Study reveals two huge hot blobs of rock influence Earth’s magnetic field
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 11-Apr-2026 19:15 ET (11-Apr-2026 23:15 GMT/UTC)
Research led by the University of Liverpool has identified magnetic evidence that two immense, ultra-hot rock structures located at the base of Earth’s mantle, around 2,900 kilometres beneath Africa and the Pacific, affect the underlying liquid outer core. The study shows that these enormous blobs of solid, superheated material — encircled by a pole-to-pole ring of cooler rock — have been shaping Earth’s magnetic field for millions of years.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have discovered that climate change is causing nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance, to break down in the atmosphere more quickly than previously thought, introducing significant uncertainty into climate projections for the rest of the 21st century.
A new study of the oldest known bird, Archaeopteryx, shows that some of birds’ weirdest mouth features—like extra tongue bones, a sensitive beak-tip, and fleshy “teeth” on the roofs of their mouths—date all the way back to the Jurassic Period. These features, which are still present in most living birds, hint that being extra-good at finding, grabbing, and processing food might be key to a life on the wing.
Contrary to expectations, wetlands do not need to be completely flooded to provide the greatest climate benefit. Instead, the water table should be below the soil surface and remain stable, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. The greenhouse gas methane and microorganisms in the soil are a game changer.