Articles tagged with Rocks
A new study suggests that some minerals beneath the Earth's surface could be of extraterrestrial origin. Researchers propose that a 'rain' of comets and meteorites may have deposited precious metals such as platinum and rhodium in the rock portion of the Earth, challenging internal geological processes.
Researchers have developed a new model that explains the formation of banded iron formations, offering insights into the early ocean floor's composition and geochemical conditions. The study suggests that interactions between rocks, water, and air played a crucial role in creating these iconic formations.
A recent study by researchers found that only people who engage in vigorous outdoor sports, like hiking and backpacking, tend to become supporters of mainline conservation groups. The typical backpacker gave $200 to $300 per year after a dozen-year lag. In contrast, casual woodland tourists do not support these causes.
Researchers used ancient volcanic rocks to determine Earth's magnetic field was structured like today's two-pole model, resolving a long-standing debate. This finding may lead to better understanding of historical continental movement and its impact on climate.
Researchers at the University of Utah are conducting a $10.2 million study in Idaho to develop new techniques for increasing geothermal energy production. By using oil and gas industry methods to create pathways in hot rock, they aim to unlock the country's vast geothermal potential.
A nationwide study found a significant rise in rock climbing-related injuries, with over 40,000 patients treated between 1990 and 2007. The majority of injuries were falls from heights above 20 feet, which increased the risk of hospitalization by 10 times.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that rocks become better insulators and poorer conductors as they heat up, triggering crustal melting. This finding provides new insights into how magmas are formed and will lead to more accurate models of continental collision and mountain belt formation.
The Geological Society of America's South-Central Section Meeting will feature a presentation on the Arlington Archosaur Site, which has yielded over 95 million-year-old fossils including a new species of lungfish. The site is also home to well-preserved remains of a carnivorous theropod and a large herbivorous hadrosaur.
Researchers have discovered an abundance of pseudotachylytes, rocks formed under extreme heat and friction during earthquakes, in the Sierra Nevada. This finding reveals the importance of heat generated by the earthquake process and challenges previous assumptions about their rarity.
Researchers discovered that Martian rock arrangements are not caused by alien hands, but rather by wind-driven processes. As the sand is eroded, larger clasts move into the direction of prevailing winds and spread out from one another.
A type of rock called peridotite reacts naturally with CO2 to form solid minerals at surprisingly high rates. The process could be sped up by drilling and injecting heated water containing pressurized CO2, potentially capturing large amounts of atmospheric carbon.
Researchers at the Carnegie Institution have discovered Canadian bedrock over four billion years old, making it 250 million years more ancient than previously discovered rocks. The findings provide crucial clues to the earliest stages of our planet's evolution and chemical composition similar to volcanic rocks in geologic settings.
The OneGeology project has successfully created the world's first digital geological map, providing a global overview of the planet's rocks. This achievement enables nations to share data, access maps, and gain insights into natural resources and geohazards.
MESSENGER data reveals widespread volcanism on Mercury's surface, with lava plains and iron-deficient rock units mapped. The spacecraft has identified three major rock units and confirmed an apparent planet-wide iron deficiency in Mercury's surface rocks.
A team of geologists from the University of Florida has found evidence that six major basins in India were formed over a billion years ago, removing an obstacle to the Snowball Earth theory. The discovery also suggests that complex life may have originated hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought.
A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder and California Institute of Technology suggests that the Grand Canyon is significantly older than previously thought, potentially dating back to the time of dinosaurs. The research uses radiometric dating to show that the canyon may have formed over 55 million years ago.
Researchers uncover rare two-billion-year-old window into the Earth's mantle, shedding light on geological history. The discovery suggests the mantle is not as well-mixed or homogenous as previously believed.
Brown students and faculty will analyze data from MESSENGER spacecraft, exploring Mercury's surface composition, geological history, and magnetic field
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that arsenic-tainted wells require tailored treatment approaches, depending on their source and geology. Chlorine disinfection can effectively control pathogenic bacteria but may not address all types of arsenic contamination.
Researchers from IRD, CNRS, and Universities worldwide studied oxygen isotope compositions to identify rubies' sources. They found 62% came from mantle origin and 20% from deep continental crust, improving prospecting strategies for these precious stones.
Researchers from UC Davis and international partners aim to unlock geothermal energy potential in Iceland and the US. By studying high-pressure conditions and heat transfer processes, they hope to develop more efficient methods for extracting heat from rocks.
Researchers are exploring land-based 'black smoker' sites to gain insights into harnessing geothermal energy. The project, led by UC Davis, uses a deep drilling approach to study the interaction between hot rocks and fluids.
The discovery of geologic time revolutionized our understanding of the world, allowing scientists to date rocks and calculate the age of the Earth. This breakthrough, achieved by Arthur Holmes in the early 20th century, had a profound impact on fields like plate tectonics and evolution.
Scientists on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission found evidence of long-past explosive volcanic activity at Home Plate, a plateau in Gusev Crater. The data collected by the rover supports earlier findings that water once existed at or beneath the planet's surface.
Researchers have found that the Earth's magnetic field was nearly as strong 3.2 billion years ago as it is today, contrary to previous studies. The discovery suggests that the Earth was well protected from the solar wind, which can strip away a planet's atmosphere and bathe its surface in lethal radiation.
A team of geoscientists has discovered physical evidence of ancient plate tectonics in southern Greenland, dating back to 3.8 billion years ago. The finding suggests that seafloor spreading and oceanic crust formation occurred as far back as the early history of Earth.
Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a new technique using the Ultrachron machine to analyze monazite mineral, allowing them to pin dates to geologic processes with high accuracy. This breakthrough is providing new insights into the expansion of the North American continent and the growth of the Himalayas.
Researchers at the University of Nevada used precariously balanced rocks to test seismic hazard predictions, measuring forces and angles to determine when an earthquake has not occurred for a long time. The study provides important information on seismic hazards in areas throughout the West, including data on ground-motion probability ...
Scientists from Northwestern University find New Madrid rocks surprisingly similar to other areas of the eastern United States, contradicting the idea that hot rocks are weak. The study suggests the fault system may be shutting down, with no large earthquakes expected for thousands of years or longer.
A US study finds no link between rock climbing and increased osteoarthritis risk, despite increased bone density in climbers' fingers and hands. Climbing style intensity is a significant predictor of bone strength, with bouldering and sport climbing styles correlating with stronger bones.
Researchers have identified a connection between fracture traces and rock-cut tombs in Egyptian valleys, which may aid in locating and protecting previously undiscovered tombs. The discovery also offers insights into preserving the tombs from water damage, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Researchers at Princeton University claim the Earth's magnetic field suggests a massive tilt occurred about 800 million years ago. This 'true polar wander' event could have shifted entire continents, producing mysterious geochemical changes in ancient oceans.
Researchers have found that continents are significantly weaker than previously suspected, with a narrow weak zone taking up most of the deformation. This discovery explains the origin of flat-lying zones of weakness known as detachment faults, which were not previously understood.
An international team of scientists will use remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles to investigate active and inactive hydrothermal vents in the western Pacific Ocean. The expedition aims to understand the formation of mineral deposits containing copper, gold, and other valuable minerals.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a theoretical model explaining how hot spring water deposits calcium-carbonate minerals, forming travertine and shaping landscapes. The model reveals that rocks grow at a rate of 1 millimeter per day, contradicting common assumptions about erosion.
Researchers use confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to analyze ancient microorganisms in Martian rocks, revealing insights into biochemistry and degradation over millions of years. The techniques allow scientists to view fossils in three dimensions, providing new evidence for the search for life on Mars.
A team of geologists and anthropologists reevaluated the alleged 40,000-year-old human footprints in Mexico, determining a new age of around 1.3 million years using argon/argon dating technique. This revised date challenges the accepted theory that humans arrived in the Americas at 11,000 years ago, sparking debate among researchers.
Researchers have discovered a unique layer of molten rocks beneath the Tibetan Plateau, explaining its massive rise over millions of years. The study also reveals that this geological makeup is typical of the entire Himalayan range, not just Tibet.
Fluid inclusions hold clues to understanding metal deposit formation and tracking oil deposits. By studying inclusions, scientists can predict where new fields may be discovered and uncover evidence of water and life on other planets.
The NUGGET instrument could help scientists determine if primitive forms of life existed on Mars by analyzing fossils embedded in rocks. By generating three-dimensional images, it can quickly identify areas where samples might be taken for further study.
A team of scientists from Virginia Tech and Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology have discovered uniquely preserved fossils from the Ediacaran Period, dated to 550 million years ago. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of complex life forms during this period.
Researchers at Queen's University have discovered a 13-million-year cycle in the mountain-building process, which is significantly shorter than previously believed. This finding has implications for our understanding of geological processes that shape the Earth, including the formation of volcanoes and deep-seated continental earthquakes.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit have been studying geology on opposite sides of Mars for over a year. The rovers have found extensive layered bedrock, including rocks containing the mineral Ilmenite, which suggests a shared origin and diversity in volcanic rocks in the Gusev region.
Researchers found microorganisms living in highly acidic conditions with high metal and silicate concentrations at Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin. These discoveries could provide clues about ancient life on Earth and aid in the search for life on Mars.
Indiana University geologists David Bish and Juergen Schieber will join NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, a rover mission set to launch in 2009. The rover will explore a local region as a potential habitat for past or present life, shedding light on the Martian surface's composition.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has located a massive body of rock that sank into Earth's mantle 3.5 million years ago, allowing the Sierra Nevada mountains to rise. The study used high-tech instruments to image the geology to 125 miles below the surface.
Researchers analyzed rock samples to determine when and how quickly rivers cut through rock, revealing a rate much faster than previously thought. Climate changes during the last ice age prompted the rapid incision of gorges along both rivers approximately 35,000 years ago.
Researchers analyzed rare isotope data to gauge when rivers abandoned their ancient beds and exposed terraces. The study reveals that rivers cut through bedrock at a rate far more rapid than previously thought, driven by regional climate changes during the last ice age.
Archaeologists have found three unusual markings carved into rocks near Rothbury, Northumberland, including a small heart shape and a stylised human face. The origin and meaning of these marks remain unknown, with experts speculating they could be as young as 100-250 years old.
Researchers suggest Martian and Utah rocks formed underground when minerals precipitated from flowing groundwater, providing clues to the origin of 'blueberries' discovered on Mars. The study also sheds light on the search for evidence of past life on Mars.
The combined database will help researchers determine the origin of magnetic signals in Earth's crust. With over 36,000 rock samples, it will improve our understanding of Earth's structure and development.
A research team found mineralized tubes and DNA associated with microbial activity in ancient basaltic glass samples, suggesting that microbes colonized the early oceanic crust. The discovery provides clues to the origin of life on Earth.
The Keck Center for Active Visualization in Earth Sciences will enable geologists to build and test large-scale models of the Earth's interior. The facility will allow researchers to interact with their data in a more realistic way, using virtual reality tools developed by UC Davis researchers.
A team of University of Arizona geoscientists found that movement along faults created huge blocks of rock, lifting them 9,000 feet into the air to form Tucson's skyline. This discovery challenges previous theories on mountain formation in the western United States.
Researchers found that glacial icebergs carried boulders, known as erratics, from the Rocky Mountains to Rattlesnake Mountain in south-central Washington. The rocks were deposited along northeast-running gullies and show signs of weathering, suggesting they were carried by older Ice Age floods.
Researchers have applied the First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) method to study million-year-old rocks, thousand-year-old lake sediments, modern hard drives and novel nanomaterials. This technique provides insights into magnetic interactions between grains and could lead to improved storage devices.
Professor Phil Gans predicts that volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica are 'inevitable' and could lead to devastating pyroclastic flows. He studied volcanic rocks and found evidence of subduction-related volcanism dating back 24 million years, with major eruptions occurring every few thousand years.
University of Alberta researchers are working on a project to remotely scan and analyze core samples, allowing geologists to determine the type and quality of rock without physically inspecting them. This technology has the potential to improve mine safety, accuracy, and production by reducing the need for human intervention.
Jenny LaGesse is studying ancient North Carolina coastlines by analyzing cores and outcrops to understand rock types, stacking patterns, and changes over time. Her research aims to produce models with worldwide applications in environments similar to the Paleogene of North Carolina.
Recent claims of fossil life on Earth over 3.8 billion years ago are called into question by researchers from The George Washington University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. A new study suggests that carbon in ancient rocks may have formed non-biotically, rather than through biological processes.