The hottest Earth Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

The Balloon That Wouldn't Come Down

Everything Is Amazing • 1887 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🔬 Science Earth Science Exploration Human biology Meteorology
  1. In 1862, two balloonists faced a terrifying situation when their balloon wouldn't come down, and they were rising to dangerous altitudes. They had to work hard to figure out how to descend safely without the proper equipment.
  2. Early ballooning was risky, but the people doing it were often well-prepared and knowledgeable. Their courage and resourcefulness in the face of danger helped advance the field of aeronautics.
  3. Even today, the sky is both common and mysterious to us. It's a reminder of how our atmosphere keeps us alive, and we should be curious about the science behind it.

Things I Like About Geology

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 439 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🔬 Science Geology Earth Science Paleontology Natural History Environmental Science
  1. Geology shows us that a lot of Earth's history is missing in the rocks we see. For example, not all ancient events are recorded, which creates a unique beauty in how landscapes look today.
  2. The constant fight between uplift and erosion shapes our mountains. Mountains grow tall, but erosion, through water and wind, continuously wears them down, making them more interesting.
  3. Geology helps us understand deep time but also captures small moments in history. Trace fossils show us detailed actions of past life, connecting us to individual stories from millions of years ago.

Erratic Behavior

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 299 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🔬 Science Geology Paleontology Natural History Earth Science
  1. Erratic rocks are large stones left behind by glaciers when the ice melts. They can be quite big, even the size of a school bus.
  2. Some famous erratics, like the Wedgwood Rock in Seattle, have interesting histories and have been popular spots for locals for many years.
  3. The study of these erratics helped scientists like Goethe understand the Ice Age and how rocks traveled long distances due to ice.

The Giddiness of Time

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔬 Science Geology Earth Science Natural History Environmental Studies
  1. Time is deep and vast, stretching back billions of years. This history has shaped our planet and the life on it, making it so fascinating to explore.
  2. Certain rocks, like the Morton Gneiss, are incredibly old and hold stories about the Earth's early days. Touching these rocks can help us connect to that ancient time.
  3. Geological processes, like plate tectonics, have changed over the ages. Understanding when these processes began gives us insight into the Earth's past and how it has evolved.

Literally Imagine Dragons

Eat Shit and Prosper • 259 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Environmental Science Earth Science Microbiology
  1. Chlorophyll and heme are both essential chemicals in life, with similar structures that play key roles in energy production and oxygen transport. Chlorophyll helps plants make energy from sunlight, while heme carries oxygen in our blood.
  2. There's a mysterious porphyrin with vanadium at its center found in crude oil. It could belong to an ancient life form, and studying it may reveal new insights into the history of life on Earth.
  3. The idea of a lost type of microbial chemistry, possibly allowing for 'silanogenesis', imagines how ancient creatures might have used silicon compounds like silane for energy, similar to how some modern microbes produce methane.
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The Birth of NASA’s Global Change Program in the 1980s

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Earth Science Space Exploration Climate Policy
  1. In the 1980s, NASA began focusing on studying how Earth's systems interact and impact our climate. This was important because it highlighted the need for global cooperation to understand climate change.
  2. Ronald Reagan's presidency pushed for significant advancements in space exploration, leading to ambitious plans for a space station. His administration emphasized scientific progress and international collaboration in space.
  3. A key report from scientists stressed the urgency of monitoring environmental changes. It called for a comprehensive program to study how human actions are affecting the planet and its ability to support life.

From Noosphere to the Technosphere

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Earth Science Sustainability Geology Biodiversity Environmental Policy
  1. Earth used to be seen as unchanging, but scientists like James Hutton showed that it is always evolving, leading to our modern understanding of geology.
  2. Vladimir Vernadsky introduced the idea of the noosphere, which connects human thought and technology, suggesting we can work together to tackle global problems like climate change.
  3. The technosphere, created by humans, is shaping our planet and needs to be managed better, especially because it struggles with recycling waste and relies heavily on energy.