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The article reviews a report from Andersen et al published in the issue on how using isotope ratios of the element uranium through multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (MCICPMS) provides temporal constraints on crystal-recycling processes. It focuses on the hypothesis that oceanic crust, when returned to the Earth's mantle during collisions between tectonic plates, could influence the chemistry of Earth's interior and can be seen in ocean island basalts (OIBS).

The article discusses concentration level of isotopic gradients in rains. Topics include variations in rain hydrogen and oxygen gradients, effect of storms and water vapour on controlling the levels, and link between mountains and the gradients for understanding of past and present climatic changes. An image of water-vapour transport along a storm track in Denali National Park and Reserve in Alaska is presented.