Nevada

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

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1 year ago

January 17, 2025

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.

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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Nevada

City of Reno, RPD leaders mourn Detective

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1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

City of Reno, RPD leaders mourn Detective

The City of Reno and the Reno Police Department are mourning the loss of Detective Thomas Lopey, who served the department for nearly 13 years and was known for his dedication, leadership, and mentorship.

Lopey also served four years in the U.S. Army as an infantry mortarman, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and later continued his service in the National Guard as a combat engineer.

He began his law enforcement career with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office before joining RPD, where he worked in patrol, the Regional Gang Unit, SWAT, and later became a detective. He also served as president of the Reno Police Protective Association for three years.

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City and police leaders praised Lopey as a committed public servant whose work strengthened both the department and the community. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

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Nevada

Las Vegas Pizza Festival returns for sixth year

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

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Las Vegas Pizza Festival returns for sixth year

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Las Vegas Pizza Festival returns for its sixth year.

The event brings together the city’s top pizzaiolos on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Industrial Event Space on 2330 Industrial Rd.

Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks. Pizza lovers are encouraged to sign up for the official newsletter on the Vegas Pizza Fest website to be the first to know about ticket sales. Organizers said prices will increase with demand.

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The event is presented by Greco & Sons and was created in partnership with the Las Vegas Pizza Alliance.

Festival features

The festival is an all-you-can-eat celebration of pizza styles from around the world, including New York, Detroit, Sicilian, Neapolitan, and more.

This year’s lineup will feature local favorites including Metro Pizza, Pizza Rock and Good Pie, alongside new local pizzerias.

“Each year, we look forward to bringing together the incredible talent that defines Las Vegas’ pizza scene, and the festival just keeps getting better,” said Industrial Event Space co-owner and general manager Josh Abelson. “From longtime favorites to new standouts, we’re excited to welcome guests back for another year of amazing pizza, big flavors and a high-energy experience you won’t find anywhere else.”

General admission includes unlimited pizza tastings, photo opportunities, bars, and merchandise.

VIP guests will have early entry, exclusive bites, and complimentary alcohol served in a commemorative tasting glass. VIP guests also get a swag bag and access to an air-conditioned lounge with seating and restrooms.

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Nevada

Find artistic inspiration at Nevada City’s First Friday Art Walks

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1 day ago

May 27, 2026

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Find artistic inspiration at Nevada City’s First Friday Art Walks

Join the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for an exuberant evening of art in the shops and on the streets. Over 15 downtown Nevada City businesses will participate by staying open late and hosting an artist in their space. Many businesses will have the artists on site, so attendees can meet the makers and mingle in open-house style receptions. Numerous businesses will also offer specials, activities, or live demonstrations.

The mission of the Art Walk is to increase awareness, appreciation, and participation in the arts in our local community, while also increasing commerce for local businesses in the downtown Nevada City area. Nevada City has long since been a cultural and arts hub — the Art Walk aims to put a spotlight on our incredible arts community. The First Friday Art Walks run the first Friday of each month from June through August.

In addition to the festivities happening inside businesses, there will be live music and performances on the streets and a small selection of curated arts vendors. The first event kicks-off Friday, June 5, 2026, from 6-9 p.m. The June event will include a performance by the Haute Trash Fashion Show, live music, and youth activities

Come spend an evening strolling through downtown, enjoy a meal, visit the shops, and see incredible local artists. The event is free and open to all ages. Maps will be available at the event and on Instagram at @nevadacitychamber with a list of all participating locations.

More information at nevadacitychamber.com.

Quaint, scenic & historic — Nevada City is an exuberant Victorian era city amid mountains, rivers, and forest. Known as the “Queen of the Mining Towns,” Nevada City is a true gem who lives up to her reputation, by brimming with beauty, culture, and history. The Nevada City Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization formed in 1937 to support small businesses in Nevada City and the surrounding region by providing technical, business, and tourism support.

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