November 2019 was 2nd hottest on record for planet

Last month was the 2nd warmest November in the 140-year global climate record, and polar sea ice coverage shrank to near-record lows, according to a NOAA report. .

Remains of Earth’s oldest forest found in New York

Scientists found fossilized root systems of ancient trees - from what's now Earth's oldest known forest - near Cairo, New York. They looked "surprisingly modern," the scientists said.

Why are whales big, but not bigger?

How did whales that feed on tiny prey evolve into the largest creatures on Earth? And why don't they get even bigger?

2019 Arctic Report Card: Visual highlights

NOAA’s 14th annual Arctic Report Card recounts the ways that climate change continued to alter the north polar region during 2019.

Will sea otters return to San Francisco Bay?

A new study shows that, if they can be returned to San Francisco Bay, California's southern sea otter population can be tripled. There are now only about 3,000 of the otters left. But, first, they’ll need some help getting past the great white sharks.

Amazon fires quickening glacier melting in Andes

The burning rainforest releases black carbon into the atmosphere, which, according to a growing number of scientific studies, directly contributes to the melting of glaciers.

Researchers describe 71 new species in 2019

New species from 5 continents and 3 oceans include geckos, goblin spiders, flowering plants, and Mediterranean ants.

Meet the microorganism that likes to eat meteorites

At least one type of microbe on Earth not only likes to eat meteorites but actually prefers them as a food source, according to a new international scientific study.

Why White Island erupted … and why there was no warning

White Island is one of several volcanoes in New Zealand that can produce sudden explosive eruptions at any time. An Earth scientist explains why.

New biomass map takes stock of Earth’s carbon

ESA released the 1st of a series of global maps aimed at quantifying change in carbon stored as biomass across the world’s forests and shrublands.