Tag

Hydrology

All articles tagged with #hydrology

science8 days ago•118 min saved

Perseverance Uncovers Three Water Epochs in Mars' Ancient 'Wild West'

NASA's Perseverance rover has identified evidence of three distinct water-related events in the 'Lac de Charmes' region of Jezero Crater, challenging previous assumptions about the site's geological history. While orbital data suggested the area contained simple lake sediments, the rover found ancient igneous rocks altered by groundwater, lake water, and later hydrothermal activity. This discovery, detailed in a new study, indicates that the region served as a crossroads for multiple aqueous systems, providing crucial insights into early Martian climate and habitability.

via Space|

#geology #hydrology #mars

science22 days ago•12 min saved

Twin satellites weigh Earth's hidden water by tracing gravity's subtle tug

Two identical GRACE-FO satellites fly about 220 km apart and use a laser-ranging interferometer to detect tiny changes in their distance as they pass over Earth's mass distribution. Those micro-variations are converted into monthly gravity maps; after subtracting solid-ground signals, the residuals reveal changes in large-scale water stores—ice loss, groundwater, and soil moisture—allowing scientists to weigh continental water over time.

via Space Daily|

#grace-fo #gravity #hydrology

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Arctic thaw spurs rapid river erosion, defying frozen-ground assumptions

Canadian researchers found that river erosion in the High Arctic can accelerate markedly during seasonal thaw, with lab flume experiments and field tests showing sediment erosion about 10 times faster than on unfrozen ground. The mechanism involves a shallow thaw layer that meltwater can’t penetrate through, causing water to split and carry more sediment, reshaping river channels as permafrost thaws. This challenges the idea that frozen ground always slows erosion and highlights the need for year‑round Arctic data as climate warming unfolds. The study was published in Communications Earth & Environment.

via ScienceAlert|

#arctic #climate-change #erosion

environment1 month ago•3 min saved

BC's floating forest island appears, vanishes, and reappears miles away on Williston Lake

A forested island appeared on Williston Lake in British Columbia, measuring roughly 150 by 75 meters and not found on maps. Within a day it disappeared, then a second appearance occurred about 20 miles away. BC Hydro says the mass is a naturally formed floating island of trees and vegetation growing on woody debris, likely aided by higher water levels that buoy the island; satellite imagery confirmed its existence, and experts note similar floating islands can form in other places. While it could persist for years if conditions stay favorable, authorities warn it is unstable and unsafe to approach.

via The Guardian|

#bc-hydro #environment #floating-forest

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Massive Underground Aquifer Discovered Under the Cascade Range

Scientists using heat-flow data uncovered a continental-scale underground aquifer beneath the Oregon Cascades containing at least 19.4 cubic miles (81 cubic kilometers) of water—over twice the volume of Lake Mead—potentially the largest volcanic aquifer of its kind. The reservoir, inferred from stable deep-rock temperatures rather than drilling, suggests extensive groundwater circulation within the volcanic system and could influence future groundwater storage and the behavior of volcanic activity in the 700-mile Cascade Range. Similar aquifers north of the Columbia Gorge and near Mount Shasta imply the entire range may host this massive subterranean water system, with implications for eruption dynamics if water interacts with magma.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#cascade-range #geology #groundwater

science6 months ago•3 min saved

Freshwater Hidden Beneath Great Salt Lake, Study Finds

Using airborne electromagnetic surveys, researchers found a large freshwater reservoir beneath the Great Salt Lake, saturating sediments under the eastern margin and a basement depth deepening from hundreds of yards to over 2.5 miles; while promising, the survey covered only part of the lake, so the full freshwater volume remains uncertain.

via Futurism|

#airborne-electromagnetic-survey #freshwater #geology

science6 months ago•5 min saved

Underground Freshwater Vault Discovered Beneath Great Salt Lake

Researchers using airborne electromagnetic surveys and magnetic data mapped beneath Utah’s Great Salt Lake and uncovered a large, previously unknown freshwater reservoir that extends deep into the basin, challenging the idea that the lake is fully saline. The find suggests mountain-fed freshwater can infiltrate far beneath the surface and may offer new options for drought and dust mitigation, though surveys are incomplete and sustainable use requires caution; the study, published in Scientific Reports, emphasizes the need to survey the entire lake to determine the reservoir’s true extent.

via Indian Defence Review|

#freshwater #geophysics #great-salt-lake

science8 months ago•9 min saved

Hidden Groundwater in the U.S. Could Fill the Great Lakes 13 Times

A new 30-meter-resolution groundwater map estimates the contiguous United States contains about 306,500 cubic kilometers of groundwater (to 392 meters deep), roughly 13 times the volume of the Great Lakes, underscoring a vast underground freshwater reserve that is far less measured than surface water.

via ZME Science|

#greatlakes #groundwater #groundwatermap

science8 months ago•7 min saved

AI-powered map uncovers deep groundwater across the U.S. at 30-meter resolution

Researchers from Princeton and the University of Arizona created a high-resolution, AI-driven map of groundwater depth for the continental United States by combining over a million direct measurements with regional climate and geological data. The result estimates about 306,000 cubic kilometers of groundwater at a 30-meter grid (roughly 98 feet), revealing shallow supplies previously unknown and enabling more informed irrigation, conservation, and water infrastructure decisions. The model also quantifies uncertainty at each location and is designed for global expansion via the HydroFrame platform, signaling a shift toward data-driven, local-scale groundwater management.

via Princeton Engineering|

#ai #groundwater #hydrology

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Colorado River System Faces Record Low Water Levels and Supply-Demand Imbalance"

Plumbing problems at Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back the second-largest reservoir in the U.S., have raised concerns about future water delivery to Southwestern states supplied by the Colorado River. The dam's damaged tubes could complicate water management as Lake Powell reaches low levels, potentially impacting water supply for millions of people and agricultural producers. Federal officials are evaluating the issues, and states and tribes reliant on the Colorado River are working on a long-term deal to share the dwindling resource.

via The Associated Press|

#colorado-river #environment #glen-canyon-dam

space-science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Uncovering Mars' Ancient Hydrothermal Vents and Groundwater: Clues to Life-Supporting Conditions"

A recent study suggests that ancient Mars had a minimal groundwater recharge rate, indicating a vastly different water regime from Earth's and impacting our understanding of its climate. The findings have implications for future Mars missions and the search for water resources, as understanding groundwater flow can help inform where to find water on Mars today. The research, funded by NASA and the University of Texas, utilized various modeling methods to determine the low groundwater recharge rate, shedding light on the planet's hydrological past.

via SciTechDaily|

#groundwater #hydrology #mars

climate-change3 years ago•2 min saved

Arctic Permafrost Runoff Unveils Alarming Methane Emissions

Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation are causing increased streamflow in areas of high-latitude North America with permafrost coverage. A study analyzing 46 years of data found that all areas with permafrost experienced higher streamflows and minimum flows as the Arctic climate warms up. Areas with more than 50% permafrost coverage saw significant increases in mean streamflow, while all areas, including those with less coverage, saw increased minimum flows. The study suggests that permafrost is playing an increasingly important role in changing streamflow trends due to enhanced thawing caused by warmer temperatures and increased precipitation.

via Phys.org|

#arctic #climate-change #hydrology

environment3 years ago

"Assessing Utah's Watershed for Potential Flooding"

A hydrologist in Utah is closely monitoring watershed observations to determine the potential for flooding in the state. The observations include snowpack levels, soil moisture, and streamflow. The hydrologist explains that while the snowpack is currently below average, heavy spring precipitation could still lead to flooding. The observations will continue to be monitored to provide early warning and preparedness measures for potential flooding events.

via KUTV 2News|

#environment #flooding #hydrology