Painstaking measurements of isotopes and their relative abundance in rocks have illuminated the hidden inner Earth and our planet’s origins and shadowy past for much of the preceding century.
Features
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The Dangers of Glacial Lake Floods: Pioneering and Capitulation
During the past 70 years, Peruvian engineers virtually eliminated the risks posed by glacial lake floods. But climate change and a political blind eye are increasing the dangers once again.
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The Unsolved Mystery of the Earth Blobs
Researchers peering into Earth’s interior found two continent-sized structures that upend our picture of the mantle. What could their existence mean for us back on Earth’s surface?
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Climate Modeling Pioneer Leads as Role Model Too
For 60 years atmospheric scientist Warren M. Washington has conducted groundbreaking climate modeling—and launched brilliant careers.
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Earth’s Devastating Power, Seen by Satellite
Hurricanes, volcanoes, droughts, floods, fires, tsunamis: Satellites capture some of Earth’s most destructive forces.
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Reflections on the Legacy of Grove Karl Gilbert, 1843–1918
In the company of other explorers as passionate as he was about geomorphology, Gilbert derived one fundamental geological insight after another from the landscapes of the American West.
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Lava Clues Chronicled Kīlauea’s Unusual 2018 Eruption
Samples from Kīlauea volcano’s extraordinary eruption that began last May could offer important insights into the behavior of volcanoes and the underlying mantle.
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Interpreting Mosaics of Ocean Biogeochemistry
Advances in technology and modeling capabilities are driving a surge in progress in our understanding of how ocean ecosystems mix and mingle on medium to small scales.
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What Specific Costs and Risks Do We Face from Climate Change?
A new U.S. government report finds that climate change is already increasing risks to health, the economy, and ecosystems across the United States. These risks are expected to grow in the coming decades.
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Why Is the Gulf of Maine Warming Faster Than 99% of the Ocean?
The Gulf of Maine’s location at the meeting point of two major currents, as well as its shallow depth and shape, makes it especially susceptible to warming.