In a study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, researchers have quantified the significant loss of continental crust to the mantle during the formation of major mountain ranges, including the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau. Dr. Ziyi Zhu, a Research Fellow at Monash University, along with colleagues, conducted an analysis of crustal dynamics, revealing that up to 30% of the crust may have been destroyed in collision zones, with implications for Earth’s geological evolution. The findings were compared with other mountain systems such as the European Alps and the Zagros Mountains.
Massive Crustal Loss During Collisions
According to the study, the team developed a mass and volume balance model to measure the amount of continental crust that underwent subduction or delamination during collisions. By assessing the crust’s thickening, lateral extrusion, and erosion, an imbalance was identified, suggesting that a substantial portion of the crust had sunk into the mantle. Dr. Zhu told Phys.org that this process could be likened to compressing a soft material, where displaced portions disappear beneath the surface rather than being conserved at ground level.
Mechanisms Behind Crustal Recycling
The study highlighted delamination as the primary mechanism driving crustal recycling, especially during the formation of the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau. This process, marked by the sinking of denser lithospheric material, was linked to the generation of specific rock types with geochemical markers indicating mantle influence. Evidence also connected these events to rapid uplift of the Himalayas and subsequent climatic changes, including intensified monsoon rainfall around 22 million years ago.
Implications Across Mountain Systems
In other regions, such as the European Alps and the Zagros Mountains, similar processes were reported. Nearly 50% of the Alps’ crustal volume and up to 64% of the Zagros Mountains’ crust were lost during their respective formation periods. The research suggests that such losses have occurred throughout Earth’s history, influencing mantle composition over billions of years.
This research underlines the interplay between deep-Earth processes and surface changes, offering insights into how crustal dynamics shape the planet.
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Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
Politics Live: MPs voting on historic assisted dying legislation
The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But other cabinet members like Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced and of a “slippery slope of death on demand”.
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MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
Kim Leadbeater: PA
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Two people reveal contrasting views on assisted dying
Five stories that bring the assisted dying debate home
She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
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Environment
Spy images reveal our first look at the side profile of the first EV model from NIO’s Firefly brand
We are less than a month away from the official public launch of NIO’s new ultra-affordable EV sub-brand, Firefly, but before that happens, we’ve got our best look at the marque’s first model to date. Recent spy images in China captured a camouflaged look at the side profile of the new Firefly EV, which appears quite compact. See more below.
Firefly is an upcoming boutique brand specializing in smaller, more affordable EVs spun out by Chinese automaker NIO. We’ve been awaiting the marque’s official launch for years after NIO divulged plans for two new all-electric sub-brands in the works. The first was codenamed “Alps,” which would officially become known as Onvo. That brand hit the market this year, beginning with its L60 SUV as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y.
In addition to Onvo, there were rumblings about a third NIO EV sub-brand, codenamed “Firefly.” In December 2023, NIO’s president confirmed the additional sub-brand would join Onvo in China in 2024, followed by entry into European markets in 2025.
NIO co-founder and president Qin Lihong has previously stated that Firefly EV models will be priced between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500). Up until now, we’ve only seen camouflaged images of what a Firefly BEV might look like as we await the anticipated launch, which is coming on December 21, 2024, during the automaker’s tenth annual NIO Day event.
Our latest spy images are still camouflaged but offer the first look at Firefly’s flagship EV model, which we learned earlier this month is called the Firefly.
Check out Firefly’s new EV ahead of next month’s launch
While we await uncovered images of the new Firefly EV in December, some fresh spy images have emerged out of China that give us a better idea of the scope of the latest model from its side profile. Car blogger and Weibo user Electric Planet Shin-chan (@电动星球小新) posted the image above with the following caption:
Recently, there are more spy photos of NIO Firefly, which will be officially unveiled next month. NIO organized a group of media teachers to see the real car. It is said that the appearance is bolder than the existing models, and the front and rear faces are very recognizable. The overall size of the car is between MINI and (Volkswagen) ID.3.
As you can see from the image, the Firefly EV from FIREFLY is relatively compact in length yet rather tall, enabling what looks like a spacious interior, especially in terms of headroom. Cargo space may be limited given the short front and rear ends, but the EV appears to have a similar design to a MINI but is larger.
We will wait to see how these spy images compare to the official launch of the new Firefly EV during NIO Day 2024, scheduled for December 21. At that time, we expect to learn more about the Firefly EV’s performance and capabilities, as well as its trim levels and pricing. Stay tuned for a full recap next month.
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