May 20, 2024

Earth from space: Lava bleeds down iguana-infested volcano as it spits out toxic gas

Quick factsWhere is it? Fernandina Island, Galpagos Islands [-0.3738657, -91.5395414]. What's in the photo? The erupting La Cumbre volcano. Which satellite took the photo? Landsat 8. When was it taken? March 7, 2024. This striking image captures the initial lava flow from the ongoing eruption at La Cumbre volcano. The active fissure is located on Fernandina Island the third largest...

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May 20, 2024

Eerie, orange skies loom over Athens as dust storm engulfs southern Greece

Clouds of dust have engulfed Athens and other Greek cities, turning the sky an apocalyptic orange. The dust originated from the Sahara desert and blew across the Mediterranean Sea on strong northwesterly winds, reaching Greece Tuesday (April 23). Skies over the Acropolis and other Greek landmarks turned a dramatic, fiery hue, prompting Greek authorities to issue a health warning over...

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May 20, 2024

Hidden 'biosphere' of extreme microbes discovered 13 feet below Atacama Desert is deepest found there to date

A rich microbial biosphere lies buried 13 feet (4 meters) beneath the scorched surface of Chile's Atacama Desert, new research has found. The hidden world of bacteria is one of the deepest found in Atacama soils and could inform the search for life on Mars. Microbial life has previously been recorded down to depths of 2.6 feet (80 centimeters) in...

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May 20, 2024

Yellowstone Lake's weird resistance to climate change could be about to crack

In an unexpected discovery, scientists find climate change is yet to alter the ice cover on Yellowstone Lake. However, a tipping point may be coming for North America's largest high-altitude lake, researchers suggest in a new study. Located roughly 7,733 feet (2,357 meters) above sea level in the heart of Yellowstone National Park and spanning 132 square miles (342 square...

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May 20, 2024

Earth's magnetic field formed before the planet's core, study suggests

Earth's magnetic field may have been similarly as strong 3.7 billion years ago as it is today, pushing the earliest date for this planetary protective bubble back 200 million years. The timing puts the magnetic field in play around the same time life was first emerging on Earth. The oldest fossils on the planet bacterial mats called stromatolites date back...

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May 20, 2024

Massive heat wave and a supercell thunderstorm caused deadly, baseball-sized hailstones to rain down on Spain

A heat wave fueled by climate change helped create deadly, record-breaking hail in Spain, a new study finds. The baseball-sized hail hit northeastern Spain in August 2022, injuring 67 people and killing a 20 month old girl. Videos of the storm show balls of ice up to 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) wide dropping from the sky, smashing car windows and...

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May 20, 2024

Scientists discover 1st-of-its-kind cell part born from a swallowed microbe

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists uncovered the first known structure in complex cells that's capable of drawing nitrogen from the atmosphere and converting it into a form that the cell can use. They've dubbed the newfound cell part the nitroplast. And according to two recent studies, the researchers think it likely evolved 100 million years ago. The nitroplast probably developed...

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May 20, 2024

'We were in disbelief': Antarctica is behaving in a way we've never seen before. Can it recover?

Look out over Antarctica in the summer, and time seems frozen. The South Pole's midnight sun appears to hover in place, never dropping below the horizon for weeks between November and January. But the Antarctics timelessness is an illusion. Only a decade ago, on summer nights across the coast, the sun would glide ever so slightly over the ocean, dusting...

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May 20, 2024

'Unprecedented,' 'Gobsmacked', 'Unbelievable': Changes in Antarctica's sea ice could have dramatic impacts, says climate scientist Edward Doddridge

On Aug. 16, 1897, the Research Vessel Belgica set sail from Antwerp, Belgium. The ship's destination via Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and then Punta Arenas, Chile was Antarctica, a continent that until that time remained completely unexplored by westerners. The new land was not kind to its visitors. Shortly after its arrival, the Belgica became stuck in the thick halo...

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May 20, 2024

Hundreds of emperor penguin chicks spotted plunging off a 50-foot cliff in 1st-of-its-kind footage

Emperor penguin chicks have been recorded hurling themselves from a 50-foot (15 meters) cliff in Antarctica for the first time. The unprecedented footage, captured at Atka Bay in Northern Antarctica, shows roughly 700 fledglings braving a sheer drop to embark on their first swim in the ocean below. I had no idea that the chicks would be able to make...

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May 20, 2024

Earth from space: Trio of multicolor lakes look otherworldly in Africa's Great Rift Valley

Quick factsWhere is it? Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia [7.518881, 38.650099]. What's in the photo? From left to right: Lake Shala, Lake Abijatta and Lake Langano. Which satellite took the photo? Landsat 8. When was it taken? March 29, 2022. The trio of lakes in this striking image each have a different color thanks to a combination of factors including depth,...

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May 20, 2024

Scientists may have pinpointed the true origin of the Hope Diamond and other pristine gemstones

Researchers may have found the true origin of the Hope Diamond, the Koh-i-noor and other famous, flawless gemstones. These diamonds, known collectively as the Golconda diamonds, are special because they have few inclusions and are very low in nitrogen, making them very clear and free of sparkle-disrupting flaws. They are also large. The Koh-i-noor, now one of the British Crown...

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May 20, 2024

'Uncharted territory': El Niño to flip to La Niña in what could be the hottest year on record

El Nio is likely to give way soon, ushering in a quick switch to its opposite atmospheric and ocean pattern, La Nia. For the U.S., this climatological flip-flop will likely mean a greater risk of major hurricanes in the Atlantic as well as areas of drier-than-usual weather in the southern portions of the country. Globally, La Nia usually leads to...

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May 20, 2024

What's the largest waterfall in the world?

Even our tallest buildings can't rival the staggering size of the world's most iconic waterfalls, which include Niagara Falls on the U.S. border to Canada, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia and Angel Falls in Venezuela. But which of these is the world's largest waterfall? Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall on land, measuring 3,212 feet (979 meters) high and...

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May 20, 2024

Half of China's cities are sinking, putting most of the country's urban population at risk

Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking due to groundwater extraction and the sheer weight of urban buildings and infrastructure, a new study finds. The affected cities, which include Beijing and Tianjin, are concentrated in the eastern part of the country and along the coast. Combined with sea level rise, falling cities could expose around 10% of China's coastal...

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May 20, 2024

AI-powered 'digital twin' of Earth could make weather predictions at super speeds

Scientists have created a digital twin of our planet that can be used to predict weather far faster than traditional services. The technology could help prevent some of the catastrophic impacts of disasters such as typhoons and flooding. The intensive data-crunching system could also give us a more detailed view of the future effects of climate change and reveal clues...

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May 20, 2024

Part of the San Andreas fault may be gearing up for an earthquake

A section of the San Andreas fault where earthquakes occur regularly may give off a distinct signal before it trembles to life, new research finds. The signal hints at the opening and closing of cracks beneath the subsurface. This section of faultline, known as Parkfield in Central California, shakes regularly about every 22 years. It last ruptured in 2004, so...

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May 20, 2024

Antarctica is covered in volcanoes, could they erupt?

Antarctica is perhaps best known for its endless expanse of ice and snow. But what many people don't realize is that hiding beneath its frosty facade are dozens of volcanoes. In fact, under the continent's massive western ice sheet sits what is considered the largest volcanic region on Earth, with as many as 138 volcanoes. Of those volcanoes, 91 were...

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May 20, 2024

Best rock tumblers 2024: Beginners, hobbyists, and professionals

Best rock tumblers: Quick list (Image credit: National Geographic, DanDarci, Future)1. Best overall 2. Best for professionals 3. Best for small stones 4. Best double barrel 5. Best for beginners The best rock tumblers make your rocks look impeccable, bringing out their natural beauty. But how do you know which one is right for you?Rock collecting is a hobby that...

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May 20, 2024

Polar vortex is 'spinning backwards' above Arctic after major reversal event

The polar vortex circling the Arctic is swirling in the wrong direction after surprise warming in the upper atmosphere triggered a major reversal event earlier this month. It is one of the most extreme atmospheric U-turns seen in recent memory. In the past, disruptions to the polar vortex a rotating mass of cold air that circles the Arctic have triggered...

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