Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

New Zealand Earthquake: A day after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked New Zealand's second-largest city, Christchurch, rescuers continue to search for hundreds of missing people. At least 75 people were killed during the quake. [Related: The Science Behind the New Zealand Quake .]

Brown Tides Code Cracked: Scientists have unraveled the genetic code of harmful algal bloom species for the first time. The microorganisms are behind the so-called brown tides that periodically cover parts of the ocean.

Seattle Snow: Winter weather is gripping the West Coast, where Seattle is getting its most snow since 1989. [Related: World's Snow Cover Seen from Space .]

Previously on Our Daily Planet: New Zealand Earthquake and Baby Dolphin Deaths

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.