MP Materials’ goal to become a national rare-earths “champion” that can go toe-to-toe with China was turbocharged by Pentagon investment and an Apple deal. But its journey there highlights the hurdles American producers face.

The origins of plate tectonics on Earth are hotly debated, but evidence from Australia now shows that parts of the crust moved in relation to each other as early as 3.5 billion years ago

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos taps one of his former executives as the new president and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund.

U.S. efforts to break China's dominance of the rare earths market and to drive investment in its own industry have moved up a gear with a Washington-backed plan to create a separate, higher pricing system.

When large masses of water are moved from one place to another, this changes the shape of Earth and leads to a phenomenon called true polar wander

The snow petrel, a strikingly white bird with black eyes and a black bill, is one of only three bird species ever observed at the South Pole. In fact, the Antarctic is the only place on Earth where this bird lives.

This Mars rock is up for auction at Sotheby's in New York City this week, which is why it's currently on display in the Upper East Side. As of now, it's expected to sell for between $2 million and $4 million, but it could very well sell for far more.

Beyond their scientific value, these tiny satellites may also hold commercial potential. Because they briefly orbit close to Earth, minimoons could become attractive targets for space mining.