Historic Events
Wars, important political and economic occasions, catastrophes and social movements of the past
Watch the Powerful Shockwave from this Explosion at Mexico’s Popocatépetl Volcano
A violent explosion at Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano produced a shock wave that shook the clouds
June 18, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
When the Union Ran Out of Ironclads, They Built Timberclads
A curious photograph caught one library specialist at the Library of Congress by surprise: a wooden ironclad
June 13, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Colorado Wildfire Forces Evacuations, Threatens World’s Highest Suspension Bridge
A series of three wildfires are currently tearing through Colorado
June 12, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Oklahoma Has Way Too Many Storm Chasers, And Most of Them Aren’t Doing Much Good
During a huge tornado hundreds of storm chasers will clog the roads trying to catch a view
June 05, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Killer El Reno Tornado Was the Widest Tornado Ever
The El Reno tornado that hit the Oklahoma City suburb last Friday was the widest tornado ever seen
June 04, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Zahi Hawass
The long-reigning king of Egyptian antiquities has been forced into exile—but he’s plotting a return
June 2013 |
By Joshua Hammer
Never Heard of Doggerland? Blame Climate Change From Millennia Ago
Rising waters have forced populations to relocate since the dawn of early man
June 2013 |
By Brian Fagan
Is a Lack of Water to Blame for the Conflict in Syria?
A 2006 drought pushed Syrian farmers to migrate to urban centers, setting the stage for massive uprisings
June 2013 |
By Joshua Hammer
New Zealand Is in the Midst of a Five-Month-Long Earthquake
It's a magnitude 7 earthquake, and it's been rocking New Zealand's capital since January
May 29, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Batten Down the Hatches: Another Bad Hurricane Season Is on Its Way
Forecasters are predicting a hurricane season even more active than last year's
May 24, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Here’s How the Enhanced Fujita Scale Works, and This Is What It Looks Like
The Moore, Oklahoma tornado was upgraded to an EF-5 storm.
May 23, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Unclear Fate of Nuclear Power
Two years after the accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi, can the nuclear renaissance regain its momentum?
May 23, 2013 |
By Josie Garthwaite
Navy Dolphins Turn Up a Rare 19th-Century Torpedo
Called a Howell torpedo, the old military relic was a marvel in its day, and only 50 were ever made
May 21, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
When an Army of Artists Fooled Hitler
A new documentary shares the story of the 23rd unit’s daring deceptions
May 21, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
How to Understand the Scale of the Oklahoma Tornado
In terms of size, speed and staying power the Oklahoma tornado was a force of nature
May 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Specially-Trained Honeybees Forage for Land Mines
With special training, these honeybees can sniff out TNT
May 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Scientists Are Finding Clues to the Next Mega-Earthquake in One That Hit the West Coast in 1700
Researchers now know details of how the infamous earthquake of 1700 struck the West Coast
May 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Watch Out: This Year’s Fire Season Will Be Another Bad One for the West
A warm, dry winter has set the stage for another bad year of forest fires in the western U.S.
May 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Police Could Soon Get Their Hands on the U.S. Military’s ‘Pain Ray’
This high frequency microwave weapon makes you feel like your skin is burning, but leaves no scars
May 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Buried Pig Bodies Help Scientists Refine Search Methods for Mass Graves
Currently, the science of detecting mass graves is hit or miss, though the remains of thousands of missing persons may be stashed in clandestine graves
May 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
