geology Archives

Cartoon illustrating the physical configuration for sustaining a hydrothermal siphon, with primary driving and resistive forces as applied in this study. Terms are discussed in text and combined in Equation 2. ∆Pv (>0) is primary driving energy in simulations, based on differences in temperature and density between recharging and discharging columns of pore fluid. ∆PR, ∆PD, ∆PC, and ∆PL (≤0) are pressure (energy) losses, depending on formation properties and the extent of secondary convection. ∆Psiph is what remains of ∆Pv after accounting for loss terms, available to drive siphon flow. s = sediment/conductive boundary layer, bu = upper rocky layer, ba = aquifer layer. This cartoon neglects other potential driving forces such as tidal pumping and buoyancy generated by exothermic reactions. -- Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gravitational Biology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Sustaining Hydrothermal Circulation With Gravity Relevant to Ocean Worlds

by Keith CowingJune 28, 2024June 28, 2024

Some ocean worlds may sustain active, seafloor hydrothermal systems, but the characteristics and controls on fluid-heat transport in these systems are not well understood.

At Crystal Geyser, Utah, travertine rocks form in the presence of microbial communities. Small layered features called stromatolites can be seen growing, which likely form by the direct activity of microorganisms. These and other ‘biosignatures’, such as fossils of bacterial cells, can be seen preserved in the youngest upper layers of the travertine. Surprisingly, these signs of life are quickly erased due to crystal transformations and continued growth. These processes help explain why ancient carbonate rocks are often missing important signs of life, and helps us understand what kinds of biosignatures might be found in similar environments beyond Earth. Image courtesy of Jon Lima-Zaloumis/ASU

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, People Of Astrobiology, Press Release

Research On How Rocks Preserve Signs Of Life Honors Late ASU Mentor Jack Farmer

by Keith CowingJune 28, 2024June 28, 2024

Building from his PhD work at Arizona State University, Jon Lima-Zaloumis is developing methods to look for signs of active life occurring in extreme environments, namely in the Earth’s atmosphere […]

Shock-fractured quartz grains from (c) Pars-45 quartz grain 09x-12. Composite color (RGB) CL image. Blue represents unmelted quartz; orange represents melted quartz that has been annealed; black represents fractures filled with amorphous silica. Note that the fractures in this grain radiate from the area at the upper right, potentially resulting from a high-pressure collision with another grain. -- ScienceOpen.com

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Comets and Asteroids, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release

Shocked Quartz Reveals Evidence Of Historical Cosmic Airburst During The Younger Dryas

by Keith CowingJune 27, 2024June 27, 2024

Researchers continue to expand the case for the Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis. The idea proposes that a fragmented comet smashed into the Earth’s atmosphere 12,800 years ago, causing a widespread […]

Effect of relative luminosity, S/S⊕, on simulated steady-state atmospheres (pCO2 , temperature). A Terrestrial exoplanets in the mobile-lid (ML) interior convection regime. B Terrestrial exoplanets in the stagnant-lid (SL) regime. C,D Distributions of simulations across a discretized range of S/S⊕. -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release, Venus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Interior Convection Regime, Host Star Luminosity, And Predicted Atmospheric CO2 Abundance In Terrestrial Exoplanets

by Keith CowingJune 26, 2024June 26, 2024

Terrestrial planets in the Habitable Zone of Sun-like stars are priority targets for detection and observation by the next generation of powerful space telescopes.

(a) Stratigraphic column demonstrating the location of the second aquifer implemented in this section. (b) Ht across entire receiver array. The wide RIR signal arrival between 3 and 6 s is comprised of RIRs from the top of the lower aquifer and both interfaces of the shallower, newly placed aquifer. (c) Vr from receiver at x = 0. (d, e) Er and Ht, respectively. The addition of the new SE sources from the second aquifer is evident in the more complex RIRs. -- Computational simulation/modeling

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Marsquakes May Help Reveal Whether Liquid Water Exists Underground On Mars

by Keith CowingJune 26, 2024June 26, 2024

If liquid water exists today on Mars, it may be too deep underground to detect with traditional methods used on Earth. But listening to earthquakes that occur on Mars — […]

Mars Sample Tube Awaiting A Ride To Earth -- NASA

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return

There Will Be Martian Air Inside Those Sample Return Tubes

by Keith CowingJune 20, 2024June 20, 2024

Atmospheric scientists get a little more excited with every rock core NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover seals in its titanium sample tubes, which are being gathered for eventual delivery to Earth […]

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Titan’s Lakes May Be Shaped By Waves

by Keith CowingJune 20, 2024

Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, is the only other planetary body in the solar system that currently hosts active rivers, lakes, and seas. These otherworldly river systems are thought to be […]

NASA’s Perseverance rover was traveling in the ancient Neretva Vallis river channel when it captured this view of an area of scientific interest named “Bright Angel” — the light-toned area in the distance at right — with one of its navigation cameras on June 6. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Larger image

Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Tricorders & Sensors

Perseverance Astrobiology Droid Crosses An Ancient Martian River Bed To Reach A Science Target

by Keith CowingJune 13, 2024June 13, 2024

After detouring through a dune field to avoid wheel-rattling boulders, NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover reached its latest area of scientific interest on June 9. The route change not only shortened […]

Abrading Old Faithful Geyser: On Sol 1151 (May 16, 2024), Perseverance abraded a carbonate-bearing rock called Old Faithful Geyser in the Western Margin Unit. This activity was captures by the rover’s Left Hazard Avoidance Camera (HAZCAM). NASA/JPL-Caltech

Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors

Carving Into Carbonates at Old Faithful Geyser – In Jezero Crater – On Mars

by Keith CowingJune 11, 2024June 11, 2024

This past week on Mars, Perseverance made a pit stop near Overlook Mountain to abrade a rock called Old Faithful Geyser. This target is situated within the Western side of […]

Suggested citation: Leonard, E., Patthoff, D. A., and Senske, D., 2024, Global geologic map of Europa: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3513, scale 1:15,000,000, pamphlet 18 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3513.

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

USGS Online Interactive Map Of Europa

by Keith CowingJune 11, 2024June 11, 2024

Europa, the second inner Jovian Galilean satellite, is believed to contain a global liquid water ocean covered by an ice shell likely 10s of kilometers thick. The paucity of impact […]

geology

Sustaining Hydrothermal Circulation With Gravity Relevant to Ocean Worlds

Research On How Rocks Preserve Signs Of Life Honors Late ASU Mentor Jack Farmer

Shocked Quartz Reveals Evidence Of Historical Cosmic Airburst During The Younger Dryas

Interior Convection Regime, Host Star Luminosity, And Predicted Atmospheric CO2 Abundance In Terrestrial Exoplanets

Marsquakes May Help Reveal Whether Liquid Water Exists Underground On Mars

There Will Be Martian Air Inside Those Sample Return Tubes

Titan’s Lakes May Be Shaped By Waves

Perseverance Astrobiology Droid Crosses An Ancient Martian River Bed To Reach A Science Target

Carving Into Carbonates at Old Faithful Geyser – In Jezero Crater – On Mars

USGS Online Interactive Map Of Europa

ExoClock Unlocked: A Project To Increase Public Participation In Exoplanet Research

Galápagos Hydrothermal Vents Join Third 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Site Listing

Best Bulk Bennu (B3): Elemental Compositions Of Aggregate Samples From Asteroid Bennu K.

The Neptunian Ridge Through The Lens Of TESS

Sulfur Dioxide Sulfide (SSO2): The Elusive Isovalent Analogue of Sulfur Trioxide (SO3)