Solid Earth is excited to announce the publication of the latest 2025 update of the World Stress Map (WSM) Project, marking the 40th anniversary of this ongoing collaboration between academia and industry. The WSM offers a global compilation of the present-day crustal stress field, integrating a broad range of measurement techniques. This dataset continues to serve as a valuable resource for researchers in geodynamics, tectonics, geomechanics, seismic hazards, structural geology, and resource engineering. The WSM is thus an indispensable resource that informs and impacts a global science community. As such, this latest iteration is worthy of being a highlighted paper in our journal.

The manuscript delivers a predictive, integrated model for fractures in truly deep/ultra-deep tight sandstones combining cores, thin sections, acoustic-emission tests, and well logs, linking micro- to reservoir-scale fracture evidence. It quantifies sedimentary controls, brindging rock mechanics, structural geology and stratigraphy/sedimentology. It also delivers clear rules and implementation, ensuring transferability, which is rather important for such a rare case study.