Earth systems articles
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What Is Low Earth Orbit? A Basic Explainer
Almost everything in a rocket is headed for LEO. Here's what that means and why it's significant.
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How mantle movements shape Earth's surface
The movement of tectonic plates shapes the rocky features of Earth's surface. Plates' convergence can form mountain ranges or ocean trenches, and their divergence can form oceanic ridges. But it's not just the plates themselves that influence Earth's topography. The mantle layer underneath exerts its own subtle influence, which can be seen even in places located far from tectonic plate edges, and is referred to as residual topography.
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When the First Warm-Blooded Dinosaurs Roamed Earth
Knowing when dinosaurs evolved their stable internal thermometer could help scientists answer other questions about how they lived.