Earth

• Researchers investigating the southeastern Indian Ocean have uncovered one of the largest and deepest whale graveyards ever recorded, stretching roughly 746 miles. • Fossils at the site have accumulated for at least 5 million years. • Recently deceased whales at the location are sustaining deep-sea ecosystems, including species that may be previously unknown to science. A team of scientists piloting a deep-sea submersible in a remote part of the southeastern Indian Ocean has identified an

SEATTLE (AP) — Part of one of the most far-reaching ocean monitoring systems ever constructed will be taken offline this month as researchers sail off the coast of Oregon to retrieve a scientific buoy anchored deep in the Pacific Ocean. The buoy, positioned about 80 meters (260 feet) beneath the surface, is scheduled for removal on June 16 from the Ocean Observatories Initiative. This vast network, made up of more than 900 ocean sensors and built at a cost of $386 million, has delivered

The countdown has begun for Q-Day — the uncertain but inevitable moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to swiftly crack the encryption that protects most of today’s online communications. Researchers have understood this theoretical danger since the 1990s. Recently, however, Google cautioned that some encrypted systems could be vulnerable as early as 2029 — a projection that sharply shortens the preparation window many cybersecurity experts once assumed they had. If accurate,

Homo erectus, a prehistoric human species, was the first of our ancestors known to leave Africa. It spread across multiple continents and survived for nearly 2 million years. Despite its long history and wide reach, the species remains one of the most puzzling chapters in human evolution, largely because usable genetic material has been extremely difficult to recover. Researchers have now extracted ancient proteins from six teeth discovered in China, uncovering for the first time a molecular

A record-setting and deadly heatwave sweeping across South Asia has driven temperatures to perilous levels, disrupting everyday life for hundreds of millions of people and intensifying concerns about the fragility of one of the world’s most densely populated regions. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are among the countries experiencing temperatures far above seasonal norms, with some areas nearing or surpassing 45-50 degrees Celsius (113-122 degrees Fahrenheit). Recommended Stories • list 1 of

NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified the widest variety of organic molecules ever detected on Mars, including seven compounds never before observed on the planet. These carbon-based substances are the fundamental ingredients that allowed life to arise on Earth. The findings, reported Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, stem from a groundbreaking experiment conducted directly on Mars. For the first time, the rover collected a rock sample and dissolved it in a chemical solution to

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A persistent odor of rotten eggs hangs over Steve Egger’s home in Southern California, especially after dark when the nearby Tijuana River churns with sewage flowing north from Mexico before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Egger, 72, says he and his wife frequently suffer from headaches and often wake up congested, coughing up mucus. Their house is equipped with a hospital-grade air filtration system that circulates indoor air every 15 minutes. Even with those precautions, “most

Super Typhoon Sinlaku is advancing toward the remote Mariana Islands in the northern Pacific Ocean, where the powerful system is expected to unleash destructive winds and torrential rainfall. Sinlaku developed on April 9 and has become the most intense storm recorded so far in 2026. On Monday, it produced sustained winds reaching 278 km/hour (173 mph), according to reports from The Associated Press. Storm Position and Strength By midday Tuesday local time (02:00 GMT), the storm’s center was

EDITOR’S NOTE: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial initiative focused on highlighting the environmental pressures facing the planet and the solutions aimed at addressing them. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative collaborates with CNN to raise awareness and encourage meaningful action around critical sustainability challenges. Camera traps have captured images of a jaguar deep within Honduras’ Sierra del Merendón mountain range — the first confirmed sighting of the species in the area in ten

A modest line of spruce trees served as the finish line for Canadian reservists and combat troops after nearly two months crossing one of the planet’s most unforgiving landscapes: the Canadian Arctic. The journey, which concluded on Friday in Churchill, Manitoba, marked the largest northern deployment ever undertaken by the Canadian Rangers, the branch of the Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding remote regions. Covering 5,200km (3,200 miles), the team traced a path across the Arctic that had

When pollution levels rise in the rivers that supply drinking water to Iowa’s largest city, Des Moines must spend roughly $16,000 each day to operate a specialized system that removes hazardous nitrates. This recurring expense has become part of life in an agriculture-driven state — and climate change is intensifying the challenge. Nitrates originate from fertilizers and pesticides that seep into the soil and eventually flow into waterways such as the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers. Typically,

Oil released from an unidentified ship along with two “natural” seepage points in the Gulf of Mexico has spread into seven protected natural areas, affecting more than 600km (373 miles), Mexican officials reported on Thursday. The announcement comes after weeks of debate in Mexico regarding the response to the spill, which was first detected in early March off the coasts of Veracruz and Tabasco. While authorities stated that there is no evidence of “serious environmental damage,” the marine

The dramatic story of Harold, the king who lost England to William the Conqueror in one of history’s most famous clashes, has long held a firm place in British memory. Yet fresh research suggests that this familiar narrative may need to be reconsidered. The Battle of Hastings in 1066 brought an end to Harold’s brief reign as the last Anglo-Saxon king and marked the beginning of William, Duke of Normandy’s rule over England. This turning point is often portrayed as a decisive moment that

Turkana, Kenya – Under the scorching sun in Kainama, Turkana County, Veronica Akalapatan and her neighbours trek several kilometres each day to reach a shrinking well set amid the cracked, dusty plains of northern Kenya. The shallow pit, accessed by a simple wooden ladder, is the area’s only water source. Hundreds of residents from nearby villages – along with their animals – depend on it. Many wait for hours to fill small plastic containers with limited amounts of murky water. Recommended

NASA has completed a pivotal safety evaluation ahead of its planned lunar flyby, and during a press briefing on Thursday, officials announced a revised launch date while outlining how they examined the risks facing the four astronauts assigned to the mission. The agency is now targeting April 1 for liftoff of Artemis II, with launch scheduled for 6:24 p.m. ET at the earliest. Should that opportunity slip, backup windows are available on April 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 30. The review — formally called a

NUEVA LOJA, Ecuador (AP) — Standing beside a stream darkened by crude in Ecuador’s northern Amazon, an Indigenous woman looked on in disbelief as an oily film drifted across the surface and damaged pipes cut through the surrounding forest. In the distance, gas flares blazed above the canopy. Julia Catalina Chumbi, a 76-year-old leader of the Shuar people from the southern Amazon province of Pastaza, had journeyed hundreds of miles to witness the environmental toll left by decades of oil and gas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday rolled back limits on mercury and other hazardous emissions from coal-fired power plants, marking the Trump administration’s latest move to support the fossil fuel sector by scaling back air and water regulations. Pollution from coal- and oil-burning plants can interfere with brain development in children and is linked to heart attacks and other serious health issues in adults. These facilities are also among the leading

Three decades have passed since the Sea Empress oil tanker ran aground, causing catastrophic damage to some of south Wales’ most iconic beaches. The spill devastated a wildlife-rich stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast, killing thousands of seabirds. Efforts to refloat the damaged vessel and guide it to safety took nearly a week as the crisis unfolded. The event, widely seen as a turning point in how environmental issues were perceived by the public, still sparks strong emotions and questions

Record Snow Shortage and Unseasonal Heat Impact Western U.S. A historic shortage of snow, coupled with exceptionally warm winter temperatures, is sweeping across much of the western United States. This unusual weather is straining future water resources, increasing wildfire risks, and negatively affecting winter tourism and recreational industries. Experts report that both the extent and depth of snow are at historic lows. At least 67 weather stations in the region have recorded their warmest