Collaborating with the force of nature

Ongoing research by three architecture faculty aims to yield structures that protect communities from the devastation of volcanic eruptions.

Maria Iacobo | School of Architecture and Planning • mit
July 9, 2025 ~7 min

Island rivers carve passageways through coral reefs

Research shows these channels allow seawater and nutrients to flow in and out, helping to maintain reef health over millions of years.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 20, 2025 ~8 min


Asteroid grains shed light on the outer solar system’s origins

A weak magnetic field likely pulled matter inward to form the outer planetary bodies, from Jupiter to Neptune.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Nov. 6, 2024 ~8 min

Mars’ missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight

A new study shows Mars’ early thick atmosphere could be locked up in the planet’s clay surface.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Sept. 25, 2024 ~8 min

Study: Titan’s lakes may be shaped by waves

MIT researchers find wave activity on Saturn’s largest moon may be strong enough to erode the coastlines of lakes and seas.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 19, 2024 ~9 min

Study: Heavy snowfall and rain may contribute to some earthquakes

The results suggest that climate may influence seismic activity.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
May 8, 2024 ~8 min

Geologists discover rocks with the oldest evidence yet of Earth’s magnetic field

The 3.7 billion-year-old rocks may extend the magnetic field’s age by 200 million years.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
April 24, 2024 ~10 min

Study determines the original orientations of rocks drilled on Mars

The “oriented” samples, the first of their kind from any planet, could shed light on Mars’ ancient magnetic field.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
March 4, 2024 ~8 min


A mineral produced by plate tectonics has a global cooling effect, study finds

An accordion-textured clay called smectite efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming over millions of years.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Nov. 30, 2023 ~8 min

Boom, crackle, pop: Sounds of Earth’s crust

MIT scientists find the sounds beneath our feet are fingerprints of rock stability.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Oct. 9, 2023 ~8 min

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