Earth's Systems
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ClimateSupercell: It’s the king of thunderstorms
Not every thunderstorm has the potential to give birth to a tornado. It usually takes this special type.
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EarthExplainer: Why sea levels aren’t rising at the same rate globally
The ocean is rising all over the world. The rise seems speedier in some places. What gives? Many factors, it turns out, affect where — and why — the tide gets high.
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ClimateExplainer: Earth’s water is all connected in one vast cycle
Water on Earth is connected in an endless loop called the water cycle.
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EarthExplainer: How is water cleaned up for drinking
Unless you’re drinking well water, city folks typically get drinking water that has been treated in a water-treatment plant. Here’s what that means.
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ClimateExplainer: The furious eye(wall) of a hurricane or typhoon
The eyewall is the most intense part of a hurricane. Here’s what drives its fury.
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EarthExplainer: Where fossil fuels come from
Despite one oil company famously using an Apatosaurus as its logo, oil, gas and coal don’t come from dinosaurs. They do, however, come from a long time ago.
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ChemistryExplainer: CO2 and other greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide is just one of several chemicals that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are other big contributors.
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PlanetsAsteroids may have delivered water to early Earth
Scientists shot mineral pellets at a simulated planet. It showed an impact wouldn’t have boiled off all of an asteroid’s water.
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EarthHow long will Kilauea’s new eruption last?
A government volcano expert answers burning questions about the ongoing Kilauea eruption.
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ClimateAnalyze This: Climate change could make food less healthy
Levels of important nutrients are lower in crops exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. How high? Try levels expected to be typical 30 years from now.
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PhysicsExplainer: What is thundersnow?
Wacky weather produced lots of thundersnow during New England’s recent winter storms. Some scientists now suspect Mother Nature got some human help.
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PhysicsExplainer: Winds and where they come from
Temperature and pressure are critical factors affecting why the wind blows where it does. Understanding the nature of wind can teach us a lot about weather.