Planet Earth news, feature and articles
Explore Planet Earth
Editor's Picks
Latest about Planet Earth
![A close up of the golden river of waste](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B3k78shxt7ErDFMwcFwTCU-320-80.jpg)
Golden river of toxic waste spills out from deadly mining disaster in South Africa
By Harry Baker published
Earth from space A 2022 satellite photo shows a shimmering trail of dried, chemically-enriched mud left behind by a torrent of wastewater that flooded a South African mining town, killing three people.
![A photograph of the town of Fira above a cliff on Santorini island, taken on February 3, 2025, during the earthquake swarm.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rsWcmwSCEMT7yWfhsaayAQ-320-80.jpg)
'We've just seen earthquake after earthquake after earthquake': Santorini earthquake swarm intensifies but likely won't trigger volcano
By Patrick Pester published
Santorini's earthquakes are intensifying as a rare earthquake swarm continues to rattle the Mediterranean's Aegean Sea. The earthquakes are probably caused by faults rather than volcanic activity.
![Groundhog handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early Spring during the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Friday February 2, 2024 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qTzhdbyYidbTWDXbdtzFdh-320-80.jpg)
How accurate are Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day forecasts?
By Live Science Staff last updated
The rodent has been predicting the start of spring since 1887. But how good is Phil at his prognostications?
![An image of Half Dome in Yosemite](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JCZjvQUVcQ2BMQknk47mRh-320-80.jpg)
Earth's crust is peeling away under California
By Stephanie Pappas published
A section of the upper mantle and crust under the Sierra Nevada mountains is peeling away, in a process that may mimic how the continents were formed.
![A view of Santorini](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b4HMTgUv5ByPEcj3C9pEhP-320-80.jpg)
Santorini is having a swarm of tiny earthquakes. Is the Greek isle about to erupt?
By Stephanie Pappas published
An uptick in seismic activity on the volcanic island of Santorini has raised concerns about a potential eruption.
![Illuminated fungal network against a dark background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oDS9Jy7wfMVwzLKbGgxEA-320-80.jpg)
'Gossiping neighbors': Plants didn't evolve to be kind to each other, study finds
By Jess Thomson published
Rather than helping each other out when they're attacked, plants may have to eavesdrop on each other to know when to launch their own defenses.
![Satellite image of Upheaval Dome in Utah. We see a structure with concentric circles of rock surrounded by barren relief.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/psdoCXRetPsawL3siDPp69-320-80.jpg)
Upheaval Dome: Utah's 'belly button' that has divided scientists since its discovery
By Sascha Pare published
Upheaval Dome is a giant rock formation in southeastern Utah with two potential origin stories, although most scientists think it was created by an ancient meteor strike.
![An illustration of the Earth with blue and red lines swirling through the Atlantic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6WqzRyPJw2VCQhVXwRSuzK-320-80.jpg)
Are Atlantic Ocean currents weakening? A new study finds no, but other experts aren't so sure.
By Sascha Pare published
A new study suggests the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation has not weakened since the 1960s — but there's no doubt the circulation will slow in the future, experts say.
![A photo of the ocean](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3gadS7BtHwXa8xzoMDnpcY-320-80.jpg)
Ocean warming 4 times faster than in 1980s — and likely to accelerate in coming decades
By Patrick Pester published
Ocean warming has more than quadrupled in recent decades and is likely to accelerate even faster if humanity fails to address climate change, scientists find.
![A geyser in Norris Geyser Basin, close to where the Yellowstone National Park earthquake struck.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jshkSQcNG6Mzo7VxTnkqn3-320-80.jpg)
Yellowstone National Park earthquake shakes hottest and oldest geothermal area
By Patrick Pester published
A minor earthquake has hit Yellowstone National Park, and some people in the region experienced a tremor. The magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck near Norris Geyser Basin, which has a history of quakes.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.