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Earth
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From the skies above to the ocean depths and all the land in between, we publish the latest in meteorological research on the most pressing issues surrounding climate change. The Earth is a wonderful place; so much has been studied yet so much remains unknown. Modern Sciences showcases the latest in news and featured pieces about the little blue dot in the universe that we call “home.”
Stalagmite reveals 13-year drought tied to Maya collapse
A precisely dated stalagmite from a Yucatán cave reveals a series of severe, multi-year droughts that may have contributed to the collapse of the Classic Maya civilization.
How Two Mummies Rewrote the History of the Green Sahara
Genomic analysis of two 7,000-year-old mummies reveals the inhabitants of the once-lush "Green Sahara" were a genetically isolated population who adopted new technologies through cultural exchange rather than interbreeding.
Solar trees can save 99% of forests, study finds
New research published in Scientific Reports demonstrates that innovative solar trees can generate as much power as conventional solar farms while saving 99 percent of forest ecosystems from destruction.
First forests sparked deep-ocean oxygen, study says
A new study reveals how the emergence of Earth’s first forests permanently oxygenated the deep ocean, triggering a significant evolutionary diversification of marine animals approximately 390 million years ago.
Droughts don’t just dry up water — they drain livelihoods and weaken local economies
S. Mehmet Ozsoy, Concordia University and Erkan Yonder, Concordia University Unlike hurricanes and floods, which arrive suddenly and…
Storing Radioactive Waste Is Weirder Than You Think
From deep underwater pools and solid glass cakes to simple empty rooms in hospitals, the ways we store radioactive waste are far weirder than you might imagine.
Managing soil fertilization levels can make for more efficient and productive crops
JT Cornelis, University of British Columbia Modern crops are often excessively fertilized, which boost yields in the short…
How Fire, Not Spears, Wiped Out America’s Giants
Researchers at the La Brea Tar Pits discovered that a combination of climate change and massive, human-sparked wildfires—not just hunting—led to the extinction of North America’s megafauna.
This Rock Is Older Than the Solar System
Containing the building blocks of DNA and stardust older than the Sun, the Murchison meteorite offers an unprecedented glimpse into the origins of our solar system and life itself.
Glacial lake flood hits Juneau, Alaska, reflecting a growing risk as mountain glaciers melt around the world
U.S. Geological Survey staff check monitoring equipment in Suicide Basin in June 2025. By August, the basin had…