Glaciers operate at the balance between two main phenomena: accumulation and ablation. Accumulation occurs when snow falls, piles up, and compacts to gradually become ice. In contrast,...
The higher you climb in the mountains, the lower the temperature drops. Why? Because the air at altitude becomes thinner: the molecules are less numerous...
The main evidence of a meteorite impact causing the extinction of the dinosaurs is the existence of a thin layer of sediment rich in iridium, a metal...
In an erupting volcano, the column of ash and dust propelled into the atmosphere is so dense and turbulent that it creates a tremendous amount...
When a rock becomes fluorescent under black light, it is because it contains certain special chemical elements, commonly called activators. These activators are often metals...
Beneath our feet, the heat produced by magma warms the water present in the rock or in underground aquifers. When this water penetrates deep through...
Meteoroids are often magnetic because they contain a lot of metallic minerals, notably a natural alloy of iron and nickel. This alloy is called kamacite...
When the sun's rays hit the sand, the grains absorb a good portion of that energy directly. Each grain of sand has a tiny surface...
Caves have a very specific atmosphere: the temperature often remains cool and stable throughout the year. There are no major sudden fluctuations that could damage...
Black sand comes directly from volcanic eruptions. During an eruption, lava bursts forth and cools quickly upon contact with water or air. By cooling abruptly, the lava...
