The oceans help to limit global warming by soaking up carbon dioxide emissions. But scientists have discovered that intense warming in the future could lessen that ability, leading to even more severe warming. The discovery comes from a study led by The University of Texas at Austin in which researchers analyzed a climate simulation configured… Continue Reading Ocean Surface Tipping Point Could Accelerate Climate Change – Banner

An everyday quirk of physics could be an important missing piece in scientists’ efforts to predict the world’s most powerful earthquakes. In a study published in the journal Science, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin discovered that a frictional phenomenon could be key to understanding when and how violently faults move. That’s because… Continue Reading Earthquake Scientists Have a New Tool in the Race to Find the Next Big One – Banner

The tropical oceans are home to the most diverse plankton populations on Earth, where they form the base of marine food chains. Modern plankton biodiversity in the tropics is a surprisingly recent development and the result of 8 million years of global cooling, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas… Continue Reading Climate Change Could Cause Mass Exodus of Tropical Plankton – Banner

Scientists have discovered a new layer of partly molten rock under the Earth’s crust that might help settle a long-standing debate about how tectonic plates move. Researchers had previously identified patches of melt at a similar depth. But a new study led by The University of Texas at Austin revealed for the first time the… Continue Reading Scientists Detect Molten Rock Layer Hidden Under Earth’s Tectonic Plates – cover

The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) will celebrate 50 years as a world leader in geophysical research at an anniversary symposium on November 30, 2022. The symposium recognizes UTIG’s leading role in historic discoveries, including those in the areas of plate tectonics, sea level rise, earthquakes, planetary exploration, and the extinction of non-avian… Continue Reading UTIG Celebrates 50 Years of Geophysics Exploration and Discovery – banner