Latest about Planet Earth
A huge helium shortage is looming — but ancient rocks in Earth's crust may be hiding massive reservoirs
For decades, helium has been produced with natural gas, generating huge carbon emissions. Now, geologists are looking for new helium sources — and finding enormous "carbon-free" reservoirs that could revolutionize the industry.
Volcanic eruption triggered 'butterfly effect' that led to the Black Death, researchers find
A volcanic eruption in 1345 may have kicked off a series of events that led to the Black Death sweeping through medieval Europe.
Collapse of key Atlantic current could bring extreme drought to Europe for hundreds of years, study finds
Scientists modeled Europe's future if a key Atlantic current were to collapse and found that the continent faces a much drier future.
China has planted so many trees it's changed the entire country's water distribution
Huge "regreening" efforts in China over the past few decades have activated the country's water cycle and moved water in ways that scientists are just now starting to understand.
Death Valley's 'world's hottest temperature' record may be due to a human error
A new analysis of July temperatures in Death Valley between 1923 and 2024 suggests the world record near-surface air temperature of 134 F measured in July 1913 may be erroneous.
Trio of 'black mesas' leftover from Paleozoic era spawn rare sand dunes in the Sahara
Earth from space A 2023 astronaut photo shows three dark hills, or mesas, towering above part of the Sahara desert in southern Mauritania. The structures are remnants of a single Paleozoic era formation, and have helped to create a series of striking sand dunes.
Once-in-a-century floods set to become annual events in northeastern US in the next 75 years, study finds
Rising sea levels and storm surges from hurricanes will bring more frequent extreme floods to northeastern U.S. states, including Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
Antarctica's Southern Ocean might be gearing up for a thermal 'burp' that could last a century
When humans manage to cut enough emissions and eventually reduce global temperatures, new research shows the Southern Ocean could kick warming back into gear.
