Earth

Geologists unearth signs of major volcanic events stretching back 3 billion years

If anything's alive on the ice-covered ocean world of Europa, a future NASA mission hopes to find it.

The finding will help scientists more accurately model the planet’s geodynamic processes

Climate change and overfishing have made the penguins’ feeding grounds a mirage—which has led to a drop in penguin population. Jason G. Goldman reports. 

New dates push the age back millions of years, creating a mystery about ice ages and animal migrations—if scientists are right

We continue our exploration of the USGS photograph database. In this edition, we have some truly spectacular summer eruption photos

This mostly submerged world should be recognized alongside Africa, Australia and others, argue some researchers

Critters living more than six miles below the ocean surface contain high levels of harmful compounds like PCBs and flame retardants. Julia Rosen reports.

Arctic heat waves melt sea ice, which promotes more warming and even more ice loss. In other words, it’s a snowball effect—or in this case, an anti-snowball effect. Julia Rosen reports.

Nomadic jellyfish and poisonous puffer fish are the poster children of an invasion of non-native species into the Mediterranean, with environmental and economic costs. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Enjoy these treasures from the USGS database eruption and aftermath images

Some predators are attracted to the food in bird feeders, and end up targeting nestlings, too. Jason G. Goldman reports.