How do palm trees withstand hurricanes? By Laura Geggel last updated 29 September 22 Trees generally snap, or at least lose a few branches, when faced with hurricane-strength winds. Not palm trees. These staples of the tropics typically bend during gusty weather.
Massive ancient lava flow seen from space looks like a giant black scar on the New Mexico desert By Harry Baker published 29 September 22 A new astronaut photo shows the Carrizozo Malpaís lava flow in New Mexico in stunning detail.
Hurricane Ian stayed strong after smashing into Cuba. Why? By Nicoletta Lanese published 28 September 22 How did Hurricane Ian remain so monstrous even after hitting Cuba?
Hurricane Ian to unleash 'life-threatening' flooding in Florida as Category 4 storm By Nicoletta Lanese published 28 September 22 Hurricane Ian will make landfall in Florida on Sept. 28.
Rare diamonds suggest water lurks much deeper in Earth's interior than scientists thought By Rebecca Sohn last updated 28 September 22 Clues about water in Earth's deep interior were recently extracted from rare diamonds.
In photos: The ancient Roman baths of Bath, England By Linda, Dr. Dick Buscher last updated 27 September 22 Natural springs revered by ancient cultures.
Hurricane Ian to reach Category 3 before hitting Cuba, turning toward West Florida By Nicoletta Lanese published 26 September 22 Hurricane Ian is approaching Cuba and the western Florida coast.
Scientists find evidence for biggest earthquake in human history By Ben Turner last updated 26 September 22 The gigantic megaquake is matched only by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in the same region.
Plants evolved even earlier than we thought, exquisite 3D fossils suggest By Stephanie Pappas last updated 26 September 22 The oldest three-dimensional green algae fossil ever found dates back more than half a billion years and may reveal that plants are older than believed.
50 million tons of water vapor from Tonga's eruption could warm Earth for years By Mindy Weisberger published 24 September 22 The explosive Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic event spewed so much moisture that it increased the global average of atmospheric water vapor by 5%.
Which hurricane caused the most damage? By Michael Dhar published 23 September 22 Hurricane Katrina was the most expensive hurricane in history, while a 1780 storm killed the most people of any hurricane.
Acid lake atop real-life 'Mount Doom' captured in striking new image from space station By Harry Baker published 22 September 22 An astronaut's photo of Mount Ruapehu, the real-life "Mount Doom" volcano, shows the contrast between the hydrothermal lake at its summit and the snow surrounding its peak.
Why doesn’t the autumnal equinox fall on the same day each year? By Hanneke Weitering published 19 September 22 The day of this year's equinox may not be the same as last year's. Why?
9 million told to evacuate after super typhoon Nanmadol slams southern Japan, heads toward Tokyo By Mindy Weisberger published 19 September 22 Tens of thousands of people in Japan have already sought shelter from powerful storm Nanmadol, which could be the most destructive in decades.
Devastating floods from Typhoon Merbok soak coastal Alaska By Stephanie Pappas published 19 September 22 Coastal Alaska is recovering after a weekend of brutal flooding caused by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok.
Hurricane Fiona hits the Dominican Republic after wiping out Puerto Rico's power grid By Nicoletta Lanese published 19 September 22 Hurricane Fiona has struck both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Underwater 'ocean forests' on the sea bottom cover more area than the Amazon By Albert Pessarrodona Silvestre, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Thomas Wernberg published 19 September 22 Vast underwater forests grow on the sea bottom; collectively, they cover more area than the entire Indian continent.
Stunning 'sunglint' turns the sea's surface into a swirling silver mirror By Harry Baker published 16 September 22 An astronaut recently captured a stunning image of a "sunglint" that transformed the sea surrounding two Greek islands into a swirling silver mirror.
Climate 'points of no return' may be much closer than we thought By Harry Baker published 15 September 22 A new study that reassesed decades of work of climate "tipping points" has revealed they are more numerous and closer to being triggered than researchers initially feared.
Blood Red Skies Over China Explained 300 Years Later By Charles Q. Choi last updated 15 September 22 A massive geomagnetic storm that was recorded across East Asia for nine days in 1770 suggests such solar flareups are surprisingly common.