Beth Geiger | Science News for Students

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Beth Geiger

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Earth's layers

Scientists understand much about Earth’s structural layers — the inner core, core, mantle and crust. Yet there are still great mysteries to solve about our planet’s inner workings.

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 Earth
Explainer: Earth — layer by layer
Sizzling heat, unimaginable pressure and some surprise diamonds: It’s all there, deep beneath us
an illustration of an asteroid impacting the Earth

A massive asteroid hit the Earth 66 million years ago. The explosive collision rattled the planet and changed its climate. The devastating changes it triggered abruptly wiped out the dinosaurs — and most other living species.

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 Earth
Reliving the last day of the dinosaurs
Geologic sites are telling the story of the asteroid impact that abruptly changed life on Earth
a photo of red strata in Romania

These colored bands are one of Earth’s growth charts. They show strata — layers of rock — in Romania containing dino fossils that have been deposited over time. Scientists can date these strata to understand when the fossilized animals within them had lived.

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 Earth
Explainer: Understanding geologic time
Here’s how scientists have organized time throughout Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history
a photo of a salmon jumping out of water

A salmon’s sense of smell is critical for its survival. But rising acidity in the world’s oceans could hamper the fish’s ability to detect danger, a new study finds.

John Pennell/iStockphoto

 Ecology
Is ocean acidification knocking the scents out of salmon?
In more acidic water, the smell of danger doesn’t trigger salmon’s fear factor like it should
a photo of a stream flowing through some woods taken from just above water level

Freshwater makes up just a tiny percent of the water on Earth. Yet we depend on it for everything from growing food to manufacturing to everyday uses at home. The averge American uses 340 liters (90 gallons) per day.

Valery Bocman/iStockphoto

 Weather & Climate
A wave of change is coming to our planet’s water resources
Thanks to climate change, Earth’s freshwater supplies will never be the same again
a photo of heavy rain falling on a colorful umbrella outside

Rain is just one part of the planet’s water cycle.

RomoloTavani/iStockphoto

 Weather & Climate
Explainer: Earth’s water is all connected in one vast cycle
Water is constantly on the move in an endless loop known as the water cycle