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Where did the idea of a 2012 apocalypse come from?
You've probably heard people whispering about the end of the world coming up in 2012. But how do they know for certain? Where did the rumor start?
NATURAL DISASTERS
Unpredictable forces of nature like tornadoes and hurricanes can have a devastating impact on humans and our environment. Learn how natural disasters work and how science aims to better predict them.
Stuff You Should Know
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5 Incredible Last-ditch Efforts to Avert DisasterThe path to disaster or salvation can be decided by the flick of a wrist -- it often all comes down to the wisdom of those final, Hail Mary schemes. What are five of the most incredible? See more »
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5 Most Bizarre Year 2012 Predictions
As the clock ticks closer to Dec. 21, 2012, discussion regarding what exactly will happen to the world and human civilization continues to heat up. What are some of the wackier conspiracy theories about the year 2012? See more »
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Apocalypse Now? A 2012 Survival Guide
With everything from geomagnetic reversals to serious solar flares forecast for 2012, a person has to have a plan for scraping by at the end of the world. We're happy to help. See more »
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Can you really fight fire with fire?
At some point in your life, a coach may have enthusiastically told you to "fight fire with fire." Coach, of course, was speaking metaphorically. Do firefighters actually employ this strategy? See more »
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Did global warming cause Hurricane Sandy?
The thought probably crossed your mind. It crossed ours, too. So here's what we found when we investigated the connection between the Frankenstorm and the global issue. See more »
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Did Nostradamus make any predictions about 2012?
Every time disaster strikes, one man's name arises alongside the obsessive news coverage: Nostradamus. According to some folks, the famed French seer has predicted many of the planet's gloomy twists and turns. What did he have to say about 2012? See more »
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Does severe weather hype make people under-react?
"It sure looks like a catastrophic storm, Bob." Or so it seems that every TV weather reporter says while standing in front of some dramatically swelling waves. But can the drama backfire? Does the hype machine cause people to overlook severe weather? See more »
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Does the Bible say the world will end in 2012?
Numerous predictions of a 2012 apocalypse cite the Bible as their source material. But does the good book actually contain this information? See more »
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Everyday Science: Flood Quiz
Floods hold a prominent spot in the creation myths of many cultures, and today they kill more people every year than any other weather phenomenon. How much do you know about floods? See more »
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Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz
Earthquakes, like volcanoes, happen all the time -- but most of them are so minor we can't even feel them. They're also similar to volcanoes in that we can't fully predict them, and scientists are always waiting for the next big one to occur. See more »
