Articles tagged with Rocks
A study found dinosaurs' dispersal coincides with a significant drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. This suggests prior climatic barriers prevented their expansion into the Northern Hemisphere for 15 million years.
Researchers from St Petersburg University have discovered a complex of rocks forming an ancient island arc in the Songkultau Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, dated to around 500 million years ago. The finding provides valuable insights into the geological history of Central Asia and has implications for understanding large ore deposits.
Researchers found evidence that thinning of the lithosphere is generating heat needed to initiate process of stabilizing continental crust. This challenges previous understanding of mountain building and suggests a new mechanism for continent stability.
Researchers have discovered natural nanodiamonds in oceanic rocks, confirming the formation of diamonds under low-pressure conditions. The discovery was made in Cuba's Moa-Baracoa Ophiolitic Massif and provides new insights into the geological processes that form these valuable gemstones.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found diamonds in a small rock sample atop an unrealized gold deposit in Canada's Far North. The discovery provides insights into the thermal conditions of Earth's crust three billion years ago and suggests the presence of kimberlite or similar rocks that can carry diamonds to the surface.
Researchers at New York University have discovered that flowing water carves ultra-sharp spikes in landforms, creating the pointed rock formations known as stone forests. The study sheds light on a mechanism that explains the prevalence of these structures in karst topography.
A new study reveals that rock debris on glaciers can significantly reduce melt rates, with 7.3% of the world's total mountain glacier area covered in debris. This finding has significant implications for predicting future water resources and sea level rise.
Researchers from Russia and the Czech Republic modelled natural rock arcades, finding that they appear in areas with discontinuities due to erosion. The study used a mathematical model that describes the formation of arches and pillars through weathering and erosion processes.
Researchers applied a new Gaussian mathematical model to high-precision laser 40Ar/39Ar dating data from the Tengchong area, resolving 3 volcanic eruptive stages: Pliocene (3.78 Ma), early Middle Pleistocene (0.63 Ma) and late Middle Pleistocene (0.139 Ma). The method reduces uncertainty and defines stages with high precision.
Researchers found evidence of continental growth starting as early as 4.4 billion years ago, indicating that tectonic plate movement began more than a billion years earlier than previously believed. This discovery challenges our understanding of Earth's geological history and suggests a complex process involving the recycling of crust.
Researchers have identified the largest and hottest shield volcano on Earth as Pūhāhonu, which is nearly twice as big as Mauna Loa. The study reveals that hotspots can undergo pulses of melt production, rewriting the textbooks on mantle plumes.
Francis Macdonald and colleagues used thermochronology to track rock movement, finding evidence that supercontinent processes drove erosion between 1,000 and 720 million years ago
Scientists have long struggled to explain the 'Great Unconformity,' a phenomenon where ancient rocks sit atop much younger sediment. New research suggests that multiple smaller events may have triggered these unconformities worldwide. The findings could help better understand the origins of complex life during the Cambrian Explosion.
Researchers have found that excess minerals in these rocks originate from feeder conduits, where magma interacts with cold sidewalls and crystallises. This approach has great promise for solving petrological problems of magmatic complexes.
Research from a global team of scientists found that diverse rock types at New Zealand's largest fault contribute to varying earthquake types. Slow slip events and tsunami-generating tremors are linked to the unique properties of each rock type.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals the ancient hydrographic network of the Sahara, showing significant changes in climate and fauna over time. The Takarkori rock shelter, excavated by researchers, yielded fish remains that decreased in abundance as the region became more arid, replaced by mammal-heavy diet.
Researchers at Kazan University are developing advanced aerial drones with devices such as detectors and special cameras to enhance geological surveys. The goal is to analyze upper strata of rocks, evaluate hydrocarbon potential, and improve forest planning and soil analysis.
Researchers have identified a possible buried impact crater in southern Laos as the origin of ancient tektites found across one-tenth of Earth's surface. The crater is believed to have formed approximately 790,000 years ago, with geochemical analysis and dating techniques supporting this claim.
Researchers used existing underwater fiber optic cables to create an array of seismic sensors, mapping a previously unknown fault system off California's coast. The technique, known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), allows for unprecedented detail in monitoring seafloor seismic activity and potential offshore resources.
Research led by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that Alpine rock axeheads were a crucial component of pan-European exchange networks, with some rocks traveling over 1000 kilometres. The study's results suggest that the rocks' exceptional durability and resistance to friction made them highly valued for their production value.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin propose a chemical perspective to understand fracture patterns, which can influence oil and gas production. By analyzing mineral coatings and fluid reactions, scientists may be able to tease out processes that drove fracture formation.
A team of Penn State researchers is investigating the deformation properties and poromechanical behavior of anhydrite-containing rock samples. Their goal is to improve models that predict the evolution of permeability and seal in areas where anhydrite is found.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the Nile river is approximately 30 million years old, contradicting previous estimates. The team linked the river's flow to mantle movement in the Earth's deep mantle, revealing a steady northward path that has shaped human civilization.
Kathy Benison, a WVU geologist, has been chosen as part of the Return Sample Selection Participating Scientist team for NASA's Mars 2020 expedition. She will help select promising rocks and sediments for the rover to cache or study on Mars.
Researchers discovered that rock expansion, rather than chemical decomposition, is the primary cause of subsurface porosity in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This finding has significant implications for water resource management in the US, as saprolite can store large volumes of water and maintain forest health during droughts.
Researchers measured the tower's vibrations using seismometers and found two primary resonance modes at frequencies of 0.8 and 1.0 hertz. The results help scientists understand how human-made vibrations affect seemingly unmovable rocks, offering a geological checkup for natural rock forms.
Scientists are simulating nuclear waste disposal in the Grimsel rock laboratory to explore the stability of the geotechnical barrier bentonite. The research team inserted a small barrier system into a natural flow system and observed its behavior over four years, finding that the radionuclides moved but remained near the barrier.
Researchers found a strong correlation between meltwater runoff and seismic activity in the region, suggesting that seeping water may trigger small earthquakes. The study suggests that the shallow nature of the earthquakes is due to the unique geology of the area, with steeply dipping rock layers acting as a conduit for meltwater.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $2.2 million software donation from Petroleum Experts to enhance its geological research capabilities. The software, MOVE, will aid students and researchers in visualizing subsurface rock deposits and identifying underground fluids.
A new study on young hellbenders' habitats found that selecting a 'just right' rock is essential to avoid cannibalism. The research suggests that larvae tend to live under small rocks, while adults prefer larger boulders with specific gravel flooring characteristics.
A new study published in Geology reveals that the largest delta plain in Earth's history formed along Pangea's northern coast during the late Triassic period. The delta plain covers an area equivalent to nearly 1% of the modern world, outscaling modern counterparts by an order of magnitude.
Researchers suggest that tectonic activity, particularly volcanic arc collisions in the tropics, drives long-term climatic trends. These events uplift mafic rocks, which are readily eroded and consume CO2, leading to cooling climates.
A geosciences professor at the University of Akron has received a $512,045 NSF CAREER grant to investigate how lower crust strength anisotropy affects aftershock earthquake events. The study aims to provide new insights into rock properties and seismic release during earthquakes.
Researchers suggest a hydraulic fracturing well in Alberta, Canada was in contact with an active fault, causing induced seismicity. The coincidence of geological conditions required for induced seismicity are rarely expected to occur naturally, according to the study.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that the British mainland was formed from the collision of three ancient continental land masses: Avalonia, Laurentia, and Armorica. This finding explains the abundance of tin and tungsten in South West England, which is also found in Brittany and other areas of mainland Europe.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to reveal a 20-30 mile diameter subsurface batholith, which diverted magma outside the Cascade Arc, forming Mount St. Helens. The study provides clearer insights into the volcano's formation and potential for future activity.
Researchers have identified a new meteorite impact structure in Central Finland, measuring 2.6 km in diameter and 275 km north of Helsinki. The discovery is part of the country's growing list of confirmed impact structures, with Finland now ranking among the top countries to find these features.
Researchers used Mars-inspired tools to map the Himalayas, revealing details about rock types and fault systems. The study used thermal infrared spectrum analysis to create colorful images of different rock types, providing new insights into the region's geology.
Scientists reconstruct Earth's history with a new method that links astronomical theory to geological observation, enabling the analysis of ancient climate change. The study reveals days on Earth were over 18 hours long 1.4 billion years ago, and the moon's movement away contributed to the lengthening day.
Researchers at University of Liverpool identified the temperature at which cooling magma cracks to form geometric columns. The study found that columnar joints were formed around 840-890°C, indicating that the lava was hot before it solidified.
A study published in Science reveals that up to 26 percent of the nitrogen in ecosystems comes from weathering of rocks at Earth's surface. This discovery sheds light on the mysterious gap in nitrogen balance and has implications for forest growth, carbon sequestration, and conservation efforts.
Researchers found that up to 26 percent of natural ecosystems' nitrogen comes from rocks, not the atmosphere. This discovery could help forests and grasslands sequester more fossil fuel CO2 emissions.
A recent study has found that a layer of weathered bedrock can store significant amounts of water that may sustain trees during droughts. Researchers discovered that up to 27% of annual rainfall was stored as 'rock moisture' in the field site, allowing trees to survive severe droughts.
Geologists in Scotland have identified a 60-million-year-old meteorite strike on the Isle of Skye, revealing rare minerals from outer space. The discovery has sparked questions about the impact's connection to Paleogene volcanic activity across the North Atlantic.
Researchers found that bowhead whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic molt and rub on large rocks to facilitate exfoliation, shedding parasites and sun-damaged skin. This behavior may help reduce ultraviolet radiation damage, important for long-lived species like bowhead whales.
Researchers found glacial polish is a thin, deposited layer that helps explain its resistance to weathering. It can influence glacier speed and provide an archive for dating the material.
Academics uncover extensive and undocumented rock art deep inside Puerto Rico's Mona Island cave systems, featuring human, animal, and meandering designs. The team's multi-method characterization of the materials and practices reveals pre-Columbian artwork with dating and insights into artistic choices.
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that tectonic plates are weaker than previously believed, thanks to laboratory experiments. The study sheds light on how plates break and form new boundaries, with implications for understanding earthquake-generating faults.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University studied the stages of rock deformation and revealed a criterion that can predict the critical stage of fracture when rocks destroy. The study used acoustic emission signals to identify different energy distributions, which can indicate the transition to a critical state.
Researchers found that seawater's interaction with Roman concrete leads to the growth of rare minerals, increasing its cohesion and strength. The unique pozzolanic reaction and interlocking mineral crystals provide a system contrary to modern cement-based concrete.
A team of scientists found that massive volcanic eruptions may have caused the end-Ordovician extinction, which wiped out 85% of marine animal species. The eruptions released sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, interacting in complex ways to affect the climate.
Soil column thickness significantly influences the transition from hillslopes to channels. Climate plays a crucial role in triggering arroyos exclusively found in south-flowing catchments. These findings highlight the importance of soil development in shaping erosion instabilities.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changes in tectonic activity may have driven a transition from water-bearing to dry, hot magmas over time. The researchers found differences in the physical structure and chemical composition of volcanic rocks along the Panama Canal.
Researchers at Penn University studied the effects of a lightning strike on granite rock, using X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the mineral content and temperature. The study found that the rock was raised from ambient temperatures to at least 1,700 degrees Celsius, with organic material trapped in the glass layer.
Researchers found geochemical anomalies, known as 'fingerprints' of early Earth conditions, in young volcanic rocks from Hawaii and Samoa. These signatures suggest that the planet's interior may not be well mixed after all.
A team of experts presents exceptional photographs documenting the loss of ice across Earth's surface. The images showcase the devastating effects of climate change on glaciers, a consequence of anthropogenic carbon emissions. GSA Today article highlights the urgent need for action to address this issue.
Scientists have discovered beachrocks along the Biscay coast with records of human activity, including industrial waste, trapped within their matrix. This finding provides evidence for the Anthropocene epoch and offers valuable insights into climate change.
Analysis of Canadian Shield rock samples reveals components of Earth's original crust dated to over 4.2 billion years ago. The findings provide insight into the evolution of the oldest elements of Earth's continental hard outer layer.
Scientists have discovered ancient zircons on the island of Mauritius, dating back 3 billion years, suggesting a long-lost continent named Mauritia existed beneath the island. This finding supports the theory that the break-up of supercontinent Gondwana led to the formation of the Indian Ocean.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that carbon dioxide injected into basalt transformed into solid rock within two years. This process has the potential to permanently sequester large amounts of carbon on a global scale, offering a solution to reduce global emissions.