News & Views

Curious case of convex upwards topography in accretionary wedges

Sreetama Roy and edited by Jyotirmoy Paul September 22, 2021

Experimental lab @ University of Calcutta, Photo by Sreetama Roy

Accretionary prisms are wedge-shaped bodies of crustal rocks that are commonly known to have formed by accommodating the component of convergence along subduction margins. These prisms, primarily wedge shaped with lateral variations in topographic height from hinterland to foreland are commonly characterised by a gentle and uniform slope towards the frontal margin (for instance, the Himalayan fold ...[Read More]

When not Digging Through Code, Dig Rocks

Aaron Van Alstine and edited by Arushi Saxena September 1, 2021

Torbernite crystals from Van's rock collection

Most of us have been directly or indirectly involved in outreach activities, often relying on shiny rocks to capture people’s fascination. This week, Aaron Van Alstine, a member of the Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society, a passionate rockhounder, and moderator of the sub-reddit on radioactive rocks, shares his views on why all earth scientists need a rock collection and how to st ...[Read More]

Modelling the Thermal Evolution of Subduction Zones

Adam Holt, Cailey B. Condit and edited by Antoniette G. Grima August 25, 2021

A cartoon figure of an oceanic plate sliding beneath the continental plate at a subduction zone. Credit: USGS

Subduction zones are as complex as they are ubiquitous. To understand subduction zone dynamics and processes we first have to understand the thermal structure of subduction zones and how this evolves in time. This week Adam Holt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Geosciences (MGS) at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and Cailey Condit ...[Read More]

Earth Science Outreach in a Virtual World

Amy Edgington and edited by Kiran Chotalia August 11, 2021

Figure 1: Amy filmed videos, short experiments, and workshops whilst students were learning from home.

Outreach is a fundamental part of science, aiming to inspire and attract the next generation of scientists. Amy Edgington from the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London gives us a glimpse behind the curtain of the GeoBus programme, a free mobile outreach programme that brings interactive Earth Science workshops into the classroom. This week, Amy tells us how the GeoBus had to ...[Read More]