Latest news with #Tharsis
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Numerous Fossils Reveal Jurassic Fish Killed in Same, Bizarre Way
An extinct genus of ray-finned fish that lived during the Jurassic period seems to have had quite the penchant for overreaching. A new analysis of fossilized Tharsis fish reveals that the carnivorous marine animals seem to have frequently met their end with large cephalopods known as belemnites lodged quite fatally in their gullets. According to paleontologists Martin Ebert and Martina Kölbl-Ebert of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany, Tharsis fish found in the 152 million-year-old Solnhofen Plattenkalk (limestone) formation in Germany appear in multiple instances to have died while attempting to swallow a belemnite nearly as long as themselves. "A recent review of collection material … uncovered several specimens of Tharsis from the Late Jurassic Plattenkalk deposits of the Solnhofen Archipelago with belemnites wedged in mouth and gill apparatus," they write in their paper. "In all cases, the rostrum [beak] reexits through the gill apparatus, whereas the broad phragmocone [internal shell] of the belemnite is firmly lodged in the mouth opening." Related: Ancient Tyrannosaur's Last Victims Can Still Be Seen Inside Its Stomach Tharsis fish were what are known as micro-carnivores; animals that eat very small animals such as larvae and zooplankton, in this case by using suction to gulp down their food. Their fossils are quite common. Belemnites, which resembled squid with a long hooded body and multiple arms, lived in the open ocean, left far fewer fossils. Interestingly, the belemnite fossils found in the Plattenkalk basins of Eichstätt and Solnhofen often consist of an internal shell overgrown with bivalves – suggesting that the belemnite was dead, kept buoyant in the water column by a gas-filled shell colonized by other animals, such as clam-like molluscs, feasting on the decaying soft tissue. Tharsis fish were unlikely to be looking for food amid the hostile conditions of the seafloor, nor would the fish have been preying directly on the belemnites – but the researchers believe they know why the dead, drifting cephalopods may have posed such a choking hazard for the hapless fish. "Apparently, these micro-carnivore fish were in the habit of sucking remnants of decaying soft tissue or overgrowth such as algae or bacterial growth from floating objects, but when a streamlined floating belemnite rostrum accidentally was sucked into the mouth, they were no longer able to get rid of these deadly objects," the paleontologists write in their paper. "Even though the fish tried to pass the obstructive item through its gills, there was no way of getting rid of it, leading to death by suffocation." Sounds deeply unpleasant, really. The research has been published in Scientific Reports. 'Ball Lightning' Caught on Film After Storm in Canada Expired Cans of Salmon From Decades Ago Contained a Huge Surprise Melting Glaciers Could Reawaken Hundreds of Earth's Volcanoes
Hamilton Spectator
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Pan American Energy Signs Option Agreement to Acquire 100% Interest in the Tharsis Project, Northwest Territories
CALGARY, Alberta, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG | OTC: PAANF | FRA: SS60) ('Pan American' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive option agreement (the 'Agreement') with Northern Critical Minerals Corp. ('NCM'), under which Pan American has the right to acquire an up to 100% interest in the Tharsis project (the 'Project'), located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The Project consists of seven mineral claims totaling 8,750 hectares and encompasses the prospective Squalus Lake Alkaline Complex (SLAC). The Project is located approximately 180 kilometers north-northeast of Yellowknife and 55 kilometers southeast of Wekweètì. Exploration to date has confirmed the presence of carbonatite-bearing rocks and potential for associated rare earth elements (REE) and high field strength element (HFSE) mineralization. Under the terms of the Agreement, Pan American may earn up to a 100% interest in the Tharsis Project over four stages by making aggregate cash payments of $400,000, issuing 800,000 common shares, and funding a total of $5 million in exploration expenditures over four years, as follows: During the option period, NCM will act as operator of the Tharsis Project, and will manage exploration activities in coordination with Pan American. Upon completion of the fourth stage, Pan American will hold a 100% interest in the Tharsis Project, subject to a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty in favour of NCM, of which 1% may be repurchased for $1 million. The Project covers the SLAC, which is a Proterozoic-aged intrusive complex featuring ringed and core carbonatite intrusions, which are globally recognized for their potential to host high-grade light rare earth element (LREE) mineralization. Located north-northeast of Yellowknife, the Project is accessible by helicopter and floatplane. Exploration work completed to date by NCM has included detailed geochemical sampling and a high-resolution UAV magnetic survey. The Project features strong magnetic anomalies interpreted to reflect zoned carbonatite phases, with surface rock samples returning elevated concentrations of REEs and HFSEs. The mineralization is spatially associated with mega-crystic pyroxene-rich fenite alteration zones and narrow carbonatite dykes, interpreted to be the surface expression of a vertically extensive intrusive system. This style of alteration and mineralization is analogous to other globally significant REE deposits and represents a high-priority target for future exploration and drilling. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Jared Suchan, Ph.D., Technical Advisor at the Company and a 'Qualified Person' as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Dr. Suchan has verified the data through a comprehensive review of drill logs, core samples, and geological interpretations. For a discussion of the Company's data verification and QA/QC procedures and processes, please see its technical report, entitled TECHNICAL REPORT On the Big Mack Property Kenora Mining District Northwestern Ontario, Canada , a copy of which may be obtained from the Company's profile at . About Pan American Energy Corp. Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties containing battery and critical metals in North America. The Company has executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources pursuant to which it has acquired a 75% interest in the Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario, with the right to earn an additional 15% for a total 90% interest. Pan American has also entered into an option agreement with Northern Critical Minerals Corp. to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Tharsis REE Project, located in the Northwest Territories. The project hosts the Squalus Lake Alkaline Complex, a Proterozoic-age carbonatite-bearing intrusion prospective for rare earth and high field strength elements. On Behalf of the Board of Directors: Adrian Lamoureux CEO Contact: Phone: (587) 885-5970 Email: info@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company's ability to earn an interest in the Project, and the geological potential of the Project generally, as well as future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking statements.' These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Satellite Glimpses Giant Volcano Peeking Above The Clouds of Mars
A spacecraft's-eye view over the landscapes of Mars has just given us a first-of-its-kind glimpse of the giant, ancient edifice known as Arsia Mons. The NASA satellite Odyssey captured the enormous equatorial volcano as its tip peeked above the morning clouds of water ice – a common feature at this time of the Martian year, when the red planet is at its furthest point from the Sun on its slightly elliptical orbit. Arsia Mons belongs to a volcanic complex known as the Tharsis Montes; three shield volcanoes very close together in the Tharsis region of Mars. Arsia Mons is the tallest of the three, standing at a towering height of nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles). That's dramatically higher than any mountain on Earth, where the tallest peak above sea level (Mount Everest) stands 8.85 kilometers high and the tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, rises 9 kilometers above the sea floor. It also has around 30 times more volume than Earth's largest volcano, Mauna Loa – and it's not even the biggest volcano on Mars. Its activity is thought to have lasted billions of years, peaking around 150 million years ago. Odyssey usually has its cameras pointed down toward the surface of Mars. To obtain the new panorama, it had to rotate 90 degrees so that its camera pointed at the horizon. This angle is worth the effort: it allows scientists to make out layers and clouds in the thin Martian sky to better understand its atmospheric dynamics and processes. Clouds form around Arsia Mons when expanding air rises up the slopes of the mountain, rapidly cooling, allowing ice crystals to form. At Mars's current position in its journey around the Sun, a belt of clouds forms around the equator known as the aphelion cloud belt. Curiosity captured this phenomenon from the surface several years ago; the new Odyssey panorama gives us a spectacular view from above. "We picked Arsia Mons hoping we would see the summit poke above the early morning clouds," says aerospace engineer Jonathon Hill of Arizona State University. "And it didn't disappoint." The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located Mysteriously Magnetic Moon Rocks Might Have an Explosive Origin Story Fiery Orange Gems From The Moon Reveal Secrets of Its Violent Past
The Herald
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Herald
Study casts doubt on water flows as cause of streaks on Martian slopes
"It's similar to how dry sand can flow like water when poured. But on Mars, the ultra-fine particles and low gravity enhance the fluid-like properties, creating features that might be mistaken for water flows when they're dry material in motion," Valantinas said. The study examined about 87,000 satellite images, including those obtained between 2006 and 2020 by a camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, of slope streaks, which form suddenly and fade over years. They average roughly 600m to 775m long, sometimes branching out and going around obstacles. The slope streaks were concentrated mostly in the northern hemisphere, particularly in three major clusters: at the plains of Elysium Planitia, the highlands of Arabia Terra and the vast Tharsis volcanic plateau including the Olympus Mons volcano, towering about three times higher than Mount Everest. The researchers said limitations in the resolution of the satellite images mean they account for only a fraction of slope streaks. They estimated the number at up to two million. Water is considered an essential ingredient for life. Mars billions of years ago was wetter and warmer than it is today. The question remains whether Mars has any liquid water on its surface when temperatures seasonally can edge above the freezing point. It remains possible that small amounts of water, perhaps sourced from buried ice, subsurface aquifers or abnormally humid air, could mix with enough salt in the ground to create a flow even on the frigid Martian surface. That raises the possibility that the slope streaks, if caused by wet conditions, could be habitable niches. "Generally, it is very difficult for liquid water to exist on the Martian surface due to the low temperature and the low atmospheric pressure. But brines, or very salty water, might potentially be able to exist for short periods of time," said planetary geomorphologist and study co-leader Valentin Bickel of the University of Bern in Switzerland. Given the massive volume of images, the researchers employed an advanced machine-learning method, looking for correlations involving temperature patterns, atmospheric dust deposition, meteorite impacts, the nature of the terrain and other factors. The geostatistical analysis found slope streaks often appear in the dustiest regions and correlate with wind patterns, while some form near the sites of fresh impacts and quakes. The researchers also studied shorter-lived features called recurring slope lineae, or RSL, seen primarily in the Martian southern highlands. These grow in the summer and fade the next winter. The data suggested these also were associated with dry processes such as dust devils, or whirlwinds of dust, and rockfalls. The analysis found both types of features were not typically associated with factors indicative of a liquid or frost origin such as high surface temperature fluctuations, high humidity or specific slope orientations. "It all comes back to habitability and the search for life," Bickel said. "If slope streaks and RSL would be driven by liquid water or brines, they could create a niche for life. However, if they are not tied to wet processes, this allows us to focus our attention on other, more promising locations." Reuters )
