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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Mammals may be driven to extinction by volcanic new supercontinent Pangaea Ultima
By Ben Turner published
The next supercontinent, Pangea Ultima, is likely to get so hot so quickly that mammals cannot adapt, a new supercomputer simulation has forecast.

Science news this week: Pink diamonds and nuclear 'pasta'
By Alexander McNamara published
Sept. 24, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

15 places on Earth that look like alien planets
By Annie Corinne Shaink published
These stunning locations feel out of this world, but are actually right here on Earth.

What is El Niño?
By Aimee Gabay published
El Niño is a climate cycle in which waters off the tropical eastern Pacific are warmer than usual, which in turn affects global weather patterns.

Equinox: Definition, facts & what happens during one
By Sarah Wild last updated
REFERENCE Equinoxes occur twice a year when the sun is directly above the equator, and herald the beginning of spring and autumn.

Scientists in China find mysterious virus at the bottom of the Mariana Trench
By Ben Turner published
Researchers have found a new virus, identified as a bacteriophage, at a depth of 29,199 feet (8,900 meters).

Earth's biggest cache of pink diamonds formed in the breakup of the 1st supercontinent 'Nuna'
By Stephanie Pappas published
The Argyle formation in Australia, which hosts 90% of the world's pink diamonds, formed when the first supercontinent broke up.

Watch slime-covered penis mushroom that smells like rotting flesh grow and decay in mesmerizing time-lapse
By Sascha Pare published
A video of a stinkhorn fungus — a 10-inch penis-shaped mushroom — bursting from the ground, growing and decaying has been captured in a forest in Germany.

Asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs allowed flowers to thrive in a post-apocalyptic world
By Patrick Pester published
Scientists have discovered flowering plants were largely unscathed by the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event 66 million years ago, allowing them to take advantage of the new, dinosaur-free planet.
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