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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Yellowstone holds potentially untapped cache of 'carbon-free' helium for rockets, reactors and superconductors
Conventional helium production comes with enormous carbon emissions, so scientists are looking for alternatives in places like Yellowstone, Tanzania's Rukwa Rift and India's Bakreswar-Tantloi province.
Iran's folded rocks: The crumpled mountains at the intersection of Asia and Europe
Iran's folded rocks are a colorful formation that is part of the Greater Caucasus mountains, which formed when the Eurasian tectonic plate collided with the Arabian plate millions of years ago.
'Quiet Chernobyl' changed Earth's surface so much the planet's mantle is still moving 80 years later
The land beneath the former Aral Sea in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is rising and will continue to do so for many decades. Now, scientists have an explanation that involves the sea drying up.
Study reveals 'flawed argument' in debate over when plate tectonics began
You don't need plate tectonics to get continental crust that looks modern, a new study finds.
Massive magma eruptions may have ripped Africa and South America apart
Huge outpourings of magma accompanied the split between South America and Africa 135 million years ago.
Rainbow Mountains: China's psychedelic landscape created when 2 tectonic plates collided
The colorful swirls and stripes that characterize China's Rainbow Mountains would have remained hidden without the epic tectonic collision that created the Himalayas.
North America is 'dripping' down into Earth's mantle, scientists discover
Seismic mapping of North America has revealed that an ancient slab of crust buried beneath the Midwest is causing the crust above it to "drip" and suck down rocks from across the continent.
Lake Salda: The only place on Earth similar to Jezero crater on Mars
Lake Salda, in southwestern Turkey, bears a close resemblance to Mars' Jezero crater, which is currently being sampled by NASA's Perseverance rover.
