Articles for category: Ecology

The Birth of an Underground Giant

The Longest Lava Tube on Earth — And the Ecosystems It Hosts

Annette Uy

Deep beneath the volcanic landscape of Hawaii’s Big Island lies a hidden world that defies imagination. Stretching through darkness for over 40 miles, the Kazumura Cave system represents Earth’s longest and deepest lava tube—a natural subway tunnel carved by rivers of molten rock thousands of years ago. But this isn’t just another geological wonder gathering ...

Fungi underground ecosystem

The Role of Fungi in Earth’s Ecosystems: The Underrated Kingdom

Trizzy Orozco

Fungi are everywhere, from the yeasts fermenting your bread and beer to the mushrooms in your salad. Despite their ubiquitous presence, fungi are often overlooked in discussions about the natural world. Their roles, however, are crucial to ecosystem balance and health. Understanding fungi’s contributions can unveil the mysteries of life cycles and biodiversity on a ...

Singapore urban jungle

How Singapore Became a Global Leader in Sustainable Urban Planning

Trizzy Orozco

Singapore, a city-state renowned for its cleanliness and efficiency, has ascended to the pinnacle of global sustainable urban planning. Despite its limited land area and dense population, Singapore has ingeniously transformed its urban landscape into a model of ecological balance and modern living. Through a mix of innovative policies, cutting-edge technology, and community involvement, Singapore ...

Could There Be Volcanoes Under the Atlantic Ocean?

Could There Be Volcanoes Under the Atlantic Ocean?

Gargi Chakravorty

The Atlantic Ocean appears peaceful from above, but beneath its waves lies one of Earth’s most active volcanic regions. Scientists have spent decades mapping the ocean floor and uncovering thousands of underwater volcanic features. These discoveries reveal a hidden world of erupting seamounts, volcanic ridges, and molten lava flows that challenge our understanding of marine ...

Shaking the Ground: Early Earthquake Predictors

What Ancient Earthquakes Tell Us About the Risk Today in the Midwest

Trizzy Orozco

The ground beneath our feet is not as steady as we’d like to believe—especially in the heart of America’s Midwest. Imagine living in a place where the earth seems quiet, but hidden scars tell stories of violent shaking and upheaval. These stories are not just ancient legends; they’re written in the rocks, buried riverbeds, and ...

Could Earthquakes Influence Animal Behavior?

Could Earthquakes Influence Animal Behavior?

Jan Otte

For thousands of years, humans have noticed something peculiar about their animal companions. Stories from around the world tell of dogs barking frantically, cats hiding under beds, horses galloping wildly, and birds abandoning their nests. The common thread? These strange behaviors happen just hours or even days before the earth starts shaking beneath our feet. ...

A close up of a plant with leaves and flowers

How the First Land Plants Reshaped Earth’s Atmosphere

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine strolling through a world where the sky is tinted a rusty red, and the air tastes faintly of metal. The ground is barren rock, the only life hidden under ancient seas. Now picture a tiny, scrappy green shoot breaking through that stony surface—a pioneer that would change the destiny of our planet forever. The ...

The Hidden Caverns Beneath Yellowstone's Lakes

The Hidden Caverns Beneath Yellowstone’s Lakes

Andrew Alpin

The tranquil surface of Yellowstone Lake masks one of Earth’s most remarkable secrets. While millions of tourists admire the scenic beauty above, few realize that beneath this pristine alpine water lies an underground world more spectacular than most science fiction films dare imagine. This massive freshwater lake conceals an intricate network of hydrothermal vents, towering ...