Tag Archives: floor

New Modeling Study Reveals Surprisingly Calm Ocean Floor on Europa

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An in-depth analysis of the stresses, tides, and internal forces on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa indicates that the moon lacks the active submarine faults essential for robust hydrothermal circulation. This phenomenon significantly impacts Europa’s chemical energy and overall habitability.

A stunning view of Europa’s surface. Image scale is 1.6 km per pixel. North of Europa is on the right. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SETI Institute.

On Earth, tectonic activity is crucial for supporting diverse habitats that sustain life.

This interaction between water and rocks on the ocean floor can generate chemical energy essential for potential biological processes.

Thus, the existence of tectonic activity on a celestial body can indicate an environment conducive to supporting life.

Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, is believed to harbor an immense underground ocean beneath its frosty exterior.

While earlier studies hinted at volcanic activity beneath Europa’s ocean floor, the potential for tectonic movement had not been thoroughly explored until now.

“If we could survey those oceans using remote-controlled submarines, we predict we wouldn’t observe any new cracks, active volcanoes, or hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor,” stated Dr. Paul Byrne, a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.

“Geologically, nothing is changing there. Everything remains quiet.”

“In icy worlds like Europa, a tranquil ocean floor could suggest a lifeless ocean.”

Dr. Byrne and his team conducted comprehensive modeling to evaluate potential tectonic activity within Europa’s theorized subsurface ocean.

Their findings were compared against known behaviors on Earth’s ocean floor and Enceladus.

The researchers assessed stress from tidal forces, global contraction, mantle convection, and serpentinization— a geological process involving the interaction of rocks and water.

However, they concluded that these factors are unlikely to be driving tectonic activity, even along Europa’s existing fissures at present.

This discovery implies that water-rock interactions might be confined to the uppermost layers of the ocean floor, which limits the prospects for habitable conditions beneath Europa’s surface.

Future research aims to gather direct evidence regarding Europa’s geology and tectonics.

“Europa likely experiences tidal heating, which is why it hasn’t fully frozen,” Dr. Byrne noted.

“There may have been greater heating in its distant past.”

“However, currently, we do not observe eruptions from the ice as seen on Io. Our calculations indicate that the currents are simply not strong enough to foster significant geological activity on the ocean floor.”

For more details, refer to the results published in this week’s issue of Nature Communications.

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PK burn et al. 2026. There may be little or no active faults on Europa’s ocean floor today. Nat Commune 17, 4; doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67151-3

Source: www.sci.news

The Ancient “Dance Floor” Unveils Dinosaur Courtship Behaviors

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Approximately 100 million years ago, dinosaurs might have congregated to engage in a mating dance in a tidal area near Denver, Colorado. Recent research published in Cretaceous Research indicates that numerous intriguing scrape marks found in the stones of Colorado’s renowned dinosaur ridges are identified as Leks, potentially the largest known dinosaur mating display sites.

“Leks, or ‘Keeping Arena,’ refers to a location where numerous individuals come together to showcase courtship behaviors to attract mates,” stated Dr. Caldwell Bunting, the lead author of the study, in a conversation with BBC Science Focus.

Many contemporary birds, including knots and feathers—descendants of dinosaurs—exhibit similar behaviors, noted Bunting.

The hypothesis that dinosaurs engaged in such rituals was initially suggested by paleontologist Dr. Martin Lockley, who had observed comparable marks in the vicinity. This new study significantly strengthens that hypothesis, uncovering over 30 different scrape marks across various sediment layers.

These scratches found on Colorado’s dinosaur ridges may have been created during mating displays akin to those of modern birds. – Getty

The marks can be classified into two types: broad, shallow bowl-like impressions and narrow scrapes. It appears many were produced during movements involving rotation and kicking actions by both feet.

Drone imagery from the 2019 US Geological Survey and subsequent follow-up surveys enabled the team to map the site accurately, as access to the area was strictly controlled.

“This was a remarkable discovery,” remarked Bunting, who collaborated with Lockley until his passing in 2023.

“Our excitement was palpable. Upon reviewing the drone footage, we immediately spotted scuffs covering the entire screen. It truly felt like a ‘Eureka!’ moment for me.”

While the exact species responsible for these markings remains uncertain, Bunting speculates that based on nearby fossil footprints, Acrocanthosaurus—a predator similar to T. Rex—and ostrich-like ornithomimids could be possible contenders.

Bunting argues that it’s improbable T. Rex would engage in similar courtship behaviors, as such rituals necessitate complex social dynamics likely associated with group herding and movement.

Bunting aims to revisit other possible LEK sites in western Colorado to reassess initial interpretations of the scuff marks found there.

If verified, these marks could provide significant insights into the reproductive behaviors of dinosaurs, revealing not only their mating practices but also their competition for partners.

Read more:

About our experts

Dr. Caldwell Bunting is an alumnus of Old Dominion University. His research has appeared in journals such as Sedimentary Geology and Cretaceous Research.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Ancient Byzantine Monastery Unearthed in Israel Revealing Vibrant Mosaic Floor

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Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have discovered the remains of a Byzantine monastery with a colorful mosaic floor and Greek inscriptions, an ancient wine press, and other buildings at the Israel Antiquities Authority, Kiryat Gat, Israel.

IAA archaeologists clean ancient mosaics in a Byzantine monastery in Kiryat Ghat, Israel. Image credit: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority.

“This is the largest and most important Roman and Byzantine site ever discovered in this region,” IAA archaeologists Sheila Lifshitz and Marjan Margulis said in a statement.

“Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out (Deuteronomy 20:6).. ” This was written on the floor of a colorful monastery discovered during extensive excavations carried out before the establishment of a new district north of the modern city of Kiryat Ghat. ”

Researchers found the remains of at least 10 buildings, including a monastery, a wine press, and a large warehouse building.

“The monastery dates back to the Byzantine period (5th-6th century AD) and is part of an ancient site that already existed in Roman times and lasted for about 600 years,” they said.

“The monastery and its surroundings retain a large amount of imported pottery, coins, marble elements, and metal and glass vessels, all of which testify to the presence of a rich and important community here. I am.”

“The mosaic floor of the monastery is decorated with crosses, lions, doves, amphorae, flowers, and geometric patterns.”

The research team also discovered a sophisticated wine press that had been built and repaired many times over the years.

The mosaic floor of the fermentation chamber and recovery tank incorporates blue and white stones.

The floor of the north collection tank was made of slabs, on some of which you can still see the Greek letters used to mark the masonry of the winepress builders.

All these features indicate that the construction and development of this winery required a lot of money, time, and the work and efforts of various professionals.

“Early settlements were located at the intersection of central roads connecting mountainous areas and coastal plains,” the scientists said.

“It was clearly serving small communities and passing tourists in the area.”

“This is the largest and most important Roman and Byzantine ruin discovered in the area.”

“This discovery indicates that there was a series of settlements from the early Roman period (1st century AD) to the end of the Byzantine period (late 6th century AD).”

Source: www.sci.news

Hidden Dark Oxygen on the Ocean Floor Could Revolutionize Evolutionary Rules

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Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Pacific Ocean that challenges our understanding of Earth’s history and the origin of life. They have found evidence of oxygen production in the deep, lightless depths of the ocean.

The results of this study published in Nature Chemistry challenge the traditional belief that oxygen on Earth is solely produced through photosynthesis.

Lead by Professor Andrew Sweetman, researchers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) made this discovery while exploring the depths of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, between Hawaii and Mexico.

Named “dark oxygen,” this mysterious phenomenon occurs at depths where light cannot penetrate. The researchers discovered the potential source of this oxygen production while studying polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor, rich in precious metals used in electronics.

These nodules may have the ability to split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen through seawater electrolysis. This finding has significant implications for deep-sea mining activities and the protection of marine habitats.

Director of SAMS, Professor Nicholas Owens, described this discovery as one of the most exciting in marine science, prompting a reevaluation of the evolution of complex life on Earth.

This alternative source of oxygen production challenges the conventional view that cyanobacteria were the first oxygen producers on Earth. It calls for a reconsideration of how complex life evolved and the importance of protecting deep-sea habitats.

To learn more about the experts involved in this research, visit the About the Experts section below.

About the Experts

Andrew Sweetman: Research Group Leader for Benthic Ecology and Biogeochemistry at the Scottish Institute for Marine Science, with extensive experience in deep-sea ecology research.

Nicholas Owens: A marine scientist and Council Member of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, involved in environmental science research and education.

For more information, continue exploring this fascinating discovery and its implications for Earth’s history and marine ecosystems.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Rare earth metal-containing minerals on the ocean floor found to be a source of oxygen production, according to scientists

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Researchers from the Scottish Institute for Marine Science have discovered that the deep ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean, covered with polymetallic nodules, produces so-called “dark oxygen.”

Polymetallic nodules recovered from the ocean floor in a Northwestern University lab. Image courtesy of Camille Bridgewater/Northwestern University.

Polymetallic nodules – naturally occurring mineral deposits that form on the seafloor – are commonly found in the sediment-covered abyssal plains of oceans around the world.

These consist primarily of iron and manganese oxides, but also contain metals such as cobalt and rare earth elements, which are essential components of many advanced, low-carbon energy technologies.

For the new study, Dr Andrew Sweetman from the Scottish Institute for Marine Science and his colleagues carried out experiments using chambers placed on the seafloor at a depth of around 4,200 metres to measure oxygen levels at multiple sites more than 4,000 kilometres apart in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean, where polymetallic nodules are found.

Nearly every experiment showed a steady increase in oxygen levels over the two days.

The researchers conducted additional laboratory analysis and claim that the source of the detected oxygen release is polymetallic nodules.

Based on numerical simulations, they hypothesize that the electrical properties of the nodes are responsible for oxygen production.

While the researchers note that it is difficult to estimate how much oxygen polymetallic nodules produce over a wide area, they suggest that this source of oxygen may support ecosystems on the deep seafloor, which could be affected if these nodules are mined.

“We understand that oxygen was needed for aerobic life to begin on Earth, and Earth's oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms,” Dr Sweetman said.

“But we now know that oxygen is produced even in the deep ocean, where there is no light.”

“So I think we need to rethink questions like where did aerobic life begin.”

of result Published in a journal Nature Chemistry.

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A.K. Sweetman othersEvidence for dark oxygen production on the deep seafloor. National GeographyPublished online July 22, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01480-8

This article is based on a press release provided by Springer Nature and Northwestern University.

Source: www.sci.news