River sand and gravel fuel global construction, but their extraction is reshaping rivers, ecosystems, and communities faster than sustainable management can keep pace.
sand
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Extensive Sand Dune Loss Threatens California Coast
Aerial photos combined with lidar data show the extent of the problem.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Sand Demand Outpaces Sustainable Extraction
Demand for sand in the building sector is expected to rise 45% by the year 2060, outpacing current efforts to sustainably harvest it.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Curiosity Stumbles Upon Evidence of Ancient Martian Winds
Researchers have found evidence of a sandstorm on Mars that occurred about 3.6 billion years ago.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Sea Turtles, Shrinking Beaches, and Rising Seas
A new study looks at how sea turtle nesting sites may be affected as sea levels rise and sandy beaches erode.
Posted inNews
Glass Sand Grows Healthy Mangroves
In places with lots of glass waste, sand made from recycled material could be another tool in the coastal restoration toolbox.
Posted inNews
Spiky Sand Features Can Reveal the Timing of Ancient Earthquakes
Icicle-shaped features known as sand dikes form during ground shaking. New work reveals how these features can be used to date long-ago earthquakes.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
A First Look at How Sand Behaves Inside a Rippled Bed
A detailed numerical model shows how sediment particles experience wave-driven shear stress inside and above a sea bed with sand ripples.
Posted inNews
Inside a Georgia Beach’s High-Tech Fight Against Erosion
Armed with drones and lasers, scientists are creating detailed 3D maps of Tybee Island’s shifting shoreline.
Posted inNews
Mini Dunes Form When Sand Stops Bouncing
Decoding how sand grains move and accumulate on Earth can also help scientists understand dune formation on Mars.