Planet Earth, features and articles | Educational Science

Feb 28, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Philippines Earthquake and Glory's Failed Launch

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Philippines Earthquake: A 5.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the Philippines today, collapsing the walls of houses near Surigao City. Glory Launch Failed: NASA's earth-observing satellite, Glory, launched this morning, but...

Feb 28, 2011

Arctic's Spring Phytoplankton Blooms Arrive Earlier

When summer comes to the Arctic, the tiny plants that feed the ocean's food chain form green blooms in the water. In some Arctic waters, the peak of this bloom has been arriving earlier every year since 1997, a study has found. These areas, where peak bloom time is creeping...

Feb 28, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Philly Flower Show and Kilauea Tourism

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Flower Show: Stop and smell the exotic flowers this week at the 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show, which runs through Sunday. Breeding Expert Dies: JoGayle Howard, a National Zoo...

Feb 28, 2011

Our Daily Planet: China's Deadly Earthquake and Great Barrier Reef Recovery

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. China Earthquake: An magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck China, near the border with Myanmar, killing at least 22 people. Japan Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of...

Feb 28, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Huge Earthquake in Japan and Hawaiian Tsunami

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Japan Earthquake: A magnitude 8.9 earthquake rocked Japan today killing possibly 50 people and sending waves as high as 33 feet (10 meters) crashing onto parts of Japan. The...

Feb 28, 2011

Sumatra, Japan, Chile: Are Earthquakes Getting Worse?

The 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rumbled through Japan today (March 11), triggering a devastating tsunami, was the strongest felt in that country since seismic monitoring was invented. It's also comparable in scale to a few other recent temblors, including last year's 8.8-magnitude quake in Chile and 2004's 9.1-magnitude undersea rupture off...

Feb 28, 2011

Chernobyl-Scale Disaster Very Unlikely In Japan, Experts Say

Amid conflicting reports coming out of Japan on the current status of nuclear reactors there, U.S. nuclear scientists say that while an accident of Chernobyl proportions is not at all likely, there are risks involved. The Chernobyl accident spread radioactive material over a large area, but this was due to...

Feb 28, 2011

Aftereffects: How Japan Can Improve Its Earthquake, Tsunami Defenses

Japan's buildings may have mostly survived the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck last Friday, but thousands of people died because of the deadly tsunami that followed and swept away entire coastal towns. Now the Japanese have the chance to rebuild even stronger defenses to safeguard the lives of its...

Feb 28, 2011

Why Spring Starts Today

Today is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Though no guarantee of gorgeous weather that's not too hot and not too cold, the Earth's position relative to the sun says it's officially time for the birds to start chirping. The first day of spring arrives on varying...

Feb 28, 2011

Hands-Free Hospital Faucets Less Hygienic Than Traditional Taps

Electronic faucets in hospitals are intended to thwart the spread of bacteria by allowing doctors and patients to turn taps on and off without touching them. But the high-tech faucets are more likely to be contaminated with high levels of certain bacteria than traditional faucets, a new study finds. The...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Chicago Snow and Groundhog Day

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Chicago Snow: The massive winter storm that is roaring across the country has brought heavy snowfall to many cities. Chicago has 19.5 inches (49.5 centimeters) so far (as measured...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Super Bowl Storm and a Yasi Baby Born

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Yasi Baby: Some good news from Australia: A mother gave birth inside a packed evacuation center. Akiko Pruss gave birth to a healthy baby girl, and no, she didn't...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Deforestation Tracking and Kizimen Erupts

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Snow Plains: Oklahoma and north Texas are becoming well acquainted with snow this year. Yet another winter storm is headed their way. [Related: Texas and Oklahoma Snow Lingers .]...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Arroyo Toads and Bald Eagles

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Arroyo Toad: In Southern California, the home of the endangered Arroyo toad is getting some protection from the Federal Wildlife Service. Cool, Dry January: Last month was colder and...

Jan 31, 2011

In Photos: Huge Icebergs Break Off Antarctica

Antarctica, Iceberg Maker (Image credit: NASA/Jane Peterson)Icebergs come in myriad shapes, large and small. This photo was taken out the window of a NASA DC-8 research aircraft from 2,000 feet above the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica on Oct. 21, 2009. Antarctica, Iceberg Maker (Image credit: NASA)The iceberg B-09B is...