Articles tagged with Mountains
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 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.
A new study finds that earlier snowmelt periods associated with a warming climate may hinder subalpine forest regulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The findings predict a 45% reduction in snowmelt period forest carbon uptake by mid-century.
Researchers propose a new method to model how fast and where organisms will need to move in response to climate change. They find that even short movements in mountainous areas expose organisms to large climate differences, preventing them from maintaining suitable climates.
A study found that mountain lion females hunt on average less than a mile from human development, while males prey on deer in riparian woodlands. The choice of hunting grounds may reflect areas with abundant prey, such as mule deer attracted to water sources and lush vegetation.
Researchers found a two-million-year delay between tectonic uplift and maximum erosion rates in the Argentine Precordillera mountains. This time-lag is attributed to the slow propagation of erosion waves through the fluvial network under semi-arid conditions.
A recent study published in Science reveals that populations in the ancient Fertile Crescent are the ancestors of modern-day South Asians, but not of Europeans. The earliest farmers from the Zagros mountains in Iran showed a genetically distinct group that only very distantly related to the first farmers of western Anatolia and Europe.
A 15-year study reveals that Luzon Island, in the Philippines, is home to 56 non-flying mammal species, 52 of which are unique to the island. The research team discovered 28 new species, including four tree-mice with extremely long whiskers and five shrew-like mice that feed on earthworms.
Typhoon Nepartak's cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms. Rainfall totals compiled by Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau confirmed high amounts, with some areas receiving over 500 mm of rain.
Scientists discover that chewed plants by mountain gorillas can be used to test for viruses, providing a simple way to monitor the health of endangered apes. The new non-invasive method is effective for detecting both RNA and DNA viruses and has implications for conservation management.
A UCI study reveals that climate change is altering the growth patterns of male and female Valeriana edulis over elevation in the Colorado Rockies. The shift in sex ratios allows female plants to successfully produce more seeds, while males become more common at higher elevations.
Researchers used a new mapping technique called Fodar to settle the debate on the highest peak in the US Arctic. The study found Mt Isto to be the tallest at 2735m, surpassing previously disputed peaks Mt Chamberlin and Mt Hubley.
The Bavarian Alps have seen a 14% decline in topsoil organic matter over the past three decades, primarily caused by climate warming. Implementing humus-promoting forest management can help mitigate floods and preserve soil fertility, water balance, and nutrient supply.
A study by Colorado State University researchers reveals that tropical mayflies have a higher number of distinct species than their temperate-zone counterparts. The distinctions between these species consist of subtle, genetic differences that aren't readily visible to the naked eye.
Scientists have dated the opening of an ice-free corridor in the Rocky Mountains, which allowed for later human and animal migrations between North America's far north and rest. The research used bison fossils to track the movement of animals into the corridor, showing it was open by around 13,000 years ago.
A study by researchers at Duke University found that coal from the Appalachian Mountains contains the highest amounts of rare earth elements. The team identified ash from this region as a potential source for extracting these critical materials, which are essential for clean energy and emerging technologies.
A computer model simulates the formation of Io's mountains through the compression of rocks due to volcanic activity. The study suggests that this mechanism could have operated on early Earth, explaining why mountains like those on Io might have emerged first as land.
Dr. Michael Skvarla's Ph.D. research at the University of Arkansas has discovered 30 previously unknown sawfly species in the state. The study highlights the vast natural history still to be explored about insects, with many species having large range extensions across hundreds of miles.
In a groundbreaking discovery, Czech researchers found the first case of ovoviviparity in long-horned beetles from Borneo, resulting in three new genera and four species descriptions. The study reveals high morphological diversity in this lineage, challenging current knowledge on beetle reproduction.
A study on mountain gorillas reveals that their dietary habits contribute to dental wear, which adapts to the available food in their habitat. The analysis of tooth morphology provides valuable information for identifying and age-estimating gorillas, highlighting the importance of conserving their habitat.
Scientists analyze sedimentary archives in Alberta Foreland Basin, revealing cyclic changes in sediment source areas consistent with magmatic flare-ups. In another study, researchers uncover pre-Cenozoic geologic history of the central and northern Tibetan Plateau, tying Wilson cycles to constructing the Tethyan orogenic system.
A lesser-known South African mountain endemic, Macowania revoluta, has been rediscovered and found to be an exceptionally important keystone species. Its ecological role in wetland functioning and soil protection is crucial for the ecosystem's balance.
A rare South African plant, Mrs Barber's Beauty, was rediscovered in the Great Winterberg mountains after 147 years. The plant is now recognized as Critically Endangered due to limited ecological conditions.
Research by University of Arizona geoscientists finds post-wildfire erosion dominates landscape transformation in the US Intermountain West. Erosion rates increased 1,000 to 10,000 times in burned watersheds compared to unburned areas after severe wildfires.
A newly discovered insect, Asiagomphus reinhardti, has been found in remote mountainous regions of Cambodia and Laos. The dragonfly, named after TU Dresden researcher Klaus Reinhardt, is characterized by a black body with yellow spots and green eyes.
A new study simulates climate change effects on Rocky Mountain stream systems, finding that warmer temperatures have a greater impact on streamflow than changes in precipitation type. This can lead to reduced streamflow and altered groundwater recharge patterns.
Researchers propose an algorithm to retrieve four-dimensional surface deformation field using space-borne SAR data, crucial for interpreting complex geological phenomena. The method demonstrates its validity in areas where large and/or rapid surface deformation occurs, such as the Afar depression system.
A new study finds that cold-water species are more resilient to climate change than previously thought, with many populations expected to persist this century. Mountain landscapes play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, giving conservationists time to complete extensive surveys and develop effective conservation strategies.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is establishing four new Research Units, focusing on climate-related extinction events, individual risk perception, human impact on high-altitude ecosystems, and resilience in pre-modern societies. The units will receive approximately €7 million in funding for the first period.
Researchers found two new species of dung beetles in montane forests and cattle grazing sites across the Mexican mountains. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving disturbed ecosystems for species conservation.
A recent study has identified nearly 2,000 species of looper moths in the Andes mountains. The researchers used DNA barcodes to categorize and identify the species, revealing a higher diversity than previously estimated.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of 12 massive explosive eruptions in the Cassia Hills of southern Idaho, which left behind glassy deposits and a deep volcanic basin. These eruptions were hotter and more frequent than those at Yellowstone, and provide insights into ancient volcanic activity west of the famous park.
A University of California, Irvine study found that global warming affects the soil fungi that support plant life in tropical mountain cloud forests. The impact on these ecosystems could be significant, with changes to fungal community composition and increased carbon dioxide emissions.
A team of scientists collected over 70 fertile/flowering orchid specimens from the field during the 6-week Lengguru 2014 expedition. Four new orchid species were identified among them, all collected in high-altitude forests above 1000 meters above sea level.
Climate models predict wet regions will become wetter and dry regions drier; western US aquifers expected to see slight-to-significant decreases in recharge as climate warms. The team's research integrates scientists' knowledge with scientific models to predict groundwater changes.
Pollinator preferences favor orchids with stronger scents in the Swiss lowlands, but not in mountain regions. Key differences were found in floral scent molecules and pollinator communities between the two areas.
A new caddisfly species, Drusus sharrensis, has been discovered in Kosovo's Sharr National Park. The discovery highlights the country's unique biodiversity hotspot and raises concerns about the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers evaluated the performance of Riegl Z620i and LPM-800HA terrestrial laser scanners on characterizing natural surfaces. They established a procedure to test componential uncertainty budgets and demonstrated the relationship between reference network uncertainty and imaged surface repeatability.
A new study highlights how topography influences biodiversity in mountains. Mid-altitudes host the most species due to the size and connectivity of similar habitats. Biodiversity peaks at these elevations, not at high altitudes or lower levels, according to researchers from EPFL.
A new iguana species, L. uniformis, has been discovered in the Andean highlands of Central Chile with consistently colored bodies across males and females. The species' unique coloration is consistent even among individuals from different sexes.
A CU-Boulder study reveals an ongoing loss of ice on Niwot Ridge and the Green Lakes Valley in the Rocky Mountains, likely to progress as climate warms. The decline is associated with rising temperatures each summer and autumn, causing glaciers, rock glaciers, and permafrost to thin.
Two new species of frogs, Rombophryne ornata and Rombophryne tany, are discovered in the forest floor of Madagascar's remote Tsaratanana Massif. The scientists found unique features such as spines over their eye sockets and distinctive colors like reddish and brownish hues.
The discovery of ancient tortoise and turtle fossils in the Andes Mountains suggests that the region was less than a kilometer above sea level 13 million years ago. The findings support alternative estimates to a recent study and provide insights into climate change caused by rising mountains.
The 2011 flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee had a significant impact on the geomorphology of several large watersheds in north-central Pennsylvania. Channel widening and bank erosion were common, and huge volumes of gravel were transported during the flood. The study suggests that part of the reason for these changes was related to the...
Scientists have used subterranean rock samples to help fill a gap in the history of Earth's magnetic field, shedding light on North America's position 400 million years ago. The study provides new insights into Paleomagnetism and its relevance to understanding the continent's geological past.
New mapping and dating reveal timing of past earthquakes and tectonic deformation distribution across the western U.S. Death Valley's faulted alluvial fans help determine seismic hazard mitigation and understand great landscapes' evolution over recent geologic time.
A new study examines the spatial distribution of conservation lands in the Appalachian Mountains. The research found that social factors play a more significant role in the distribution of conservation easements than environmental factors.
Researchers found that cold, steep slopes produce coarser sediment than gentle slopes, suggesting variations in climate, topography, and weathering rates shape mountain landscapes. This discovery quantifies the relationship between sediment size and erosion rates, providing new insights into the interplay of climate and tectonics.