Research stories
Explore our research stories at Research School of Earth Sciences.
- Research story
In the 20th century, global sea level rose faster than at any other time in the past 3,000 years. It’s expected to rise even further by 2100, as human-induced climate change intensifies. In fact, some studies predict a rise of up to 1.6 metres and possibly more due to the rapid melting of the Antarctic ice sheets.
- Research story
The detection of energy signals from strong winter storms in the North Atlantic Ocean which travel through the Earth’s core could enhance understanding of our solar system, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU).
The ANU seismologists used two 50-by-50-kilometre spiral arrays in Australia to detect PKP waves, which are core waves generated by cyclones in the North Atlantic that move through the Earth’s centre to Australia during the Australian summer.
The study identified two key regions in Greenland and Newfoundland as sources of these seismic signals generated by ocean waves.
- News
- Research story
A new species of fish that lived in Australian freshwater lakes and rivers about 15 million years ago has been named after the researcher from The Australian National University (ANU) who played a key role in its discovery.
Professor Jochen Brocks discovered several fossils of the ancient fish, named Ferruaspis brocksi, at the McGraths Flat fossil site near Gulgong in New South Wales (NSW).
- Research story
Aotearoa New Zealand experiences frequent earthquakes, including destructive ones such as those that struck Christchurch in 2010 and 2011, and near Kaikōura in 2018.
In the South Island, the largest seismic hazard is the 600km Alpine Fault, which runs the length of the Southern Alps and defines the boundary between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates.
- Research story
ANU seismologists Dr Thanh-Son Phạm and Jinyin Hu say monitoring the release of gases from volcanic sites can help better prepare for future events. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU
- Research story
A newly published study in the international Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research offers an alternative mechanism that triggered the 15 January 2022 Hunga (Tonga) eruption, proposing the powerful eruption was caused by a gas-driven climactic explosion rather than a phreatomagmatic one - where magma and water react violently through the water column.
- Research story
Seismic waves from a 2010 earthquake more than 600 km under Spain has led researchers to discover the first conclusive proof that a tectonic plate had flipped over, according to new ANU research.
- Research story
A more accurate way of identifying underground nuclear tests, including those conducted in secret, has been developed by researchers at ANU.