This week on Quirks & Quarks with Bob McDonald:
Climate change is driving unusual movement of the Earth in the North
In Canada’s Northwest Territories, the permafrost is exhibiting unprecedented failures, resulting in a new kind of landslide known as permafrost detachment slides. This frozen ground, which constitutes roughly 50 percent of Canada’s landmass, is melting due to rising Arctic temperatures. Consequently, large sections of frozen soil, at times comparable to the size of houses, are breaking away and sliding down inclines. Duane Froese, a geoscientist from the University of Alberta, cautions that such events will likely become more frequent over time. This research was detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Why do sperm whales create bubbles while they sleep?
Known for their peculiar habit of sleeping upright in the water, sperm whales have heads filled with oil, which helps keep them buoyant. Earlier studies indicated they often emit bubbles during slumber. Biologist Noémie Freymond explored this phenomenon for her master’s thesis at the University of St. Andrews. She discovered that the bubbles produced while they rest allow the whales to remain submerged beneath the water’s surface. Her findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
Sperm whales adopt a vertical sleeping position. Recent research suggests they produce bubbles to avoid rising to the surface while they rest. (Stéphane Granzotto)
Adjusting wind turbine blade speed could recover energy lost in changing winds
Wind farm operators face financial losses due to fluctuating wind conditions. To find potential solutions, John Kurelek, a mechanical engineer from Queen’s University, along with his team, examined a small wind turbine in a pressurized wind tunnel to analyze the extent of energy loss when wind directions shift. Their research, published in PNAS Nexus, revealed that by decelerating the rotation of the blades, they could enhance energy output.
Wind turbines located near Pincher Creek, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Insights from a new lunar crater about incoming asteroids and nuclear deflection methods
In spring 2024, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) documented a large asteroid impact on the moon with before and after images. Upon further investigation, UCLA planetary scientist David Paige identified a seven-kilometer-wide ring of displaced regolith surrounding a 222-meter-wide impact crater. His findings, published in Science Advances, will aid scientists in understanding the tumultuous history of asteroid collisions in our solar system region.
Beyond tracking asteroids, researchers are also exploring methods to protect against potentially threatening asteroids. Physicist Isaiah Santistevan from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory simulated the impact of a nuclear explosion on an asteroid large enough to devastate a city. The simulation revealed that if a nuclear blast occurred 10 to 25 meters away from the asteroid, it could effectively eliminate the risk. The resulting X-rays from the explosion would vaporize the asteroid’s surface, redirecting it from a collision path with Earth, similar to a rocket maneuver. This research is published in The Planetary Science Journal.
The lunar crater, identified in October 2025 by Robert Wagner, spans 222 meters, marking it as the most significant newly discovered crater in the solar system. (Robert Wagner/Intuitive Machines/NASA Goddard/)
Birdsong exhibits similarities to human language patterns
Across various cultures, human spoken languages exhibit similar patterns. Recent findings reveal that birdsong parallels this as well. In a new study, researchers analyzed the songs of 367 different bird species alongside 52 languages, identifying consistent patterns in both realms, such as sound sequences, coordinated vocal movements, and pitch variations. Jon Sakata, a biologist from McGill University, led the research utilizing an extensive database of bird songs amassed by citizen scientists. Their findings were published in the journal Science.
An illustration of a Fox Sparrow, a bird species found throughout North America. (Damond Kyllo)