Planet Earth news, feature and articles

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A collage with an illustration of DNA
Invisible DNA lurks everywhere in the environment — and we're on the verge of decoding its secrets Environments are littered with the DNA of the creatures that inhabit them. Analyzing it could provide a real-time view of how our planet is changing.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.
Incredible places: A window onto extraordinary landscapes on Earth Every week, we open a window onto an incredible place and highlight the fantastic history and science behind it.
A composite image of various photos of planet Earth taken from space by satellites or astronauts.
Earth from space — Incredible images of our planet from above Satellite imagery and astronaut photos provide a unique perspective of our planet. These aerial snaps can also highlight rare phenomena from a wide range of scientific disciplines including climate change, meteorology, animal behavior, volcanology, marine science and many more. Every week, we take a bird's eye view of Earth and explain what's really happening in these incredible images.

Latest about Planet Earth

Split image of a supermassive black hole and Antarctica.

'Impossible' black holes, Antarctica's hidden 'plumbing' and more.

By Pandora Dewan published

Science news this week Feb. 8, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Science news this week
A photo of a person standing in front of a burning house in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

January 2025 hottest on record despite US cold and La Niña

By Patrick Pester published

La Niña and record cold temperatures in the U.S. should have made Earth cooler, but January 2025 was still the hottest on record, with an average global warming of 3.15 F (1.75 C) above pre-industrial levels.

Climate Change
NASA satellite image showing melt on Alaska.

Alaska's ice is melting in front of our eyes, staggering satellite shots show

By Ben Turner published

Unusual weather patterns and climate change have been driving stark changes in the northwestern state. Now, new satellite images show the extent of this transformation.

Climate Change
A photo of the Trovants, bulbous stones emerging from the earth

Romania's trovants: The bulbous 'living' rocks that inspired folkloric tales of dinosaur eggs and aliens

By Sascha Pare published

Trovants are rocks that grow by absorbing minerals from rainwater. Romania is home to a cluster of trovants that inspired folklore of dinosaur eggs, plant fossils and alien creations.

Geology
Cracks in Greenland ice sheet.

Greenland's ice sheet — the second biggest in the world — is cracking open at alarming speed, scientists discover

By Sascha Pare published

New 3D maps of the Greenland Ice Sheet show how huge cracks in the ice that accelerate melting expanded between 2016 and 2021.

Climate Change

Scientists discover hidden 'plumbing' that's driving Antarctic ice sheet into the ocean

By Skyler Ware published

Maps created by combining different models of glaciers and ice sheets reveal the way water is flowing deep beneath Antarctica's ice.

Antarctica
A photograph of ice and meltwater at the North Pole.

'Extreme' warming in the Arctic as North Pole temperatures swell 36 F above average

By Patrick Pester published

The North Pole was above freezing on Sunday after an extreme winter warming event caused temperatures to climb more than 36 F (20 C) in the high Arctic.

Climate Change
The Cascade Range extends from southern British Columbia in Canada through Washington, Oregon and northern California in the United States. The highest peaks, called the High Cascades, are volcanoes. Mount Baker, seen in the foreground here, is one of the tallest peaks in the range. Mount Rainier, seen in the background, is the tallest peak in the Cascades.

Scientists find giant magma reservoirs hidden beneath dormant volcanoes in the Cascades

By Stephanie Pappas published

The magma system beneath volcanoes may persist even after recent eruptions, a new study finds.

Volcanos
An aerial view of the Zagros mountains

Ocean plate from time of Pangaea is now being torn apart under Iraq and Iran

By Stephanie Pappas published

What was once the floor of an ancient ocean is still shaping the landscape between Arabia and Eurasia.

Geology
A rodent is seen eating seeds in New York, NY, United States

Rat numbers are skyrocketing across US cities — and it's only going to get worse

By K.R. Callaway published

Rat populations are growing in cities around the world because of climate change. A new study explains why this is happening now and what we can do about it.

Climate Change
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