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

Aerial view of road amidst trees during autumn, Vermont, United States, USA.
Why do leaves change color in the fall? Plants draw on a suite of pigments to produce energy from sunlight, and in the fall, some become more obvious than others.
Deep sea water abyss with blue sun light.
'Earth's civilizations are shaped by what the ocean engine does,' says oceanographer Helen Czerski In this interview, British oceanographer Helen Czerski explains the systems driving our ocean, compares it to a fancy cocktail, and explains what the next great ocean frontier is.
Rubidgeinae skull
'They seemed primed to take over': How the Great Dying doomed the 'beast tooth' and set the stage for the dawn of the dinosaurs "Much as we can only wonder today what knowledge was lost in the ransacking of the Library of Alexandria, we can also ponder what sort of magnificent creatures born of the Cambrian explosion were lost."

Latest about Planet Earth

A large iceberg in the ocean surrounded by clouds

World's biggest iceberg 3 times the size of New York City is finally escaping Antarctica after being trapped for almost 40 years

By Harry Baker published

The gigantic iceberg A23a, which broke off from Antarctica in 1986, is finally moving away from the icy continent after being stuck on the seafloor for decades.

Antarctica
A map of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean showing the difference from average sea temperature recorded in October 2023.

Big blob of hot water in Pacific may be making El Niño act weirdly

By Sascha Pare published

El Niño is in full swing and will likely remain "strong" this winter, but its effect on weather patterns in the U.S. depends on the behavior of an unusually warm blob in the western Pacific, experts say.

Weather
A group of snowflakes

How big can snowflakes get?

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

What is the largest snowflake ever recorded?

Weather
Science news this week includes a 'missing' blob of water in the Atlantic and 100,000 centuries-old coins in Japan.

Science news this week: The Atlantic's missing blob and 100,000 ancient coins

By Alexander McNamara published

Nov. 26, 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.

Planet Earth
A house damaged in the August 31, 1886 earthquake. Charleston, South Carolina, ca. September, 1886.

Aftershocks from devastating 1886 Charleston earthquake may still be hitting the US today

By Patrick Pester published

Researchers have found evidence that aftershocks may continue for centuries after a major earthquake — though the finding is still open for debate.

Earthquakes
A huge crack in the road resulting from an imminent volcanic eruption in Grindavik, Iceland.

Iceland volcano LIVE: Risk of eruption appears to be decreasing

By Hannah Osborne, Sascha Pare, Harry Baker last updated

LIVE Latest updates on the imminent volcanic eruption in Iceland, which threatens local towns and the famous Blue Lagoon spa resort following a series of earthquakes and the appearance of sinkholes.

LIVE
A sonar image shows the newly discovered seamount.

Seamount twice the size of world's tallest building discovered 'hidden under the waves'

By Sascha Pare published

Scientists aboard the Falkor (too) research vessel have documented, for the first time, an extinct volcano towering 5,250 feet above the seabed in international waters in the Pacific Ocean.

Geology
view of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, next to the blue lagoon, in Iceland

'It may take more time': Risk of eruption from Iceland volcano still high, with ground 'continuing to swell'

By Hannah Osborne published

Almost two weeks after the town of Grindavík was evacuated over fears of a volcanic eruption, the magma dike beneath Iceland still poses a high risk, with earthquakes and ground deformation ongoing.

Volcanos
A diagram of Earth's interior with water leaking toward the core

Water leaking into Earth's core may have birthed a mysterious layer that churns out crystals

By Harry Baker published

A new series of experiments has shown that the mysterious "E-prime layer," which surrounds Earth's outer core, is created by water that leaks deep into our planet's interior.

Geology
The Atlantic Ocean during a storm.

'Missing' blob of water predicted to be in the Atlantic finally found

By Ben Turner published

The newly discovered water mass, called the Atlantic Equatorial Water, stretches from Brazil to West Africa.

Planet Earth
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