Study: Ancient tectonic activity was trigger for ice ages
Continental shifting may have acted as a natural mechanism for extreme carbon sequestration.
Department
Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
QS World University Rankings rates MIT No. 1 in 12 subjects for 2016
MIT ranked within the top 5 globally for 19 of 42 subject areas.
![“For China, it looks like industrial growth [has the greatest impact on water shortages] as people get wealthier,” Charles Fant says. “In India, population growth has a huge effect. It varies by region.”](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/201603/MIT-WaterChina.jpg?itok=gsXDDhia)
First temperature map of a “super-Earth” reveals lava world
Exoplanet lacks atmosphere, is covered in rivers of magma.
A highly eccentric exoplanet
Observations of an extreme-weather planet raise questions about hot Jupiters’ origins.
Title for ‘Earth’s first animal’ likely goes to simple sea creature
Sponges may be source of molecular fossils that significantly predate Cambrian explosion.
Terrascope recognized by National Academy of Engineering
Freshman learning community recognized as an Exemplar in Engineering Ethics Education.
Humans settled, set fire to Madagascar’s forests 1,000 years ago
Stalagmites reveal huge shift in ancient Madagascar’s plant life, unrelated to climate change.
MIT on Climate = Science + Action
MIT will host a daylong symposium to address the nexus of science and action on climate change.
How aerosols drive the rain
Study finds human-made aerosols exert strong influence on the geography of precipitation.
Student-built instrument headed to asteroid and back
Created by MIT students, REXIS has been integrated onto NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.
Global reductions in mercury emissions should lead to billions in economic benefits for U.S.
Benefits from international regulations may double those of domestic policy.