Rainbows 101: A Guide to the Sky’s Most Colorful Show
Get to know your rainbows from your double rainbows from your moonbows.
Natural Phenomena
Natural Phenomena
9 Incredible Night Sky Hikes to Do This Year
At these dark-sky destinations, the stars are out of this world.
Phenomenon: Crevasses Are Glaciers’ Hidden Hazards
These gaping glacier cracks are dramatic—and deadly. Here's how they form, plus three safe places to see crevasses up close.
Phenomenon: Quicksand Is a Cartoon Danger You Can Find in Real Life
Is quicksand as big of a threat as Hollywood tells us it is? Zion's chief park ranger gave us the truth (and tips on escaping quicksand...just in case).
Phenomenon: Microbursts Are Miniature Storms That Come Out of Nowhere
Though microbursts are rare and usually fairly short-lived, these vertical hurricanes can cause extensive damage.
Phenomenon: Valles Caldera Is a Peaceful Valley With an Explosive History
Hike into the epicenter of a cataclysmic explosion in New Mexico's Valles Caldera.
Phenomenon: The Northern Lights Are a Spectacular Show from Space
The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.
Phenomenon: Sky Islands Are Biodiverse Paradises in the Desert
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.
Natural Phenomena: Nature’s 6 Greatest Shows and How They Work
From the northern lights to glacial crevasses, science meets spectacle in these fascinating features.
Magma, Eruptions, and Third-Degree Burns: A Beginner’s Guide to Geysers
From the world-famous Old Faithful to Iceland's original Geysir, geysers have a way of captivating people's imaginations with their geothermal torrents. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the science and safety of them.