Volcanism warmed past Earth
Geologists dated a global warming event about 180 million years ago. They found it lasted between 169,000 and 417,000 years and was linked…
Category: Geology
New way to find geothermal energy
Scientists used an exploration approach developed by the oil industry to track down geothermal energy sources.
Most river water comes from the ground
Hydrologists incorporated ground and surface water flow data into Earth System models. They used these models to estimate that nearly 60% of…
How did Venus’s Ishtar highlands form?
Researchers modeled tectonic and magmatic processes on Venus. They determined that its highlands formed when molten rock rose, melting its…
How complex plants reshaped the oceans
Researchers found that when complex plants evolved, they increased ocean oxygen and massively restructured the marine ecosystem.
Geologists identify a new way copper ore forms
Researchers found that massive copper ore deposits in central Arizona formed from melted crust rather than melted mantle.
Storms cause acids to enlarge our aquifers
Researchers found that sulfuric and nitric acids from human activities dissolve more limestone in aquifers than they previously thought,…
How complex life arose under extreme stress
Scientists discovered molecules that helped the first complex life forms build strong cell membranes to withstand extreme environments.
Remains of the Moon could be lurking inside Earth
Scientists used models to test whether remnants of the moon-forming impactor, Theia, are present deep within the Earth.
Researchers used bottled “lightning” to make ingredients for life
Scientists used spark discharge experiments to test whether lightning converted enough nitrogen to a usable form to support the origins of…