Planet Earth news, feature and articles
Explore Planet Earth
Editor's Picks
Latest about Planet Earth

Italy's Campi Flegrei volcano may unleash devastating eruptions more often than we thought, ancient outburst suggests
By Stephanie Pappas published
A new look at an ancient eruption at Campi Flegrei raises new questions about the propensity of the still-active volcano, located near Naples, to produce major eruptions in the future.

Giant flying squirrels as big as cats once lived in Tennessee
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers have identified a giant flying squirrel fossil from a cache of unusual animal remains dug out of an ancient sinkhole in Tennessee 25 years ago. The fossil sheds light on how flying squirrels reached North America.

US national parks quiz: How many of the 63 can you name?
By Sascha Pare published
The U.S. is home to 63 national parks, which are areas of land protected by the federal government. How many of these parks can you name in our quiz?

Walvis Bay saltworks: The monster refinery in Namibia with colorful ponds that cover the land like patchwork
By Sascha Pare published
Walvis Bay in Namibia is home to the largest solar sea-salt production plant in sub-Saharan Africa. The plant is famous for its brightly colored evaporation ponds.

Next ice age would hit Earth in 11,000 years if it weren't for climate change, scientists say
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have determined exactly how Earth's orbit and tilt affect glaciation and deglaciation, based on the length of these parameters' cycles and clues hidden at the bottom of the ocean.

This ‘glow in the dark’ battery runs on nuclear waste
By Tom Howarth published
Researchers have created a battery that transforms nuclear waste into a power source for microelectronics.

Scholars are building an archive of federal climate data. Here's how to find it.
By Eric Nost, Alejandro Paz published
Several groups are working to preserve webpages, tools and data — some of which have already gone missing from government webpages since the start of the Trump administration.

Volcanoes: Facts about geology's fieriest features
By Stephanie Pappas last updated
Discover interesting facts about volcanoes, including why and where they form and history's deadliest eruption.

Rare 'sunglint' transforms the Mediterranean Sea into a swirling, silver mirror
By Harry Baker published
Earth from space This 2022 astronaut photo reveals a menagerie of hidden oceanographic features surrounding a pair of Greek islands, including giant spinning currents and rarely seen "internal waves."
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.