How did Earth avoid a Mars-like fate? Ancient rocks hold clues: New paleomagnetic research suggests Earth’s solid inner core formed 550 million years ago and restored our planet’s magnetic field
Approximately 1,800 miles beneath our feet, swirling liquid iron in the Earth’s outer core generates our planet’s protective magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is vital for life on Earth’s surface because it shields the planet from solar wind — streams of radiation from the sun. About 565 million years ago, however, the […]
With land grabs comes competition for water — and local farmers are likely to lose
Water from Ethiopia’s Omo River, which flows for 472 miles along the country’s southwest side, has helped sustain the livelihood of tribal populations for hundreds of years. Human rights organizations have estimated 200,000 people from various tribes in the region rely on the Omo’s water for cattle and to grow crops like sorghum and maize. […]