In a new study, scientists suggest that a seamount found previously west of Peru could represent a completely new type of seafloor volcanism, fueled by a hidden, shallow reservoir of magma. Evidence of isolated volcanism such as this could provide a unique window into Earth’s interior.
Continue reading “Surprise undersea volcano”Deep-rooted volcano plumbing
Cardiff University scientists have revealed the depth and magnitude of the internal ‘plumbing system’ that drives volcanic activity around the world.
Continue reading “Deep-rooted volcano plumbing”Earth’s orbit enables life
Scientists at the University of Southhampton have discovered that changes in Earth’s orbit may have allowed complex life to survive during the most hostile climate episode the planet has ever experienced.
Continue reading “Earth’s orbit enables life”Subduction zone initiation
Subduction is the main driver of plate tectonics on Earth. However, the mechanisms of subduction zone initiation remain highly controversial.
Continue reading “Subduction zone initiation”Magma composition
Indonesia’s volcanoes are among the worlds most dangerous. Through chemical analysis of tiny minerals in lava from Bali and Java, researchers from Uppsala University have found new clues.
Continue reading “Magma composition”Mineral defects and earthquakes
Microscopic imperfections in rock crystals deep beneath the Earth’s surface play a key role in how the ground slowly moves and resets in the aftermath of major earthquakes, says new research from the University of Cambridge.
Continue reading “Mineral defects and earthquakes”Role of water in mantle
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the solar system. There are various configurations of hydrogen on Earth. Hydrogen exists as water vapor in the atmosphere, and water and ice in the ocean and land water, fluids in the magma and volcanoes, minerals in the crust and mantle, and with metallic iron in the core.
Continue reading “Role of water in mantle”Hydrated lithospheric subduction
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have demonstrated that deep sea fault zones could transport much larger amounts of water from the Earth’s oceans to the upper mantle than previously thought.
Continue reading “Hydrated lithospheric subduction”Deep-Earth water cycle
A study by Carnegie’s Yanhao Lin and Michael Walter demonstrates that a key mineral called stishovite is capable of storing and transporting large amounts of water even under the extreme conditions found in Earth’s lower mantle.
Continue reading “Deep-Earth water cycle”Lower mantle carbon exchange
Carbon is not only essential to life and Earth’s habitability but also traces and modifies geological processes of subduction, partial melting, degassing and change in the composition of rocks, providing valuable insights into Earth’s evolution.
Continue reading “Lower mantle carbon exchange”