As researchers from Curtin University have discovered, analyzing lava flows that solidified and then broke apart over a massive crack in the Earth’s crust in Turkey has brought new insights into how continents move over time, improving our understanding of earthquake risks. The study revealed that the Tuz Gölü Fault Zone – a more than 200-kilometre-long geological structure visible from space – is slowly pulling apart.

Lead Australian author Professor Axel Schmitt explained that the research solved a long-standing mystery about the fault’s movement, in a breakthrough not just for assessing seismic hazards but also for improving global models of continental deformation. “While Turkey is well known for its earthquake-prone strike-slip faults, this study confirms for the first time that the Tuz Gölü Fault is an extensional fault, meaning the land on either side is moving away from each other, rather than sliding sideways as was previously thought,” Professor Schmitt said.

The research team used cutting-edge techniques to precisely date the lava flows and track their displacement over thousands of years. Tiny zircon crystals in the lava flows worked as geological clocks, capturing helium produced by the radioactive decay of tiny amounts of naturally occurring uranium and thorium. By measuring uranium, thorium, and helium in these crystals, the researchers accurately determined when the lava flows erupted, spilled across the fault, and subsequently cooled.

The findings revealed that the Tuz Gölü Fault is pulling apart at a rate of about one millimetre per year, rather than shifting sideways. Understanding these movements is crucial not just for assessing volcanic and earthquake threats but also for improving global models of continental deformation.

This research highlights the importance of revisiting long-held geological assumptions and using modern techniques to precisely measure how continents respond to the immense pressures of tectonic collisions. The study was co-authored by researchers from Konya Technical University (Turkey), Heidelberg University (Germany), and University of Toronto (Canada).

In the arid regions of Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, researchers have stumbled upon an enigmatic phenomenon that challenges our understanding of geological processes. Unusually small burrows, or tiny tubes, have been discovered in marble and limestone rocks, which are believed to be the result of microorganisms at work. The discovery was made by Professor Cees Passchier from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), who first encountered this phenomenon during his fieldwork in Namibia.

Passchier’s team has found similar structures in Oman and Saudi Arabia, with the tubes forming bands up to ten meters long. These tiny tunnels are not empty; they are filled with a fine powder of clean calcium carbonate, which is believed to be a remnant of the microorganisms’ activities. The researchers speculate that these microbes may have bored the tunnels to access nutrients present in the calcium carbonate, the main component of marble.

The age of these structures is estimated to be around one or two million years old, with Passchier suggesting that they were formed in a slightly more humid climate than the current desert conditions. However, the microorganisms responsible for creating these tubes remain unknown.

This phenomenon has sparked interest among scientists due to its potential implications on the global carbon cycle. The release of carbon through the biological activity of microorganisms could play a significant role in the Earth’s CO2 balance. As Passchier emphasizes, it is essential that the scientific community becomes aware of this discovery and continues to investigate the mystery surrounding these enigmatic tubes.

In conclusion, the discovery of mysterious microorganisms shaping marble and limestone with tiny tubes offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of geological processes. While much remains unknown about these structures and their creators, further research may shed light on the secrets hidden within the Earth’s ancient rocks.