Mantle motions have major effects on topography and the distribution of ice sheets. The motions are key for researchers trying to properly parse past mantle movement.

Alka Tripathy-Lang
Alka Tripathy-Lang is a freelance science writer covering stories about Earth and environmental science. Alka holds a Ph.D. in geology from Arizona State University and conducted postdoctoral research at the Berkeley Geochronology Center.
Riley Black: Bringing Fossils to Life
A fossil hunter paints visceral pictures with words about the lives of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.
Oceanic Cacophony
The ocean is a pretty loud place, and anthropogenic noise is adding another layer to the soundscape.
Mammal Droppings Preserve Human and Climate History on the Tibetan Plateau
Geochemical signatures in sediment, which includes organic molecules from human and animal poop, help scientists track the rise and fall of the Tibetan Empire.
Dawn Wright: Diving Deep to Discover the Secrets of the Ocean
The chief scientist at Esri wound her path into and out of academia.
Hunting Hurricanes
NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters risk their lives each time they fly into the eye of a storm to collect crucial data for forecasting, hurricane modeling, and research.
Rocky Voices: A Q&A with Eva Enkelmann
A new book aimed at young adults explores the construction of the Canadian Rockies from the perspective of the minerals, fossils, and waterdrops that make and shape the landscape.
Crystals Track Magma Movement Beneath Iceland
Crystals from Fagradalsfjall’s eruption mark how mantle magma might have been moving years before geophysical indicators alerted scientists to unrest.
Grains of Sand: Too Much and Never Enough
Sand is a foundational element of our cities, our homes, our landscapes and seascapes. How we will interact with the material in the future, however, is less certain.