Articles tagged with Sand
A new study by Andrew J. Retzler and colleagues presents a revised map characterizing the size and shape of the Alamo crater. The researchers estimate the crater's diameter to be between 111 and 150 km, more than double previous estimates. This places the Alamo crater as one of the largest marine impacts in the last 550 million years.
Researchers studied snake and lizard movement through sand, finding the snake's elongated shape and slippery skin reduce friction and increase energy efficiency. The study provides insights into evolutionary pressures on body shape among sand-dwelling animals.
New research at Arizona State University's Planetary Aeolian Laboratory found that wind speeds necessary to move sand-size particles on Titan are about 40 percent too low. Dune particles on Titan need winds of at least 3.2 miles per hour to start moving, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers successfully replicated the sidewinder snake's ability to traverse sandy slopes using a modular snake robot, gaining insights into the animals' unique wave motion. By studying the snakes and physical model simultaneously, they learned general principles that allowed them to improve the robot.
A new study has found that the dispersant compound DOSS, used in the Deepwater Horizon spill, persists in the environment for up to four years, remaining associated with oil and affecting marine ecosystems. The persistence of DOSS in deep-sea sediments, corals, and sand patties on Gulf beaches indicates a need for further research into...
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside has created a novel method to produce high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes using sand. The innovative technique, which involves milling and purifying quartz from sand, results in a porous nano-silicon material that improves battery lifespan up to three times.
Researchers found that fracking flowback fluid can mobilize tiny particles in soil, releasing associated pollutants like heavy metals. This phenomenon can exacerbate environmental risks during accidental spills.
A new paper in Physics of Fluids provides a more consistent way to describe the forces acting on waves and undertows. The researchers found that different approaches were due to incorrect handling of weak forces, not methodology. This advance enables better models for predicting beach erosion and can help preserve shorelines.
Researchers found that the river's supply of sand, a key ingredient for rebuilding marshlands, will remain constant for at least 300 years. The study suggests that despite reduced sediment loads, the abundance of sand in the lower Mississippi River channel will continue to replenish wetlands.
Researchers used a supercomputer and geometric signatures to visualize why objects jam when compressed, capturing fundamental insights about the jamming process. The study has potential applications for preventing factory congestion, separating oil deposits, and efficient data transfer on the Internet.
A University of Calgary-led study has found that the majority of sand in Alberta's oilsands came from the Appalachian region on eastern North America. Researchers used a technique called detrital zircon uranium-lead geochronology to determine the age of individual sediment grains, revealing a range of ages from 300 to 2,800 million yea...
Scientists found that Hurricane Sandy did not significantly damage the offshore barrier system controlling erosion on Long Island. However, the storm churned up new pollutants in the waters off the island, which could exacerbate long-term problems if continued sea-level rise occurs.
Researchers in China, Egypt, Israel, Argentina, Mexico and California published new findings on sedimentology, petrology and paleotopography. The studies reveal insights into the geological processes that shape these regions, including eolian sand fractionation, magmatic activity, and exhumation of the Andes.
Researchers have created robotic devices that mimic the movement of clams and snails, enabling them to burrow into sand with reduced friction. These devices could find use in applications such as automatic tethers, anchoring systems, and underwater mining.
New research published in Quaternary Science Reviews finds that large rivers, such as the Yellow River, transport sediment from northern Tibet to deserts like the Mu Us desert. This study provides evidence of a previously debated topic, shedding light on climate change and ocean productivity
Researchers have developed a numerical simulation to study wind-sand movement in straw checkerboard barriers (SCB) and their surrounding area. The results show that SCBs can decrease sand transport rates and reduce the strength of wind-sand flow eddies, leading to increased sand fixation.
A team of MIT and Washington University researchers developed a terramechanics model called Artemis, simulating rover mobility over various soil types and terrain. The model predicts safest paths for rovers and can help mission planners avoid sand traps like the Spirit rover.
Archaeological evidence suggests human colonization of the Faroe Islands took place between the 4th to 6th centuries AD, contradicting the traditional Viking narrative. This finding has implications for understanding the colonization of similar island groups worldwide.
Researchers found pebbles and sand with roundness similar to river stones, suggesting a river once flowed on Mars. The discovery provides strong evidence for the planet's past habitability.
A new study found that similar timing patterns govern the motion of swimmers like trout and sandfish lizards. The researchers developed a simple model to explain how these animals produce undulating swimming motions, which could also be used to design efficient swimming robots.
Researchers studied baby sea turtles and a flipper-driven robot to understand movement on sand. They found that flexible wrists allow for effective locomotion by minimizing material yielding, reducing drag from belly friction.
Scientists have developed a new heat-storing material by encapsulating paraffin wax in silicon dioxide spheres, which shows high thermal stability and large surface area. The microencapsulated paraffin demonstrates improved safety and efficiency compared to existing phase-change materials.
Researchers identified a 1,500km-long fragment of an ancient continent called Mauritia beneath the Indian Ocean. The micro-continent contains rocks dated up to 2 billion years old, challenging the formation timeline of the ocean.
Researchers found evidence of a previously unknown micro-continent, Mauritia, beneath the Indian Ocean using dating methods and plate tectonics analysis. The discovery suggests that such micro-continents may occur more frequently than previously thought and were carried by lava to their current location.
Researchers found that forces between individual grains are what drives changes in behavior and state of granular materials like sand or dirt, not temperature. This discovery reveals a new understanding of how granular systems equilibrate, challenging the conventional wisdom on thermodynamics.
A rapid response science team from the University of Texas at Austin will map the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island's offshore barrier system. The study aims to restore sand and protect coastal residences, estuaries, and ecosystems affected by the storm.
Scientists have created effective barriers and gear to shield deployed soldiers from disease-causing insects. Insecticides and pesticide application equipment are being tested and evaluated for long-lasting residual protection against mosquitoes, sand flies, and other arthropods.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that a significant percentage of the Mississippi River's sand load is diverted into the Bonnet Carre spillway wetlands, rather than flowing into urban areas. This discovery offers new insights into the potential for controlled diversion to mitigate land loss in coastal Louisiana.
Researchers study tectonic tilting in the Bahamas and its implications for hydrocarbon reservoirs. A new study demonstrates interhemispheric climate asynchrony during the Holocene era.
Researchers link steep mountain slopes to landslide erosion caused by plate tectonics and powerful streams. The study found that small increases in slope angle above 30 degrees translate into large increases in landslide erosion.
New research provides evidence of early Mars being saturated with water and having a significantly thicker atmosphere. The study used ancient volcanic eruptions and Martian surface observations to determine the atmospheric pressure billions of years ago.
A new study establishes reference levels for beach sand contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, helping health departments determine when it's too risky for children and others. The research used computer simulations and measurements of microbes at California and Florida beaches.
Scientists developed reference guide for potentially harmful germs in sand to inform beach management decisions, with a focus on minimizing risk for children. The study found low levels of harmful microbes at one beach site, indicating the sand was safe for beachgoers.
Researchers used advanced technology to observe dying stars, revealing winds of gas and dust. The discovery solves the long-standing puzzle of stellar superwinds.
Researchers developed a new model that predicts the flow of granular materials like sand, considering the size of individual grains. The model improves on existing continuum models by accounting for grain size effects, which were previously overlooked.
Researchers found evidence of glacier sensitivity to rising temperatures and a massive body of sand in the North Sea large enough to cover London. They also uncovered the oldest evidence of animals burrowing for food, which coincides with the earliest ecological differentiation of macroscopic communities.
A new study reveals that a sand layer plays a crucial role in protecting the underlying permafrost in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The research found that thick sand layers near the permafrost table reduced ground temperatures, while thin sand layers allowed for some thawing.
A study by Duke University researchers predicts that sea level rise will change the economic landscape of Southern California beaches, with smaller beaches facing significant losses while larger ones may benefit. The study suggests that nourishment projects could help offset these losses, but at great cost.
A team of researchers explains how granular materials change from flowing to solid states through shearing, which can help engineers and manufacturers. They discovered that even without density changes, the discs exhibited a solid state due to the shape of the box changing.
A three-year project led by University of Bangor aims to assess how climate change affects the movement of muddy sediments in rivers, estuaries, and seas. The study focuses on the interaction between cohesive muds and sandy sediments, which plays a crucial role in understanding coastal erosion and deposition.
A global survey by Duke University researchers has identified 2,149 barrier islands worldwide, significantly increasing the known total from 1,492 previously surveyed without satellite imagery. The new islands measure 20,783 kilometers in length and are found along all continents except Antarctica.
Researchers have discovered a new class of ceramic coatings that could offer jet engines special protection against volcanic ash damage. The coatings were tested and found to resist damage caused by ash deposits, with one coating offering sufficient protection against small amounts of ash ingested by the engine over time.
Researchers study Chandeleur Islands' geological history via peat layers beneath the marshes, predicting their potential disappearance in decades due to sea level rise and local subsidence. On Grand Isle, a project documents beach changes since 2008, including effects of hurricanes and BP oil clean-up operations.
Researchers uncover new absolute timeline for first appearances of skeletal animals during the earliest Cambrian period, revealing diverse evolution. The study also explores sediment delivery dynamics at mountain stream confluences, finding debris flows significantly affect sediment storage in adjacent mainstem valleys.
Invasive European beachgrass provides cover for deer mice to feed on Tidestrom's lupine fruits without being detected by birds. A mathematical model of lupine populations predicts that all three populations will go extinct, but if mice eat fewer seeds, the largest population will remain stable.
Researchers at Georgia Tech studied sea turtle hatchlings' movement on sand, revealing they adapt by digging into the ground with their flippers. The turtles can reach high speeds on both hard and loose sand, with their movements controlled by balancing speed with stability.
Researchers documented tsunami-caused erosion in the Kuril Islands and found that waves can carry away nearly 50 times more sand and soil than they deposit. The study provides detailed insights into the scope of tsunami-induced erosion and its relationship with wave force and topography.
A 7-year study found that South Carolina beaches can be preserved through a systematic approach and partnerships between government and local organizations. The research identified offshore sand sources that can be used for beach replenishment without exacerbating erosion.
Researchers created the first self-sustaining meander in a laboratory using alfalfa sprouts to represent vegetated stream banks. They found that vegetation on the outer bank is crucial for slowing down erosion and allowing bars to grow on the inner bank.
Researchers successfully built a scale model of a living meandering river, demonstrating the critical role of vegetation in slowing erosion and reinforcing banks. Sand, typically avoided in stream restoration, was found to be essential for building point bars and blocking cut-off channels, leading to a more balanced ecosystem.
New research by USGS scientists finds that ingesting beach sand can lead to gastrointestinal illness, with children more susceptible. Hand washing or sanitizing significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology studied sandfish locomotion, finding they use wave motion to propel themselves through granular media. The animals' speed depends only on wave frequency, not density.
Researchers discovered ripples appear even without springy suspension or wheel, linking it to stone skipping physics. The study provides insights into designing improved suspension systems to eliminate bumpy rides.
University of Chicago researchers have discovered that dry granular materials can form water-like droplets when poured, revolutionizing the way we understand particle transport and manipulation. The study's findings could lead to more efficient oil refining, plastics manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production processes.
A new study reveals that robots struggle to traverse sandy terrain due to rotational motion of their limbs. To overcome this, researchers recommend slowing down leg movement, especially when the sand is loosely packed, and adjusting parameters such as limb rotation frequency and angle.
Researchers discovered that Martian winds create pits and hills, causing small rocks to roll forward into the wind. The process is repeated, forming regular patterns, with clusters of rocks adapting by shielding the middle or outer rocks from the wind.
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.
The team, led by Assistant Professor Dan Negrut, is working on detecting collisions between particles and predicting frictional contact forces using GPU computation. This technology has the potential to improve vehicle design, particularly for construction equipment and tire treads.
Researchers found Hurricane Ike significantly reshaped the seafloor, erasing shell-gravel ridges and creating 'erosional pits' up to five feet deep. The storm also mobilized sediments over large regions, with most movement associated with the back surge.
The sandfish lizard's unique movement pattern through sand, characterized by a fixed leg motion at 3 Hz frequency, has been studied using MRI scans. This efficient locomotion allows the animal to move quickly and with minimal energy, inspiring new technological approaches for handling granular materials.