Geology news, features and articles
The far-reaching science of geology covers everything from ancient fossils to the precious minerals beneath our feet. At Live Science, we deliver geology discoveries that absolutely rock and help you to understand the makeup of our planet. Whether you want to know how to tell the difference between geologic ages, why Earth has a new geologic age or facts about an ancient supercontinent, our expert writers and editors have you covered with the latest geology news, features and articles.
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Hidden beauty of Zimbabwe's 2.5 billion-year-old 'geological marvel' revealed in striking astronaut photo
By Harry Baker published
Earth from space A 2010 astronaut photo shows off the astonishing scale of the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe, which stretches over 340 miles (550 kilometers). The lengthy structure, which is not actually a dike, is full of extremely valuable minerals that fuel a massive mining industry.

The largest reservoir of hydrogen on Earth may be hiding in its core
By Sascha Pare published
Earth's core contains nine to 45 times more hydrogen than the planet's oceans do, according to a new study that could settle a debate about when and how hydrogen was delivered to Earth.

Scientist accidentally stumbles across bizarre ancient ‘wrinkle structures’ in Morocco that shouldn't be there
By Stephanie Pappas published
Ancient fossil structures imprinted on rocks that were once deep beneath the ocean suggest the search for the first life on Earth needs to be broadened.

Bandera Volcano Ice Cave: The weird lava tube in New Mexico whose temperature is always below freezing
By Sascha Pare published
Due to a weird quirk of geology, New Mexico's Bandera Volcano Ice Cave never warms above 31 degrees Fahrenheit, even when temperatures outside exceed 100 F in summer.

New map shows weird magnetic anomaly lurking beneath Australia's Northern Territory
By Sascha Pare published
Advanced modeling has revealed an Australia-shaped magnetic anomaly beneath the country's Northern Territory that holds valuable information about Australia's geological history.

Enormous 'mega-blob' under Hawaii is solid rock and iron, not gooey — and it may fuel a hotspot
By Stephanie Pappas published
A new study reveals a detailed look at what lies beneath the Hawaiian hotspot.

The Colorado River's largest tributary flows 'uphill' for over 100 miles — and geologists may finally have an explanation for it
By Sascha Pare published
Millions of years ago, the Green River carved a path through the Uinta Mountains instead of flowing around the formation. Now, researchers have discovered how this could have happened.

Chocolate Hills: The color-changing mounds in the Philippines that inspired legends of mud-slinging giants
By Sascha Pare published
The Chocolate Hills are 1,776 mounds on Bohol Island in the Philippines where grassy cover turns brown during the dry season.

Giant structure discovered deep beneath Bermuda is unlike anything else on Earth
By Stephanie Pappas published
A thick layer of more than 12 miles of rock may explain why Bermuda seems to float above the surrounding ocean.

Earth's crust hides enough 'gold' hydrogen to power the world for tens of thousands of years, emerging research suggests
By Sascha Pare published
Reservoirs of hydrogen gas that form naturally in Earth's crust could help humans decarbonize. The challenge now is finding these accumulations and working out how best to mine them, experts say.
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