Earth Science

A geode is a hollow geological rock formation found in volcanic or sedimentary rocks. Crystals form inside rock cavities or vugs. Many geodes are spherical in shape. A vug forms along fissures, rather than the spherical formation. The exterior is…
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Rare earth metals are actually not that rare. They are just more difficult to extract, or are found in problematic locations and concentrations in the earth’s crust. These metals are in the Lathinide group on the periodic table of elements, with …
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Of all the beauty of North America, there is one place that consistently turns up on lists of the “seven natural wonders of the world.” That’s the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, the enormous gorge that knifes across northern…
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The Worlds Riskiest Places for Earthquakes An Earthquake is one of the most devastating and destructive natural phenomenon that anyone can ever encounter. Earthquakes have in the recent past caused destruction in countries like Japan, Turkey and Iran, but some…
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Volcanoes have inspired fear, awe and wonder in societies through the history of mankind. They are among the most dramatic natural phenomena on Earth, and until last century, how and why they existed were mysteries to humanity. To understand how…
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Did you say you want to be a geologist? Great choice! The earth sciences are rewarding and challenging, and offer a chance for life-long learning. Like all scientists, geologists strive to expand the field’s body of knowledge and to apply…
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Shooting a gun on the moon is no different than shooting one here on earth, with the exception that the bullet will travel much further, and maintaining balance a lot more difficult. If you look at a bullet, it appears…
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If you’ve ever felt the earth moving under your feet or seen the light fixtures overhead swaying without any wind, you’ve experienced an earthquake. Earthquakes are actually shock waves transmitted through the ground, which we sense as movement or shaking….
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Manhattan can seem like one of the most manufactured environments in the world. Yet its bones are often visible. In Central Park, many huge rocks stand out from the groomed landscape, some bearing the deep scoring of glacial striation, some…
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If you ask your third-grader, “Where does oil come from?” he’ll probably gleefully shout, “From dinosaurs!” Ask the little guy again when he’s a college senior, and there’s a pretty good chance he’ll give the same answer. He’s on the…
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