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An illustration of a melting Earth with its ocean currents outlined
Atlantic ocean currents are weakening — and it could make the climate in some regions unrecognizable A cold blob of water in the North Atlantic is an ominous sign that a system of currents that regulate the planet's climate could be weakening.
An active fumerole in Iceland spews hydrogen sulfide gas.
Scientists think a hidden source of clean energy could power Earth for 170,000 years — and they've figured out the 'recipe' to find it Researchers have compiled a list of "ingredients" that could help resource exploration companies locate huge reservoirs of clean hydrogen, a critical element in the transition away from fossil fuels.
a satellite image of a hurricane cloud
La Niña is dead — what that means for this year's hurricanes and weather Scientists thought La Niña was coming. It didn't — at least for now. What could that mean for this year's hurricane season, and how might long-term climate change affect El Niño and La Niña patterns?

Latest about Planet Earth

The North Pole could shift 90 feet west by 2100

By Skyler Ware published

As climate change melts ice sheets and glaciers, water is being redistributed across the globe — and could end up moving the point of Earth's axis of rotation.

Climate change
A satellite image of the folded rocks in northwestern Iran.

Iran's folded rocks: The crumpled mountains at the intersection of Asia and Europe

By Sascha Pare published

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.

Geology

Antarctica: Facts about the southernmost continent

By Nola Taylor Redd last updated

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent. Because so little moisture falls as rain or snow, Antarctica is classified as a desert.

Antarctica
Satellite images of the Aral Sea in 2000, 2007 and 2014.

'Quiet Chernobyl' changed Earth's surface so much the planet's mantle is still moving 80 years later

By Sascha Pare published

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.

Geology
an illustration of a planet with a cracked surface with magma underneath

An ocean of magma formed early in Earth's history and it may still influence our planet today, study finds

By Stephanie Pappas published

Remnants of a liquid layer of magma near Earth's core, formed in the first few hundred million years of the planet's history, may still persist today as odd anomalies in the mantle.

Planet Earth
An astronaut photo of a lake in the desert that is half red and half green surrounded by lots of dark circular dots

Crop circles surround Iraq's multicolored 'Sea of Salt' after years of drought

By Harry Baker published

Earth from space This 2024 astronaut photo shows the striking colors of Iraq's Razazah Lake, surrounded by a host of strangely circular fields.

Earth from space
a firefighter walks through a burnt town

Climate change: Facts about our warming planet

By Stephanie Pappas, Marilyn Perkins published

Discover important facts about what climate change is, what's causing it, and what we can do to stop it.

Climate change
a photo of the ocean with a green tint

The Earth's oceans used to be green — and could one day turn purple, scientists say

By Cédric M. John published

Earth's oceans could one day turn purple.

Rivers & Oceans
a view of Earth from space

Study reveals 'flawed argument' in debate over when plate tectonics began

By Stephanie Pappas published

You don't need plate tectonics to get continental crust that looks modern, a new study finds.

Geology

La Niña finished after just a few months

By Patrick Pester published

The La Niña weather pattern ended last month as Pacific Ocean temperatures rose and the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle entered a neutral state, according to the NOAA.

Weather
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