Using stainless steel models, researchers find that high-frequency seismic waves—the most damaging to buildings—are attenuated in the Los Angeles sedimentary basin.

Katherine Kornei
Katherine Kornei is a freelance science journalist covering Earth and space science. Her bylines frequently appear in Eos, Science, and The New York Times. Katherine holds a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
A Global Map of Human Sewage in Coastal Ecosystems
Prodigious quantities of nitrogen from human waste flow into coastal waters, a study of nearly 135,000 watersheds reveals.
Ocean Terrain and the Engineering Challenges for Offshore Wind Farms
Deep coastal seabeds, glacial erratics, and other geophysical hurdles stand in the way of offshore wind farm proliferation. Researchers, engineers, and organizations are adapting and inventing ways to harness the breeze.
Inland Mangroves Are Relics of the Past’s Higher Sea Levels
Mangroves found in southern Mexico’s rain forest, 170 kilometers from the nearest ocean, date to a time when sea levels were several meters higher.
Academic Citations Evolve to Include Indigenous Oral Teachings
A librarian has developed citation templates for oral teachings shared by members of Indigenous communities.
An Explanation, at Last, for Mysterious “Zen Stones”
Laboratory experiments re-create the thin, icy pedestals that support some rocks in nature, revealing that sublimation plays a key role in the formation of these rare and beautiful structures.
La arquitectura china evolucionó con los cambios en las nevadas
El diseño de los techos en el norte de China cambió a lo largo de siglos en respuesta a eventos de nieve extremos, sugiere nueva investigación.
Thirsty Plants Pull Water from Bedrock
Shrubs and trees across the United States routinely sip water stored in bedrock, a discovery that has implications for the terrestrial water cycle.
Chinese Architecture Evolved with Changes in Snowfall
Roof design in northern China changed over centuries in response to extreme snow events, new research suggests.
Ejecta Discovered Near Site of Ancient Meteorite Impact
South Africa’s Vredefort impact structure is the largest on the planet, and researchers have now discovered the first proximal ejecta possibly deriving from the cataclysmic impact.