Earth
- Earth
Nine big stories you may have missed this summer
We hope you enjoyed time off from school this summer. But you may have missed some scientific developments, from mega-eruptions to Martian lakes.
- Climate
Scientists Say: Climate
Climate is the atmospheric conditions that are typical to a general area over a long period of time.
- Tech
Tarzan the robot was actually inspired by a sloth
‘Tarzan’ the robot saves energy by swinging. Someday, it could help with farm work by moving along wires strung across fields of crops.
- Life
A ‘ghost’ gene leaves sea mammals vulnerable to some toxic chemicals
Manatees, dolphins and other warm-blooded marine animals can't break down some common pesticides. The newfound reason: Long ago, their genes lost the ability to do so.
- Earth
Scientists Say: Stalactite and stalagmite
Stalactites are mineral deposits forms on the ceilings of caves. Stalagmites are also mineral deposits, but they form on the floor of the cave.
- Climate
When the moon throws shade, the weather can change
Scientists have been puzzled about how a solar eclipse can impact weather. Here’s some of what they learned during the August 2017 event.
- Environment
Wildfires worsen extreme air pollution in U.S. northwest
America’s air is getting cleaner — except in places prone to frequent wildfires.
- Earth
An ancient cold snap causes heated debate
Despite criticism from fellow scientists, some researchers won’t let go of the idea that a comet caused a prehistoric cold snap.
- Environment
People are changing which parts of Earth get more (or less) water
Human activities have been reshaping the planet’s water map. Some changes created new lakes. Others caused lakes to disappear.
- Ecosystems
Bird poop helps keep coral reefs healthy, but rats are interfering
Eradicating invasive rats from islands may help boost numbers of seabirds. The birds’ droppings provide nutrients to nearby coral reefs.
- Earth
Kilauea’s volcanic fireworks show no signs of stopping
Watch some of the most striking videos and images of the ongoing eruption’s strange, fiery beauty.
- Earth
After erupting, one volcano sings a unique ‘song’
After a strong eruption in 2015, one Ecuadoran volcano “rang like a bell.”
