Science

Ancient tectonic plate fragment discovered in Northern California

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado Boulder have identified a shallow fragment of an ancient tectonic plate beneath Northern California, revealing new insights into the region's seismic activity. Their study, published in Science on January 15, 2026, highlights the complexities of the Mendocino Triple Junction, where the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates converge, and emphasizes the role of low-frequency earthquakes in understanding tectonic movements. This research suggests that the interactions at this junction may pose significant seismic hazards, necessitating a reevaluation of existing models.

NASA Prepares Artemis II Mission for February Launch

NASA is preparing for the upcoming _Artemis II_ mission, which aims to send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day flight around the moon, with a launch date targeted for February 6. Mission management team chair John Honeycutt emphasized that astronaut safety is the top priority and that the launch schedule may change as necessary. Engineers at Kennedy Space Center will begin rolling out the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B, where essential prelaunch tests will be conducted.