national oceanic and atmospheric administration

Earth's longest mountain range is not on land but beneath the ocean. The Mid-Ocean Ridge System stretches an incredible 65,000 kilometers, far surpassing any terrestrial range. This vast underwater chain is formed by tectonic plate movement. While unseen, it is a dynamic geological feature shaping our planet. Famous ranges like the Andes and Rockies rank lower in length.

India is experiencing extreme heatwaves, with temperatures soaring and heatwaves arriving earlier and with greater intensity. This is exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to strengthen. The heat poses significant health risks and economic challenges, impacting daily life and livelihoods across the nation. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are crucial for navigating this growing crisis.

With US now increasingly disinterested in the quadrilateral grouping, does it serve India’s interests to hang on? As Trump & Xi summit today, New Delhi must take a hard call

All of Earth's deepest ocean trenches are located in the Pacific Ocean, a result of intense tectonic plate subduction. These trenches, like the Mariana and Tonga, are formed where oceanic plates dive beneath continental plates, creating geological wounds. These dynamic features offer clues to Earth's self-transformation and the potential for life elsewhere.

Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him a respected leader governing nearly 1.5 billion people and suggesting Hollywood couldn't find someone like him. Trump agreed with Xi's assessment of the US as a declining nation, attributing it to the Biden administration's policies, while highlighting his own administration's economic successes.

The Trump administration has suspended its controversial $15,000 visa bond requirement for eligible FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders from select countries, including Algeria, Senegal, and Tunisia. The waiver applies to fans enrolled in the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa processing. The move comes after pressure from FIFA and growing concerns over travel restrictions hurting tourism and international attendance ahead of the tournament hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Oman's mountains reveal ancient ocean floor rocks. Geologists study these formations, usually deep underwater. This unique site allows exploration of oceanic crust and mantle processes which are simply clearing out various pre conceived notions. Researchers gain insights into Earth's interior and natural carbon cycles. The Oman ophiolite provides a rare, accessible window into geological history.

Gangasagar marks the quiet, yet profound, end of the Ganges' 2,500-km journey, where the sacred river merges with the Bay of Bengal. This unique pilgrimage site, despite its humble, ever-changing landscape, draws thousands annually for the Gangasagar Mela. It offers a powerful spiritual experience, symbolizing the river's ultimate dissolution into something greater.

Researchers have discovered geological sponges in fractured volcanic rocks beneath the South Atlantic seafloor, capable of storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide over millions of years. These talus breccias absorb excess CO2 from seawater, suggesting Earth's oceans may hold significantly more carbon than previously calculated, impacting global carbon cycle understanding.

Tragedy struck during military exercises in Morocco as the recovered remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a US Army officer, were found in the Atlantic Ocean. He went missing a week ago with another soldier during a recreational hike. A massive search continues for the second missing soldier, involving international forces.