What is the chemical composition of the Earth’s interior? Because it is impossible to drill more than about ten kilometres deep into the Earth, volcanic rocks formed by melting Earth’s deep interior ...

Continental clues: Modern continental rocks carry chemical signatures from the very start of our planet’s history, challenging current theories about plate tectonics. Researchers have made a new ...

Earth’s surface environment hosts large reservoirs of hydrogen (H, mainly in the form of water, H2O), nitrogen (in atmospheric N2) and carbon (mainly in carbonate rocks). H, N and C are sometimes ...

A recent study indicates that Earth’s composition closely matches Mars, challenging long-held assumptions about where our ...

Planetary scientists have long debated where the material that formed Earth comes from. Despite its location in the inner solar system, they consider it likely that 6–40% of this material must have ...

Meteorites, especially carbonaceous chondrites, have become invaluable sources to shed light on Earth’s origin story. As the most primitive materials of our solar system, these space rocks are ...

Learn about the atmosphere, its five distinct layers, and why this gaseous shield is essential for life. Explore facts about Earth’s air and its composition. The planet Earth is covered by a huge ...