Our world’s surface is a jumble of jostling tectonic plates, with new ones emerging as others are pulled under. The ongoing cycle keeps our continents in motion and drives life on Earth. But what happens when a plate disappears into the planet’s interior? The question has long puzzled scientists because conventional wisdom said that sinking… Continue Reading Fate of Sinking Tectonic Plates is Revealed
Scientists Find Eternal Nile To Be More Ancient Than Previously Thought
Ancient Egyptians considered the Nile river to be the source of all life. The steady northward path of the river has nourished the fertile valleys of northeast Africa for millions of years and in doing so, shaped the course of human civilization. The Nile’s unchanging path, however, has been a geologic mystery because long-lived rivers… Continue Reading Scientists Find Eternal Nile To Be More Ancient Than Previously Thought
The PLATES Symposium: 30 Years of PLATES
View the PLATES Symposium photo album (Facebook) The PLATES program has marked a key milestone in the study of plate tectonics by holding a symposium to celebrate 30 years of PLATES at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG). The symposium, held March 25-26, brought together colleagues from across the world to reflect on… Continue Reading The PLATES Symposium: 30 Years of PLATES
New study reveals connection between climate, life and the movement of continents
A new study by The University of Texas at Austin has demonstrated a possible link between life on Earth and the movement of continents. The findings show that sediment, which is often comprised from pieces of dead organisms, could play a key role in determining the speed of continental drift. In addition to challenging existing… Continue Reading New study reveals connection between climate, life and the movement of continents