Plate Tectonics
Latest about plate tectonics
![In the 1940s, Navy scientists were forbidden from sharing key oceanographic data, such as bathymetric measurements, with scientists who lacked a security clearance. Here, the bathymetry of Mona Passage from the U.S. Geological Survey.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U5tqnyiVnynWAZTA9JcbAA-320-80.jpg)
US Navy's Secrecy Likely Stalled Ocean Science Progress for Decades
By Mindy Weisberger published
When the U.S. Navy classified vital seafloor data during World War II and after, it delayed the development of a key theory.
![mars, insight](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3vXFTHYLx9qBk2QNiYkfxE-320-80.jpg)
Why Is NASA Looking for 'Marsquakes'?
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
Are marsquakes the same as earthquakes?
![Illustration showing the inside of Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hXagVfM9YPPMMQDqFSpnEX-320-80.jpg)
Scientists Find Weird Reason Diving Plates Get Stuck 400 Miles Beneath Earth's Surface
By Stephanie Pappas published
A slippery layer beneath Earth stops chunks of crust in their tracks, creating "stagnant slabs" in the middle of the mantle.
![earthquake map](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t8YGcrcNVn4bLv2YXEnYk-320-80.png)
Tons of Major Quakes Have Rattled the World Recently. Does That Mean Anything?
By Kimberly Hickok published
Yes, California will have a big earthquake, but the chances of "the big one" happening now didn't suddenly increase.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XF9sKsAgLWbnPPexXKzsMA-320-80.jpg)
Something Is Sucking Iron Out of Earth's Crust, and Scientists Think They Know What
By Brandon Specktor published
Earth would look a lot more like Mars if a mysterious mineral wasn't sucking iron out of the planet's crust. Scientists think they now know the culprit — and it's a gemstone.
![A bird's-eye view of a gorge in the East African Rift at Engaruka, Tanzania.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzaYHDzNkG9uoy2QSo3zFZ-320-80.jpg)
Africa Is Splitting in Two, and Here's the Proof
By Laura Geggel published
A gaping gash just opened up in Africa's Rift Valley. Here's why.
![A hardwood forest at peak fall color reflects in Shadow Lake, north of Lincoln, New Hampshire, White Mountain National Forest.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WbS7Be5kspN79enZ2BUQjN-320-80.jpg)
Unusual 'Blob' of Hot Rock Found Beneath New England
By Andrea Thompson published
What caused the blob — and if there are others like it — remain mysteries.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.