Earth | EarthSky

Does a green sky predict a tornado?

Posted by EarthSky in Earth | 2 weeks ago

Sometimes, before a tornado strikes, the sky turns an eerie green color. The answer to why the sky is blue will help you understand why the sky is sometimes green before bad weather.

Map of China with moving blob of orange.

Air pollution returning to pre-Covid levels

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Earth | Human World | 2 weeks ago

In early 2020, satellite data showed a decline in air pollution coinciding with Covid lockdowns. One year later, as lockdown restrictions loosen and regular activity resumes, air pollution is bouncing back to pre-Covid levels.

Scientists stunned to discover plants beneath mile-deep Greenland ice

Posted by Kelly Kizer Whitt in Earth | 3 weeks ago

Fossilized plants found in the rocks and soil beneath Greenland ice suggests the ice melted at some point in the last million years and may do so again.

Close-up of white blossoms covered in snow.

How plants manage the shift from winter to spring

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Earth | 3 weeks ago

How plants tolerate cold spells, and the effects of climate change on how plants manage the transition from winter to spring.

Torrential rains drench Hawaii

Posted by EarthSky in Earth | Today's Image | 3 weeks ago

A strong tropical depression picking up moisture from the warm ocean caused widespread flooding in the Hawaiian islands.

A round planet covered with blue ocean with white clouds, in a field of stars.

Was ancient Earth a water world?

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Earth | 3 weeks ago

Earlier studies have suggested the possibility that Earth was once covered with water. New evidence – focused on Earth’s mantle – suggests our planet was a true water world, covered by a global ocean, billions of years ago.

Aerial view of blue river winding through green forested landscape.

Climate change altering Earth’s rivers

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Earth | 3 weeks ago

A new study suggests that climate change is the key driver of changes in water flow in rivers worldwide.

Irregular yellow shapes with red spots on them.

How Antarctica was linked to old Gondwana neighbors

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Earth | 4 weeks ago

A new animation illustrates how Antarctica was linked to its ancient neighbors – today’s Australia, India and South Africa – as part of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent.