Planet Earth

Earth is one big spinning mystery in a constant state of change. With more than 4.5 billion years of history locked inside a ball of molten rock and iron, our planet is made up of a vast array of geological wonders, carved by the oceans, shaped by the shifting plates beneath our feet and sculpted by weather across the surface. Our team of expert science writers and editors are here to reveal our planet’s secrets — from the deepest depths of the ocean  to the very edge of space — keeping you up to date with the latest discoveries with planet Earth news, articles and features. 

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Latest about Planet Earth

Photo of waves on a pebble beach at sunset (cropped to 16 by 9 format).

Seascape photography guide: How to photograph beaches and coastlines

By Kimberley Lane published

The coasts and seas offer up some of Earth’s most breathtaking views, but trying to photo them can be tricky. We’ll steer you right with our beginners guide to seascape & coastal photography.

A multibeam sonar image shows the newly discovered undersea mountain with a crater that looks like a Bundt cake.

Scientists find strange underwater volcano that 'looks like a Bundt cake'

By Sascha Pare published

The Saildrone Surveyor mission discovered the unnamed, 3,200-foot-tall formation in February while mapping the seafloor off the coast of California.

fluid spewing from the seafloor off Oregon

Scientists find weird holes on the ocean floor spewing ancient fluids 'like a fire hose'

By Stephanie Pappas published

Understanding the movement of fluids in the Cascadia subduction zone can help researchers pinpoint the risk of earthquakes

A photo of a sunset in the desert. It is a flat sandy lanscape, with several small hills popping up here and there. You can just make out two people who have climbed up a mountain in the distance. The location is Qesm Safaga, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt.

Why are deserts dry?

By Laurel Hamers published

Deserts are found around the world, including next to oceans. But why are these regions dry?

Bill Nye, an author, science educator, inventor, engineer, comedian and Emmy Award-winning television presenter, talks about his new series "The End is Nye" at Meridian Hall on March 29, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario.

Fusion power key to Earth's survival, says Bill Nye in exclusive interview

By Laura Geggel published

Bill Nye the Science Guy talks about what he would get our planet for Earth Day and "evidence-based optimism" in light of his latest show, "The End is Nye."

Family and children throwing garbage in bin at roadside.

Aspirational recycling: How bad is it to put things in the recycling that can't be recycled?

By Joshua A. Krisch published

The environmental impact of aspirational recycling, where people try to recycle items that can't be recycled, can do more harm than good.

A diagram depicting Earth's magnetic field.

Eerie sounds triggered by plasma waves hitting Earth's magnetic field captured in new NASA sound clip

By Harry Baker published

NASA has converted years of satellite data on Earth's magnetosphere into eerie sound clips that can be used by citizen scientists to help make new discoveries.

Underwater images inside the world's second deepest blue hole

Surprise discovery of world's 2nd deepest blue hole could provide window into Earth's history

By Lydia Smith published

The second deepest blue hole in the world has been discovered off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The giant, underwater cavern is around 900 feet deep and spans an area of 147,000 square feet.

Tiny organisms known as plankton float in the darkness in this eerie picture teeming with life.

Bizarre, never-before-seen viruses discovered thriving throughout the world's oceans

By Sascha Pare published

The discovery of a strange group of viruses, dubbed mirusviruses, that infect ocean plankton across the globe may shed light on the origin of herpes.

The damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant: a group of ruined and damaged gray, green and white buildings

Chernobyl: The world's worst nuclear disaster

By Marc Lallanilla published

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion resulted in the most horrific nuclear disaster in the world.

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