News | School of Earth Sciences | University of Bristol

Gigantic ichthyosaur discovery in the UK could be largest ever marine reptile 18 April 2024 The fossilised remains of a second gigantic jawbone measuring more than two metres long has been found on a beach in Somerset.

Study shedding new light on Earth’s global carbon cycle could help assess liveability of other planets 10 April 2024 Research has uncovered important new insights into the evolution of oxygen, carbon, and other vital elements over the entire history of Earth – and it could help assess which other planets can develop life, ranging from plants to animals and humans.

Killer instinct drove evolution of mammals’ predatory ancestors 23 February 2024 The evolutionary success of the first large predators on land was driven by their need to improve as killers, researchers at the University of Bristol and the Open University suggest.

Dinosaurs’ success helped by specialized stance and gait, study finds 7 February 2024 Dinosaurs’ range of locomotion made them incredibly adaptable, University of Bristol researchers have found.

New species of Jurassic pterosaur discovered on the Isle of Skye 6 February 2024 A new species of pterosaur from specimens found on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, has been announced by scientists from the University of Bristol Natural History Museum, University of Leicester, and University of Liverpool.

Bristol student discovers 200-million-year-old flying reptile in Somerset 22 January 2024 Gliding winged-reptiles were amongst the ancient crocodile residents of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, researchers at the University of Bristol have revealed.

Bristol seismology expert chosen to give prestigious Royal Astronomical Society lecture 15 January 2024 A University of Bristol academic who is a world-leading expert in using seismology to understand the deep interior of the Earth and Mars has been chosen by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) to give a prominent lecture.

Research sheds new light on Moon rock formation solving major puzzle in lunar geology 15 January 2024 New research has cracked a vital process in the creation of a unique rock type from the Moon. The discovery explains its signature composition and very presence on the lunar surface at all, unravelling a mystery which has long eluded scientists.

Feeding mode of ancient vertebrate tested for first time 15 January 2024 A feeding method of the extinct jawless heterostracans, among the oldest of vertebrates, has been examined and dismissed by scientists at the University of Bristol, using fresh techniques.

‘Giant’ predator worms more than half a billion years old discovered in North Greenland 3 January 2024 Fossils of a new group of animal predators have been located in the Early Cambrian Sirius Passet fossil locality in North Greenland. These large worms may be some of the earliest carnivorous animals to have colonised the water column more than 518 million years ago, revealing a past dynasty of predators that scientists didn’t know existed.

Professor Sir Eric Thomas, former Bristol Vice-Chancellor, passes away 14 November 2023 Professor Sir Eric Thomas FMedSci, former Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, sadly passed away on Friday 10 November 2023 aged 70 following a short battle with cancer. He was Bristol's 12th Vice-Chancellor, and led the University for 14 years between 2001 and 2015 during a period of significant change in higher education.

New research reveals extreme fluctuations between drought and flooding are devastating millions of lives 14 November 2023 New research reveals millions of people around the world living in poverty have been experiencing a ‘climate hazard flip’ since the turn of the century.

Bristol academic hits the red carpet for Hollywood premiere of dinosaur documentary 7 November 2023 A University of Bristol palaeontologist has attended a star-studded event in Tinseltown where new independent documentary ‘WHY DINOSAURS?’ was screened for the first time.

Dig this: ‘Neglected’ dinosaur had super senses 7 November 2023 A CT scan of an often-overlooked, plant-eating dinosaur’s skull has revealed that it had a unique combination of traits associated with living animals that spend at least part of their time underground, including a super sense of smell and outstanding balance. The work is the first to link a specific sensory fingerprint with this behaviour in extinct dinosaurs.

Album showcases the daily rhythms of pond life 23 October 2023 Musician and field recordist Tom Fisher, who goes by the stage name Action Pyramid, finds magic in the everyday on new album Mardle.

Researchers capture first-ever afterglow of huge planetary collision in outer space 11 October 2023 A chance social media post by an eagle-eyed amateur astronomer sparked the discovery of an explosive collision between two giant planets, which crashed into each other in a distant space system 1,800 light years away from planet Earth.

Race to find world’s oldest mammal fossils led to mud-slinging 10 October 2023 The hunt for the world’s most ancient mammals descended into academic warfare in the seventies, researchers from the University of Bristol have discovered.

Top nuclear waste scientist joins University of Bristol 26 September 2023 Professor Neil Hyatt, an internationally-renowned leader in the field of radioactive waste management, is set to begin a three-year role at the University of Bristol.

New research reveals extreme heat likely to wipe out humans and mammals in the distant future 25 September 2023 A new study shows unprecedented heat is likely to lead to the next mass extinction since the dinosaurs died out, eliminating nearly all mammals in some 250 million years time.

Pioneering research sheds surprising new light on evolution of plant kingdom 4 September 2023 A new study has uncovered intriguing insights into the evolution of plant biology, effectively rewriting the history of how they evolved over the past billion years.