The source for the isotopically-enriched Hawaiian magmas contains peridotites that experienced near-surface melting prior incorporation in the plume.
isotopes
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Getting to the Bottom of Cenozoic Deep-Ocean Temperatures
Reconstructing past ocean conditions with oxygen isotopes could provide more information about how Earth’s climate evolved over time, but methods for reconstructing these data can yield varying results.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Clumped CO Isotopes – New Tracers for Atmospheric Chemistry
A new study reports the first measurements of 13C18O in atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) and show their variations reflect chemical ‘aging’ consistent with predicted kinetic isotope effects.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Tracking a Disappearing Mantle Plume in Ancient Samoa
A thick portion of Earth’s crust may have capped the Samoan plume and suppressed volcanism for 30 million years, explaining a curious gap along the Samoan chain.
Posted inScience Updates
How Great was the “Great Oxidation Event”?
Geochemical sleuthing amid acid mine runoff suggests that scientists should rethink an isotope signal long taken to indicate low levels of atmospheric oxygen in Earth’s deep past.
Posted inNews
Carbon Cycles Through Plants More Quickly Than Expected
A radioactive isotope produced by nuclear weapons reveals that plants take up more carbon—but hold on to it for less time—than current climate models suggest.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Radioactive Isotopes Trace Hidden Arctic Currents
Tracing anthropogenic radionuclides shows researchers how water from the Atlantic flows into and mingles with Arctic currents.