Sulfur isotope excursions in skeletal collagen samples from Eurasia suggest rapidly changing biogeochemical processes across the region from about 30,000 to 15,000 years ago, potentially related to changing permafrost conditions.

Eddy-covariance observations suggest that rain pulses over global drylands drive substantial soil carbon emissions, which are underestimated in current measurement and modelling approaches.

A build-up of warm water in the shallow tropical Atlantic during the last deglaciation and early Holocene probably resulted from intervals of weaker Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, according to proxy records and model simulations.

The maximum carbon sequestration potential from global terrestrial ecosystem restoration efforts until 2100 is 96.9 Gt, which is equivalent to 3.7–12.0% of anthropogenic emissions until then, according to model projections.

Satellite observations over the Greenland Ice Sheet reveal a destructive mode of meltwater drainage whereby a subglacial flood induced by the rapid drainage of a subglacial lake burst through the surface, fracturing the ice sheet.

Soil microorganisms are changing their phenology more than plants under climate warming, which could harm terrestrial ecosystem functioning, according to an analysis of a global compilation of experimental data.

Serendipity has long driven breakthroughs in geoscience. Evolving tools and a changing research landscape are reshaping the conditions for chance discoveries and how geoscientists can foster the next generation of unexpected insights.

Climate change is exacerbating and extending droughts. These events are becoming more predictable as their underlying causes are uncovered.

Jadarite is a lithium-bearing mineral with the potential to facilitate the green energy transition. However, the route to form it is so specific that it is only known from one deposit on Earth, as Francesco Putzolu and colleagues explain.

Cuts at US government agencies are disrupting monitoring critical to tracking Earth system changes and natural hazards. Data gaps threaten geoscience progress and the safety of society.