Earth

The Earth’s inner core has been slowing down since around 2010, subtly altering our days. Key Takeaways The Earth’s inner core has been slowing down for over a decade, moving slower than the surface. Scientists confirm that this shift affects the length of a day by tiny fractions of a second. Researchers analyzed seismic waves…

A 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite contained 11% extraterrestrial water, linking asteroids to Earth’s oceans. Key Takeaways A 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite crash in the UK provided evidence that Earth’s water came from asteroids. Scientists confirmed that the water in the Winchcombe meteorite closely matches Earth’s water composition. The meteorite, recovered just hours after landing, is one of the most…

Earth’s water may have arrived 4.4 billion years ago—delivered by a Mars-sized impactor, Theia. Key Takeaways: Scientists discovered that the Moon-forming collision also brought water to Earth 4.4 billion years ago. The impactor, Theia, originated from the outer solar system, carrying water-rich materials. Researchers identified this connection using molybdenum isotopes as a “genetic fingerprint.” Without…

Earth’s inner core might be as soft as butter due to shifting iron atoms. Key Takeaways A new study reveals Earth’s inner core is softer, like butter, rather than solid metal. The discovery challenges the long-held belief that the inner core is a rigid iron sphere. Seismic wave analysis and advanced modeling suggest iron atoms…

Earth gained only 0.047 seconds per day since the Bronze Age collapsed around 1,200 BCE. Key Takeaways Earth’s day length wasn’t always 24 hours; it once paused at 19 hours for a billion years. The Moon’s gravitational pull usually lengthens days, but atmospheric forces counteracted this effect. The pause in day length coincided with the…

Earth’s atmosphere contains oxygen and methane, strong indicators of life for alien astronomers. Key Takeaways Alien astronomers could spot Earth as a transiting exoplanet blocking the Sun’s light. Earth might be identified as a rocky world with signs of potential habitability. Scientists have identified five nearby exoplanets that could theoretically observe Earth. Earth’s atmosphere, rich…

The last leap second was added in 2016, but Earth’s rotation has been speeding up since.   Key Takeaways Earth’s rotation has unexpectedly sped up, shortening days slightly compared to 50 years ago. This faster spin challenges long-held trends of Earth’s gradual slowdown due to the moon’s pull. Leap seconds are added to atomic clocks…

The Pacific hemisphere’s seafloor cooling rate is driven by Earth’s largest ocean and tectonics. Key Takeaways Earth’s Pacific hemisphere is cooling significantly faster than its African hemisphere. The rapid cooling is tied to thinner seafloor and vast Pacific Ocean heat dissipation. Continental mass insulates heat, with land-heavy regions acting as a “Thermos layer.” The Pacific…

New research suggests ancient Earth was almost entirely covered by water 3 billion years ago. Key takeaways: Around 3 billion years ago, Earth may have been a “water world” with little to no dry land, as suggested by a groundbreaking study in Nature Geoscience. Analysis of ancient seafloor rocks from Western Australia revealed evidence supporting a…

Key takeaways: Researchers have introduced the concept of “planetary intelligence,” which suggests that an entire planet, like Earth, could have a form of collective knowledge and cognition. Underground networks, such as those formed by fungi, are cited as examples of how large-scale life forms could create a vast, planet-wide intelligence. The idea of planetary intelligence…