Research on Earth's systems and resources. Covers green energy, ocean oxygen and metal deposits, lunar exploration, and geothermal power.
Researchers found evidence of arsenic-based photosynthesis in deep time, providing insight into early life's metabolic processes. The discovery of an active microbial mat in the Atacama Desert suggests that life may have used arsenic instead of oxygen for energy in ancient times.
New seismic data gathered by Stanford University researchers provides the first west-to-east view of the subsurface where India and Asia collide. The study suggests two competing processes are operating beneath the collision zone: movement of one tectonic plate under another, as well as thinning and collapse of the crust.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized 'pi planet' called K2-315b, which orbits its star every 3.14 days and has a surface temperature of around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, making it unlikely to support life.
A new forecasting method, developed with public input, shows increased accuracy in predicting coronal mass ejections and their impact on Earth. The Solar Stormwatch project demonstrated the value of wide-field CME imaging cameras on future space weather monitoring missions.
Researchers found layering consistent with volcanic activity on Venus' oldest terrain, tesserae, dating back 750 million years. This finding suggests that these regions were formed through volcanic activity rather than tectonic deformation or continental crust formation.
Hurricane Teddy's satellite appearance steadily developed overnight, with a ragged warming eye surrounded by convection. The storm is moving northwest at 12 mph, expected to continue for days, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.
Researchers have made the first-ever measurements of liquid water at extremely cold temperatures, revealing that it exists in two distinct structures that co-exist and vary in proportion dependent on temperature. This discovery provides long-sought experimental data to explain water's bizarre behavior at low temperatures.
Engineers are studying earthen materials to create carbon-saving, indoor air quality improving building products. They aim to overcome negative perceptions and promote the use of natural materials in modern constructions.
An international team of astronomers detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere, which could be evidence of biological origin, but unknown photochemistry or geochemistry are also possible explanations.
The Geological Society of America's annual meeting, GSA Connects Online 2020, features 3,000 papers from 38 geoscience disciplines. The event showcases cutting-edge research in climate science, hydrology, paleontology, and more.
Hurricane Paulette's large eye is approaching the island of Bermuda, prompting a Hurricane Warning. The storm has maximum sustained winds of near 90 mph and is expected to pass over the island during the next couple of hours.
Astronomers have discovered phosphine in the clouds of Venus, leading to speculation about the presence of microbial life. Calculations suggest that terrestrial organisms would need to operate at 10% of their maximum productivity to produce the observed quantity of phosphine.
A team of international researchers has detected phosphine gas in Venus' clouds, a potential biosignature indicative of life. The finding is significant as it rules out natural non-biological processes that could produce the same amount of phosphine.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and the University of Chicago found that carbon-rich exoplanets could convert to diamond and silicate under high heat and pressure. However, these planets are unlikely to be habitable due to their geological inactivity.
A new study reveals that more than 90% of protected areas are isolated from each other due to human activities. This disconnects species from their habitats, making it difficult for them to migrate, escape danger, or track preferred microclimates under climate change.
A new global climate reference curve reveals the natural variability and extreme climate events that occurred during warm climate states over the last 66 million years. The study provides context for ongoing anthropogenic change and its potential to exceed natural variability.
A recent study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers reveals that humans caused 97% of wildfires in the wildland-urban interface, a fivefold increase from previous estimates. The study also found that human-started wildfires are expensive and account for half of firefighting costs.
Scientists compiled a continuous, high-fidelity record of Earth's climate history extending 66 million years into the past. The record shows that natural climate variability due to changes in Earth's orbit around the sun is relatively small compared to projected future warming.
A study found that inhibiting a specific signaling pathway can prevent microgravity-exposed mice from losing muscle and bone mass. The researchers tested this strategy by injecting a decoy receptor into the mice, resulting in similar increases in muscle and bone mass compared to untreated control mice.
Researchers detected a slight tilt in the seismometer's signal during solar eclipses, likely due to ground cooling and deformation. This effect could be used to map Phobos' orbit with increased precision, important for future missions to the Martian moon.
The NASA-NOAA satellite captured a nighttime image of Hurricane Nana just after it made landfall in southern Belize. The storm strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph (120 kph) before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland.
Researchers found high concentrations of hematite at lunar high latitudes, strongly correlated with water content. The presence of hematite suggests that Earth's atmospheric oxygen may have oxidized the mineral over billions of years.
Scientists analyzed enstatite chondrites, rare meteorites with primitive composition, to estimate the Earth's initial water content. Their findings indicate that the planet's rocks probably contained enough water to supply three times the amount of oceans, with only a small percentage delivered by comets or asteroids.
New study finds enstatite chondrite meteorites contain sufficient hydrogen to deliver at least three times the mass of Earth's oceans, contradicting assumptions that the planet is dry. The findings support the idea that Earth's water originated from the nebular material from which the planet accreted.
Researchers found that enstatite chondrite meteorites contain sufficient hydrogen to deliver at least three times the amount of water in the Earth's oceans and probably much more. These rare meteorites, composed of material from the inner solar system, are believed to be the building blocks of the planet.
Typhoon Bavi, a large storm in the Yellow Sea, was captured by NASA's EPIC camera aboard DSCOVR satellite on August 25, 2020. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 100 knots and was moving northwards.
Two major microbial groups, Patescibacteria and DPANN, lack the ability to breathe, instead relying on fermentation to synthesize ATP. These microbes, found in Earth's subsurface, may be remnants of ancient forms of life that predate the evolution of respiration.
Researchers used data gathered before a 2017 deadly landslide in Greenland to demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning in predicting seismic events. The study found weak but repetitive rumblings that accelerated over time, leading to the landslide, which could be detected by AI.
Researchers found clear traces of iron-60 in deep-sea sediments dating back 33,000 years, suggesting the Earth has been traveling through a cloud of faintly radioactive dust. The discovery suggests that the solar system may have recently passed through a denser cloud of gas and dust, known as the local interstellar cloud.
A physics-based model predicts imminent large solar flares with high accuracy, using a double-arc instability theory. The kappa scheme has been tested on 200 active regions and demonstrated its effectiveness in predicting solar flare occurrence and location.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas blames a series of supernovae explosions for triggering the end-Devonian extinction event. The ionizing radiation caused internal damage in large animals and organisms, leading to mass extinctions of armored fish and trilobites.
Researchers at the University of Bern have developed a new mass spectrometer, ORIGIN, capable of detecting and identifying the smallest amounts of extraterrestrial life traces. The instrument outperforms previous space instruments in terms of measurement sensitivity.
The NASA-NOAA satellite Suomi NPP provided a nighttime image of Hurricane Genevieve on August 18, showing its well-defined eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. Forecasters can use this infrared imagery to track the storm's strength and structure.
A new study led by University of Illinois astronomer Brian Fields explores the possibility that astronomical events were responsible for an extinction event 359 million years ago. Researchers found evidence suggesting long-lasting ozone-depletion, which could be caused by killer cosmic rays from nearby supernovae.
Scientists successfully simulated the crushing pressure of white dwarf stars to describe matter behavior, particularly in areas with oscillations. The findings could lead to new approaches for creating novel materials in laboratories.
The South Atlantic Anomaly, a weak spot in Earth's magnetic field, allows charged particles to dip closer to the surface, posing a threat to satellites. Recent observations show the anomaly is expanding westward and weakening in intensity, creating additional challenges for space missions.
A new method was developed to study fast Coronal Mass Ejections and predict the most extreme space weather events. These events can cause strong geomagnetic storms that affect space and Earth-based engineering systems.
NASA's Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) has observed unusual dimming in Betelgeuse, a star experiencing an early minimum brightness cycle. The observations, made between late June and early August, show that the star is dimming unexpectedly again, adding to ongoing questions about its behavior.
By 2245, digital information is predicted to outnumber atoms on Earth, transforming the planet into a 'mostly computer simulated' world. Current data storage densities suggest this could happen in approximately 150 years.
A team led by astrophysicist Allison Youngblood used the Hubble Space Telescope to view Earth as if it were an exoplanet, capturing ultraviolet signals of ozone in its atmosphere. The study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for detecting biosignatures of life on distant planets.
Astronomers used Hubble Space Telescope to detect ozone in Earth's atmosphere, simulating conditions for future exoplanet observations. The study aims to develop models of Earth's spectrum as a template for categorizing atmospheres on extrasolar planets.
The Arecibo Observatory successfully tracked asteroid 2020 NK1, determining its orbit and motion. The observations showed the asteroid poses no danger to Earth, with a closest approach in 2043. High-resolution images revealed an elongated shape and diameter of approximately 0.6 miles.
A new study reveals that microbes in the seabed can survive on extremely low levels of energy, with some using methane and sulphate as alternative sources. This discovery challenges our understanding of life's limits and has significant implications for Earth's carbon and nutrient cycles.
Scientists use NASA data to predict heliosphere's characteristics, revealing a deflated croissant shape without a long tail. The shape of the heliosphere acts as our solar system's shield against galactic cosmic rays, protecting Earth and space travelers.
Researchers discovered Martian and lunar lava tubes are up to 1,000 times wider than those on Earth, with volumes exceeding 1 billion cubic meters. The study highlights the potential of these underground cavities for future space exploration and settlement.
Researchers from Rice University have made the first direct measurements of three subsurface boundaries from Mars' crust to its core using NASA's InSight Lander data. The study provides insights into Mars' early history, planetary formation, and the planet's development from a chemical and thermal perspective.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that microorganisms in deep-sea sediments can survive using far less energy than previously known to support life. This finding challenges our understanding of the limits of life on Earth and has implications for searching for life elsewhere.
Researchers analyzed zircon grains in Antarctic sandstones to determine their ages and chemical compositions, revealing two primary periods of increased average crustal thickness associated with volcanic chains. These findings suggest a causal link between plate tectonics and major transitions in Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Astronomers have discovered a Saturn-sized planet orbiting a small, cool star 35 light-years from Earth using the astrometric technique. The planet has a mass comparable to Saturn and orbits its star every 221 days. This discovery is significant as it reveals that smaller planets can exist around cooler stars.
New research published in Nature Geoscience reveals that early Mars was covered in ice sheets, not flowing rivers. The study analyzed over 10,000 Martian valleys and found striking similarities with subglacial channels in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Researchers discovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Central Texas that caused global cooling 13,000 years ago. The study indicates that the Younger Dryas cooling event was not caused by an extraterrestrial impact but rather a combination of Earth-based processes.
Scientists have identified Dome A in Antarctica as the best place on Earth to view distant stars, thanks to its extremely stable atmosphere. The location offers a unique opportunity to observe the universe with greatly reduced interference from atmospheric turbulence.
Researchers found that Dome A's unique combination of high altitude, low temperature, and stable atmosphere makes it an attractive location for optical and infrared astronomy. This location could lead to sharper images and the detection of fainter objects, overcoming a major challenge in Earth-based astronomy: atmospheric turbulence.
Scientists propose rate-induced glaciations as a possible explanation for Snowball Earth events, where a rapid decline in solar radiation can push the planet into a global ice age. The findings also suggest that exoplanets within habitable zones may be susceptible to similar temperature fluctuations.
The study reveals an 'inchworm-like' slip evolution of supershear rupture along the Palu-Koro fault, showcasing the effect of complex fault geometry on rupture propagation. This phenomenon may have significant implications for assessing future earthquake impacts and related disasters.
A new study suggests that mammalian immune cells may be less effective at detecting and responding to microorganisms from other planets, potentially posing a threat to space missions. The researchers tested the immune response of mice to peptides containing amino acids rare on Earth but common on meteorites.
A new study published in Nature shows that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet retreated 700 kilometers inland during an interglacial warm period 400,000 years ago. This retreat contributed to a 3-4 meter increase in global sea level rise, with the Wilkes Basin playing a significant role.
A study by Osaka University researchers found that an asteroid of 100 km in diameter was disrupted 800 million years ago and caused a massive meteoroid impact, releasing approximately 30-60 times more material than the Chicxulub impact. This finding suggests that sporadic meteorite bombardment may have affected Earth's environment.
According to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, rocks on Earth are, on average, cube-shaped due to fragmentation processes. The researchers' findings suggest that this shape is statistically average and applies not only to Earth but also around the solar system.
A team of geophysicists used the ROMY ring laser to measure the Earth's rotational velocity and axis orientation, achieving the most precise ground-based measurements yet. The instrument detected minute alterations in the Earth's rotation caused by ocean currents, ice mass shifts, and seismic events.