Articles tagged with Physical Geology
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers have developed a new detection method called 'Jerk' that can identify extremely subtle ground movements as precursors of volcanic eruptions. The method was tested at a volcano observatory on La Réunion island and predicted 92% of eruptions between 2014 and 2023, with warning times ranging from minutes to hours.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a method to increase muon lifetime using intense laser pulses. By applying quantum interference principles, they aim to develop new scientific facilities that utilize muons instead of electrons.
Researchers are utilizing the SWOT satellite to study how rivers and streams shape the Earth's surface, transforming scale in river studies. By covering all rivers worldwide, SWOT enables tracking of dam failures and understanding their long-term effects on ecosystems.
An international scientific team led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway has discovered the deepest known gas hydrate cold seep on Earth at a staggering depth of 3,640 meters. This groundbreaking finding reveals a previously unknown ecosystem thriving in the Greenland Sea and expands the known depth limit for gas hydrate outcrops.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
Researchers found that Kīlauea's magma system started behaving anomalously about a year before the 2018 eruption, suggesting a blockage formed between the volcano's summit magma reservoirs. Continuous monitoring data accumulated, gaining insights into Kīlauea's inner workings and its long-term behavior.
Scientists have discovered how continents are slowly peeled from beneath the Earth's surface, stripping material that fuels volcanic eruptions over tens of millions of years. This phenomenon, known as a 'mantle wave,' explains why ocean islands contain materials distinctively continental, despite being found in the middle of oceans.
Tulane researchers discovered that an area of the African tectonic plate, previously thought to be weak, is now resisting deformation due to dehydration 80 million years ago. This process strengthened the plate and made it more resistant to future breakup.
Scientists will study moisture-driven mechanisms of ice sheet growth during the Miocene Climatic Optimum, a warmer climate period. The team aims to understand how increased moisture transport affects ice accumulation and mitigate sea level rise.
Climate change is projected to decimate mollusk populations in the Western Atlantic, with over 60% of their range expected to be lost. This would have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, as mollusks play critical roles in maintaining water quality and providing habitats for other species.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen have identified oxygen isotopes in 'cherts' as indicators of heat flow on early Earth. The study reveals that cherts record paleo-heat flow on the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau, providing insights into the conditions on the Earth's surface up to 3.5 billion years ago.
The University of Houston's $1 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to address the critical workforce gap in the US mineral industry. The initiative will sponsor high school and community college students for a four-week training camp and immersive field-based learning experiences.
Scientists have detected tremor signals at the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania, revealing details about magma movement and volcanic activity. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of magma movement and offer a step forward for volcano seismology.
Researchers found similarities in timing and structure of turbidite layers in cores from both fault systems, suggesting seismic synchronization between Cascadia and San Andreas faults. The study, led by Chris Goldfinger, suggests that earthquakes on one fault could draw down resources across the country.
A new study found that land and ocean weathering processes are linked, influencing the amount of carbon stored or released into the atmosphere. The research proposes a continuum approach to studying weathering reactions on both land and in the ocean.
Researchers found that differences in tectonic plate thickness explain the extensive volcanism. Thinner lithosphere funneled hot plume material, causing uplift and volcanic activity. The study sheds light on global significance of the Iceland Plume.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of hidden motions in granular materials like soil and snow, which can control their movement. This discovery could help understand how landslides and avalanches work, as well as benefit industries such as construction and grain filling.
A study using stalagmite analysis found eight wet season droughts lasting over three years between 871-1021 CE, contributing to the Maya civilization's decline. This climate data aligns with historical and archaeological evidence, providing a new framework for analyzing human-climate interactions.
A global analysis using machine learning predicts glacial erosion rates for 180,000 glaciers worldwide, with most experiencing erosion between 0.02-2.68 millimeters per year. The study identifies complex factors influencing erosion, including temperature, water under the glacier and rock type.
A large region of unusually hot rock deep beneath the Appalachian Mountains in the United States could be linked to Greenland and North America splitting apart 80 million years ago. The 'mantle wave' theory suggests that hot, dense rock slowly peels away from the base of tectonic plates after continents break apart.
Researchers at Göttingen University developed a method to reconstruct the early Earth's atmosphere using fossilized micrometeorites. The study found that intact micrometeorites can preserve reliable traces of oxygen isotopes over millions of years.
An international team of researchers proposes that a meteorite impact just west of Winslow, Arizona, created Meteor Crater and triggered a massive landslide in the Grand Canyon. The study found evidence of a paleolake forming at the same time, with driftwood dating back to around 55,000 years.
Debris flows in the Alps are hazardous due to surge waves that can destroy everything in their path. Researchers have found that surges arise spontaneously on the surface of the flow, stemming from small irregularities that grow over time.
Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized source of seismic hazard for the Yukon Territory, finding evidence of multiple large earthquakes on the Tintina fault in recent geologic history. The team's findings confirm that the fault continues to accumulate strain, posing a future earthquake threat with potential magnitudes ex...
Research at the University of Southampton reveals a single, asymmetric plume beneath the Afar region in Ethiopia, which is pulsing like a heartbeat. The team found distinct chemical signatures in volcanic rock samples, suggesting that the plume is dynamic and responsive to tectonic plate movement.
Researchers discovered that solid rock flows horizontally in the lower edge of the Earth's mantle, accelerating seismic waves. This finding solves the mystery of the D" layer and opens a window into the dynamics of the Earth's deepest interior.
A new study reveals that deeply subducted carbonates can cause significant variations in Earth's mantle redox states, influencing diamond formation and craton evolution. This process shapes continent and diamond characteristics, with different mantle environments producing distinct redox signatures.
Researchers precisely mapped how magma storage changes as Hawaiian volcanoes age, revealing new insights into the volcanic pluming system. The study found that magma flow diminishes and shifts deeper underground as volcanoes move away from a heat-rich hotspot.
A collaborative research project led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz aims to understand the impact of thermally induced fracture formation on mineral rock properties. The study will help reduce associated risks and improve geothermal energy's efficiency.
A new study has investigated seismic signal shear-wave splitting to provide early warnings of dangerous eruptions. The research team discovered that the amount of splitting doubles before a larger, more explosive eruption, indicating a useful relationship between the parameter and the size of the eruption.
Researchers have discovered that the underside of the North American continent is experiencing 'cratonic thinning', a phenomenon where the continent is slowly losing its stability and rock layers. This process, driven by the subduction of the Farallon Plate, may eventually stop as the plate sinks deeper into the mantle.
Researchers at Quaise Energy have published new designs for superhot geothermal plants, which could increase the size of the prize by an order of magnitude. The designs apply conventional principles to higher-temperature ranges, informing a roadmap toward a superhot future.
Researchers modelled mantle convection to show African LLVP has older, better mixed material than Pacific LLVP, which is enriched in subducted oceanic crust. This difference affects heat extraction from Earth's core, posing a challenge for observations and models.
Researchers will use airborne GPR and ground-based TEM to collect rich geophysical data, estimating carbon storage and gas emissions in peatlands across a latitudinal gradient. The project aims to reduce uncertainty in these predictions and provide valuable information on how to better protect carbon stocks.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
A research team from the University of Göttingen investigated the influence of the Zagros Mountains on Earth's surface bending. They found that the Neotethys oceanic plate is breaking off horizontally, creating a depression in the region.
Two large 'islands' with the size of a continent have been found in the Earth's mantle, showing they are at least half a billion years old. Seismologists discovered these regions by studying the tones and sound volume of seismic waves, finding little damping in the islands, but high damping in nearby cold slab graveyard.
Researchers from Göttingen University and Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered the Moon formed from material ejected from the Earth's mantle. The findings support the idea that water reached Earth early in its development, contrary to the prevailing assumption of late impacts.
Scientists discovered that gophers, which were introduced to a devastated area after the 1980 eruption, helped regenerate plant and animal life through their digging. The bacteria and fungi they brought to the surface helped plants establish themselves and survive.
The SUPERSLUG initiative aims to forecast the impact of sediment slugs on river catchments and communities. The project will use a range of sensors and numerical models to provide comprehensive predictions of where and how long-term effects might be felt, up to decades or centuries after an event.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
A new study provides a complete picture of the last Snowball Earth's end and suggests its connection to the emergence of complex lifeforms. The research focuses on ancient rocks known as cap carbonates, which preserve clues about Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Researchers questioned the Cascadia subduction zone's earthquake record, finding that turbidite layers showed no better correlation than random chance. The study suggests a need for further research on turbidite layers and their connection to past earthquakes.
Researchers investigate the effect of oxygen content on mantle rock melting and early Earth magma ocean formation. The study reveals that oxygen fugacity significantly influences melting temperatures, suggesting current models need revision.
Researchers found that powerful waves triggered deep within the Earth can cause continental surfaces to rise by over a kilometre. The study explains why parts of continents experience substantial uplift and erosion, forming sweeping elevated regions known as plateaus.
Scientists have developed a state-of-the-art computational model predicting land, ice and global sea-level interactions. The model estimates that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could slow melting Antarctic ice enough to allow Earth uplift to partially stabilize the ice sheet and prevent some future sea-level rise.
A new junior professorship in Earth System Science at Mainz University, sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation, will establish a specialized lab for paleoclimate research. The lab will analyze high-resolution sediments formed thousands to millions of years ago to reconstruct past climates, including seasonal patterns.
A new imaging technique allows scientists to visualize the Earth's rocky interior using GPS data, revealing details about the planet's crust and mantle. This method has the potential to improve earthquake predictions by combining it with other techniques.
A recent study has identified over 300 distinct types of bacteria in Roman Baths water, including those with antibiotic-producing capabilities. These microorganisms show promise as a potential source of novel natural products to combat antibiotic resistance.
The 2023 Geothermal Rising Conference highlights growing interest in superhot rock geothermal, with papers validating its viability for high power output and small spatial footprint. Researchers are developing new technologies to access these resources, including millimeter wave energy to drill deeper holes.
Researchers analyzed dolomite rocks and found a high proportion of C-13, indicating strong methane formation by microorganisms in water with low sulphate content. The sediment's chemical development is controlled by crater floor cooling and water supply, not climatic changes.
A scientific model published in Nature shows a striking correlation between landscape dynamics and the evolution of life on Earth. The study proposes that sediment pulses controlled by past landscapes have played a key role in shaping biodiversity.
Researchers separate out microbial and environmental controls on marine sedimentary pyrite sulfur isotope ratios, revealing local processes that dominate the record. This breakthrough refutes previous hypotheses and offers a new framework for interpreting ancient signals.
Researchers propose that ancient planet Theia collided with Earth billions of years ago, forming two continent-sized blobs of unusual material and the Moon. The blobs, known as large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs), are rich in iron and likely composed of different proportions of elements than the mantle surrounding them.
A new study by the University of Oxford found that ancient carbon in rocks can release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, rivaling volcanic emissions. This discovery challenges current understanding of the natural carbon cycle and has important implications for climate change modeling.
University of Queensland researchers have developed a new technique using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of magma. This high-resolution method provides clearer data on the eruption style and lava flow, enabling better forecasting of volcanic eruptions.
A study from Smithsonian researchers deepens understanding of Earth's crust by testing and eliminating the garnet hypothesis about why continental crust is lower in iron and more oxidized. The findings suggest that intense heat and pressure cannot produce the necessary conditions for garnet formation, contradicting a popular explanation.
A team of researchers from UNLV has named a previously unexplored 500 million-year-old Grand Canyon formation, the Frenchman Mountain Dolostone. The new formation was identified through scientific detective work and is now understood to have been deposited over an interval of 7.3 million years during the Cambrian Period.
Researchers used a novel method to study tectonic plate movement, finding two significant slowdowns in the South American plate over the past 15 million years. These events may have contributed to the widening of the Andes mountain range by causing unstable material to tear free and sink into the mantle.
Researchers at Pusan National University have created a new algorithm that can accurately predict ice resistance and fracture points for ships navigating through the Arctic shipping routes. The model uses an elastic material approach, allowing it to study continuous ice-breaking processes, which is essential for efficient navigation.