Earth

Chemistry

Australian wildfires pumped smoke to record heights

Wildfires in Australia in late December and early January spurred an unusual smoke plume that still hasn’t fully dispersed.

Climate

Let’s learn about coral reefs

Coral reefs are home to many important species. But climate change is stressing corals to the max.

Earth

Lightning megaflashes set big new distance and duration records

Scans of satellite images identified two lightning bolts with previously unheard-of dimensions. Both flashed through the skies over South America.

Climate

Let’s learn about hurricanes

Hurricanes are huge, terrifying storms that form over warm ocean waters — and waters are getting warming.

Agriculture

Scientists Say: Prairie

Prairies are flat, fertile grasslands in North America. They are their own unique ecosystem.

Animals

Going bright may help corals recover from bleaching

When some corals bleach, they turn neon colors. Flashy hues may be part of a response that helps these corals recover and reunite with their algae.

Health & Medicine

Deadly heat: Expected by century’s end, it’s here already

Instances of hot and humid conditions that threaten human lives are on the rise.

Agriculture

Let’s learn about rain

People need rain for their crops and their drinking fountains. But there sometimes can be too much of a good thing.

Earth

Scientists Say: Tsunami

This is a series of ocean waves triggered by an underwater earthquake or volcano. The event starts as small waves, but those waves can grow as they approach land.

Animals

When prey get scarce, these jellies become cannibals

Invasive comb jellies may feast on their larvae if massive population booms in summer deplete their prey.

Earth

Fossil fuels appear to release far more methane than we thought

Ice cores reveal less methane than expected. This suggests today’s fossil fuel industry is responsible for nearly all of the methane emissions from natural sources today.

Environment

CO₂ emissions have nosedived as COVID-19 keeps people home

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted travel that can pollute the air. By April, travel-related daily emissions of greenhouse gases was back to 2006 levels.