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Earth
Geodynamic mantle flow model explains deformation of continental crustal blocks in northern China
Crustal structure and reconstruction of deforming plates in Northeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01513-2 Cratons are fascinating but mysterious geological formations. Cratons, known as relatively stable parts of Earth’s continental crust, have remained largely unchanged for billions of years. Although cratons have survived many geological events, some are undergoing decratonization, a process characterized by…
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Earth
Modeling study reveals that ‘greening’ of Africa’s Sahara Desert could change the climate of the Northern Hemisphere
Winter temperature (a, b), summer temperature (c, d), and annual precipitation (e, f) between preindustrial values, paleoclimate model (MH-PMIP), and Sahara Greening Model (MH). Comparison of the reconstructed model and environmental surrogate-GS). Credit: Past Climate (2024). DOI: 10.5194/cp-20-1735-2024 Africa’s Sahara Desert may be considered an extreme environment for flora and fauna to thrive, with vast expanses of barren sand and…
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Earth
California’s Salton Sea is retreating at a greater rate, according to balloon mapping study
Map of California’s Salton Sea North Shore region. This study shows coastline segments (transects) used in two different regions (North Yacht Club and South Yacht Club). Credit: Geography (2024). DOI: 10.3390/geography4040034 The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake by surface area, is experiencing an increased rate of shoreline retreat following policy changes to shift more water from the Colorado River to…
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Earth
Charcoal stored in preserved guano helps recreate region’s fire history
A view from below of a swarm of bats hanging from the ceiling of a rocky cave. One of them is yawning with its mouth wide open. Credit: R. Andrew King/USFWS, Public Domain As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity in many parts of the world, scientists are looking to the past to better understand when and where fires occurred.…
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Earth
Study finds that natural regeneration of tropical forests has immense potential to address environmental challenges
Joshua Slaughter (left) and Matthew Fagan discuss a map of Costa Rica’s forested areas. A global map of potential natural forest regrowth areas, developed in a nature study led by Brooke Williams and Hawthorne Beyer and based on the Global Forest Lands Database developed by Fagan, covers the area of ​​tropical Mexico. This suggests that larger areas may be able…
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Earth
Open source footprint tools: businesses and investors can now get smarter about nature
Elana Kimbrel Global impact hotspots vary by ecosystem service and biodiversity indicators. Credit: Communications Earth & Environmental (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01797-7 Global economic development has brought many benefits to people around the world, but many of them have come at the expense of nature. However, governments, financial institutions, and businesses are increasingly recognizing that this paradigm undermines the long-term viability of…
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Earth
Tracking missing mantle plume in ancient Samoa: researchers shed light on 30 million year gap
Bathymetric map of the Pacific region focusing on the trajectory of Samoa’s Hotspot 100 Mil, from Samoa’s hotspot active volcanoes (Vailuluu Seamount) to the Dutton Ridge (near the Mariana Trench). Credit: AGU Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023AV001079 As magma plumes rise through the Earth’s lithosphere, volcanoes, islands, seamounts, and other features form on the Earth’s surface. As tectonic plates move over…
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Earth
Melting Arctic sea ice could affect global ocean circulation, research warns
Melting sea ice can cause temperatures to drop. Credit: Karine Nigar Aarskog / UiT Norwegian Arctic University A warming climate in the polar regions could significantly disrupt ocean circulation patterns, a new study shows. Scientists have discovered that in the distant past, melting Arctic sea ice may have increased the flow of freshwater into the Nordic Seas, significantly impacting ocean…
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Earth
Cooling: Slowing ocean circulation could limit Arctic temperature rise
A map depicting the direction in which the AMOC transports warm water from the tropics to high latitudes. Credit: R. Currie, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Science/USGCRP The Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the global average. But new research suggests that slowing major ocean currents could reduce projected Arctic warming by up to 2C by the end of…
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Earth
What is La Niña? Experts explain how the weather pattern can affect your winter plans
Credit: CC0 Public Domain This winter’s La Niña forecast could bring more snow than usual to the northwestern United States and drier, warmer weather to the south. But Northeastern University professor Samuel Munoz said he would be wary of planning skiing or beach vacations near La Niña, a periodic weather pattern caused by the cooling of the Pacific Ocean. “Not…
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