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Normal view

Dense iron oxyhydroxides as possible reservoirs of water under deep mantle conditions

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02067-1

Dense iron oxyhydroxide phases may form from an early basal magma ocean, trapping water and potentially contributing to the formation of thermochemical anomalies in the deep mantle, according to high-pressure and high-temperature experiments.

Increase in global warming potential of atmospheric black carbon since 1750

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02085-z

The soot fraction of global black carbon emissions increased from 16% in 1750 to 35% in 2019, mainly driven by fossil fuel consumption, suggesting a higher warming potential per unit mass, according to an analysis of atmospheric measurements.

Past abrupt changes in Atlantic Ocean currents controlled the Earth’s energy balance

7 September 2026 at 01:00

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02086-y

During the last ice age, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) underwent a series of abrupt reorganizations. The global impact of these events reflects the accumulation of heat in the ocean interior during the weak AMOC mode and its loss during the strong mode, facilitated by radiative feedbacks that altered the planetary energy balance.

Nature-based solutions in open ecosystems must support biodiversity and people

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 04 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02079-x

Nature-based solutions in savannas and grasslands that seek to maximize tree cover and carbon uptake can erode biodiversity, create fragile carbon stocks and disrupt the livelihoods of people who depend on these landscapes, all for uncertain climate benefits.
Received — 11 August 2026 ⏭ Nature Geoscience

Impacts of power plant emissions on air quality amplified by renewable energy droughts

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 11 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02039-5

Integrated model simulations suggest that air quality across China could be substantially degraded by emissions from fossil fuel power plants during renewable energy droughts in the 2050s, underscoring the need for a deeper clean energy transition.

Moss biocrusts sustain snowpack and soil function in cold deserts

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02056-4

Long-term soil biogeochemical measurements in a cold desert in China suggest that moss biocrusts can substantially extend snow cover duration and increase snow depth during snow events, thereby sustaining soil biological activity and ecosystem function under a warming climate.

Planetary energy budget during abrupt glacial climate events set by Atlantic Ocean heat valve

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 10 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02070-6

Variations in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation strength through abrupt Dansgaard–Oeschger events during Pleistocene glacial periods controlled ocean heat content, and heat uptake by the planet as a whole, according to a synthesis of simulations.
Received — 9 August 2026 ⏭ Nature Geoscience

Opinions that matter

6 August 2026 at 01:00

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 06 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02073-3

Opinions grounded in evidence and expertise play an important role in scientific discourse. The most effective opinion pieces do not simply express a viewpoint — they acknowledge limitations, nuance, and diversity of perspectives, and help move the conversations forwards.

Monitoring Europe’s forests in a changing climate

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02037-7

The European Union’s climate goals rely on forests as carbon sinks. Remote sensing data reveal accelerating biomass loss and distinguish the contributions of harvesting and natural disturbances, helping to better inform forest policy and climate actions.

Arctic cloud condensation nuclei enhanced by iodine, sulfur and organic precursors

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02062-6

Frequent Arctic nucleation events arise from coupled iodine and sulfur chemistry, with organics driving rapid growth. Ship-based observations show that this process can increase cloud condensation nuclei by up to 50-fold near marginal sea ice.

Accelerating biomass loss from forest disturbances across Europe

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 05 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02032-y

Satellite observations reveal accelerating aboveground biomass loss across Europe’s forests since 2018, increasingly driven by natural disturbances. These trends weaken the forest carbon sink and challenge climate mitigation efforts through forest policy.

Disconnection of the late Pliocene Agulhas Leakage from Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02055-5

Northward movement of the Southern Ocean subtropical front diminished salt transport by Agulhas Leakage in the late Pliocene, although this had no apparent influence on the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, according to proxy records from marine sediment cores.

Molecular evidence for a relict marine community in an Antarctic Dry Valleys subglacial brine-fed system

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02054-6

Eukaryotic microorganisms within a subglacial brine-fed system in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are largely of marine origin, a legacy of past incursions of seawater into the area, according to RNA sequencing and metatranscriptomic analyses.
Received — 2 August 2026 ⏭ Nature Geoscience

Wide flanks of rift uplifts on Venus indicate recent rifting activity

31 July 2026 at 01:00

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02049-3

Comparing numerical models of active and inactive rifts on Venus with observations reveals that rift valleys on Venus with wide rift flank uplifts are active (or were recently). These rifts also might experience faster tectonic extension rates than previously assumed, which might be associated with rising mantle plumes from greater depths.
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