Planet Earth
Earth is one big spinning mystery in a constant state of change. With more than 4.5 billion years of history locked inside a ball of molten rock and iron, our planet is made up of a vast array of geological wonders, carved by the oceans, shaped by the shifting plates beneath our feet and sculpted by weather across the surface.
Our team of expert science writers and editors are here to reveal our planet’s secrets — from the deepest depths of the ocean, through the coldest places on Earth to the very edge of space — keeping you up to date with the latest discoveries with planet Earth news, articles and features.
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Iceland volcano: 'Most powerful' eruption yet narrowly misses Grindavik but could still trigger life-threatening toxic gas plume
By Harry Baker published
The submerged volcano in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula has erupted for the fourth time in four months. The resulting lava flow narrowly missed Grindavík but could still reach the sea and potentially unleash a toxic gas plume.
'Worrisome and even frightening': Ancient ecosystem of Lake Baikal at risk of regime change from warming
By Jeffrey McKinnon published
In this extract from Our Ancient Lakes: A Natural History, Jeffrey McKinnon examines the changes taking place in Lake Baikal as temperatures rise in this vast and otherworldly ecosystem.
Oldest evidence of earthquakes found in strange jumble of 3.3 billion-year-old rocks from Africa
By Patrick Pester published
Geologists have found that the rocks of the Barberton Greenstone Belt are similar to those subjected to earthquakes and landslides in New Zealand.
Sleeping subduction zone could awaken and form a new 'Ring of Fire' that swallows the Atlantic Ocean
By Sascha Pare published
A modeling study suggests a slumbering subduction zone below the Gibraltar Strait is active and could break into the Atlantic Ocean in 20 million years' time, giving birth to an Atlantic "Ring of Fire."
'Imagine a lush tropical island slipping beneath the waves': Drowned island the size of Iceland found off Brazil
By Eos.org, Erin Martin-Jones published
An undersea volcanic plateau in the southwestern Atlantic was a tropical island 45 million years ago.
Every 2.4 million years, Mars tugs on Earth so hard it changes the ocean floor
By Emily Cooke published
A new geological study suggests that Mars' gravitational field pulls the Earth closer to the sun over cycles lasting millions of years, warming our climate.
How much water is in Earth's crust?
By Charles Q. Choi published
Earth is covered with water, but how much is hiding in our planet's crust?
Mystery of enormous Saharan 'star dune' finally solved — and it wasn't what scientists were expecting
By Stephanie Pappas published
Tall, many-armed star dunes are common in deserts worldwide, but scientists know little about the histories of these formations.
390 million-year-old fossilized forest is the oldest ever discovered
By Sascha Pare last updated
Researchers have discovered a fossil forest with small, palm-like trees and arthropod tracks dating back to the Middle Devonian.
Amazon wildfires could burn at unprecedented scale as El Niño and drought make rainforest 'more flammable'
By Quentin Septer published
Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest normally peak in March, but this year they're expected to last through to April at least, with a huge uptick expected in the coming weeks, scientists have warned.
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