Scientists drilling beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea offshore Italy uncovered unexpected granite intrusions buried within Earth’s mantle, revealing new clues about how continents break apart and oceans begin to form. The study shows that these unusual rocks not only preserved a rare record of fault activity during the opening of a young ocean basin, but may also have helped keep the fault system active as deep mantle rocks rose toward the seafloor.

Louisiana’s coastline faces well-documented threats from sea-level rise, subsidence, and land loss. A 2024 study warned that up to 75% of wetlands could drown by 2070. New research from LSU-affiliated scientists adds nuance, showing that wetland loss varies by location. While some areas are deteriorating due to erosion, others can still build elevation when sediment is available. The findings highlight the need for site-specific restoration strategies, from marsh creation to sediment diversions, tailored to local conditions and processes shaping each landscape.