Earth : Science World Report

Jun 11, 2014 07:23 AM EDT

Earth and the Moon are 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought

Scientists have discovered that the timing of the massive impact between our planet and a planet-sized body, named Theia, occurred around 40 million years after the start of the solar system. That means that the final stage of Earth's formation is about 60 million years older than previously thought...

Jun 10, 2014 07:43 AM EDT

Echoes of Ancient Earth Discovered Deep Within the Planet's Mantle

Learning more about ancient Earth can tell us quite a bit about how it first formed. Now, scientists may have uncovered a new clue when it comes to our planet's origins.

Jun 02, 2014 12:47 PM EDT

New Type of Massive, Rocky Planet Discovered in Our Universe: The Mega-Earth

There's a new type of planet in our universe--and it's a big one. Astronomers have discovered a rocky world weighing 17 times as much as Earth, making it much larger than the previously-known "super-Earth."

May 30, 2014 07:28 AM EDT

Ancient Rocks Reveal Origins of Earth's Earliest Crust and Continent Formation

How did Earth's first continents form? Scientists may have just uncovered the answer to that question by studying ancient rocks.

May 26, 2014 08:26 AM EDT

Scientists Recreate Extreme Conditions Involved in Melting the Oceanic Tectonic Plates

Scientists have recreated the extreme conditions 600 to 2,900 km below Earth's surface to better understand the extreme melting of basalt in the oceanic tectonic plates.

May 23, 2014 08:41 AM EDT

Scientists Uncover Secrets of Earth's Lower Mantle: New Mineral Composition Discovered

Scientists have discovered that the composition of Earth's lower mantle may be significantly different than previously thought, which could help inform future research about how our planet works.

May 20, 2014 07:22 AM EDT

Sun-like Stars that Gobble Earth-like Planets Analyzed for Chemical Signature

Sun-like stars don't just provide warmth to their planets. Scientists have found that these stars are "earth-eaters" and that during their development they ingest large amounts of the rocky material that form terrestrial planets.

Apr 23, 2014 10:12 AM EDT

Mystery Source of African Lava Revealed: Massive Outpourings Close to Earth's Surface

Early in our Earth's history, vast outpourings of lava from deep within our planet accompanied the breakup of continents. Now, though, researchers have found that these massive outpourings may not be as deep as once thought.

Feb 21, 2014 04:53 PM EST

Strange Geological Structures on Venus May Help Explain Inner-Workings of Earth

The surface of the earth-like planet Venus features structures that may have been formed by mechanisms that are also found inside the Earth, as simulations conducted by ETH-Zurich professor Taras Gerya reveal.

Feb 21, 2014 02:13 PM EST

Venus Impacted by Enormous Explosions On Outskirts of Earth's Magnetic Bubble

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has spotted giant explosions, called hot flow anomalies, occurring near Venus. Researchers found that these explosions are occurring multiple times a day and can be bigger than the planet itself.

Feb 19, 2014 02:41 PM EST

Astronomers Close in On Far-Away Earth

Astronomers are getting closer to finding a rocky, water-rich planet like earth after proving new technology that can spot minute changes to starlight.

Feb 18, 2014 11:33 AM EST

NASA International Space Station Supply Ship Returns to Earth with Burning Garbage

After a five-week visit to the International Space Station, the Cygnus spacecraft has been released today by NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins and it will burn as it rips through the Earth’s atmosphere tomorrow.