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.
Lava Isn't the Only Dangerous Aspect of Volcanoes
Why Is the Thwaites Glacier Called the 'Doomsday Glacier'?
The Surge in Fossil Fuels Could End Radiocarbon Dating
This Sacred Quarry Is a Cornerstone of Native American Spirituality
Was the Cullinan Diamond a Royal Gift or Stolen Gem?
Everyone's on the Hunt for the Element Lithium
Velociraptor Alert: The Feathered Dinosaur Quiz
River-bottom Bones: The Strange World of Underwater Fossil Hunting
There's a Rhino-shaped Cave in Washington State
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How, in today's world, could a cave this massive go undetected for so long?
Twitter was abuzz with reports that pretty green gems were spewing out of the Kiluaea volcano in Hawaii. But the experts took the shine off these speculations.
Will a town in southern Missouri be the epicenter of the next 'big one'?
By Mark Mancini
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The oceans on planet Earth cycle through daily tidal changes. But the ground beneath our feet experiences tides of its own, too.
By Mark Mancini
The Sahara has expanded by about 10 percent in the past century, mostly due to natural causes, but not all. We can blame the rest on man-made climate change.
Petrified wood can be found all over the world, but how is it created?
By Mark Mancini
If geology has taught us anything about Earth's history, it's that nothing is permanent. And that goes for mountain ranges, all of which are constantly rising and falling.
By Mark Mancini
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Geologists agree that the world's landmasses were once all one supercontinent. Is it likely to happen again?
By Mark Mancini
The beautiful scenery in Washington state hides a darker history. It was formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption that cooled the planet.
Where on the planet can you visit to see with your own eyes the tracks left by dinosaurs? Fossilized dino footprints might be just outside your back door, but here are good places to start.
Researchers discovered that everyone's favorite prehistoric cat had some seriously big bones — even as a youngster.
By Robert Lamb
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Antarctica's Blood Falls looks like a geological horror scene. For decades, scientists weren't sure why. Until now.
Talk about a Brexit! Scientists have clues to catastrophic flooding that destroyed a land bridge that once connected England and France.
You might be in trouble when the end of the world is near, but at least your data won't be.
Surprisingly, living in a city with a high level of natural radiation doesn't have any ill effects.
By Alia Hoyt
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The prehistoric penguin was the size of a small adult human, which says a lot about penguins' evolution.
The Cuvette Centrale peatlands hold astounding amounts of carbon scientists had never fully mapped. The new discovery emphasizes a need for protection.
Decades after the massive conflict, reminders of battles linger in pristine Pacific waters.
Recent icebergs and unexpected glacial rifts are indicating that something troubling is going on beneath the ice.
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Science has determined that disappearing completely into quicksand isn't possible — but that doesn't mean that getting stuck still won't kill you.
Sea level change, plastic pollution and invasive species aren’t just political issues — they’re likely signs of a new epoch called the Anthropocene, geologists say.
The uncut gem is 3 billion years old and may fetch $70 million.
Snorkelers found what looked to be the ancient ruins near the Greek island of Zakynthos, but not all that glitters is gold.
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Decades of fossil discoveries have revealed much about the extinct members of our hominid family tree, but we're far from having all the answers. What have we learned from some of these fascinating finds?
By Jane McGrath
You likely heard that paleontologists uncovered a cache of dinosaur embryos, bone fragments and eggshells in China. You also may recall that we've made crazy leaps forward in genetics and genomics. Can we put the two together and create a dinosaur?