TOP 10 Recent Discoveries in Earth Science

 Here are 10 recent discoveries in geology that have had a significant impact on the field:

1. In 2021, scientists discovered a new type of crystal deep inside a volcanic eruption in Russia. The crystal is made of a rare mineral called petrovite, which had never been seen before.

2. Earth's oldest rock was discovered in western Greenland in 2020, dating back to 3.7 billion years ago. The rock provides important information about the early stages of Earth's formation.

3. Researchers discovered a massive underground aquifer beneath the driest desert on Earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile, in 2020. The aquifer could provide a sustainable source of water for the region.

4. In 2019, scientists discovered a new type of deep-sea hydrothermal vent system in the Atlantic Ocean. The vent system is unique because it is powered by seawater rather than magma.

5. A massive crater, measuring over 30 kilometers in diameter, was discovered beneath the ice of Greenland in 2019. The impact that created the crater is estimated to have occurred around 12,000 years ago.

6. In 2018, researchers discovered a new mineral, called hibonite, in a meteorite that originated from the early solar system. The mineral provides clues about the formation of the solar system.

7. A new species of dinosaur, named Borealopelta markmitchelli, was discovered in 2017 in Alberta, Canada. The remarkably well-preserved fossil provided insight into the appearance and behavior of dinosaurs.

8. In 2016, scientists discovered a massive canyon beneath the ice of Antarctica, which is almost as long as the Grand Canyon. The canyon is thought to have been formed millions of years ago by a river that flowed to the coast.

9. Researchers discovered a new type of bacteria, called Desulforudis audaxviator, in 2008 in a deep gold mine in South Africa. The bacteria lives in complete isolation, deriving its energy from the radioactive decay of minerals in the rock.

10. In 2006, a team of researchers discovered a new type of magma chamber beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano. The discovery provided important insights into the dynamics of supervolcanoes and the potential for future eruptions.