Tag Archives: humanity

Scientists are raising urgent alarms about the possibility of a supervolcano eruption that could occur in the coming years—an event with the potential for catastrophic destruction on a scale not witnessed since the early 19th century. This growing threat shines a harsh light on humanity’s lack of preparedness and sparks serious questions about whether civilization is ready to face such …

A new study published in Science reveals a startling chapter in human history. Around one million years ago, humanity was nearly wiped out. According to the research, our ancestors were reduced to just 1,280 individuals, leaving us on the brink of extinction. This genetic bottleneck, lasting over 100,000 years, changed the course of human evolution in profound ways, shaping the …

Recent shifts in Earth’s magnetic field have human fingerprints all over them. While it is normal for our planet’s magnetic poles to sporadically wander, new research shows we’ve now amassed enough water behind dam walls to account for at least some of the current movements. Harvard University geophysicist Natasha Valencic and colleagues calculated that the masses concentrated in just under …

Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: Why sunspots are able to last so long has been a mystery for millenia, but a new observation technique revealed their secret. The equilibrium between magnetic fields and pressure allows the solar blotches to remain stable anywhere from days to months. Despite being darker, cooler regions of the sun, sunspots are …

Humanity’s future can look pretty gloomy. From asteroids the size of football stadiums to nuclear war and man-made pandemics, it can seem as if humankind is in constant danger of being wiped out – and, in many ways, it is. Over the past three years, I have interviewed hundreds of experts working to prevent Doomsday, from eminent scientists and engineers …