Was ancient Earth a water world?

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.

Climate change altering Earth’s rivers

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

How Antarctica was linked to old Gondwana neighbors

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.

Billions of cicadas may be coming soon to trees near you

One of the largest groups of 17-year cicadas, Brood X, last emerged from underground in 2004. The next generation will begin arriving in April 2021.

Small temperature increase can cause bigger wildfires, more often

A new study shows that just a half a degree of global temperature rise markedly increases fire danger on the most widely inhabited continents.

What triggered Yellowstone’s Steamboat Geyser?

Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park began a new period of heightened activity in March 2018. It's had more than 100 major eruptions since then. Scientists want to know why.

Earth’s oxygen will be gone in 1 billion years

A billion years from now, as the sun heats up, the warmer atmosphere will break down carbon dioxide, killing off plant life, which in turn will shut off Earth's source of oxygen.

Earthquakes rattle New Zealand. Tsunami warnings now lifted. Thousands return home.

Three very strong earthquakes in the ocean near New Zealand took place in less than 8 hours on Friday, local time. Tsunami warnings went out across the Pacific, including Hawaii, but have now been lifted.

Giant iceberg breaks off Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica

A giant iceberg, about twice the size of Chicago, broke off from Antartica's Brunt Ice Shelf in late February 2021.

Earlier spring snowmelt in Alps threatens microbes in soil

A new study suggests that spring snowmelt in the Alps is occurring earlier in the year, and the earlier warming - due to climate change - threatens vitally important microbial communities in alpine soils.