Category: Nature

On August 12, skywatchers aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Greenland had a unique vantage point to observe a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, the largest of its kind since 1999, awed observers across northern Spain and various other parts of Europe. Residents of northern Spain were among the fortunate ones to experience...

As the spotlight shines on ocean predators during Shark Week, new research indicates blacktip sharks are expanding their summer range farther north along the East Coast. This change brings them into areas where beachgoers previously encountered them less often. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University report that rising ocean temperatures are altering the sharks’ annual migration...

Orcas exhibit unexpected behaviors. Recently, two cases revealed orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish disintegrate. This startling act was documented in a new study. Off Cabo San Lucas, Kathryn Ayres from Beneath The Waves, observed one orca holding a sunfish while another charged at it, scattering bits of sunfish. This ‘stabilize-and-ram’ behavior was...

For many years, scientists had limited knowledge about the native bees of Alaska. An independent, nonpartisan news organization, the Alaska Beacon, focuses on connecting Alaskans to their state government and raising awareness about local issues, including the understanding of these bees. On a warm July afternoon near Fairbanks, a volunteer with the Alaska Bee Atlas...

Following Thanksgiving, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano erupted, marking its first activity in nearly 40 years. Mauna Loa is not only a prominent feature on the island but is also the largest active volcano worldwide. Alongside Mauna Loa, Hawaii is witnessing eruptions from Kilauea, as well as Indonesia’s Mount Semeru. These events provide a unique opportunity...

Forecasters predict that some might witness the northern lights on Friday. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has been observing two significant sunspot groups. One of these spots caused a solar flare of X1 strength, according to Shawn Dahl, a service coordinator with the SWPC. The ‘X’ classification is the highest for solar flares, with...