Earth's Mantle
See the Breathtaking Ocean Life Found at Deep-Sea Vents
An international team of scientists discovered new hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge releasing mineral-rich water hot enough to melt lead
The Spin of Earth's Inner Core May Be Changing, Scientists Say
A new study finds our planet's iron center shifts between spinning slightly faster and slightly slower than the surface—but not all experts agree
How the Earth's Mantle Sends Water Up Toward the Surface
A new model suggests "mantle rain" ensures we will always have a surface ocean
Spain's La Palma Volcano Continues to Erupt and Spew Ash
The volcano has covered over 2,000 acres of land with lava
Venus May Still Be Geologically Active
Radar images of the planet’s surface suggest large sections of its crust appear to have moved in the geologically recent past
Mars InSight Lander Offers a Sneak Peek at the Red Planet's Inner Layers
The robotic explorer was sent to Mars to study its formation—and the data is now making its way back to Earth
Did a 1964 Earthquake Bring a Dangerous Fungus to the Pacific Northwest?
A new study posits that tsunamis triggered by the Great Alaska Earthquake washed Cryptococcus gattii onto the shore
The City of Chicago Is Sinking. Here's Why
Ice sheets that receded 10,000 years ago are responsible for the Windy City dropping at least four inches over the last century
Gravity Map Reveals Tectonic Secrets Beneath Antartica's Ice
Satellite data shows East and West Antarctica have very different geologic histories
"Explosive" Eruptions Possible at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano
Steam-powered bursts could fling multi-ton boulders half a mile away, but the USGS says wide-scale destruction is not likely
Yellowstone's Biggest Geyser, Steamboat, Has Trio of Eruptions
It's the first triple eruption in 15 years—but don't worry, it's not a sign the Yellowstone volcano is ready to blow
Earth's Mysterious Hum Recorded in the Deep Sea for the First Time
The discovery could help unlock the planet's deepest secrets
Journey to the Center of Earth
Seeing Is Believing: How Marie Tharp Changed Geology Forever
Marie Tharp's maps helped prove continental drift was real. But her work was initially dismissed as "girl talk"
Journey to the Center of Earth
Slow Earthquakes Are a Thing
Slow earthquakes regularly move more earth than deadly fast quakes, but no one feels a thing
Journey to the Center of Earth
New Moon-Formation Theory Also Raises Questions About Early Earth
A new model of the impact that created the moon might upend theories about earth, too
Journey to the Center of Earth
Go Deep: 5 Places on Earth to See Seriously Old Rocks
See geology "in action"—or at least as action-packed as rocks can be—at these five spots
Journey to the Center of Earth
Tides Trigger Tiny Earthquakes Along the San Andreas Fault
The spring tides trigger small tremors deep in the fault, revealing the fault's structure
Journey to the Center of Earth
Diamonds Illuminate the Origins of Earth's Deepest Oceans
Crystals could be the key to where our water came from, and what that means for finding life on other planets
Journey to the Center of Earth
What Caused the 2011 D.C. Earthquake?
A thinning mantle led to the 5.8 magnitude shake in the Southeast, and more may be in store
A Decades-Long Quest to Drill Into Earth's Mantle May Soon Hit Pay Dirt
Geologists have had to contend with bad luck, budget cuts and the race to the moon in their efforts to drill deep into our planet
