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Coastlines above subduction zones often uplift over geological timescales. Analysis of landscape evolution and seismicity at the central Andean margin suggests that earthquakes on the deep plate interface help build up coastal topography.
Extreme summer temperatures are difficult to forecast. A statistical analysis reveals a pattern of Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies that provides skilful predictions of hot weather in the eastern US.
Anammox, an important N2 loss pathway in marine waters, is not well understood in rivers. In situ measurements of N2 production in UK rivers reveal that anammox can be the dominant N2 loss pathway in permeable but not in impermeable riverbeds.
Some rockfalls occur without obvious triggers such as seismicity or freeze–thaw conditions. Temperature and deformation patterns on a granite cliff suggest that cyclical thermal forcing can progressively open fractures and trigger rockfalls.
Carbon release rates during the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum are difficult to constrain. Comparing relative rates of carbon cycle and climate change at the event’s onset suggests emissions were much slower than anthropogenic emissions.
Microbes can mineralize metals such as gold. Observations of platinum-group mineral grains and incubation experiments reveal that bacteria can also transform these metals, which could affect their mobility in surface environments.
The reasons for amplified warming in the Arctic are not clear. Simulations with an Earth system model suggest that the decline in European aerosol emissions since 1980 explains a substantial fraction of the warming.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet is buttressed by floating ice shelves. Remote sensing data show extensive basal channels, particularly in West Antarctica, which grow quickly in response to warm water intrusion.
Earth’s climate sensitivity has been debated. An econometric analysis of observations shows that aerosol cooling has masked about one-third of greenhouse gas warming and yields a transient climate sensitivity of 2 ± 0.8 °C.
The polygonal patterns in permafrost regions are caused by the formation of ice wedges. Observations of polygon evolution reveal that rapid ice-wedge melting has occurred across the Arctic since 1950, altering tundra hydrology.
The mechanisms for mantle hydration are unclear. Seismic images offshore from Spain reveal a correlation between the amount of seawater-altered rocks and the extent of fault slip, suggesting that faults control water flux into the Earth.
Mercury appears darker globally than expected. Remote sensing evidence from the MESSENGER spacecraft indicates that the planet’s darkening agent is carbon and suggests that it originates from an ancient graphite-rich crust.
Atmospheric sulfate levels are thought to determine the pH of small aerosol particles. Thermodynamic analysis of field aerosol data reveals that fine particles remain acidic in the southeastern United States despite large sulfate reductions.
One volcanic eruption can trigger another. Global analysis of coupled eruptions suggests that the extent of magma mush, stress changes, dyke intrusions and earthquakes can couple volcanic eruptions over increasing distances.
How gold ore deposits form in the absence of a magmatic source for gold is unclear. Analysis of hydrothermal fluids from the Reykjanes geothermal field reveals that gold can become trapped as a colloidal suspension and accumulate over time.
Large earthquakes can rupture several faults. Analysis of seismic data from the 2010 El Mayor–Cucapah earthquake in California suggests that multiple faults were pinned to a keystone fault whose rupture triggered cascading slip.
Societal upheaval occurred across Eurasia in the sixth and seventh centuries. Tree-ring reconstructions suggest a period of pronounced cooling during this time associated with several volcanic eruptions.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere declined as the Earth entered the last glacial period. Estimates of deep carbonate ion concentrations suggest that a substantial amount of carbon was sequestered in the deep Atlantic Ocean.
Assessments of earthquake risk often assume rupture of a single fault. Analysis of a 1997 Pakistan earthquake reveals that not one but two separate ruptures caused the shaking, implying that cascading events should be factored into forecasts.
Very small ponds have been omitted from greenhouse gas budgets. Estimates of CO2 and CH4 emissions from 427 lakes and ponds show that very small ponds account for 15% of CO2 and 40% of diffusive CH4 emissions, but 8.6% of lake and pond area.