April 2026, Vol. 22, No. 2

Understanding the physical and transport properties of minerals is fundamental to decoding the processes that shape Earth and other planetary bodies. Building on the early insights of Haüy, who first recognized the relationship between crystal structure and macroscopic behavior, modern mineral physics now uses advanced spectroscopic, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic techniques to study materials across all scales—from atomic structures to entire planetary interiors.

This issue of Elements explores how minerals respond to external physical fields and how these responses preserve information about their formation, evolution, and the dynamic processes that continue to operate within planetary interiors. By integrating key concepts in mineral physics with recent technological advances, researchers are uncovering new ways to interpret geophysical data and understand the evolution of Earth and other planets.

Why You’ll Love Mineral Physics Applied to Earth and Planetary Sciences:

• Planetary Interior Insights: Discover how mineral properties reveal the structure and dynamics of Earth and other planetary bodies.
• Advanced Analytical Techniques: Explore cutting-edge spectroscopic and physical methods used to study minerals at multiple scales.
• Understanding Planetary Evolution: Learn how mineral responses to external fields preserve clues about the history and ongoing processes of planetary formation.

Expand your understanding of planetary science and explore how mineral physics continues to transform our knowledge of Earth’s interior and the evolution of the solar system.

June 2025, Vol. 22, No. 1

Earth’s geological carbon cycle plays a vital role in maintaining the planet’s climate and supporting life. Often described as a natural “thermostat,” this complex system helps regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and prevents extreme global temperature fluctuations over geological timescales. Traditional models explain this balance through interactions between volcanic degassing, atmospheric CO₂, continental silicate weathering, and carbonate mineral formation.

However, new scientific discoveries reveal that Earth’s carbon cycle is far more dynamic and complex than previously understood. This issue explores emerging theories and alternative mechanisms that may significantly influence long-term climate regulation, including seafloor weathering, organic carbon cycling, ocean alkalinity dynamics, and variations in carbon degassing rates. Researchers continue to investigate the uncertainties surrounding the processes that control Earth’s life-support system and climate stability.

Why You’ll Love Earth’s Carbon Cycle Thermostat: Beyond the Textbook Model:

• Climate Regulation Insights: Discover how Earth’s carbon cycle helps stabilize global temperatures across millions of years.
• Beyond Traditional Models: Explore new scientific perspectives on carbon degassing, weathering, and ocean chemistry.
• Cutting-Edge Earth Science Research: Learn about the major unanswered questions surrounding the planet’s long-term climate and life-support systems.

Expand your understanding of Earth’s climate processes and uncover how modern research is reshaping our knowledge of the geological carbon cycle and planetary habitability.

June 2025, Vol. 21, No. 6

The Variscan orogeny was one of the most significant mountain-building events in Earth’s geological history, occurring between 380 and 300 million years ago during the assembly of the Pangea supercontinent. Through multiple cycles of continental collision, ocean basin opening and closure, and the accretion of Gondwana-derived continental fragments onto the Laurussia margin, the Variscan belt became a defining feature of ancient Europe’s tectonic evolution.

Unlike many other orogenic systems, the Variscan orogen is distinguished by its unusually thick and predominantly magmatic crust, limited mantle involvement, and complex accretionary history marked by pulsed magmatism along major collision sutures. Because Pangea remains the youngest and best-preserved supercontinent on Earth, studying the Variscan orogeny provides valuable insights into the geological processes responsible for supercontinent formation and continental evolution.

Why You’ll Love The Variscan Orogeny in Europe – Understanding Supercontinent Formation:

• Supercontinent Formation Insights: Discover how the Variscan orogeny contributed to the assembly of the Pangea supercontinent.
• Advanced Tectonic Research: Explore the complex cycles of continental collision, ocean closure, and crustal growth that shaped ancient Europe.
• Unique Geological Features: Learn why the Variscan belt stands apart from other mountain-building systems through its magmatic crust and distinctive geodynamic processes.

Expand your understanding of Earth’s tectonic history and uncover how the Variscan orogeny reveals the mechanisms behind supercontinent assembly and planetary evolution.

June 2025, Vol. 21, No. 5

This exciting issue of Elements explores the extraordinary scientific discoveries made possible through sample return missions from across our solar system. By studying extraterrestrial materials collected by both crewed and robotic missions, scientists have gained unprecedented insights into the mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry of planetary bodies ranging from the Sun and Moon to asteroids, comets, and Mars.

Each article focuses on a specific celestial body or mission series, highlighting how returned samples have transformed our understanding of planetary formation, geological evolution, and the chemical history of the solar system. The issue also examines current and future mission concepts designed to expand humanity’s knowledge of space through advanced sample collection and analysis.

Why You’ll Love Sample Return Through the Ages:

• Planetary Science Discoveries: Explore groundbreaking findings from lunar, Martian, asteroid, and comet sample return missions.
• Mission Histories & Future Exploration: Learn about past achievements and upcoming missions that aim to uncover new secrets of the solar system.
• Extraterrestrial Geochemistry: Gain insights into the mineralogical and chemical composition of celestial bodies through direct laboratory analysis of returned samples.

Expand your understanding of planetary exploration and discover how sample return missions continue to reshape our knowledge of the universe and the origins of our solar system.

June 2025, Vol. 21, No. 4

The Re-Os isotope system is one of the most powerful tools in modern geochemistry, despite involving two of the rarest elements found within Earth’s silicate mantle. Known for their unique siderophile, chalcophile, and organophile behavior, rhenium (Re) and osmium (Os) provide scientists with exceptional capabilities for radiometric dating and geochemical source tracing. This remarkable isotope system helps researchers answer geological questions that cannot be resolved using other radiometric methods.

Recent analytical breakthroughs have expanded the applications of the Re-Os system, enabling scientists to investigate Earth’s accretion history, mantle evolution, and the dynamic processes shaping the lithosphere through geological time. This issue explores how Re-Os geochronology continues to redefine our understanding of Earth’s deep interior and planetary development.

Why You’ll Love Re-Os – Clock with Clout:

• Advanced Geochronology Insights: Discover how the Re-Os isotope system is used to date geological events with remarkable precision.
• Mantle Evolution Research: Explore groundbreaking studies on the evolution of Earth’s convecting and lithospheric mantle.
• Cutting-Edge Analytical Techniques: Learn about the technological advancements driving new and innovative applications of Re-Os geochemistry.

Expand your understanding of isotope geochemistry and uncover how the Re-Os system reveals the hidden history of Earth’s formation and evolution.

June 2025, Vol. 21, No. 3

Greenalite [Fe₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄] is an iron-rich Fe(II)-serpentine mineral first identified in the Lake Superior iron formations more than a century ago. Today, with the help of advanced in-situ nanoscale imaging techniques, scientists are uncovering the true significance of this microscopic mineral in shaping Earth’s geological history. Recent research highlights nanoparticulate greenalite as a key contributor to the formation of early Precambrian banded iron formations (BIFs), offering new insights into the chemistry of ancient oceans and the evolution of the planet’s early atmosphere.

Why You’ll Love Greenalite – Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Iron Formations:

• Cutting-Edge Scientific Discoveries: Explore how modern nanoscale analytical techniques are transforming our understanding of greenalite and its geological importance.
• Ancient Earth Insights: Learn how greenalite played a crucial role in the formation of Precambrian banded iron formations and the development of Earth’s earliest marine environments.
• Detailed Mineralogical Exploration: Gain a deeper understanding of the structure, composition, and environmental significance of this fascinating Fe(II)-serpentine mineral.

Expand your geological knowledge and discover how one microscopic mineral is helping scientists rewrite the story of Earth’s earliest oceans and atmospheric evolution.

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• 100% bio-washed chino cotton twill
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This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

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