Fossils & Ruins
Daily Mail: A comet impact DIDN’T spark climate change and trigger a mass extinction 12,800 years ago, study claims
The U.K.’s Daily Mail news outlet has covered the research of SMU archaeologist David J. Meltzer with the article “A comet impact DIDN’T spark climate change and trigger a mass extinction 12,800 years ago, study claims”
The Daily Mail piece by Jonathan O’Callaghn highlights Meltzer’s latest study to show that a comet, or any other kind of extraterrestrial impact, was not responsible for sudden climate change at the end of the Ice Age 12,800 years ago. Continue reading
Richest marine reptile fossil bed along Africa’s South Atlantic coast is dated at 71.5 mya
Paleontologists at Southern Methodist University have measured the carbon isotopes in marine fossils from Bentiaba, Angola to precisely date for the first time 30 million years of sediments along Africa’s South Atlantic shoreline.
They dated the richest marine reptile fossil bed along Africa’s South Atlantic to 71.5 million years ago. Continue reading
Science: What Caused a 1300-Year Deep Freeze?
The widely followed science news outlet Science covered the research of SMU archaeologist David J. Meltzer with the article What Caused a 1300-Year Deep Freeze?
The Science piece by Michael Balter highlights Meltzer’s new study showing a comet was not responsible for sudden climate change at the end of the Ice Age. Proponents of the comet-impact theory have pointed to sedimentary deposits that they say prove a comet hit the Earth, killing the Clovis culture and causing mass extinction of many animals. Continue reading
Nature: Prehistoric impact idea smacked down — dates of reported cosmic collision can’t explain North American extinctions
Widely followed science magazine Nature covered the research of SMU archaeologist David J. Meltzer with the article Prehistoric impact idea smacked down.
The Nature piece by Alexandra Witze focuses on Meltzer’s latest study to show that a comet was not responsible for sudden climate change at the end of the Ice Age 12,800 years ago. Proponents of the comet-impact theory have pointed to sedimentary deposits that they say prove that an object from outer space hit the Earth, killing the Clovis culture and causing the mass extinction of many animals.
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Comet theory false; doesn’t explain cold snap at the end of the Ice Age, Clovis changes or mass animal extinction
Controversy still rages over what sparked climate change at the end of the Ice Age 12,800 years ago, including a theory it was caused by a comet hitting the Earth.
As proof, proponents point to sediments with deposits they believe could only result from a cosmic impact. A new study disproves the theory, said lead-author and archaeologist David Meltzer, SMU. Continue reading
Satellite view of volcanoes finds the link between ground deformation and eruption
Using satellite imagery to monitor which volcanoes are deforming provides statistical evidence of their eruption potential, according to a new study in Nature Communications.
The European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellite, launched April 3, should allow scientists to test this link in greater detail and eventually develop a forecast system for all volcanoes, including those that are remote and inaccessible. Continue reading
Posted in Earth & Climate, Energy & Matter, Fossils & Ruins
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The Texas Tribune: Surprise quakes stir up Tarrant County residents
Journalist Jim Malewitz with The Texas Tribune tapped the expertise of SMU geophysicist Brian Stump, whose research has looked at the operation of saltwater injection disposal wells and small earthquakes that have occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Stump is Albritton Professor of Earth Sciences in SMU’s Dedman College. His research includes seismic wave propagation, seismic source theory, shallow geophysical site characterization, and characterization of explosions as sources of seismic waves.
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New fossil species discovered in Mozambique reveals new data on ancient mammal relatives
[caption id="attachment_6738" align="alignleft" width="220"]
A female Niassodon mfumukasi protecting its calf in its natural environment by the end of the Permian (~256Ma). Illustrated by Fernando Correia.[/caption]A new species and genus of fossil vertebrate has been identified from the remote province of Niassa in Mozambique, according to an international team of paleontologists.
The species is a distant relative of living mammals and is approximately 256 million years old, the researchers reported Dec. 4 in the scientific journal PLoS ONE. Continue reading
Posted in Fossils & Ruins, Plants & Animals, Videos
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SMU dean, earth science professor James Quick elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Vulcanologist James E. Quick, SMU’s associate vice president for research and dean of Graduate Studies, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science. Quick is the fourth professor at Southern Methodist University recognized with the prestigious honor. Continue reading
Posted in Earth & Climate, Fossils & Ruins, Researcher news
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