Earth

Earth

50 years ago, scientists dug into Pangaea’s past lives

In 1972, scientists wondered whether Pangaea was Earth’s only supercontinent. Fifty years later, we know it wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last.

Climate

Gas flares are leaking five times as much methane than previously thought

The flares burn off methane at 91 percent efficiency. Achieving 98 percent efficiency would be like taking nearly 3 million cars off the road.

Science & Society

Big questions inspire the scientists on this year’s SN 10 list

These scientists to watch study climate change, alien worlds, human evolution, the coronavirus and more.

Earth

Jacky Austermann looks to the solid earth for clues to sea level rise

Jacky Austermann’s work could help inform practical climate change solutions for at-risk coastal cities.

Planetary Science

Robin Wordsworth re-creates the atmosphere of ancient Mars

Robin Wordsworth studies the climates of Mars and other alien worlds to find out whether they could support life.

Ecosystems

‘Fen, Bog & Swamp’ reminds readers why peatlands matter

In her latest book, author Annie Proulx chronicles people’s long history with peatlands and examines the ecological value of these overlooked places.

Ecosystems

A Caribbean island gets everyone involved in protecting beloved species

Scientists on Saba are introducing island residents to conservation of Caribbean orchids, red-billed tropicbirds and urchins.

Environment

Mangrove forests expand and contract with a lunar cycle

The carbon-sequestering trees grow in a roughly 18-year cycle according to tides influenced by the moon’s orbit, a study in Australia finds.

Earth

Here’s how olivine may trigger deep earthquakes

Olivine’s transformation into another mineral can destabilize rocks and set off quakes more than 300 kilometers down, experiments suggest.

Climate

How Kenyans help themselves and the planet by saving mangrove trees

Communities in Kenya took action to restore their coastal mangrove forests, reaping economic and environmental benefits. Others are following suit.

Planetary Science

Passing through the Milky Way’s arms may have helped form Earth’s solid ground

Barrages of comets stirred up by the early solar system’s journey around the center of the galaxy could explain the timing of ancient rock formation.

Climate

How to make recyclable plastics out of CO₂ to slow climate change

Companies are turning atmospheric CO2 from smokestacks and landfills into plastics to shrink their carbon footprint.