Tag

Pilbara

All articles tagged with #pilbara

science20 days ago•11 min saved

Ancient rocks reveal early Earth's water-driven volcanism before plate tectonics

Analysis of 3.13–3.10 billion-year-old pillow lavas from the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia shows a boninite-dominated magma suite requiring substantial water in the mantle. The team estimates the mantle source contained about 0.8–1.5% water by weight, consistent with arc-like volcanism today, suggesting surface water was recycled deep into the mantle via a dripping, non-plate-boundary process called dripduction. While based on a single volcanic package and with alternative explanations possible, the findings imply early Earth had active water cycling and arc-style volcanism long before modern plate tectonics formed.

via Space Daily|

#archean-geology #boninite #dripduction

environment4 months ago•7 min saved

BHP’s climate push stalls as leaked memos reveal delays to WA decarbonisation plans

Leaked internal BHP documents reviewed by the Guardian and ABC’s Four Corners show the world’s biggest miner has slowed or shelved major decarbonisation efforts in Western Australia’s Pilbara, including canceling a 50MW solar farm and 20MW battery at Jimblebar and delaying a nearly 500MW renewables project, with funding pushed to 2031 or later and options floated to postpone electrifying trucks and rail to 2035–2040 or take no action. Despite public commitments to reduce emissions, the company cites technology readiness as the constraint while facing shareholder pressure and criticism from climate groups urging faster action.

via The Guardian|

#bhp #climate #decarbonisation

science1 year ago•5 min saved

Scientists Disprove 'Earth's Oldest Impact Crater'

Scientists have revised the age and size of the Miralga impact crater in Western Australia, determining it formed between 2.7 billion and 400 million years ago and is about 16 km in diameter, challenging earlier claims that it was 3.5 billion years old and over 100 km wide. The discovery provides insights into Earth's early impact history and has implications for planetary science, including Mars exploration.

via ScienceAlert|

#earths-history #geology #impact-crater

science1 year ago•5 min saved

Ancient Iron Ore Deposits Reveal 1.3-Billion-Year-Old Secrets

Scientists have revised the age of Earth's largest iron ore deposits in Australia's Pilbara region, dating them to 1.3 billion years younger than previously thought, which impacts understanding of geological processes and future mining exploration strategies.

via Earth.com|

#geology #iron-ore-deposits #mining-strategy

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Voldemort-Inspired Ant Species Discovered in the Pilbara Region"

A new species of subterranean ant, Leptanilla voldemort, has been discovered in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with its slender appearance and underground lifestyle leading researchers to name it after the Harry Potter villain, Lord Voldemort. The ant, only the second of its genus found in Australia, is blind, pale, and measures just one to two millimeters, living in small underground colonies and likely being a predator with sharp mandibles and powerful stings. This discovery adds to the rich diversity of ants in Australia and sheds light on the unique adaptations of these underground insects.

via Phys.org|

#ant #leptanilla-voldemort #new-species