Giant magma plume reveals Mars may not be a dead planet after all

Mars is usually considered a geologically dead planet, but a new study challenges that idea. Multiple lines of evidence reveals a giant plume of magma is forcing its way up through the Red Planet’s mantle and producing seismic activity in one particula… Continue reading Giant magma plume reveals Mars may not be a dead planet after all

Marsquakes reveal new impact crater forming and modern magma

As it slowly dies, NASA’s InSight Mars lander has made two major new discoveries recently. By sensing seismic activity from the Red Planet, the craft has now detected a large meteorite impact, and found evidence of magma pools and volcanic activity sti… Continue reading Marsquakes reveal new impact crater forming and modern magma

How tiny fossils could minimize or supersize the next big earthquake

Predicting the likelihood and severity of earthquakes is important, but it’s hard to account for all factors at play. Researchers in New Zealand have now uncovered a previously overlooked factor that could affect the impact of the next big quake – foss… Continue reading How tiny fossils could minimize or supersize the next big earthquake

NASA reveals plan to squeeze last drop of science from failing rover

NASA’s InSight Mars lander is trading less life for more science after the space agency decided to let the spacecraft’s remaining science instrument run until the lander’s solar power system fails completely sometime in August or September.Continue Rea… Continue reading NASA reveals plan to squeeze last drop of science from failing rover

NASA’s InSight detects strongest and longest marsquakes to date

NASA’s InSight lander has recorded the two strongest quakes detected so far on Mars, with both measuring over magnitude 4. These seismic events rolled in from the far side of the Red Planet, and one also clocked the record for longest marsquake.Continu… Continue reading NASA’s InSight detects strongest and longest marsquakes to date

Mars InSight reveals first crust-to-core snapshot of Red Planet

NASA’s Mars InSight has provided … well, insight, into the inner workings of the Red Planet. By monitoring “marsquakes” over the past two years the instrument has allowed scientists to measure the thickness and composition of Mars’ crust, mantle and co… Continue reading Mars InSight reveals first crust-to-core snapshot of Red Planet

Scientists image plumbing system of the world’s tallest geyser

For scientists working to understand why some geysers erupt with relative regularity and others do not, Yellowstone National Park provides a valuable testbed. Researchers at the University of Utah have been keeping a close eye on these famous streams o… Continue reading Scientists image plumbing system of the world’s tallest geyser

Whale songs provide new way to survey the Earth’s crust

A research team led by John Nabelek, a professor in Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, has shown that it may be possible to use the songs of fin whales to produce seismic images of the Earth’s oceanic crust.Con… Continue reading Whale songs provide new way to survey the Earth’s crust