Latest news with #geophysics


Arab News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Magnitude 5.8 earthquake hits off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara
JAKARTA: A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Thursday, with a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) depth and no tsunami potential, the country's geophysics agency said. There were no immediate reports of damage.

Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Magnitude 5.8 earthquake hits off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara, agency says
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Thursday, with a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) depth and no tsunami potential, the country's geophysics agency said. There were no immediate reports of damage. Developing
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Sound of Earth's Flipping Magnetic Field Haunts Again From 780,000 Years Ago
In 2024, researchers transformed readings of an epic upheaval of Earth's magnetic field flipping 41,000 years ago into an eerie, auditory experience. Now a team containing some of those same scientists has sonified an even earlier flip, from epochs ago. The resulting cacophony is an unnerving translation of geological data on the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal, a switching of the planet's magnetic poles that took place roughly 780,000 years ago. Geophysicists Sanja Panovska and Ahmed Nasser Mahgoub from the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) created a global model of Earth's magnetic field during the event, based on ancient magnetic data in sediments from drill cores around the world. This data was then visualized by Maximilian Arthus Schanner and sonified by Klaus Nielsen and Schanner. Related: Earth's magnetic field is generated by the roiling liquid metals deep beneath the crust. Extending tens to hundreds of kilometers into space, the field deflects atmosphere-stripping particles, keeping us all safe below. The bombardment of solar radiation that leaks through during reversals raises levels of beryllium-10 in Earth's atmosphere, which in turn can be preserved in ice core samples. Measuring fluctuations in these isotopes then serves as a handy measure of the field's weakening. The data shows that when Earth's magnetic poles get restless, they don't just cleanly trade places, but stagger about in slow motion, splitting into blobs and drunkenly merging. The resulting random bubbling of numerous magnetic polarities across the planet is aptly visualized in the animation. Our early human ancestors, such as Homo erectus, lived through this event, which was thought to last up to 22,000 years (although this estimate is still debated). It's likely there were some kinds of consequences to our ancient relatives and other life on Earth at the time, since the magnetosphere protects us from cosmic and solar radiation. Other magnetic field wanderings have been linked to dramatic changes in climate. But the exact consequences from almost 800,000 years ago remain unclear, as anthropological records around this time are sparse. Boldly etched into the flow of solidifying lava across Earth, the Matuyama-Brunhes event is used by geologists as a marker of the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. In sound form, it's a haunting song that set the stage for the emergence of modern humans. Extreme Conditions of Early Universe Recreated in Collider Experiment Dark Matter Search Could Lead Us to a New Kind of Star 3D Time Could Solve Physics' Biggest Problem, Says Bizarre New Study

RNZ News
7 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes Indonesia
File photo Photo: An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 has struck off the coast of Indonesia's Tanimbar Islands region, but there are no tsunami warnings. The quake hit at a depth of 98 km, the country's geophysics agency said. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the quake was of 6.8 magnitude and at a depth of 10 km. Tremors were felt in several small towns in eastern Indonesia, the agency said. There was no immediate reports of damage, said Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency. Indonesia straddles the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly seismically active zone which includes New Zealand, where different plates on the Earth's crust meet and create a large number of earthquakes and volcanic activity. - Reuters


Sustainability Times
06-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Saw Them Moving in Sync': Geologists Stunned by Mysterious Objects Aligning Deep Beneath Earth's Surface
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 Scientists discovered that objects are moving horizontally in the Earth's mantle, nearly 1,864 miles beneath the surface, offering new insights into the D' layer. 🔬 Laboratory experiments at ETH Zurich revealed that post-perovskite crystals align under extreme pressure and temperature, explaining the acceleration of seismic waves. align under extreme pressure and temperature, explaining the acceleration of seismic waves. 🌋 This discovery confirms the existence of convection currents in the Earth's mantle, which could influence tectonic plate movements and the planet's magnetic field. in the Earth's mantle, which could influence tectonic plate movements and the planet's magnetic field. 📈 The findings have significant implications for improving models of earthquake and volcanic eruption predictions, marking a new era in geophysical research. The depths of the Earth have long been a source of fascination and mystery for scientists and researchers. Recent discoveries have unveiled that objects are moving horizontally in the Earth's mantle, nearly 1,864 miles beneath our feet. Published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, this study sheds new light on the enigmatic D' layer, situated at the boundary between the mantle and the Earth's core. For decades, scientists have observed inexplicable accelerations of seismic waves in this region, and now, this groundbreaking study provides a compelling explanation for these phenomena. The Enigma of the D' Layer The D' layer has puzzled geologists for years due to its unique properties and the behavior of seismic waves within it. The acceleration of these waves as they pass through the D' layer has been a subject of extensive research. Thanks to the efforts of Professor Motohiko Murakami and his team at ETH Zurich, we now have a better understanding of this phenomenon. By recreating the extreme conditions of the D' layer in laboratory settings, they discovered that crystals of post-perovskite align under pressure and temperature, accounting for the increased speed of seismic waves. This alignment is crucial in creating anisotropy within the material, meaning that seismic waves travel faster in certain directions. The study not only resolves a geological mystery but also confirms the presence of convection currents in the Earth's mantle. These findings have significant implications for our understanding of tectonic plate movements and the Earth's magnetic field. 'Large Black-Eyed Creature Discovered': Scientists Identify Bizarre New Species Lurking in Papua New Guinea Gold Mine Simulating Extreme Conditions Recreating the conditions of the D' layer in a laboratory is no small feat. The team at ETH Zurich managed to simulate the immense pressures and temperatures that exist nearly 1,864 miles below the Earth's surface. Through these experiments, they observed the behavior of post-perovskite crystals, which form under such extreme conditions. These crystals possess a unique structure that influences the propagation of seismic waves. When aligned in a specific direction, these crystals cause seismic waves to speed up, creating the previously unexplained phenomenon observed in the D' layer. The study demonstrates the dynamic nature of the Earth's interior and provides insights into the processes that shape our planet. It underscores the importance of understanding the Earth's internal mechanisms to improve models for predicting natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. 'Troops Could Vanish Like Squid': New Bio-Inspired Camo Lets US Soldiers Evade Sight and High-Tech Sensors Instantly Implications for Geophysical Research The implications of this discovery are far-reaching. By gaining a deeper understanding of the Earth's internal dynamics, scientists can enhance their ability to predict seismic events and volcanic eruptions. This marks a new era in geophysics, as researchers can now build more accurate models of the Earth's behavior. The study by Murakami and his team represents a significant milestone in our quest to comprehend the ever-evolving nature of our planet. Furthermore, the alignment of post-perovskite crystals provides valuable clues about the convection currents in the mantle. These currents, akin to the movement seen in boiling water but occurring over geological timescales, play a crucial role in orienting the crystals. This new understanding opens doors to further research on the Earth's internal mechanisms, potentially revolutionizing our approach to studying geophysical phenomena. 'We Finally Found It': Scientists Reveal the Missing Half of the Universe's Matter Was Hiding in Plain Sight All Along The Future of Earth Science The study of Murakami and his team marks a turning point in our comprehension of the Earth's inner workings. It highlights that our planet is continuously evolving, not just on its surface, but deep within its most inaccessible regions. This discovery paves the way for new research avenues into the Earth's internal mechanisms, offering hope for future breakthroughs in geophysical science. As researchers continue to explore the mysteries of the Earth's interior, they will undoubtedly uncover more secrets that can transform our understanding of the planet. The alignment of post-perovskite crystals is just one piece of the puzzle, and ongoing studies will likely reveal more about the dynamic processes occurring beneath our feet. How will these discoveries shape the future of Earth science and our understanding of the planet's evolution? 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