Researchers help solve mystery of clockwork-like earthquake system deep beneath the Pacific
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 14 May 2026
Study of the Gofar transform fault reveals barrier zones controlled by dilatancy strengthening that prevent rupture spread, explaining why M6 earthquakes recur like clockwork every 5-6 years at the same locations along the East Pacific Rise.
Keywords: transform fault, earthquakes, deep-sea geology, tectonic plates, East Pacific Rise, seismology, dilatancy strengthening
Small seabirds rely on crosswinds to navigate the open ocean
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 13 May 2026
GPS tracking of 25 Mediterranean storm petrels reveals these tiny seabirds intentionally fly in crosswinds during ocean journeys, sacrificing speed to enhance navigation and olfactory prey detection through smell.
Keywords: storm petrels, seabirds, navigation, crosswinds, olfaction, GPS tracking, bird ecology
Autonomous underwater robot discovers hidden coral reef hotspots
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 13 May 2026
Researchers developed CUREE, an autonomous robot combining audio and visual data to map biodiversity hotspots on coral reefs with sub-meter precision, finding fish densities 25 times higher near key features. Published in Science Robotics.
Keywords: autonomous robot, coral reef, biodiversity hotspots, acoustic sensing, marine robotics, reef conservation, CUREE
