Geologists from the United States Geological Survey recently completed fieldwork at the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, assessing the aftermath of the latest episode of lava fountaining. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported significant changes to the caldera rim, with scientists closely monitoring new cracks and lava deposits for signs of future activity. This comes after a period of heightened eruptions, underlining the importance of ongoing research into Hawaii’s active volcanic systems according to the USGS.
In Yellowstone National Park, a new thermal pool was discovered in the Porcelain Basin area of Norris Geyser Basin. The United States Geological Survey noted that this feature likely emerged between late December 2024 and early February 2025, formed by explosive geothermal events that ejected silica mud and rocks. Measuring about thirteen feet across, this pool contributes to a pattern of increasing geothermal activity in the region, with old favorites like Old Faithful continuing to erupt regularly. Such phenomena are not only a tourist draw but also critical for understanding underlying tectonic and hydrothermal processes affecting the greater Yellowstone area, according to reports from Gizmodo and Geology.com.
Another headline in recent geology news is the ongoing shrinkage of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. As the lakebed dries, scientists have begun to observe hidden springs and mysterious reed-covered mounds fed by groundwater. These discoveries suggest complex interactions between surface water, groundwater, and climate, prompting renewed interest in monitoring the health of inland water systems. According to ScienceDaily, these changes may also impact the long-term geology and ecology of the region.
The Department of the Interior, working with the United States Geological Survey, has also released its draft 2025 List of Critical Minerals, outlining resources considered essential for national security and economic growth. The spotlight remains on rare earth elements, with Apple recently announcing a partnership with MP Materials, the operator of the Mountain Pass rare earth mine in California. This collaboration aims to boost the domestic supply chain for rare earth materials required for electronics and renewable energy technologies.
Globally, the scientific community has celebrated breakthroughs such as Cambridge researchers solving the mystery of how volcanic activity once spanned vast parts of the North Atlantic, with ancient plate scars spreading Iceland’s mantle plume. Meanwhile, environmental concerns continue to mount in places like Southern California, where toxic leaks from barrels dumped decades ago have transformed sections of the ocean floor into hazardous zones. These findings underscore a growing awareness of the long-term impacts of human activity and natural processes on geological environments.
With upcoming conferences like the Society of Economic Geologists meeting in Brisbane and major virtual events focused on geoethics, collaboration across borders is accelerating, promising further advances in the understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems and emerging geological risks.
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