Soils exhibit a range of colors, textures, and compositions, as demonstrated in this cross-section of soils beneath an asphalt road.
1870: Unlocking the Secrets of Earth’s Skin – Soil Science and its Pioneer, Vasily Dokuchaev

Soil science, revolutionized by Vasily Dokuchaev, explores the intricate relationship between soil and ecological factors, extending its scope to include potential soils on other planets and emphasizing its role as a crucial resource for life [...]

Has humanity's impact on planet Earth marked the start of a new geological era, often referred to as the Anthropocene? Some scientists believe this may be the case.
1870: Unveiling the Anthropocene – Humanity’s Epoch

The Anthropocene, a proposed geologic epoch, reflects the significant impact of human activities on the Earth since the Industrial Revolution, marking a critical shift in our planet's climatic, ecological, and atmospheric conditions

Main image: A photograph taken in 1872 showing boats moored along Marble Canyon. Inset: A photograph of John Wesley Powell alongside a Native American named Tau-gu. Both photos were taken during Powell's second expedition down the Grand Canyon.
1869: John Wesley Powell – Unveiling the Geologic Majesty of the Grand Canyon

John Wesley Powell's groundbreaking expeditions in the late 19th century illuminated the vast geological history of the Grand Canyon, revealing its intricate layers and making it a central figure in geological studies

An illustration from Jules Verne's 1864 science fiction novel, "A Journey to the Center of the Earth."
1864: Jules Verne – Pioneering Science Fiction Through Geological Wonders

Jules Verne, a 19th-century French author, pioneered the science fiction genre by blending emerging scientific theories with imaginative storytelling, focusing on Earth's geological past and hypothetical subterranean adventures

A 1910 photograph of the physicist William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin, conducting compass measurements.
1862: Tracing Earth’s Timeline – The Scientific Journey to Determine Its Age

William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, initially estimated Earth's age at 20 to 40 million years, a figure debated by nineteenth-century scientists. The discovery of radioactivity led to a revised estimate of 4.567 billion years, aligning with [...]

A stunning solar prominence eruption, captured through time-lapse frames on March 30, 2010, using the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite in extreme ultraviolet light of ionized helium. To provide a sense of scale, hundreds of Earths could fit within the loop seen in the top frame.
1859: Unraveling the Mysteries of Solar Flares and Their Impact on Space Weather

Richard Carrington's 1859 observation of a solar flare linked the Sun's activity to Earth's environment, sparking the study of space weather. Today's focus on predicting and understanding these phenomena is crucial for protecting satellite technology [...]

A collection of 1868 photographs of the Arc de Triomphe and Place de l'Étoile in Paris, captured from the balloon "Le Géant" by the French photographer Nadar.
1858: The Evolution of Aerial Photography – From Nadar to Modern Remote Sensing

The first aerial photographs by Nadar in 1858 revolutionized cartography, evolving from balloon photography to modern satellite-based remote sensing, drastically enhancing our capability to map and analyze the Earth's surface

Top: A photograph of Charles Darwin from around 1870. Bottom: An 1845 drawing by the ornithologist John Gould illustrating the variety of finch beaks encountered by Darwin during his travels through the Galápagos Islands in 1835.
1858-1859: Unveiling the Secrets of Evolution – The Theory of Natural Selection

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently formulated the theory of natural selection, explaining how traits contribute to survival and reproduction, shaping species over time. Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" popularized this theory, now [...]

Clear-cut and deforested jungle in the Amazon River basin, Brazil.
c. 1855-1870: The Impact of Deforestation on Our Planet

Deforestation, exacerbated by the Industrial Revolution, has led to significant environmental consequences, including soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The urgent need for sustainable deforestation practices is highlighted by the rapid decline of tropical [...]

A substantial Foucault's pendulum displayed at the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain. In this configuration, a small ball-and-stick model is gradually tilted approximately every 30 minutes due to the Earth's rotation beneath the pendulum's fixed plane of motion.
1851: Foucault’s Pendulum – Demonstrating Earth’s Rotation

Jean Bernard Léon Foucault's 1851 experiment, using a simple pendulum, provided clear, observable proof of Earth's rotation. This groundbreaking demonstration, utilizing basic principles of physics, transformed our understanding of Earth's dynamics