Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Science Snippets

Want some fun facts and interesting snippets of science? Then you came to the right place. Use an RSS reader, browser extension, or software to get updates when new Science Snippets are posted.

Filter Total Items: 244
Magmas to Metals

Magmas to Metals

No one wants to have an active volcano in their backyard (just ask Dionisio Pulido), but ancient eroded volcanoes can sometimes be literal goldmines...

Read Article
Plumbing the Depths of the Great Basin

Plumbing the Depths of the Great Basin

Vast mineral wealth has been discovered in the Great Basin since the 1800s. As each new generation of prospectors and geologists brings their cutting...

Read Article
Bon Anniversaire, Louisiane!

Bon Anniversaire, Louisiane!

On its 205th anniversary, Louisiana still rocks.

Read Article
Hazard a Guess? The riskiest science quiz you will ever take!

Hazard a Guess? The riskiest science quiz you will ever take!

Which U.S. State or territory has more large earthquakes than the rest of the United States combined?

Read Article
Happy 229th Birthday, Maryland!

Happy 229th Birthday, Maryland!

On its 229th birthday, Maryland still rocks.

Read Article
EarthWord–Placer

EarthWord–Placer

Whether you pan for gold or rare earths, you’ll get a lot of sand...and this EarthWord!

Read Article
EarthWord–Ferrous

EarthWord–Ferrous

While not a Ferris wheel, this EarthWord is just as magnetic an attraction...

Read Article
The Top 5 Mineral-Producing States

The Top 5 Mineral-Producing States

In 2016, these five states led the pack in mineral production, accounting for about one third of the total mineral production value for the entire...

Read Article
Up in the Air to Look Deep Underground

Up in the Air to Look Deep Underground

Look, in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s...underground mineral research?

Read Article
EarthWord–Hyperspectral

EarthWord–Hyperspectral

It’s not a caffeinated ghost, but this EarthWord is nearly as trippy...

Read Article
The Top 5 U.S. Minerals by Production Value

The Top 5 U.S. Minerals by Production Value

In 2016, the United States mined $74.6 billion worth of minerals, and the following five mineral commodities accounted for 68.5 percent of that value.

Read Article
How an Electron Microprobe Helps Find Minerals (and Makes Pretty Pictures!)

How an Electron Microprobe Helps Find Minerals (and Makes Pretty Pictures!)

Today’s high-end electronics increasingly rely on mineral commodities...and research into those mineral commodities is increasingly using high-end...

Read Article