Articles tagged with Rocks
An international team of scientists has collected unprecedented rock samples from the shallow mantle of the ocean crust that bear signs of life and unique carbon cycling. The discovery may provide insights into how life developed on Earth and potentially exist elsewhere in the Universe.
Scientists have discovered evidence of ancient continental collisions in the Teton Range, dating back 2.68 billion years, providing new insights into the early history of plate tectonics. The study found significant differences in the composition of the ancient crust compared to modern plates.
Researchers have found datable volcanic ash deposits in the Karoo Basin that suggest two phases of the extinction event occurred at least 1 million years apart, rather than concurrently. The study provides new insights into the timing and impact of the Great Dying, one of Earth's largest mass extinctions.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to estimate stress in bedrock, enabling predictions of fracture locations and landslides. The study reveals topography above ground influences weathering below the surface, improving understanding of geological processes.
A giant mound near the Moon's south pole has been found to be a result of a unique volcanic activity triggered by a colossal impact. The Mafic Mound, standing 800 meters tall and 75 kilometers across, exhibits a different mineralogical composition than the surrounding rock.
Researchers used data from the Earth's gravity field, topography, seismology, and crustal structure to create a 3D model of the North American craton. The study found that the lower part of the craton's root has shifted by approximately 850 kilometers towards the west-southwest due to mantle flow.
A team of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that lightning can reshape rocks at an atomic level, creating distinctive black 'glazes' and shock lamellae. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the effects of meteorite impacts on rocks.
A new study finds that the lag time between rock uplift and river erosion in the Tibetan Plateau was just 2 million years or so, making them relatively synchronous events. The researchers used fission track dating to determine the timing of these events and shed light on the geological history of the region.
New study reveals lag time between rock uplift and river erosion in the Tibetan Plateau was just 2 million years, making them relatively synchronous events. Scientists used fission track dating to measure temperature-sensitive events in rocks and found increased erosion rates fourfold to eightfold in the late Miocene.
Researchers from Monash University discovered the origins of Australia's two largest basins by reconstructing geological evolution and using seismic tomography models. The study found that both basins are located above a deep mantle slab, which is sinking into the Earth's interior.
A study by UC quaternary paleoecologist Brooke Crowley uses strontium isotopes to track the mobility of lemurs and other subfossil mammals over the past 10,000 years. The research aims to shed light on the environmental consequences of forest loss and inform conservation efforts.
Researchers studied stress fields along the San Andreas fault at the microscopic scale, revealing heterogeneous and high-stress areas in rock samples. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of earthquake events and advance seismicity research.
Researchers document fault rocks surrounding New Zealand's active Alpine Fault, recording slip rates and influencing earthquake processes. The study provides insights into the complex fault rock sequence resulting from past earthquakes, with potential applications for realistic ground shaking predictions.
Researchers studied sediment rocks in Italian Dolomites and found high acidity levels, similar to vinegar or lemon juice, indicating repeated acid rain events. These acidic conditions led to a decline in plant life, causing a collapse in the food chain and contributing to the mass extinction of end-Permian life on land.
Researchers developed a miniaturized instrument for dating rocks and measuring geochemistry, revealing the age of a Mars meteorite. The technique provides high-sensitivity detection of organics and requires minimal sample preparation.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown dense rock structure in the Earth's crust beneath Chile, influencing the size of a massive earthquake. The structure played a key role in slowing down the rupture, generating stronger shaking at the surface.
Researchers have discovered naturally occurring asbestos in Boulder City, Nevada, posing a risk to local residents. The fibrous minerals were found in areas not previously considered at risk, highlighting the need for further investigation into their occurrence and toxicity.
A UT Arlington geophysicist is using new technology to examine the relationship between dynamic loading and rock fragmentation. His research aims to create physics-based models that predict rock fracturing based on strain applied and rock makeup.
Fossil analysis confirms that historic Ohio millstones originated from France, contrary to local assumptions. The study identified distinctive fossils, such as charophytes and snails, unique to the Paris Basin region in France.
Recent 'rock snot' blooms are caused by native Didymosphenia geminata responding to changing conditions, not human introductions or new genetic strain. Climate change and environmental factors trigger the blooms.
Researchers investigate the western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt's chemical characteristics, characterizing the mantle source and promoting continental growth. They also study alkaline lavas in Colorado, tracing the evolution of the northern Rio Grande rift and migration of volcanism.
A recent study by UC Davis and Oregon State University found that magma mobility in Mount Hood is less than 10%, indicating a higher risk of eruptions. The research suggests using seismic imaging to detect mostly liquid magma, which could lead to more accurate eruption forecasts.
A new study found that Mount Hood's magma has been stored for at least 20,000 years, but can liquefy and potentially erupt in a short time frame of around two months. The key to triggering an eruption is elevating the rock's temperature above 750 degrees Celsius.
Researchers develop a mathematical model explaining the two-phase process of abrasion that makes rocks rounder. The study reveals that abrasion reduces rock size only after it becomes smooth, providing new insights into erosion and sediment travel in rivers.
Researchers in New Zealand have discovered that rock can transform into soil more than twice as fast as previously thought possible. Soil production rates range from 0.1 to 2.5 millimeters per year, depending on soil thickness and location. This breakthrough has implications for the Earth's carbon cycle and weathering processes.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provide a new model for understanding the geological source of silent earthquakes along California's San Andreas fault. Creep events originate closer to the surface, a shallower source along the fault, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience.
A 18-mile-long feature with a distinct mineral signature has been discovered in the Copernicus crater on the Moon's near side. The finding suggests that pre-existing mineralogical diversity is not always blended away by large impacts, contradicting long-held assumptions.
New Laser Ablation ICP-MS technique identifies rutile-bearing rocks and reconstructs their thermal and pressure histories. This breakthrough enables faster analysis of tiny rutile grains, shedding light on geological processes.
A new analysis by planetary scientists from Brown University shows that lunar impact events produced massive seas of melted rock, up to 220 miles across and six miles deep. These melt seas differentiated similarly to the lunar magma ocean, producing rocks with complex mineral compositions.
A team of geoscientists from the University of Arizona led by Stuart N. Thomson discovered that East Antarctica's landscape changed dramatically when big glaciers appeared there, carving deep valleys quickly. The research used sediment cores to analyze minerals and determine the rate of erosion over time.
Researchers at MIT analyzed MESSENGER data to identify two distinct rock compositions on Mercury's surface, suggesting a massive lava flow and subsequent magma ocean. The team recreated the rock types in the lab and simulated geological processes to support their hypothesis.
Scientists have isolated oldest biomolecules directly from 350-million-year-old crinoid fossils in Ohio and surrounding areas. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules can survive fossilization, providing new insights into ancient life.
A team of scientists has discovered that magma can form at depths of up to 250 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, a finding that challenges existing theories and sheds new light on the planet's inner workings. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's geophysical and geochemical properties.
Research by Brigham Young University geologists reveals Hawaiian Islands are dissolving from within, with groundwater removing more mineral material than stream water. The study predicts Oahu will continue to grow for up to 1.5 million years before eventually declining in elevation.
A new model provides insight into the brief but violent lives of monogenetic volcanoes, shedding light on their explosive mechanisms. The research proposes that explosions occur simultaneously over a range of depths, contradicting previous theories.
A fossilized graptolite has provided evidence that early organisms developed specialized roles and cooperated to construct their homes, much like modern builders. The ancient animals displayed complex structures, including slender branches and hourglasses, indicating an elaborate division of labor.
Researchers at Kansas State University are studying the geochemical effectiveness of trapping and storing carbon dioxide in the Arbuckle aquifer, a porous rock layer that could permanently store CO2. The study aims to understand how to sequester carbon dioxide and keep it from reaching the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that giant magma bodies forming the basis of super-eruptions exist for a few thousand years before erupting, rather than hundreds of thousands. This discovery has implications for predicting and mitigating the effects of these massive eruptions.
New research from the British Geological Survey and MIT refines the data used to determine how much time has passed since a mineral or rock was formed. The results show that minerals naturally capture uranium when they form, which in turn undergoes radioactive decays to other elements, allowing for more accurate age determinations.
Researchers propose that oceanic crust 'oozed' continents at depths of 30-40 kilometers instead of 100 km, supported by analysis of oldest rocks. This new theory challenges the conventional understanding of continental crust formation.
A new study found that listening to mainstream rock music increased support for student groups catering mostly to whites, while Top 40 pop music showed equal support for diverse groups. In contrast, radical white-power rock listeners gave more funds to the white group and less to minority groups.
The Siberian Traps volcanic eruptions could have released gases that damaged the ozone layer and caused acid rain, leading to a drastic decline in ecological diversity.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that rocks beneath Haiti are over a billion years old and originated from 1,000+ miles away. This finding suggests that the Caribbean tectonic plate has captured ancient continent fragments, which can be transported thousands of miles through the upper mantle.
Researchers developed an economical method to detect groundwater in semi-arid hard rock areas by analyzing electrical conductivity logs. The approach revealed differences in subterranean rock fissures and correlated with regions of underground water. This technique may be useful for identifying the most abundant sources of groundwater.
Experts gather to discuss the state of knowledge about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a region prone to large earthquakes with significant economic losses. Researchers also explore computer simulations of earthquake ground motion in the zone, aiming to understand and anticipate future events.
A recent study published in Gender & Society reveals that scouting manuals steer girls towards arts and crafts while discouraging scientific pursuits. Meanwhile, boys are encouraged to pursue careers like engineering and science. The findings highlight the perpetuation of gender stereotypes in scouting organizations.
A new study published in Geology reveals that rock formations along the Canadian-US border date back to 120 million years ago. The research suggests that ancient rivers flowing through western North America were separated by the modern-day border.
The study provides geological evidence to support the idea that the first solid material in the Solar System was fragile and extremely porous. Researchers analyzed an asteroid fragment and found that it had been subjected to shocks in space, possibly during periods of turbulence, which compacted the rock into a harder state.
Deep saline groundwaters in the Witwatersrand Basin show unique chemical signatures that differ from ocean and surface waters, suggesting isolation for a long time. The discovery adds to our understanding of a unique environment with microbial ecosystems that thrive on chemical energy from rock.
A new study found that guitar players desire replicas of instruments to tap into the perceived magic of their favorite rock stars. These fetishes provide confidence and reduce anxiety, leading to improved performance.
A team of archaeologists and palaeontologists discovered prehistoric human faces in Lene Hara Cave, dated to the late Pleistocene era. The 'sun ray' face has been confirmed to be around 10,000 to 12,000 years old, while other faces are likely to be equally ancient.
The December 2010 Lithosphere issue presents various studies on tectonic histories, fault activity, and mantle deformation. Researchers analyze the Llano Uplift in Texas, the Kern Canyon fault in California, and the Twin Sisters ultramafic body in Washington State, among other locations.
The research team analyzed rock samples to reveal the mountain's 2,200-kilometer journey from Peru to its modern position on the Caribbean coast. The findings link the mountain's foundation to other old massifs in the Americas.
Research reveals that glaciers in cold climates protect mountain tops and sides from erosion, allowing them to grow higher. By analyzing rocks exposed on remote glaciers in Patagonia, scientists found that the protective effect of glaciers reverses the conventional view of them as powerful agents of erosion.
A new Special Paper documents the latest research on granite origins, covering historical context, current evolution, and global perspectives. Key findings highlight the diversity of granite-related research and its ongoing thrust.
Scientists have discovered a new window into the Earth's violent past by analyzing geochemical evidence from volcanic rocks on Baffin Island. The study suggests that the primitive mantle, which dates back to just tens of millions of years after the Earth's formation, was already depleted in incompatible elements compared to chondrites.
A new study suggests that everyday gratitude plays a crucial role in maintaining satisfying romantic relationships. The researchers found that when one partner expresses gratitude to the other, it strengthens their bond and fosters feelings of appreciation and connection. Conversely, indebtedness can hinder relationship maintenance.
The project aims to develop interactive computer programs to visualize and analyze strain in rocks, improving undergraduate courses in structural geology. Students will gain hands-on experience in gathering and analyzing data, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject.
A team of researchers found low-angle normal faults, thought to be stable, can actually slip due to the presence of talc and clays allowing for easy sliding. This challenges previous laboratory experiments that indicated these faults should not move.
Researchers used photography and detailed geological mapping to identify 30 tombs on fracture traces, which can lead to flooding and damage. The team plans to use this information to stop flooding by diverting water away from tombs.