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Earth Science

Environment

Bad Bug Alert

September 23, 2021

The spotted lanternfly might look pretty with its red wings and black dots. But the insect is causing big problems in the United States, and experts are telling people to take action against the pest. “Kill it! Squash it, smash…

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Science

8 Questions for Samuel Ramsey

August 31, 2021

Samuel Ramsey, or Dr. Sammy, works for the United States Department of Agriculture. He’s an entomologist. That’s a scientist who studies insects. TFK’s Rebecca Katzman spoke with Dr. Sammy about his job and what insects can teach us about ourselves.…

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World

A Volcano Erupts

April 16, 2021

On April 9, a volcano called La Soufrière erupted on Saint Vincent. Thousands of people on the island in the Caribbean Sea were forced to evacuate their homes. The massive explosion sent hot ash 32,000 feet into the sky. For…

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United States

Return of the Cicadas

April 7, 2021

Parts of the eastern United States and Midwest will witness an extraordinary natural event this spring. Trillions of Brood 10 cicadas are expected to emerge in mid-May after 17 years underground. They'll likely be around until late June or July.…

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Community

You Can Do It

January 13, 2021

Go to the window and look outside. Are there clouds in the sky? How many? Are they puffy or wispy? Are they blocking sunlight or letting it through? NASA scientists are interested in your answers. They’re using the power of…

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History

Sinking In

May 14, 2020

Everything was quiet at the Pantheon, in Rome, Italy, on the afternoon of April 27. That is, until the ground opened up outside the ancient temple and cobblestones fell into the earth. No one was hurt. The normally crowded public…

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World

City of Trees

April 2, 2020

Karachi, Pakistan, is one of the hottest cities on Earth. In June 2015, more than 1,000 people died there during a heat wave, when temperatures reached nearly 113°F. “It was a terrible time,” Shahzad Qureshi told TIME for Kids. “We…

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United States

California Quakes

July 9, 2019

Two major earthquakes hit Southern California last week. The first struck on July 4, near the Mojave Desert. Its magnitude was 6.4. There were small tremors afterward, called aftershocks. On July 5, the second earthquake hit. With a magnitude of…

United States

Alaska Shakes

December 7, 2018

Highways crumbled and buildings shook as earthquakes jolted Anchorage, Alaska, on November 30. A magnitude 7.0 quake hit first, at about 8:30 a.m. A 5.7 quake followed within minutes. The temblors set off tsunami alarms for islands and coastal areas…

Polar Bear

TFK Library

What is Global Warming?

August 28, 2018

Earth’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. As a result, storms and droughts are becoming more intense. Temperatures are rising. Polar ice caps are melting. This is causing oceans to rise. Low coastal areas are flooding. Animals are losing…