New Atlas

Science Audio available

Massive mountain range found in the Earth's mantle

Michael Irving February 14, 2019

According to a new study, Earth's surface is smooth compared to the landscapes found deep within the planet. Using data from one of the biggest earthquakes on record, geophysicists have now found massive mountain ranges hundreds of kilometers beneath our feet.

A diagram of the Earth's layers, including the transition zone – the bottom boundary of which ...

Science Audio available

Undersea seismographs pop to the surface to transmit data

Ben Coxworth February 5, 2019

Although traditional seismographs are essential for warning of earthquakes, they can be difficult to access when placed on the sea floor. Well, that's where the MERMAID underwater seismic floats are designed to come in, and they've recently been successfully tested in the Galápagos.

One of the MERMAID seismic floats reaches the surface

Environment Audio available

Earth is "drinking" more seawater through the Mariana Trench than previously thought

Michael Irving November 14, 2018

A new study suggests that the mantle is home to much more water than was previously believed. Seismic activity around the Mariana Trench have revealed that subducting tectonic plates are dragging more water deeper into the Earth, which could change our understanding of the global water cycle.

Seismic activity at the Mariana plate is dragging far more water into the Earth's mantle than ...

Science Audio available

Earthquake vibrations suggest Earth's inner core is solid but squishy

Michael Irving October 21, 2018

It’s long been thought that the Earth's inner core is a solid ball of iron, but direct evidence is hard to come by. Now, researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) have detected a type of seismic wave passing through the core that only propagates through solid objects.

By measuring seismic waves passing through the center of the Earth, researchers have concluded that the ...

Science

Quadrillion tons of diamond discovered deep within the Earth

Michael Irving July 16, 2018

The next blow to Big Diamond might have just arrived. Using sound waves, geologists have discovered a gigantic stash of the so-called precious stones deep in the Earth's interior, possibly to the tune of a quadrillion tons.

new study suggests there may be 1,000 times more diamonds in the Earth's interior than previously ...

Environment

Fiber optic internet cables could double as earthquake detectors

Michael Irving October 22, 2017

While current seismometers can pick up tremors with precision, they’re short-ranged and expensive. Now a Stanford study has demonstrated that an extensive earthquake-detection network could already exist right under our feet: the optical fiber cables piping high-speed internet throughout cities.

A 3 mile (4.8 km) loop of fiber optic cable buried underneath Stanford University was able ...

Science

Hollywood's open-and-shut take on earthquakes isn't so far-fetched

Michael Irving May 1, 2017

You probably remember earthquake movies where the ground cracks wide open, sending people tumbling in, before it snaps shut. It may seem exaggerated for the sake of a good visual, but a new study out of Caltech has demonstrated that this can actually happen, contrary to the beliefs of geologists.

Simulations show that the old disaster movie trope of an earthquake splitting the ground apart, then ...

Environment

“Weather bomb” could shed light on mysteries of Earth’s interior

Tyler MacDonald August 29, 2016

Using rarely detected seismic waves from a "weather bomb," a unique type of extratropical storm, scientists might be able to uncover the hidden structure of the Earth.

The rarely-detected S-waves from a "weather bomb" storm may help scientists uncover the Earth's hidden structure

Environment

Seismic vibrations provide a new, accurate way to monitor ice sheet decline

Chris Wood May 6, 2016

We currently measure changes in ice sheets via data gathered by satellites, or by flying planes overhead. But there could be a better way, with a team of researchers getting positive results from a new method that tracks seismic vibrations caused by ocean waves to measure changes in ice volume.

Tested in Greenland, the seismic wave data provides an opportunity to gather constant information on the ...

Good Thinking

Brinco provides personalized warnings for local earthquakes and tsunamis

Stu Robarts July 15, 2015

When an earthquake or tsunami hits, even a few seconds warning can be the difference between life and death. A new home device is aimed at providing personalized warnings for individuals. The Brinco is a networked seismic warning and monitoring system with an accompanying mobile app.

The Brinco connects to an international seismograph network and to other networked Brinco devices, to warn ...