Tag: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
February 20, 2017
Experiments Call Origin of Earth’s Iron into Question
New research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals that the Earth’s unique iron composition isn’t linked to the formation of the planet’s core,…
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2017
Rare Jurassic Fossils Found Near Banff
A trove of exceptionally preserved fossils has been discovered at Ya Ha Tinda Ranch near Banff National Park, helping to expand scientists’ knowledge of marine…
Read MoreJanuary 25, 2017
Exceptionally Preserved Jurassic Sea Life Found in New Fossil Site
A trove of exceptionally preserved Jurassic marine fossils discovered in Canada, rare for recording soft-bodied species that normally don’t fossilize, is expanding scientists’ view of…
Read MoreDecember 5, 2016
Snow Data from Satellites Improves Seasonal Temperature Predictions
Researchers with The University of Texas at Austin have found that incorporating snow data collected from space into computer climate models can significantly improve seasonal…
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2016
A 3.2-Million-Year-Old Mystery: Did Lucy Fall From a Tree?
In 1974, the paleoanthropologist Donald C. Johanson led an expedition to Ethiopia to look for fossils of ancient human relatives. In an expanse of arid…
Read MoreJune 13, 2016
Aerosols Strengthen Storm Clouds, According to New Study
An abundance of aerosol particles in the atmosphere can increase the lifespans of large storm clouds by delaying rainfall, making the clouds grow larger and…
Read MoreApril 14, 2016
Chemical Weathering Controls Erosion Rates in Rivers
Chemical weathering can control how susceptible bedrock in river beds is to erosion, according to new research. In addition to explaining how climate can influence…
Read MoreMarch 31, 2016
Mile-High Mars Mounds Built by Wind and Climate Change
New research has found that wind carved massive mounds of more than a mile high on Mars over billions of years. Their location helps…
Read MoreMarch 1, 2016
Penguin Brains Not Changed by Loss of Flight
Losing the ability to fly gave ancient penguins their unique locomotion style. But leaving the sky behind didn’t cause major changes in their brain structure, researchers…
Read MoreFebruary 19, 2016
Ancient Lone Star Lizard Lounged in Lush, Tropical Texas
Researchers have discovered a new species of extinct worm lizard in Texas and dubbed it the “Lone Star” lizard. The species — the first known…
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