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Geology
Geology is the study of the composition and physical properties of rocks, minerals, gems and other related earth materials, including diamonds and crystals. Scientists gain an understanding of the Earth's history by studying its composition.
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What's the Difference Between a Cave and a Cavern?
One term might give you the impression of something grand and mysterious, while the other makes you think of claustrophobia-inducing environs that threaten human life. But what's the real difference?
Velociraptor Alert: The Feathered Dinosaur Quiz
Birds are — quite literally — living dinosaurs. Our quiz will test your knowledge of the fluffy, downy and winged dinos of the bygone Mesozoic era, from little Microraptor to the enormous Yutyrannus.
7 Hot Facts About the Pacific Ring of Fire
The Pacific's Ring of Fire is a 25,000 mile long "ring" that's home to 75 percent of all the world's volcanic activity and 90 percent of the planet's earthquakes. So what makes this area so active?
River-bottom Bones: The Strange World of Underwater Fossil Hunting
Not all fossils are found on dry land. In fact some of the most fascinating fossil finds in history have been submerged for centuries.
What Will Earth Look Like in 500 Years?
"The 26th century" doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as "the 21st century" does. But that hasn't stopped us from imagining what our hometown planet will be like in a few hundred years. Any guesses?
Why Does the 'Dirty Dancing' Lake Keep Draining?
Mountain Lake in Virginia is best known for its starring role in 'Dirty Dancing.' But today, it's nothing more than a muddy pit that's all but dried up ... and geologists think they may know why.
How the Ancient Land Blob Gondwana Became Today's Continents
Gondwana was a humongous landmass that persisted for 300 million years before it began to break up, forming all the continents in the modern Southern Hemisphere.
Plate Tectonics Puts Together the Puzzle of Earth's Shifting Crust
The Earth is unique in the solar system because its surface is made of moving plates, which may enable the very existence of life.
Green or Blue? The Best Turquoise Is More Valuable Than Diamonds
Cultures all over the world have treasured turquoise for its color and rarity for thousands of years — from Native American jewelry and Aztec and Mesoamerican art to King Tutankhamun's death mask.
The Anthropocene Epoch: Humans vs. the Earth
Many scientists believe that humans influence Earth at a rate so massive that a change to the geologic time scale is in order.
Cobalt: Essential for Batteries and Bright Blues
Cobalt is associated with the color blue, but it's so needed for rechargeable batteries that the U.S. put it on the list of minerals it can't live without.
There's a Rhino-shaped Cave in Washington State
It's perhaps one of the strangest fossils ever discovered. We'll explain how it came to be 15 million years ago, and how hikers found it in the '30s.
6 Tough Facts About Titanium
What's as strong as steel but half the weight; able to live in almost any body part and an important part of both airplanes and cake frosting? Would you believe, titanium?
Is Permafrost Really, Well, Permanent?
Permafrost across the globe is rapidly melting. What could this mean for the future of the planet?
What’s So Special About Platinum?
This white-hot metal not only makes beautiful jewelry, it's coveted for industrial, medical and military purposes too.
The Geology Behind 5 American Landmarks
The U.S. is full of exceptional geological formations. But these five set the bar high as far as landmarks go.
Toadstools Are Mother Nature's Geological Mushrooms
You can see these rocky formations in the Badlands of Nebraska, and they're as awe-inspiring as they are eerie.
Fettuccine Rock Could Signal Life on Mars
If fettuccine rock exists on Mars, it would suggest the existence of microbial life there.
The Rockin' State Fossils Quiz
To honor their prehistoric pasts, most U.S. states have designated official state fossils, ranging from trilobites to dinosaurs. Take our quiz to learn more!
What Is Cave Popcorn?
Caves are full of incredible geological formations, including stalagmites and stalactites. But you've probably never seen anything like cave popcorn before.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Paleoart
"Will draw dinosaurs for food" is what they like to think they do. But it's actually way more complicated.
Antarctic Prone To 'Ice Quakes' Every Night, Study Finds
Scientists set up two stations to capture this strange seismic activity.
Nevada's Fly Geyser Is a Manmade Wonder
The decades-old geyser was created by accident when a geothermal company tried to drill a well. Now the strange geyser is open to tourists for the first time ever.
Mexico's Giant Crystal Cave Is Beautiful But Deadly
Massive gypsum crystals were discovered beneath Mexico's Sierra de Naica Mountain in very inhospitable environs — to humans anyway.
Ancient Rock Arches Sing Songs
These ancient wonders aren't static sculptures; they vibrate and shift throughout the day, creating a variety of sounds as they stretch their aging, eroding 'bones.'
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