Planet Earth news, feature and articles

Editor's Picks

Collage representing a gas reservoir in Earth's crust with drilling equipment at the surface.
Earth's crust hides enough 'gold' hydrogen to power the world for tens of thousands of years, emerging research suggests 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.
14 Comments
A photo of three men crouched around a hole in the ground emitting helium gas
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.
6 Comments
This photograph shows a view of the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir in Zahara de la Sierra in the southern province of Cadiz, during a drought episode on December 29, 2023.
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.
4 Comments

Latest about Planet Earth

Antarctica's Southern Ocean might be gearing up for a thermal 'burp' that could last a century

By Matt Simon, Grist published

When humans manage to cut enough emissions and eventually reduce global temperatures, new research shows the Southern Ocean could kick warming back into gear.

Rivers & Oceans

Are biodegradable plastics really worth the hype?

By Melissa Gaskill published

Plastic pollution is poisoning the planet. Some experts suggest making plastics from more "natural" materials, but research shows those still have risks.

Pollution
Flooding in Florida caused by tropical storm from hurricane Debby.

Climate change is real. It's happening. And it's time to make it personal.

By Dr Jo Cutler, Professor Patricia Lockwood published

Opinion We found the psychological impetus people need to take action on climate change — realizing it will affect them and their way of life personally.

Opinion
A photograph of a blurry red ring of light in the night sky above a town in Italy

Bizarre, UFO-like halo of red light appears over small Italian town — for the second time in 3 years

By Harry Baker published

An eerie new photo shows a giant red ring shining above Possagno, near the Italian Alps. The eye-catching image is almost identical to one taken in the same town in early 2023.

Weather

'Like a sudden bomb': See photos from space of Ethiopian volcano erupting for first time in 12,000 years

By Skyler Ware published

Hayli Gubbi, a shield volcano in northern Ethiopia, erupted for several hours on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 23 — the first eruption since the start of the Holocene.

Volcanos

Sistema Ox Bel Ha: A vast hidden system that's the longest underwater cave in the world

By James Price published

This incredible submerged cave network is the longest of its kind in the world and plays a vital role in the region.

Geology

Ruptures from 'silent' earthquakes deep in Earth's crust can heal themselves within hours

By Sascha Pare published

Researchers re-created the conditions deep inside the Cascadia subduction zone and found that fractured rocks can repair themselves during, or just hours after, slow-motion earthquakes.

Earthquakes
A satellite photo of Mississippi showing two parallel tornado tracks carved through farmland

Twin tornadoes tear perfectly parallel tracks through Mississippi during deadly 'superstorm'

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space A satellite photo from March shows a pair of parallel tornado tracks in Mississippi, leftover from a deadly storm system that spawned over 100 twisters in more than a dozen U.S. states.

Earth from space

Arctic 'methane bomb' may not explode as permafrost thaws, new study suggests

By Nathaniel Scharping, Eos.org published

Methanotrophs, including those that capture methane from the air, seem to outcompete methanogens in dry environments, a new study shows.

Arctic

World's first global carbon tax was about to be introduced. Trump dealt a 'devastating blow' to the deal.

By Naveena Sadasivam, Grist published

After the Trump administration threatened countries with tariffs and visa restrictions, a first-ever global carbon tax is left to an uncertain future.

Climate change
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives