Earth science – Page 4
-
NewsRecalibration is the biggest shake-up in the carbon dating world for seven years
Overhaul will improve accuracy and push back how far samples can be dated by 5000 years
-
-
PodcastTannic acid
Tannic acid in green acorns can kill wild animals and livestock, but you can prevent poisoning with pannage pigs
-
-
ResearchMineral map hopes to end concrete that has damaged thousands of US homes
Concrete containing pyrrhotite can disintegrate on exposure to air and water
-
FeatureDo asteroids hold the key to life on Earth?
A series of missions are set to reveal the hidden secrets of the asteroids. Nina Notman explores the science of space rocks
-
ResearchMystery of where early Earth’s life-fuelling phosphates came from may have been solved
Meteorites have been source of building blocks for primordial life
-
-
-
NewsCan negative emission technologies overcome climate catastrophe?
Reforestation, carbon capture and storage, direct air capture are among the ‘Nets’ that could remove CO2 from the atmosphere
-
PodcastSodium cyanide
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Baia Mare disaster, when toxic sodium cyanide spilled from a gold processing plant led to ecological damage on a huge scale.
-
ResearchCrystals reveal the site of the world’s oldest meteorite strike
Mineral chemistry suggests the massive impact 2.3 billion years ago could have made our entire planet much warmer
-
-
ResearchNeanderthals were master fire-starters, cave chemistry suggests
A new study distinguishes chemical traces left by ancient hearth fires from those left by natural wildfires
-
-
PodcastSodium fluoroacetate
The controversial killer compound – also known as 1080 – being used to protect New Zealand’s native wildlife
-
ResearchMineral never before seen in nature found inside Australian meteorite
Black-and-red rock that fell to Earth 68 years ago contains iron carbide compound
-
ResearchIron in Earth’s magma oceans forged diamonds deep underground
Findings could also explain differences between the atmospheres of different planets
-
ResearchUranium isotopes in ancient grains indicate early Earth was less hellish than textbook descriptions
Mass spectrometry technique that works on tiny samples refines understanding of Earth’s first geologic eon
-
ResearchSinking wastewater from oilfields could be causing stronger earthquakes
Effects can continue for over a decade after disposal ends