Earth Science | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/earth-science/RSS feed for Earth ScienceenMon, 11 May 2026 18:52:23 +0000It Took Millions of Years for Australia's Famous Twelve Apostles Landmark to Rise Out of the Seahttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australias-famous-twelve-apostles-landmark-rose-out-of-the-sea-across-missions-of-years-180988715/The iconic tourist destination provides a beautiful view, but also represents a physical record of Earth's climate historyMon, 11 May 2026 18:52:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australias-famous-twelve-apostles-landmark-rose-out-of-the-sea-across-missions-of-years-180988715/East Africa Might Break Off From the Continent Sooner Than Scientists Thought—and a New Ocean May Fill the Gaphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/east-africa-might-break-off-from-the-continent-sooner-than-scientists-thought-and-a-new-ocean-may-fill-the-gap-180988659/A new study suggests that a rift in Kenya and Ethiopia has reached a critical stage in the split-up process, and that water may flood it in a few million yearsFri, 08 May 2026 18:48:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/east-africa-might-break-off-from-the-continent-sooner-than-scientists-thought-and-a-new-ocean-may-fill-the-gap-180988659/This Greek Volcano Seemed Quiet for 100,000 Years. Then It Erupted Again. Should Scientists Take a Second Look at 'Extinct' Volcanoes?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-greek-volcano-seemed-quiet-for-100000-years-then-it-erupted-again-scientists-take-a-second-look-at-extinct-volcanoes-180988651/By reconstructing a 700,000-year history of Methana volcano, geologists found a prehistoric phase when it appeared inactive on the surface, despite magma building up below groundFri, 01 May 2026 16:50:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-greek-volcano-seemed-quiet-for-100000-years-then-it-erupted-again-scientists-take-a-second-look-at-extinct-volcanoes-180988651/