Stay up-to-date with the latest research and articles on the deep carbon cycle — how carbon travels between Earth’s surface and its deep interior over millions to billions of years. Discover surprising pathways of carbon release (like continental rifting zones), how mantle redox conditions regulate carbon fate, what role diamonds play in Earth’s interior carbon story, and how deep Earth carbon degassing impacts climate and geology.
The Earth is not just a closed box of carbon cycling between atmosphere, biosphere, and oceans. Deep within the planet, carbon moves, accumulates, and escapes through surprising pathways. One such path that’s gaining attention is leakage through continental rifting zones — places where the crust is being pulled apart. Though
For decades, scientists have studied how carbon moves between Earth’s surface and interior in what is called the deep carbon cycle. Traditionally, the focus has been on carbonates, organic sediments, and volcanic outgassing. But new research suggests that the story may be more complex. Recent ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Deep within Earth, far below the crust and upper mantle we know from geology textbooks, lies a chemical switch that decides the fate of carbon. Scientists have discovered that mantle redox conditions — essentially the balance of oxygen available — determine whether carbon subducted at plate boundaries comes back to
When we think of carbon dioxide emissions from the Earth’s interior, volcanoes usually dominate the conversation. Yet, groundbreaking research shows that the planet’s carbon release is not confined to volcanic eruptions alone. Scientists have detected significant carbon leaks from continental rifting zones, reshaping our understanding of the deep carbon cycle
For decades, scientists have sought reliable early warning signs of volcanic eruptions. While seismic activity and ground deformation are often the focus, new research shows that high-frequency gas monitoring—particularly tracking carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions—can reveal clear precursors to volcanic activity. This breakthrough offers a promising addition to eruption forecasting and
The Earth’s carbon cycle is a complex and dynamic system that influences the planet’s atmosphere, climate, and geological processes. While much of the focus tends to be on the carbon emissions from human activities, there is another critical source of carbon that originates deep within the Earth: the mantle. Understanding
Diamonds have fascinated humans for centuries, prized for their brilliance, rarity, and timeless beauty. But the journey that carbon takes to become the sparkling diamond crystal we admire is a fascinating process that unfolds deep within the Earth. The path from carbon in the mantle to the formation of diamonds
When we think about carbon emissions and their role in climate change, the first things that come to mind are often human activities such as burning fossil fuels. However, there is another important source of carbon emissions that operates deep within the Earth. Deep Earth carbon degassing refers to the
Diamonds are often associated with luxury, beauty, and rarity, but they are also invaluable to scientists studying the Earth’s inner workings. These precious gemstones are not just created under intense pressure and temperature; they also carry secrets of the Earth’s mantle and carbon cycle. The study of diamonds provides crucial
Carbon, the building block of life, plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of Earth’s climate system. However, much of the planet’s carbon resides deep within its layers, where it is trapped for millions or even billions of years. The release of this carbon, known as carbon degassing,
Diamonds are often seen as symbols of luxury and beauty, but beneath their dazzling exterior lies a treasure trove of geological secrets. These precious stones are much more than just a product of deep Earth conditions—they serve as remarkable time capsules, preserving information about the Earth’s mantle dynamics. The mantle,
Carbon plays a pivotal role in regulating Earth’s climate, and while most of the attention surrounding carbon emissions focuses on human activities, there are natural processes at work beneath our feet that also release carbon into the atmosphere. One of the most significant yet often overlooked processes is deep Earth
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