For billions of years, Earth's continents have remained remarkably stable, forming the foundation for mountains, ecosystems ...

Continental clues: Modern continental rocks carry chemical signatures from the very start of our planet’s history, challenging current theories about plate tectonics. Researchers have made a new ...

The Earth's crust is doing something pretty intense—it’s slowly breaking apart! Scientists say tectonic plates, those massive puzzle pieces that make up our planet’s surface, are shifting and cracking ...

At a busy street crossing, people wait for the signal to change. When one person steps out first, others soon follow. Scientists in Amsterdam have found that this same kind of behavior happens at a ...

A subduction zone near Cascadia is unraveling piece by piece. The process offers a rare glimpse into how tectonic plates die and form new geological boundaries. With unprecedented clarity, researchers ...

As early as 2024, scientists from the US and China discovered that the Earth’s core had slowed down and even stopped moving in relation to the Earth’s crust. But until now, the general public—that’s ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here’s what you’ll learn in this story: What are now thought to be the oldest rocks on Earth have been ...

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

An artistic reconstruction of Earth during the Hadean eon (~4.5 billion years ago). Intense volcanic activity, heat from accretion, and frequent impacts kept the young Earth in a molten state. This ...

Concentrated hydrogen in the galaxy’s spiral arms can be locked away in zircon crystals, providing startling clues about the ...

A first thought when describing a rock formation likely isn't a mille-feuille, but there are actually certain types composed of many thin layers that bring the flaky pastry to mind. Not only that—but ...

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Here’s what you’ll learn in this story: What are now thought to be the oldest rocks ...