A thin slice of the ancient rocks collected from Gakkel Ridge near the North Pole, photographed under a microscope and seen under cross-polarized light. Field width ~ 14mm. Credit: E. Cottrell, ...

Although dolomite is relatively plentiful in rocks older than 100 million years, scientists have been unable to replicate the geologic process in the lab—until now. Using a transmission electron ...

For years, scientists have been trying to understand the mechanisms behind the destruction of Earth’s cratons, but results have remained elusive. Now, in a Nature Geoscience study, researchers ...

The geology and surface processes of Venus continue to intrigue planetary scientists, revealing a dynamic world shaped by volcanic activity, tectonic forces and chemical weathering. Recent ...

There are 35 large Archean cratons around the world that form the geologic core of tectonic plates. Because they’re located at the interior of plates, these landmasses often remain unaltered over the ...

Gold has always been a hot commodity. But these days, finding a nugget isn’t too tricky: Much of the world’s gold is mined from natural veins of quartz, a glassy mineral that streaks through large ...

Boulder, Colo., USA: Marine and coastal geoscience play a critical role in understanding ancient and modern geological history, offshore and coastal hazards, and climate change. Deep-water ...

Taiwan experiences some of the world's fastest rates of mountain building -- they are growing at a faster rate than our fingernails grow in a year. The mountains also see frequent and significant ...

A new analysis of rocks thought to be at least 2.5 billion years old helps clarify the chemical history of Earth's mantle -- the geologic layer beneath the planet's crust. The findings hone scientists ...

The water pressure of a river can cut deep into a riverbed. Sediments from the riverbed are carried downstream, creating a deep, narrow channel. This process, known as downcutting, represents the ...