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. 

—50 interesting facts about Earth

—The deadliest natural disasters in history

—25 weirdest things on Google Earth

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. 

Explore Planet Earth

Editor's Picks

A group of penguins huddles in an icy landscape
When was the last time Antarctica was ice-free? Antarctica is covered by a miles-thick ice sheet, but was that always the case? And when was the coldest continent ice-free?
Lumps of silver on a wet stone floor.
Silver is being buried beneath the sea, and it's all because of climate change, study finds For the first time, researchers have linked the amount of silver being buried in marine sediments to human-made climate change.
An aerial view of a road that travels along a rift in the landscape
Mesmerizing animation shows Earth's tectonic plates moving from 1.8 billion years ago to today It's the first time Earth's geologic record — information found inside rocks — has been used to create an animation of this kind.

Latest about Planet Earth

An illustration of a purple fish

Ancient relative of 'living fossil' fish reveals that geological activity supercharges evolution

By Stephanie Pappas published

The ancient coelacanth, which has existed for some 419 million years, never stopped evolving despite its reputation as a "living fossil." A new discovery reveals that it evolved faster when plate tectonics were most active.

Evolution
A cross section of rock showing extreme cracks

'Mega' El Niño may have fueled Earth's biggest mass extinction

By Stephanie Pappas published

Volcanoes spewing carbon dioxide 250 million years ago heated the climate so much that extreme El Niño events became the norm, pushing most life on Earth past its limits.

Planet Earth
Dickson Fjord in Greenland before the landslide.

Mysterious 9-day seismic event was caused by a mega tsunami bouncing around inside a fjord, study reveals

By Ben Turner published

In September, a strange nine-day signal rocked our planet and baffled scientists. Now they have finally found the cause.

Planet Earth
rock tumblers on a blue background

Best rock tumblers 2024: Beginners, hobbyists, and professionals

By A. J. Demers last updated

If you’re in the market for new gear to support your rock-hunting hobby, check out our list of the best rock tumblers.

Geology
Toward the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, the International Space Station orbits about 259 miles (417 kilometers) above Trinidad and Tobago as Hurricane Sam churns in the Atlantic Ocean in the fall of 2021.

Hurricane season 2024: How long it lasts and what to expect

By Tia Ghose last updated

This guide to the Atlantic hurricane season of 2024, includes predictions, tropical storm science, naming conventions and storm safety tips.

Hurricanes
Monsoon storm clouds gathering above a river in southern Pakistan. Children are playing and swimming in the river.

Gulf Stream collapse would throw tropical monsoons into chaos for at least 100 years, study finds

By Sascha Pare published

If Atlantic Ocean currents collapse due to melting ice sheets, researchers predict there will be huge shifts in tropical monsoon systems — and the effects could be irreversible for at least 100 years.

Rivers & Oceans
An aerial photo of the eye of a cyclone illuminated by a lightning strike

Successive lightning strikes illuminate eye of tropical cyclone in rare photos from space

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A pair of 2015 astronaut photos taken just minutes apart shows the eye of tropical cyclone Bansi illuminated by two lightning strikes as the storm raged in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.

Earth from space
An artist's rendering of the process of a dinosaur evolving into a bird

How fast does evolution happen?

By Marlowe Starling published

Measuring the pace of evolution is tricky, but some species can evolve as quickly as a few generations.

Evolution
A cloud of smoke on Earth visible from space

Tonga eruption that poured 150 metric megatons of water vapor into the stratosphere affected the atmosphere for years

By Rebecca Owen, Eos.org published

A new study builds on previous research into the underwater volcano's effects on the climate.

Volcanos
A group of penguins huddles in an icy landscape

When was the last time Antarctica was ice-free?

By Victoria Atkinson published

Antarctica is covered by a miles-thick ice sheet, but was that always the case? And when was the coldest continent ice-free?

Antarctica
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