Planet Earth

Earth is one big spinning mystery in a constant state of change. With more than 4.5 billion years of history locked inside a ball of molten rock and iron, our planet is made up of a vast array of geological wonders, carved by the oceans, shaped by the shifting plates beneath our feet and sculpted by weather across the surface. 

—50 interesting facts about Earth

—The deadliest natural disasters in history

—25 weirdest things on Google Earth

Our team of expert science writers and editors are here to reveal our planet’s secrets — from the deepest depths of the ocean, through the coldest places on Earth to the very edge of space — keeping you up to date with the latest discoveries with planet Earth news, articles and features. 

Explore Planet Earth

Editor's Picks

Where the two oceans meet as seen from a boat.
Do the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean mix? Photos show what looks like a line between the Atlantic and Pacific with different water colors on either side, but is there some kind of barrier or do the two oceans mix?
Illustration of diamonds erupting from volcano.
Fountains of diamonds that erupt from Earth's center are revealing the lost history of supercontinents Diamonds seem to reach Earth's surface in massive volcanic eruptions when supercontinents break up, and they form when continents come together.
The Ross Ice Shelf, an expanse of ice, with a blue sky and clouds above
Where is the coldest place on Earth? There are some bone-chilling places on Earth, but what is the lowest temperature ever recorded and where was it?

Latest about Planet Earth

Fire fighters conduct search and rescue operations among collapsed buildings in Hualien, Taiwan.

Taiwan earthquake: 9 dead and dozens trapped after strongest quake in 25 years

By Ben Turner published

The earthquake, which struck on Wednesday morning, has killed nine people, injured more than 900 and left dozens trapped in underground tunnels.

Earthquakes
Three pictures showing Pulsar Helium's helium drilling rig and drill bit in Minnesota.

'It's had 1.1 billion years to accumulate': Helium reservoir in Minnesota has 'mind-bogglingly large' concentrations

By Sascha Pare published

Laboratory results for a helium reservoir discovered in northern Minnesota suggest concentrations of the sought-after gas are the highest the industry has ever seen.

Geology
Zircon crystals found in river sand and rocks in Finland.

Hidden chunk of Earth's crust that seeded birth of 'Scandinavia' discovered through ancient river crystals

By Patrick Pester published

Finland's river crystals hold clues about the formation of 'Scandinavia's' oldest bedrock 3.75 billion years ago.

Geology
Computer illustration of Europe viewed from space.

How much does Earth weigh?

By Katherine Irving published

Earth's mass took hundreds of years to estimate, and even now, experts don't agree on the exact number.

Planet Earth
A gold nugget photographed on a black background

Largest gold nugget ever found in England unearthed with faulty metal detector

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A metal detectorist has unearthed a gold nugget that is currently up for auction and expected to sell for over $37,000.

Geology
Looped video footage of the jet stream circling the Arctic

Polar vortex is 'spinning backwards' above Arctic after major reversal event

By Harry Baker published

Earlier this month, a sudden atmospheric warming event caused the Arctic's polar vortex to reverse its trajectory. The swirling ring of cold air is now spinning in the wrong direction, which has triggered a record-breaking "ozone spike" and could impact global weather patterns.

Weather
View over Santorini at sunset with the caldera in the background.

The sea 'began to boil': Freak volcanic eruption of Santorini 1,300 years ago indicates huge blasts can occur during time of quiet

By Sascha Pare published

A giant layer of pumice and ash found buried underwater in the Santorini caldera indicates an eruption in A.D. 726 was much bigger than previously thought.

Volcanos
Tropical island, partial underwater view.

When were sea levels highest?

By Meg Duff published

Sea levels were extraordinarily high during the last period of the dinosaur age. But ocean levels may have been even higher before that.

Climate Change
Background of healthy fresh cruciferous vegetables with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts kale and kohlrabi.

Are kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts really all the same plant?

By Marlowe Starling published

Have you ever heard of the plant Brassica oleracea?

Plants
Silhuoettes of people standing infront of the bright orange sky that has volcanic gas clouds in the air.

Iceland volcano: Gigantic plume of toxic gas from latest eruption is moving across Europe, satellite data shows

By Harry Baker published

A massive column of sulfur dioxide that was pumped out by the erupting volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is currently traveling across northern Europe. Scientists are concerned it could impact the ozone layer.

Volcanos
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