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Deep Beneath California’s Sierra Nevada, Earth’s Lithosphere May Be Peeling Away – Eos

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Deep Beneath California’s Sierra Nevada, Earth’s Lithosphere May Be Peeling Away – Eos


Source: Geophysical Research Letters

The processes that form continental crust from the denser basaltic rocks of the upper mantle may make the lower lithosphere denser than the underlying mantle. One theory holds that the lower lithosphere splits away and sinks into the mantle in a process called foundering. Conclusive evidence of foundering, however, has been hard to come by.

Peering deep under California’s Sierra Nevada, Schulte-Pelkum and Kilb discovered new evidence of lithospheric foundering in progress. The team imaged the lower crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Sierra Nevada with receiver function analysis, which uses seismic waves that change as they cross structures beneath the surface.

They also studied earthquake data from the Advanced National Seismic System Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, or ComCat. They found a band of seismicity in the central Sierra, in which small earthquakes (ranging from magnitude 1.9 to 3.2) occur at the unusual depths of 40 kilometers and greater.

Differences in receiver functions along the mountain range revealed a distinct layer in the mantle, which grows gradually less distinct farther north. This aligns with the existing hypothesis that a section of the lithosphere beneath the southern Sierra sank (foundered) millions of years ago.

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A slab of colder continental lithosphere also has the capacity to crack, rather than to stretch and flow like hot material typically found at such depths. This likely also explains the presence of such deep earthquakes in the central Sierra, according to the authors.

The researchers found no evidence of this layer in the northern Sierra, indicating foundering has yet to progress to that region.

This work aligns with previous studies that found a gradient Moho, rather than a sharply defined crust-mantle boundary, under the Sierra. It also matches previous suggestions that a cold mantle anomaly under the Great Valley region to the west may be dense lithosphere lost to the foundering process. Foundering has been ongoing in the Sierra for at least 3 million years according to this hypothesis, and the researchers say it may be progressing northward. This region provides evidence of a process of differentiation that occurs throughout Earth’s crust, they argue. (Geophysical Research Letters, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL111290, 2024)

—Nathaniel Scharping (@nathanielscharp), Science Writer

Citation: Scharping, N. (2025), Deep beneath California’s Sierra Nevada, Earth’s lithosphere may be peeling away, Eos, 106, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EO250020. Published on 17 January 2025.
Text © 2025. AGU. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited.
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Enrollment period almost over for Nevada’s prepaid tuition program

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Enrollment period almost over for Nevada’s prepaid tuition program


The enrollment period for the Nevada prepaid tuition program is almost over.

Wednesday, April 15, is the final day to create an account for the current enrollment period.

It’s a chance for parents to jumpstart their children’s education by starting to save now.

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine joined us to talk more about how you can lock in future tuition at today’s rates.

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Visit nvigate.gov to learn more and to open your account.



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Nevada designates Sunrise Hospital as Level 1 trauma center in Las Vegas

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Nevada designates Sunrise Hospital as Level 1 trauma center in Las Vegas


Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center has been officially designated as a Level I Trauma Center by the State of Nevada, the highest level of trauma care available, the hospital announced Tuesday.

The designation is expected to strengthen the Las Vegas hospital’s ability to recruit and train leading physicians, advance trauma research and deliver the highest level of care for the community.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Governor Lombardo for recognizing the need for this important designation and allowing us the ability to train and attract top-tier physicians in Nevada and engage in trauma research,” said Todd P. Sklamberg, CEO of Sunrise Hospital. “We also want to recognize our physicians, first responders, regulatory partners and the broader community for their continued support throughout this process.”

MORE: Sunrise Trauma sees rise e-bike, e-scooter injuries in early 2026, many brain-related

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Level I Trauma Centers are equipped to deliver total care for every aspect of injury — from prevention through rehabilitation — and must meet rigorous standards established by state and national accrediting bodies.

The designation also affirms Sunrise Hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence, continuous research and education in trauma care.

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“Congratulations to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center on this extraordinary milestone that will strengthen Nevada’s healthcare system and move our state forward,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said. “Level I Trauma Center designation reflects the highest standard of care and ensures that communities in Southern Nevada have access to lifesaving services when they need them most. I am deeply grateful for the dedicated healthcare professionals and first responders whose commitment continues to elevate patient care across the state.”

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5.7 earthquake hits northern Nevada; damage reported

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5.7 earthquake hits northern Nevada; damage reported


LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – An earthquake struck in the northern part of Nevada on Monday, causing at least some “light” to “moderate” damage in some of the immediate surrounding areas, according to reports gathered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck shortly before 6:30 p.m. PST on Monday near Fallon, Nevada, about 12 miles southeast of Silver Springs, the USGS reported.

The area is just 40 miles northeast of the state capital, Carson City, and 400 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

An intensity map made using data gathered by the USGS shows reports of “light” to “moderate” damage observed around the epicenter of a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday near Fallon, Nevada. (Credit: USGS)

Data gathered by the USGS shows reports of “light” to “moderate” damage observed around the epicenter of a 5.7 magnitude quake, along with “strong” to “very strong” shaking. The jolts were enough to shatter glass and scatter products along the floor of a grocery store in the town of Fallon, as seen in images shared with the Associated Press.

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Fallon Nevada Earthquake aftermath
Items are scattered across grocery store aisle floors in Fallon, Nevada. on Monday, April 13, 2026 after a magnitude-5.7 earthquake. (Kaitlin Ritchie via AP)

Trina Enloe told the news agency that she was sitting with one of her daughters as she did homework in their dining room when the quake hit.

“You could hear the rumbling just coming before it even got to us,” Enloe said. The shaking continued for about a minute, she added, during which some cast-iron candle holders were knocked over. Enloe didn’t see any cracks or damage in her home, though.

Those in Nevada with similar experiences are advised to contribute a report through the USGS’s “Felt Report” platform.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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