Planet Science

Scientists Trace Stonehenge’s Altar Stone to a Surprising Source

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New research suggests the monument’s central stone may have journeyed hundreds of miles before finding its place.

©Image license via Wikimedia Commons

Stonehenge’s Altar Stone stands out among the monument’s other megaliths due to its unique composition and mysterious origins. Recent geological and archaeological studies suggest that this significant stone may have been transported all the way from Scotland. These findings shed light on prehistoric trade routes, sophisticated stoneworking techniques, and the far-reaching connections between ancient communities across the British Isles during the Neolithic period.

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NASA Spots a ‘Super-Earth’ Practically in Our Cosmic Backyard

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A newly discovered planet stuns scientists with its size, potential, and surprising closeness.

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You might think Earth is the only neighborhood we’ll ever know—but it turns out we’re not alone. NASA has just revealed a “super-Earth” lurking surprisingly close in space, and scientists are buzzing. This planet, about one and a half times Earth’s size, orbits within the so-called habitable zone of its red dwarf star—meaning it could potentially hold liquid water. As astronomer Aki Roberge of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center explains, we now have the tools to ask if there are truly Earth-like worlds out there.

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The La Brea Tar Pits Hold a Dark Warning About Mass Extinction

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Ancient bones trapped in tar may hold clues to species disappearing today.

©Image license via Flickr / Bill Badzo

Beneath the streets of Los Angeles lies a place where time seems frozen in tar. The La Brea Tar Pits aren’t just a quirky tourist stop—they’re a haunting reminder of how quickly life can vanish. For thousands of years, creatures big and small wandered into the sticky pools and never escaped. Their fate offers more than ancient history—it’s a chilling mirror for the threats facing our world today.

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13 Mind-Bending Discoveries About What Lies Inside a Black Hole

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What happens inside a black hole may defy physics—and scientists are getting closer.

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Black holes captivate scientists with their mysterious cores, where gravity compresses matter to unimaginable densities. This extreme environment challenges existing physics laws and blends the concepts of general relativity and quantum mechanics. Investigations by leading institutions like NASA and the Max Planck Institute have unveiled crucial insights about singularities, event horizons, and the complex spacetime structures hidden inside black holes.

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A Sleeping Ocean Engine Is Stirring— What It Could Mean for Our Weather

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Scientists warn a powerful ocean force could unleash storms and reshape our climate.

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Ocean currents act as a massive underwater engine, driving the distribution of heat and nutrients across the globe. When these deep currents alter their usual patterns, they can trigger shifts in weather that ripple from local climates to global systems. Understanding these changes reveals critical connections between marine circulation and atmospheric effects that shape temperature, precipitation, and storm behaviors worldwide.

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Scientists Track “Zombie Fires” Beneath Snow—Why They Spread

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Underground fires persist beneath snow, fueled by peatlands and smoldering organic matter.

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Zombie fires are underground blazes that continue burning beneath snow cover, defying typical wildfire patterns. These fires smolder in peat-rich soils and organic debris, insulated by snow that retains heat necessary for their survival. As temperatures rise, they can reignite on the surface, contributing to wildfire spread and carbon emissions year-round. Understanding zombie fires sheds light on their ecological impact and challenges for fire management.

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King Tides + Storms = Trouble—Coastal Cities Are on Borrowed Elevation

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King tides and storms heighten flooding risks by overwhelming low coastal elevations and infrastructure.

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King tides and storms combine to create serious flooding challenges for coastal cities, pushing water levels beyond normal high tides. These events exacerbate the vulnerability of low-lying urban areas, exposing weaknesses in elevation and infrastructure. As sea levels rise due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of flooding escalate, demanding a deeper understanding of how these natural phenomena threaten coastal communities and their resilience.

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The Moon’s Wobble Could Trigger Floods Bigger Than We’ve Ever Seen

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Scientists warn a subtle lunar shift could make coastal flooding far more destructive.

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The Moon’s subtle wobble, known as lunar precession, influences the gravitational pull it exerts on Earth’s oceans. This gradual shift results in changing tidal cycles that can amplify water levels along coastlines, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Understanding these long-term tidal variations is essential for accurately assessing flood risks and improving resilience strategies in vulnerable coastal areas.

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From Drought to Deluge—Why Flash Floods May Be America’s Next Big Threat

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Experts say the nation’s changing drought map may fuel more dangerous flood events.

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Flash floods can follow periods of drought in the United States, creating a surprising and dangerous weather pattern. When drought conditions change, factors like soil moisture, vegetation, and runoff dynamics are affected, influencing how rainfall behaves. Understanding these relationships helps explain why dry areas may suddenly experience intense flooding after heavy rains, revealing important connections between drought maps and flood risks.

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12 Alarming Signs the West Could Be Headed for Another Dust Bowl

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Erosion, drought, and fierce winds hint at a crisis echoing the 1930s Dust Bowl.

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The Great Plains face significant challenges with wind erosion, a process where strong winds lift and carry away exposed soil. This natural phenomenon intensifies due to factors like drought, sparse vegetation, and certain farming practices that leave soil unprotected. Historical events such as the Dust Bowl reveal how human actions combined with environmental conditions can lead to severe soil degradation, informing current conservation efforts to maintain land health and productivity.

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