earth-science2.82 min read
"Surprising Daily Movements of Antarctic Ice Shelf the Size of France"
1 year ago•Source: ScienceAlert
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"Reevaluating the Role of Earthquakes in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods"
A new study challenges the assumption that earthquakes are the primary driver of glacial lake outburst floods, suggesting that the triggering processes may be more complex than previously thought. Research in the Andes found that only a small number of earthquakes were associated with outburst floods, and further analysis revealed that seismic activity may not always lead to dam destabilization. The study highlights the need for more research to determine the primary drivers of these floods in order to improve hazard assessments and mitigate their impacts on the environment and communities.
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"The Water Content of Earth's Crust: Unveiling the Hidden Reservoirs"
A 2021 study estimates that there are approximately 43.9 million cubic kilometers of water in Earth's crust, making groundwater the largest reservoir of water globally after the oceans. This deep groundwater, largely isolated and salty, could provide valuable insights into Earth's past and support ancient microbial ecosystems, shedding light on the evolution of life on our planet and potentially on other worlds. The study's findings more than doubled previous estimates of deep groundwater, emphasizing the need for further exploration of water at great depths on Earth and other planets.
"Uncovering Evidence of Earth's 2-Million-Year Rainfall Event"
Geologists have discovered evidence of a prolonged period of rain lasting one to two million years, known as the Carnian pluvial event, which occurred at the beginning of the age of dinosaurs. This event is believed to have been triggered by a significant rise in humidity caused by a massive volcanic eruption, leading to global warming and increased moisture in the air. The wet period allowed dinosaurs to diversify and thrive after a period of extinctions, playing a crucial role in the history of life and the origins of modern fauna.
Scientists Discover Earth's Crust Flipped Upside Down in Unique Location
Scientists discovered that an oceanic slab, the "Alboran slab," beneath Granada, Spain, had completely flipped upside down as it was being pushed beneath its neighbor, the Eurasian slab, due to the presence of "hydrous magnesium silicates" roughly 370 miles beneath the surface. This unprecedented finding sheds light on how pieces of the Earth's crust interact and their relation to seismic activity, providing a fresh sense of wonder for the extraordinary geographical marvels of our home world.
"Uncovering the Physics of Ice Sheet Collapse: Record-breaking 80-mph Glacier Fracture Speed"
Researchers have observed the fastest-known large-scale breakage along an Antarctic ice shelf, with a 6.5-mile crack forming in about five and a half minutes, opening at about 80 miles per hour. This study sheds light on the physics of ice sheet collapse, demonstrating the role of seawater in controlling the speed of ice shelf breakage and influencing stability. Understanding these processes is crucial for improving large-scale ice sheet models and projections of future sea-level rise.
"80-Year-Old El Niño Triggered Retreat of Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier', New Research Confirms"
A new study suggests that the retreat of Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, also known as the 'Doomsday Glacier', began as early as the 1940s due to an extreme El Niño climate pattern that warmed the waters of the west Antarctic. The research, led by the University of Houston, collected sedimentary rock cores to determine the history of the glacier's retreat, finding that once an ice sheet begins to shrink, melting can continue for decades even if the initial triggers are no longer present. The findings have significant implications for understanding ice melt and modeling future problems related to sea-level rise and destabilization of ice in West Antarctica.
"Revealing Earth's Early Evolution: Insights from 3.5 Billion-Year-Old Rocks"
Researchers have gained fresh insights into Earth's early evolution by studying rocks formed 3.5 billion years ago in the Singhbhum Craton, India, as well as in South Africa and Australia. The study revealed that explosive-style volcanic eruptions were common in these regions around 3.5 billion years ago, mostly occurring under oceans. Understanding these early Earth processes is crucial for piecing together the planet's evolutionary history and the conditions that may have sustained life during different geological epochs.
"Unintentional Deep Sea Find Alters Earth's Understanding"
New research has revealed that oceanic transform faults serve as significant CO2 sinks, challenging previous understanding of the Earth's geological carbon cycle. These findings emphasize the crucial role of natural geological emissions in shaping Earth's climate history and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of these processes in the context of addressing contemporary climate change. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on the previously underestimated role of transform faults in carbon cycling and provides insights into long-timescale carbon fluxes between Earth's mantle and the ocean/atmosphere system.
"Greenland's Rising Land and Thriving Vegetation: The Impact of Melting Ice and Global Warming"
Greenland, a major source of meltwater contributing to rising sea levels, is experiencing faster land uplift due to the melting of its glaciers, leading to the emergence of new landmasses. Data from GPS stations reveals that Greenland's bedrock has risen up to 20 centimeters in the last decade, with the loss of mass from peripheral glaciers contributing significantly to this uplift. This phenomenon, driven by climate change, has implications for sea level rise estimates and highlights the rapid local changes occurring in Greenland.
"Rapid Ice Loss in Greenland Causes Island to Grow Taller"
As Greenland's ice sheets melt, the landmass is gradually rising due to glacial isostatic rebound, with up to one third of the uplift in some areas attributed to glaciers receding. Data from GPS monitors embedded into Greenland's bedrock revealed that significant land uplift is occurring closest to the largest glaciers, with the Kangerlussuaq Glacier in southeast Greenland experiencing the fastest rise. Studies also indicate that Greenland's glaciers are melting faster than previously estimated, with 20% more ice melting along the edges than previously thought, contributing to sea level rise.
Unraveling the 700-Million-Year-Old Mystery of Earth's Snowball Transformation
Australian geologists have unraveled the mystery behind a 700-million-year-old extreme ice age, identifying historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions and rock weathering in Canada as key factors. Their research sheds light on Earth's climate sensitivity and natural thermostat mechanisms, highlighting the contrast between slow geological climate change and the rapid changes driven by human activities. The study, published in Geology, provides insights into the Earth's long-term future and emphasizes the significant pace of human-induced climate change compared to geological climate change.