geology

Latest in geology

Sierra Negra volcano erupting in the Galapagos Islands in 2018

Science

Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable, but these geologists cracked the code Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable, but these geologists cracked the code

a huge mushroom cloud from a volcanic explosion seen from space

Science

Tonga’s historic volcanic eruption could help predict when tsunamis strike land Tonga’s historic volcanic eruption could help predict when tsunamis strike land

By Kate Baggaley

surface of psyche asteroid

Science

In its visit to Psyche, NASA hopes to glimpse the center of the Earth In its visit to Psyche, NASA hopes to glimpse the center of the Earth

By Megan I. Gannon

a gray rocky surface of a planet with blue highlighted regions showing potential past volcanic activity

Science

Pluto’s icy volcanoes may have once belched ‘antifreeze lava’ Pluto’s icy volcanoes may have once belched ‘antifreeze lava’

By Kate Baggaley

Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus with clear tiger stripes in a blue colorized image from the Cassini space probe

Science

Here’s why Saturn’s ‘ocean moon’ is constantly spewing liquid into space Here’s why Saturn’s ‘ocean moon’ is constantly spewing liquid into space

By Philip Kiefer

a reddish orange sharp peaked mountain formed from volcanic activity. the surrounding landscape is filled with dramatic orange and red rock

Environment

Many volcanic islands have surprisingly cool origins Many volcanic islands have surprisingly cool origins

By Kate Baggaley

Okavango Blue Diamond filled with boron in a manicured hand on a gray background

Environment

This rare blue diamond is practically a miracle of nature This rare blue diamond is practically a miracle of nature

By Elana Spivack

A blonde child wearing pink and green while kneeling in a shallow stream to pick up a rock.

DIY

6 geology games for kids who take rocks for granite 6 geology games for kids who take rocks for granite

By Noah Lederman

A large black crater in a volcano with smog and lava

Environment

Kīlauea has belched 4.2 billion gallons of lava—and it isn’t done yet Kīlauea has belched 4.2 billion gallons of lava—and it isn’t done yet

By Elana Spivack

Volcanoes could be our fiery allies in the fight against carbon emissions

Environment

Volcanoes could be our fiery allies in the fight against carbon emissions Volcanoes could be our fiery allies in the fight against carbon emissions

By Angely Mercado

A fibrous black diamond.

Environment

Diamonds contain remnants of Earth’s ancient atmosphere Diamonds contain remnants of Earth’s ancient atmosphere

A large piece of granite rock glows in bright green and crimson red stripes behind glass and against the dark background of a museum exhibit. A few illegible, backlit display signs surround the large rock.

Environment

How minerals and rocks reflect rainbows, glow in the dark, and otherwise blow your mind How minerals and rocks reflect rainbows, glow in the dark, and otherwise blow your mind

By Lauren Leffer

An image of the surface of Venus showing it's 'crustal blocks,' which are similar to but distinct from tectonic plates on Earth.

Science

Jostling in Venus’ crust could reveal clues about Earth’s early geology Jostling in Venus’ crust could reveal clues about Earth’s early geology

By Leto Sapunar

Earth against moon and spun to show fast the planet spins. Realistic illustration.

Science

What would happen if the Earth started to spin faster? What would happen if the Earth started to spin faster?

A close-up view of Tithonium Chasma, which is feature of Valles Marineris, the solar system's largest canyon.

Science

Peer inside the solar system’s largest canyon Peer inside the solar system’s largest canyon

By Jessica Boddy

cave spelunking

Environment

Look inside the hidden world of Earth’s most beautiful caves Look inside the hidden world of Earth’s most beautiful caves

By Purbita Saha

Artist's conception of NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu.

Science

Local asteroid Bennu used to be filled with tiny rivers Local asteroid Bennu used to be filled with tiny rivers

By Charlie Wood

south island new zealand

Environment

Mummified leaves offer a glimpse of Earth’s ancient climate—and our future Mummified leaves offer a glimpse of Earth’s ancient climate—and our future

By Kate Baggaley

Devon Island in the Canadian arctic Archipelago.

Science

Ancient valleys may hold clues to past life on Mars Ancient valleys may hold clues to past life on Mars

By Kate Baggaley

A volcano named Sapas Mons dominates this computer-generated view of the surface of Venus.

Science

Geologists say Venus has enough active volcanoes to form a ‘Ring of Fire’ Geologists say Venus has enough active volcanoes to form a ‘Ring of Fire’

By Paola Rosa-Aquino

An aerial view of a Martian volcano.

Science

Mud volcanoes on Mars hint at ancient water reservoirs Mud volcanoes on Mars hint at ancient water reservoirs

By Charlie Wood

This mosaic of Mars is a compilation of images captured by the Viking Orbiter 1.

Science

Mars might be made of mashed-up baby planets Mars might be made of mashed-up baby planets

By

Environment

Ancient forests that power the modern world Ancient forests that power the modern world

an infrared composite photo of titan

Science

The first global map of Titan reveals Earth-like features with a peculiar twist The first global map of Titan reveals Earth-like features with a peculiar twist

By Charlie Wood

Meet the flat-Earthers of the modern era

Technology

Meet the flat-Earthers of the modern era Meet the flat-Earthers of the modern era

By Mara Hvistendahl

The shakiest earthquake myths debunked

Environment

The shakiest earthquake myths debunked The shakiest earthquake myths debunked

The world isn’t light on helium, but mining it is no party

Environment

The world isn’t light on helium, but mining it is no party The world isn’t light on helium, but mining it is no party

By Claire Maldarelli

This geologist is Earth’s planetary protection officer

Science

This geologist is Earth’s planetary protection officer This geologist is Earth’s planetary protection officer

By Bryan Gardiner

Dragonglass is real, even if white walkers (hopefully) aren’t

Environment

Dragonglass is real, even if white walkers (hopefully) aren’t Dragonglass is real, even if white walkers (hopefully) aren’t

By Eleanor Cummins

Science

As Rome digs its first new metro route in decades, an archaeologist safeguards the city’s buried treasures As Rome digs its first new metro route in decades, an archaeologist safeguards the city’s buried treasures

scientist straddling oceans

Environment

Where will Earth’s continents go next? Where will Earth’s continents go next?

By As told to Eleanor Cummins

Megapixels: Asteroid Bennu is …exploding?

Science

Megapixels: Asteroid Bennu is …exploding? Megapixels: Asteroid Bennu is …exploding?

By Jessica Boddy

Spider glowing eyes geology paleontology

Environment

Megapixels: This fossilized spider’s eyes are still glowing 110 million years later Megapixels: This fossilized spider’s eyes are still glowing 110 million years later

By Eleanor Cummins

The best science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

Science

The best science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google The best science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

By Popular Science Team

An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

Science

An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google An updating list of science jokes to make you laugh, groan, and Google

By Popular Science Team

Volcanoes might have formed on Mars the same way they did in Hawaii

Science

Volcanoes might have formed on Mars the same way they did in Hawaii Volcanoes might have formed on Mars the same way they did in Hawaii

By Shannon Stirone

Volcano decides eruptions are boring, tries sliding into the sea instead

Environment

Volcano decides eruptions are boring, tries sliding into the sea instead Volcano decides eruptions are boring, tries sliding into the sea instead

By Neel V. Patel

diamonds on black background

Environment

Geologists think there could be a quadrillion tons of diamonds inside our planet Geologists think there could be a quadrillion tons of diamonds inside our planet

By Neel V. Patel

If Kilauea’s lava lake falls below the water table, the results could be explosive

Environment

If Kilauea’s lava lake falls below the water table, the results could be explosive If Kilauea’s lava lake falls below the water table, the results could be explosive

By Mary Beth Griggs

Why so many diamonds are making science headlines this week

Environment

Why so many diamonds are making science headlines this week Why so many diamonds are making science headlines this week

By Mary Beth Griggs

There’s still a piece of Canada stuck to Australia

Environment

There’s still a piece of Canada stuck to Australia There’s still a piece of Canada stuck to Australia

Earth worms wriggling in Martian simulation soil.

Science

Earthworms are thriving in Martian(ish) soil Earthworms are thriving in Martian(ish) soil

By Ellen Airhart

What Meghan Markle’s engagement ring can teach us about Southern Africa’s ancient continental crust

Environment

What Meghan Markle’s engagement ring can teach us about Southern Africa’s ancient continental crust What Meghan Markle’s engagement ring can teach us about Southern Africa’s ancient continental crust

By Ellen Airhart

Will the world shake with more large earthquakes in 2018? Time will tell.

Science

Will the world shake with more large earthquakes in 2018? Time will tell. Will the world shake with more large earthquakes in 2018? Time will tell.

By Mary Beth Griggs

This lonely human skull might belong to an ancient tsunami victim

Science

This lonely human skull might belong to an ancient tsunami victim This lonely human skull might belong to an ancient tsunami victim

By Mary Beth Griggs

merging neutron stars

Science

Neutron star collisions may have created most of the gold in the universe Neutron star collisions may have created most of the gold in the universe

By Mary Beth Griggs

8.1 magnitude earthquake is one of the strongest to ever hit Mexico

Environment

8.1 magnitude earthquake is one of the strongest to ever hit Mexico 8.1 magnitude earthquake is one of the strongest to ever hit Mexico

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

A brief history of origin theories A brief history of origin theories

By Mary Beth Griggs

A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin?

Science

A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin? A new finding raises an old question: Where and when did life begin?

Scientists are solving the mystery of Earth’s thermostat

Environment

Scientists are solving the mystery of Earth’s thermostat Scientists are solving the mystery of Earth’s thermostat

By Jeremy Deaton

Science

The moon might be hiding more water than we thought The moon might be hiding more water than we thought

By Mary Beth Griggs

Mars was probably habitable for longer than we thought

Science

Mars was probably habitable for longer than we thought Mars was probably habitable for longer than we thought

Shoreline of Lake Mono

Environment

Climate change will mean more rain for some—and none for others Climate change will mean more rain for some—and none for others

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Recent flows of insanely hot lava show us just how dynamic Earth really is

Environment

Recent flows of insanely hot lava show us just how dynamic Earth really is Recent flows of insanely hot lava show us just how dynamic Earth really is

By Mary Beth Griggs

A river in Canada just turned to piracy because of global warming

Environment

A river in Canada just turned to piracy because of global warming A river in Canada just turned to piracy because of global warming

By Mary Beth Griggs

Environment

Here’s what it’s like to get thrown into a volcano Here’s what it’s like to get thrown into a volcano

By Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty

The early Earth wasn’t green, but it did recycle itself

Environment

The early Earth wasn’t green, but it did recycle itself The early Earth wasn’t green, but it did recycle itself

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

Is the Anthropocene really a thing? Minerals we’ve helped create rekindle the debate. Is the Anthropocene really a thing? Minerals we’ve helped create rekindle the debate.

By Mary Beth Griggs

Earth’s first continent? Probably a giant continental crust

Environment

Earth’s first continent? Probably a giant continental crust Earth’s first continent? Probably a giant continental crust

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

We might have an eighth continent. Here’s why that matters.

Environment

We might have an eighth continent. Here’s why that matters. We might have an eighth continent. Here’s why that matters.

By Sara Chodosh

El Niño swept away huge chunks of the west coast last winter

Environment

El Niño swept away huge chunks of the west coast last winter El Niño swept away huge chunks of the west coast last winter

By Mary Beth Griggs

Ancient jars hold clues about the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field

Science

Ancient jars hold clues about the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field Ancient jars hold clues about the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field

By Mary Beth Griggs

Environment

Scientists may have actually found a lost continent Scientists may have actually found a lost continent

By Mark D. Kaufman

What the heck are sinkholes, anyway?

Environment

What the heck are sinkholes, anyway? What the heck are sinkholes, anyway?

By Kate Baggaley