to an increase in small earthquakes along California faults. The study used regional global positioning system data to calculate stresses due to water loads, revealing a correlation between peak stress and seismicity.
Tropical Depression Beatriz strengthened into a tropical storm for half a day before weakening, bringing heavy rainfall to southeastern Mexico. The depression's center of circulation is uncertain due to onshore flow, which may impact the state of Oaxaca.
Researchers found that forest biomass had a major peak at altitudes of 2400-3100m, where forests struggle to reach more than 15m tall. This discovery challenges the assumption that tall mountains make small trees and reveals unique climate conditions on mountain tops of PNG.
A new UNLV study published in Nature Geoscience has found evidence of nearly continuous warming in the Ural Mountains in central Russia over the past 11,000 years. This contradicts previous work that focused on summer temperature trends and supports computer models predicting continual warming.
Research found that Sherpas have evolved to produce more efficient red blood cells and nitric oxide levels, allowing them to adapt to low oxygen environments. This study could lead to new ways of treating hypoxia in ICU patients, who often experience life-threatening complications due to lack of oxygen.
Herpetologists have discovered a new amphibian species, Ophryophryne elfina, in the highlands of Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam. The smallest known species of horned mountain toad, it has distinctive small horn-like projections above its eyes and inhabits wet subtropical evergreen forests at high elevations.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, discovered that tiny soil organisms create 'soil highways' for young trees, influencing their migration patterns. The study suggests that these invisible biotic communities could be used to encourage tree migration and preserve heat-sensitive species.
A regional climate model predicts that future Hawaiian snowfalls will decrease dramatically, with average winter snowfall expected to be ten times less than present day amounts by the end of the century. The study provides insights into the benefits of model downscaling and highlights the need for monitoring climate change in the region.
Scientists drilled three 2-km-deep holes to explore the geology of a scientific borehole in the Snake River Plain. They found evidence of heat and older hydrothermal interactions, but no geothermal energy production due to a cool water aquifer.
A recent study precisely dated the India-Asia continental collision at 59±1 million years ago, based on sedimentary record analysis. The collision resulted in the formation of the Himalayan Mountains and the rise of the Tibetan Plateau, with significant climatic and environmental changes.
Researchers found that dust from the Gobi Desert supplies phosphorus to Sierra Nevada plants, which is essential for their growth. This discovery highlights the crucial role of dust in supporting life in geologically young mountain ecosystems.
A large carved jade pendant, once belonging to an ancient Maya king, was discovered in southern Belize. The pendant, inscribed with a historical text, is now believed to have been buried during a time of crisis due to climate change and the collapse of the Maya civilization.
A new study suggests that warmer conditions could make years like 2015, with historically low snowpack levels, occur about once a decade, while snowpack similar to 2014 will happen every 4-5 years. The region's snowpack is highly sensitive to increasing temperatures.
The Nimba toad's unique matrotrophic viviparity allows females to give live birth to fully developed juveniles after nine months. The species' isolated habitat and harsh environment are thought to have driven the evolution of this complex reproductive cycle.
Scientists propose that viscous relaxation on Ceres caused older cryovolcanoes to flatten over millions of years, making them indistinguishable from the planet's surface. This process may explain why Ahuna Mons stands alone as the only prominent ice volcano on the dwarf planet.
A new study published in Nature forecasts disruption to alpine ecosystem health due to climate change. Rising temperatures are expected to decouple key nutrient cycles in mountain soils and plants, threatening the function of mountaintop ecosystems and their ability to provide clean water.
A recent study revealed that climate change is expected to disrupt the balance of nutrients in mountain ecosystems, potentially leading to changes in plant growth and biodiversity. The research found that decreasing elevation can serve as a surrogate indicator for climate warming, leading to increased nitrogen availability in soil.
A new species of lizard, Magnuviator ovimonsensis, discovered in Montana's Egg Mountain fossil site, reveals significant gaps in understanding lizard diversity during the Cretaceous Period. The nearly complete fossils show that this ancient offshoot of iguanian lizards lived in a semi-arid environment with dinosaurs and other creatures.
A new study adds 25 frog species to the known fauna of Mount Oku, Cameroon, highlighting a staggering 48% of the amphibians as threatened with extinction. The researchers also review the region's conservation efforts and identify key threats such as forest loss, climate change, and diseases.
Researchers tested tropical rainforest fly Drosophila birchii's response to climate change by transplanting flies along mountain gradients. They found similar responses across families, indicating little potential for thermal tolerances to evolve.
Researchers redate human settlement in Tibet, pushing back timeline by thousands of years; new findings suggest permanent residence may have been established due to wetter climate, enabling pre-agricultural peopling of the plateau.
A new analysis of an archaeological site in Tibet suggests that permanent residents may have set up camp thousands of years earlier than previously thought. The study's findings support previous genetic research and propose that the region's wet climate may have enabled permanent pre-agricultural peopling.
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.
Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam developed a new method called 'erosion painting' to visualize erosion rates. By applying paint patterns on rock surfaces and monitoring their removal over time, scientists can analyze the spatial distribution and intensity of erosive processes.
Satellite observations help scientists forecast impacts of habitat changes on animal populations. Studies predict a 30 percent drop in the global polar bear population over the next 35 years due to sea ice loss. Satellite data also indicate that droughts in North America will affect migratory herbivores and their predators.
A University of Washington study found that 37 mountain glaciers worldwide show a high degree of signal-to-noise ratio in their retreat, indicating a strong response to climate change. The probability of natural variations explaining the observed retreats is extremely low, ranging from less than 0.001 percent to 11 percent.
Researchers found that nine out of 11 mountain bird species shifted their lower boundaries downslope, defying expectations. The study highlights the need for caution when applying conventional expectations to species' responses to climate change.
Researchers investigated cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning characteristics over the Beijing Metropolitan Region from 2005-2007. They found IC lightning occurs more frequently than CG lightning, with most activity occurring during summer months and a southeastwardly increasing pattern in flash density.
The researchers found that the one-layer MoS2 device absorbs less light but produces seven times more photocurrent than the thicker seven-layer MoS2 device. This is attributed to quantum physics mechanisms, including electron tunneling and reduced recombination within the MoS2 layer.
Researchers found that people living at high altitudes with chronic mountain sickness produce significantly more red blood cells than those without the condition. This is due to an overproduction of the SENP1 enzyme, which boosts levels of other proteins promoting cell division and survival.
The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation has published guidelines for the safe use of various drugs in mountain environments. The guidelines cover a range of drug types, including alcohol, steroids, and oxygen, and aim to provide evidence-based advice for medical professionals and climbers.
Mount Etna's unusual crater formation is attributed to eastern flank instability, causing new stresses and pressures on the volcano's structure. This makes it a prime subject for study, with recent research monitoring its behavior over ten years to predict future eruptions.
A new study finds that earlier snowmelt periods hinder forest carbon regulation, reducing CO2 uptake by 45% by mid-century. Earlier snowmelt also affects streamflow, agriculture, and recreational opportunities in the western US.
Scientists have overturned traditional interpretations of the Susitna basin in Alaska, discovering that it was formed by a southwest-dipping thrust fault. This finding changes our understanding of the region's geologic evolution and the formation of iconic landmarks like Mount Susitna.
Scientists have described a new species of earth snake from the mountains of Puebla and Veracruz in east-central Mexico. Genetic data and anatomical examination reveal that these snakes are remarkably similar to each other, but molecular analyses and rigorous specimen examination have come close to understanding their diversity.