Planet Earth, features and articles | Educational Science

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: SoCal Snow and South Pole Tragedy

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Snowy SoCal: A rare dusting of snow hit several cities in Southern California this past weekend, including Burbank, Glendale and Studio City. [Related: World's Snow Cover Seen from Space...

Jan 31, 2011

End of the Earth: Patagonia's Wildlife Explored

A team of scientists has just returned from an expedition to a remote, icy fjord on an archipelago at the southernmost tip of South America the Tierra del Fuego, which means Land of Fire in Spanish. In spite of its name, the region is home to a wide array of...

Dec 31, 2010

Large Earthquake Strikes Chile Coast

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck just offshore near Temuco, Chile today (Sunday) at 3:20 pm ET. There were no initial reports of serious damage or deaths. No significant tsunamis are expected. A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Bumblebee Decline and Alaska's Petroleum Battle

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Bumblebee Decline: Four bumblebee species may be as good as gone, according to a new study. Australian Floods: Video footage shows the devastation of the flooding in Australia, which...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: China's Freezing Weather and California's Salmon Runs

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Cold, Cold January: The United States could see its coldest January since the 1980s, according to AccuWeather.com China is Freezing: Bitter cold temperatures, ice and sleet in southern China...

Dec 31, 2010

Not-so-Dangerous: Encounter with Nat Geo Host

Brady Barr, the host of Dangerous Encounters on the Nat Geo Wild channel, is easy to pick out at a hotel restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Fresh from an appearance on Good Morning America, the compact herpetologist (that's a reptile researcher), clad in blue jeans and a gray sweater, is a...

Dec 31, 2010

Evidence of Lahar at the Anyuyskiy Volcano

In far eastern Russia, north of the Kamchatka Peninsula, lies Anyuyskiy Volcano. Now dormant, the volcano was once active enough to send a massive laharan avalanche of volcanic ash and rock mixed with water50 kilometers (30 miles) down the west side of the volcano summit. The dried, hardened remains of...

Dec 31, 2010

Radar Dish Lets Scientists Get Inside Snowstorms

While most of us will be hiding indoors during the upcoming snowstorms, a truck-mounted radar dish will be standing out in the cold getting a good look at the inside of the storm. This month and next, scientists inside what are called Doppler-on-Wheels (DOWs) will be tracking snowstorms in and...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Brazil Mudslides and a Cross-Eyed Opossum

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Brazil mudslides: More than 300 people are dead after pouring rain triggered mudslides north of Rio de Janeiro. Illegal fishing: Italy is among six nations that illegally fished in...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Mount McKinley Solo Climber and Sydney's New Baby Gorilla

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Polar Swim: One polar bear recently showed off its endurance by swimming continuously for nine days. The bear covered 426 miles (687 kilometers) according to a new study. Chinese...

Dec 31, 2010

Roger That: Endangered Whales Heard Loud and Clear Near Greenland

North Atlantic right whales were heard loud and clear near an old Greenland hunting ground they long ago disappeared from, a new study reports. About 2,000 right whale calls were recorded near Cape Farewell Ground, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of southern Greenland. During the 19th century, these waters...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Record Snowfall and Lion Meat Tacos

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Record Snow: Another winter storm slammed the northeastern United States overnight. The latest snowfall makes this January the snowiest in history for New York City. Deadly Time for Sea...

Dec 31, 2010

Mysterious Night-Shining Clouds Getting Brighter

Clouds bright enough to see at night are not as hard to find as they once were. These so-called night-shining clouds are still rare rare enough that Matthew DeLand, who has been studying them for 11 years, has seen them only once. But his odds are increasing. [Related: In Images:...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Whopper Winter Storm and Cyclone Yasi

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Whopper Winter Storm: A massive winter storm is on the way and is expected to stretch from the Colorado Rockies to New England. The storm could impact 100 million...

Dec 31, 2010

Our Daily Planet: Massive Winter Storm and Surviving a 1,000-Foot Fall

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Winter Storm: A massive winter storm is pounding the Midwest on its way to New England. Areas near Chicago could see up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow....