Natural DisastersJune 29, 2017
Born in Catastrophe: Silver Lake
A serene little Pacific Northwest lake has a violent origin
Stories by Dana Hunter
A confirmed adorer of the good science of rock-breaking, Dana Hunter explores geology with an emphasis on volcanic processes, geology news, and the intersection of science and society. Her home away from SciAm is Dana Hunter's Unconformity
EarthJune 28, 2017
Sweeping Sands
Let's visit some dunes I have known—including some frozen in time
EarthJune 27, 2017
Permanent Impermanence: or, How the Fudge Did That Fossilize?
Imagine the weather turning to stone...
EarthMay 31, 2017
Bad Signs
What happens when a geologist with a Sharpie encounters wrong information on a public sign?
Natural DisastersMay 29, 2017
The (Probably Not but Maybe) Shocking Truth about Foreshocks
How can we know a foreshock is actually a foreshock?
EngineeringMay 25, 2017
The True Story of the Mar-a-Lago "Sinkhole"
What really happened at Mar-a-Lago on Monday—and what to do if it happens to you
Natural DisastersMay 18, 2017
37 Years Ago, America's Relationship with Volcanoes Changed Forever
The Mount Saint Helens eruptions was a scientific boon
Natural DisastersApril 30, 2017
The Shocking Truth about Aftershocks
After an earthquake, some aftershocks go on for an astonishingly long time
Natural DisastersApril 27, 2017
The Inside Scoop on the Chilean Earthquake Swarm
According to locals, Valparaiso's 6.9 isn't worthy of being called an earthquake
PolicyApril 24, 2017
One Simple but Effective Action You Can Take for American Science--Today
The March for Science is over, but the fight for science is just getting started
PolicyApril 20, 2017
How Is Betsy DeVos Bad for Public Education?
Let us count the ways
PolicyMarch 31, 2017
Republicans Want to Destroy Our National Parks--It's Up to Us to Save Them
You can protect our public lands. Here's how
Natural DisastersMarch 29, 2017
Magnificent Mount Saint Helens Photos, Part 7
Further adventures in volcanic photography
EarthMarch 26, 2017
Flat Earth: An Astonishingly Good Book about a Very Bad Idea
Shaquille O'Neal should definitely read this
Natural DisastersMarch 19, 2017
Excitement on Etna: The Danger of Phreatic Eruptions [Video]
On an active volcano, you can do everything right and still end up in mortal peril
CultureFebruary 28, 2017
Black History Month: Making History in the Geosciences
Meet four fascinating geologists who made history and are forging the future
PolicyFebruary 26, 2017
An Educator's Plea to Betsy DeVos
A recently retired public school educator has some reasonable requests to make of our new education secretary
EarthFebruary 21, 2017
Magnificent Mount Saint Helens Photos, Part 6
We continue our exploration of the USGS photograph database. In this edition, we have some truly spectacular summer eruption photos
PolicyFebruary 7, 2017
We Only Need 1 Vote to Save Public Education. Act Now
Call your senators this morning and tell them to vote no on DeVos
EarthJanuary 31, 2017
Magnificent Mount Saint Helens Photos, Part 5
Enjoy these treasures from the USGS database eruption and aftermath images
PolicyJanuary 30, 2017
Call Your Senators Today: Science Education Is in Peril
Every child in America deserves a good education. Betsy DeVos will not ensure they have it
PolicyJanuary 25, 2017
The National Park Service Won't Be Silenced
NPS employees have a message for the Trump Administration
PolicyJanuary 16, 2017
One Simple Sentence Could Help Save America's Schools
If we truly want America to be great, we need to support robust education for all its citizens
Climate ChangeDecember 29, 2016
The Astonishing Climate-Changing Power of Plate Tectonics
Moving continents have drastically changed Earth's climate—and are still doing so today