Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news about fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. A new analysis of ancient crystal grains embedded in rocks in the Australian outback shows that Earth had dry land and fresh water about 4 billion years ago; At that time, scientists thought the planet… Read More »
When we talk about the greenhouse effect (as opposed to global warming), we rarely mention the fact that most of it is not caused by carbon dioxide. But as a greenhouse gas, water vapor contributes 70% of the insulation that keeps solar energy in our atmosphere at the right temperature for life. Although it is… Read More »
A man dives into Lake Michigan near Chicago. Ice cover on the Great Lakes was at its lowest level on record this winter, which could lead to water quality problems in the coming months. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File – image source) After a temperature-record-breaking winter, researchers around the world are taking a close look at… Read More »
I’m sure one of the lessons we can all remember from grade school is the water cycle. Even if you don’t remember exactly what you learned, you probably have memories of some kind of video or diagram that was colorful and creative enough to make the day a little more fun. For some of us… Read More »
The water cycle that moves Earth’s most vital resource in an endless, life-giving cycle is in trouble. Climate change has disrupted the delicate balance of this cycle, disrupting the circulation of water between the land, oceans and atmosphere. Events in 2023 show how serious these disruptions have become. From extreme precipitation to floods, drought to… Read More »