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Our Daily Planet: Mississippi River Photos and Maine Microquakes

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Mississippi River Flooding: Memphis seems to have been largely spared, but the flood waters are rolling downhill to the Mississippi Delta. Photos show the current devastation, but some say the worst is yet to come.

Endangered Species Deal: The Obama administration will decide within six years whether 251 species deserve federal protection.

Megafires: Huge, out of control fires, such as the one in Russia last year, are becoming more common, according to a report released during a United Nations conference.

Maine Microquake Swarm: Maine has been hit by as many as 30 tiny earthquakes since the beginning of May.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Memphis Flood Crest Video and Alabama Tornadoes' Tiniest Victims

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.