Earthquake in northern Italy on May 20

It was a very strong earthquake to shake the region, seismologists said. Older buildings suffered damage: collapsed roofs, cracks in buildings. At least four reported dead.

First named storm of 2012 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Alberto developed in the western Atlantic, off the South Carolina coast, yesterday and is the first named storm. It'll may head out to sea.

Emergency Alerts coming soon to your phone

The FCC, Department of Homeland Security, National Weather Service and other agencies collaborated to create this system for emergency alerts.

Yellowstone super-volcano less super, more active

The super-volcano beneath Yellowstone National Park may be less super, but more active, than previously thought. An eruption is "long overdue," say scientists.

Top 10 most astonishing natural disaster events caught on surveillance

Top 10 natural disasters caught on surveillance cameras. A diverse selection, including footage of tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, and hurricanes.

Drought in parts of the United States 2012

The Deep South is experiencing the least amount of rainfall, which is typical in a La Niña pattern. Will the drought conditions persist or end this summer?

If a volcano blows, would we hear it?

Many volcanoes around the world lack effective monitoring programs. A new study suggests that volcano monitoring programs could be improved.

Biggest crocodile that ever lived

A biggest crocodile large enough to swallow humans lived in East Africa between two and four million years ago, say researchers.

Antarctic octopus tells story of ice-sheet collapse

Genetic evidence from an Antarctic octopus suggests a massive ice sheet collapse and sea level rise as recently as 200,000 years ago.

Pigeons perceive a magnetic signal

Birds have long been suspected of using Earth's magnetic field to navigate. A new experiment demonstrates that pigeons do process a magnetic signal.