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SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & AstronomyThe Astronomy, Technology, and Space Science News Podcast. Author: Stuart Gary
Join host Stuart Gary for weekly explorations into Astronomy, Space, and Science News, featuring insights from 19 years on Australian Public Radio and industry experts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support. Language: en Genres: Astronomy, Natural Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Earth's Water Origins and Io's Volcanic Secrets: Unveiling Tectonic Climate Drivers and Lunar Archives
Episode 14
Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore new insights into the origins of Earth's water, groundbreaking discoveries beneath the surface of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io, and how tectonic plate movements may have influenced Earth's climate throughout history.New Clues on Earth's Water OriginsA recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that asteroid and comet impacts could only account for a small fraction of Earth's water supply. By analyzing oxygen isotopes in lunar regolith collected during the Apollo missions, researchers found that the early Earth likely retained little to no water during its formative years. This challenges long-held beliefs and suggests that the majority of Earth's water must have originated from other sources, rather than being delivered by celestial bodies.Unprecedented Volcanic Activity on IoNASA's Juno spacecraft has captured remarkable data on Io, the most volcanically active body in our solar system. Observations from a December flyby revealed the most energetic eruption ever detected on Io, affecting a vast area of 65,000 square kilometers. The findings indicate that interconnected magma reservoirs beneath Io's surface are responsible for this extraordinary volcanic activity, providing new insights into the moon's geological dynamics and evolution.Tectonic Plates and Earth's ClimateA new study suggests that carbon released from shifting tectonic plates may have played a significant role in Earth's climatic transitions, rather than volcanic activity as previously thought. Researchers reconstructed carbon movements over the last 540 million years, providing evidence that carbon emissions from mid-ocean ridges were the primary drivers of climate shifts between ice ages and warmer periods. This research reshapes our understanding of past climate dynamics and offers valuable insights for future climate models.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesProceedings of the National Academy of SciencesJournal of Geophysical Research PlanetsCommunications Earth and EnvironmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
