EurekAlert! News by Subject: Earth Science

Earth Science

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-May-2026 06:15 ET (18-May-2026 10:15 GMT/UTC)

15-May-2026

These “clockwork” earthquakes puzzled scientists for decades — new Indiana University study explains why

Indiana University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

For decades, scientists have tracked a strange pattern deep beneath the Pacific Ocean: a fault line that produces nearly identical earthquakes every few years, almost like clockwork — something that’s rarely seen in nature. New research published in Science and led by Indiana University seismologist Jianhua Gong finally explains why.

Journal: Science
Funder: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

15-May-2026

Scientists identify hidden accelerant in Antarctic ice loss

University of Maryland
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new University of Maryland-led study shows that meltwater flowing off ice shelves changes the ocean in ways that drive even faster melting—and most global climate projections don’t even include it.

Journal: Nature Geoscience

14-May-2026

AMS Science Preview: “Ornamental twilight,” heat deaths, hurricane eyes

American Meteorological Society
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The latest research from journals of the American Meteorological Society discusses heat deaths and warning thresholds, forecasting "flaming clouds", hurricane reconnaissance, increased U.S. precipitation volatility, and more.

14-May-2026

Tiny ocean life helps scientists estimate whale prevalence off the California coast

California Polytechnic State University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research partnership between Cal Poly and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego used statistical data analysis of microbes and plankton to help determine presence of some of the giants from the sea.

Journal: PLOS One
Funder: Office of Naval Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Simons Foundation Collaboration on Principles of Microbial Ecosystems, US Navy Pacific Fleet, Research, Scholarly & Creative Activities Program awarded by the Cal Poly Division of Research

14-May-2026

New study provides rule of thumb to estimate land sustainability in river deltas

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As densely populated coastal communities struggle to keep up with rising sea levels, new research reveals a way to predict how river deltas build land and protect coastal regions from encroaching oceans. This insight will help engineers and policymakers estimate how much new land can be created or maintained when human intervention is used to redirect river channels, making these efforts more effective for coastal restoration and flood protection.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: NASA Headquarters, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Agencia Española de Investigación

14-May-2026

New research reveals rapid methane release mechanism at the front of retreating ice sheets

University of Manchester
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international team of scientists has discovered that methane hydrates beneath the northwest Greenland continental shelf became rapidly destabilised by meltwater, releasing large stores of methane during ice-sheet retreat across the continental shelf.

Journal: Nature Geoscience

14-May-2026

‘Last titan’: Southeast Asia’s biggest dinosaur discovered

University College London
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new type of long-necked plant-eating dinosaur – the largest ever found in Southeast Asia – has been revealed in a study led by researchers at University College London (UCL), Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology and Sirindhorn Museum in Thailand.

Journal: Scientific Reports
Funder: National Geographic Society