Planet Earth, features and articles | Educational Science

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...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Gulf Gas Surge and NOAA's Budget

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Gulf Gas Surge: During last summer's oil spill, natural gas poured into the Gulf of Mexico at more than 75,000 times the normal amount in the water, a study...

Jan 31, 2011

In Photos: Auroras Dazzle Northern Observers

Aurora Eklund (Image credit: Tom Eklund.)A powerful solar flare, hurled into space when superhot gases erupted on the sun yesterday (Feb, 13), and caused a display of the aurora borealis for parts of the northern United States overnight (Feb. 14). Photographer Tom Eklund caught this aurora generated by the solar...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Tropical Cyclone Dianne and California's King Tides

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. Australia Cyclone: As Western Australia begins to clean up after Tropical Cyclone Carlos, eyes are already shifting offshore to looming Tropical Cyclone Dianne. Extreme Rain and Snow: A new...

Jan 31, 2011

Journey of North Carolina's Oldest Shipwreck

Wreckage revealed (Image credit: Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.)A nearly 400-year-old shipwreck was discovered in Corolla, N.C., in 2008 after storms and tides uncovered its timbers. Archeologists from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources believe the structure to be the remains of the oldest shipwreck discovered off the North...

Jan 31, 2011

Real or Hoax? British Lake Monster Photographed

A recent photograph of a strange, multi-humped dark object in the British lake of Windermere is being touted as a lake monster. According toThe Daily Telegraph, The photograph, which shows an object ... breaching the surface of the lake, is said to be the best evidence yet of what some...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: New Zealand Earthquake Rescue and West Coast Snowstorm

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...

Jan 31, 2011

Our Daily Planet: Christchurch Earthquake Witness and Severe Weather

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe. New Zealand Earthquake Witness: Climate scientist and native New Zealander Kevin Trenberth was in Christchurch when the magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck. Read his account of the disaster. The quake's...