Plate Tectonics
Latest about plate tectonics
US Navy's Secrecy Likely Stalled Ocean Science Progress for Decades
By Mindy Weisberger published
When the U.S. Navy classified vital seafloor data during World War II and after, it delayed the development of a key theory.
Why Is NASA Looking for 'Marsquakes'?
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
Are marsquakes the same as earthquakes?
Scientists Find Weird Reason Diving Plates Get Stuck 400 Miles Beneath Earth's Surface
By Stephanie Pappas published
A slippery layer beneath Earth stops chunks of crust in their tracks, creating "stagnant slabs" in the middle of the mantle.
Tons of Major Quakes Have Rattled the World Recently. Does That Mean Anything?
By Kimberly Hickok published
Yes, California will have a big earthquake, but the chances of "the big one" happening now didn't suddenly increase.
Something Is Sucking Iron Out of Earth's Crust, and Scientists Think They Know What
By Brandon Specktor published
Earth would look a lot more like Mars if a mysterious mineral wasn't sucking iron out of the planet's crust. Scientists think they now know the culprit — and it's a gemstone.
Africa Is Splitting in Two, and Here's the Proof
By Laura Geggel published
A gaping gash just opened up in Africa's Rift Valley. Here's why.
Unusual 'Blob' of Hot Rock Found Beneath New England
By Andrea Thompson published
What caused the blob — and if there are others like it — remain mysteries.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.