Recent research has uncovered a fascinating mechanism behind the formation of high plateaus in the interior of continents, attributing their rise to deep, slow-moving processes within the Earth. The study, led by Thomas Gernon, a geoscientist at the University of Southampton, suggests that as continents break apart, they set off a chain reaction deep within the Earth’s mantle. These disturbances generate Earth mantle waves that propagate inward from the edges of the continents over tens of millions of years, eventually leading to the uplift of vast inland plateaus.
Continue reading “Earth mantle waves drive uplift of continental plateaus”Greenland ice sheet once melted: fossil evidence found
Recent research has revealed groundbreaking evidence suggesting that Greenland, currently 98% covered by ice, was virtually ice-free less than a million years ago. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that Greenland has been continuously covered by ice since the beginning of the Pleistocene epoch, around 2.7 million years ago. The new findings, published in the journal PNAS, provide the first direct evidence that the Greenland ice sheet not only melted at its edges but also in its central regions during recent geological history.
Continue reading “Greenland ice sheet once melted: fossil evidence found”Study reveals drivers of Amazon carbon emissions
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who assumed office in 2023, has been actively working to reverse the intense deforestation that plagued the Amazon during the tenure of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. President Lula’s administration has set ambitious goals, including ending Amazon deforestation by 2030. Early results show promising progress, with deforestation rates reportedly halved due to stricter enforcement measures. However, a new study suggests that the focus on deforestation might be too narrow, as it represents just a fraction of the broader climate impact on the Amazon.
Continue reading “Study reveals drivers of Amazon carbon emissions”AMOC collapse prediction: urgent climate alert
Recent research highlights a growing concern over the stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a key ocean current system essential for regulating climate and weather patterns across the globe. Scientists warn that the AMOC collapse prediction indicates potential disruptions as soon as the late 2030s to mid-2060s, with models suggesting a greater likelihood of collapse by 2050. This alarming scenario stems from the combination of increasing ocean temperatures and altered salt concentrations in the ocean, driven primarily by human-induced climate change.
Continue reading “AMOC collapse prediction: urgent climate alert”Study reveals enhanced Southern Ocean CO2 sink
Recent research spearheaded by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has revealed that the Southern Ocean CO2 sink absorbs significantly more carbon dioxide than previously estimated. This groundbreaking study, utilizing direct air-sea CO2 flux measurements, shows that the ocean around Antarctica absorbs 25% more CO2, suggesting that past models and indirect methods like shipboard data have substantially underestimated the ocean’s capacity for carbon capture.
Continue reading “Study reveals enhanced Southern Ocean CO2 sink”Insights from recent Reykjanes Peninsula volcanism
Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula volcanism has dramatically showcased nature’s raw power through multiple eruptions near Reykjavík, Iceland. This period has been especially significant due to the reawakening of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in March 2021 after approximately 800 years of dormancy. Subsequently, the area witnessed two more eruptions in 2022 and 2023, followed by four additional events at the Sundhnúkur fissure system in 2023 and 2024. This sequence of volcanic activities has drawn the attention of geologists and volcanologists worldwide, providing rare insights into volcanic behavior and the dynamics of magma movement beneath the Earth’s surface.
Continue reading “Insights from recent Reykjanes Peninsula volcanism”Methane absorption in tree bark
Recent scientific research has unveiled a significant role of microbes in the bark of trees in mitigating climate change by facilitating methane absorption in tree bark. This discovery, led by Professor Vincent Gauci from the University of Birmingham and published in the journal Nature, highlights how these microbes contribute to reducing methane levels in the atmosphere.
Continue reading “Methane absorption in tree bark”Advancing forecasts with NeuralGCM technology
The NeuralGCM, a pioneering weather forecast model developed by Google’s AI group in collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, represents a significant advancement in meteorological prediction. Traditional General Circulation Models (GCMs) have been the benchmark in weather forecasting, utilizing a blend of physics-based code and empirical parameterization to handle various atmospheric processes. However, GCMs often struggle with the intricate details of certain processes, especially when they extend beyond short-term forecasting and delve into climate change projections.
Continue reading “Advancing forecasts with NeuralGCM technology”Inner core differential rotation insights
Deep within Earth lies a solid metal sphere that rotates independently from our planet’s rotation, a phenomenon that has fascinated scientists since its discovery by Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann in 1936. The rotation of this inner core, particularly its speed and direction, is at the heart of extensive scientific debate. Recent advancements have shed light on significant changes in the core’s rotation, raising important questions about their broader geophysical implications. The concept of inner core differential rotation has become a focal point for understanding these dynamics.
Continue reading “Inner core differential rotation insights”Advances in Cascadia earthquake prediction
Recent seismic activity off the coast of British Columbia has renewed concerns about the potential for a significant megathrust earthquake, often referred to as “The Big One,” which could occur along the Cascadia subduction zone. This tectonic boundary spans approximately 1,000 kilometers from Northern California to Vancouver Island, where the Juan de Fuca plate subducts beneath the North American plate. The possibility of a magnitude 9 earthquake, particularly near its northern end, emphasizes the urgency of advancing Cascadia earthquake prediction efforts.
Continue reading “Advances in Cascadia earthquake prediction”