As the most seismically active regions in the world, oceanic subduction zones show contrasting seismicity in different regions. A review by a team from Nanjing University explored the relationships among the thermal structure, metamorphism, deformation and fluid activity of oceanic subduction zones. The thermal structure of subduction zones not only controls dehydration depths of hydrous minerals, but also affects the mechanical coupling state of the subduction plate interface, eclogitization of the subducted oceanic crust, and phase transition of olivine in the subducted lithospheric mantle. Fault stick-slip behavior is the major mechanism of shallow earthquakes (<70 km), while dehydration embrittlement of hydrous minerals and other mechanisms may trigger intermediate-depth earthquakes (70–300 km). The amounts of earthquakes decrease sharply below 160 km in warm subduction zones, but below ~300 km in cold subduction zones where hydrous minerals release water at greater depths. Cold slabs could carry water down to depths >300 km, resulting in localized water enrichment in the mantle transition zone. More studies are needed to decipher how the fluid activity triggers slow earthquakes and deep-focus earthquakes. The review is published in Science China Earth Sciences.

Kyoto, Japan -- Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer.

Urbanization and climate change modify the thermal environment of urban areas, with an expectation that urban disasters from extremely hot weather and heavy rainfall will only become more severe. Mitigating potential damage involves reducing the intensity of the heat island effect and adapting to climate change.

Motivated by this problem, a team of researchers at Kyoto University set out to investigate how the reduction in urban heat release could help mitigate and control the rapid development of thunderstorms and local rainfall.

Courtesy of UC Riverside, biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed – without requiring them to code.

Early online research in journals of the American Meteorological Society discusses the increased risk of urban heat stress for children and pets due to radiant heat from sidewalks, the effects of solar eclipse totality on wind and insects, an extension of the climate "warming stripes", thunderstorms and gamma rays, and more.

Geothermal energy can make a decisive contribution towards the energy revolution in Germany while supporting the changeover from the use of fossil to climate-neutral energy resources. However, to ensure widespread public acceptance, it is essential to reduce associated risks, such as the triggering of earthquakes, as far as possible. A new research project led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) will investigate the impact of changes in deep geothermal reservoirs caused by contact between hot rock and cold water.

Originally from South America, the charismatic tegu made its way to the United States via the pet trade of the 1990s. But a recent discovery shows these reptiles are no strangers to the region — tegus were here millions of years before their modern relatives arrived in pet carriers.