Volcanic eruptions can be devastating. So what if we took extreme actions to prevent them? How could we drill into a volcano? What would be the benefits of doing this...
We visit a lot of planets here on WHAT IF, but K2-141b is the most extreme one yet. Are you ready to jump on board this one-way space shuttle? If you’d rather stay...
In 1044, the Chinese invented gunpowder. And we’ve been getting into trouble ever since. Fireworks are cool, nuclear warfare is not. And nuking the moon...
Millions of people worldwide live with arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. For decades, treatments have focused primarily on...
Industrial robots are intended to make factories work more quickly and efficiently, but they can also become extremely hazardous if anything goes wrong. At present...
When it comes to extreme lifespans in the animal kingdom, the bowhead whale stands in a league of its own. Deep in the freezing Arctic waters, this enormous marine...
Enjoy it while you can. Because if we don’t act right now, in less than 80 years, we won’t be able to appreciate it anymore. Your great-grandchild will only...
Volcanos, the ultimate natural force of destruction. They’re unforgiving, uncompromising and unstoppable. About 1,500 volcanoes around the world are considered to be...
Tornadoes are among the most destructive forces on Earth, capable of reshaping entire landscapes in minutes. While some are narrow and short lived, others expand into...
The next time you see that adorable hummingbird at your feeder, remember one thing. It might take your life. Because in this world, every bird works for the government...
Life on Mars would be nothing like life on Earth. The first settlers would probably spend most of their time inside sealed habitats protected from radiation and the...
What if humanity grew to be so technologically advanced that we were able to leave our Solar System and spread across interstellar space? Would we hop from one exoplanet...
A huge gas giant suddenly appears in the sky. You look up in wonder. It’s beautiful. The second Saturn replaces our Moon in its orbit, Earth would just as suddenly...
New geological models and updated hazard assessments from the U.S. Geological Survey and leading universities are once again raising concern across the American West...
Something incredibly strange is unfolding in our cosmic neighborhood, a powerful and unexplained gravitational force is pulling Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar...
Deep beneath Greenland’s frozen surface lies the remains of a secret military base that was once part of one of the most ambitious Cold War projects ever attempted...
10. Upload The age-old question of “what happens after we die” is at the heart of Amazon’s “Upload,” a show about a man who dies and his consciousness is resurrected in...
The thought of being swallowed by a whale sounds like something from an ancient legend rather than a real possibility. Tales of people disappearing into enormous sea...
Watch your head. Some seriously big asteroids are crashing into Earth. What kinds of shapes and sizes do they have? Which ones would have the deadliest impact? And which...
The world often looks to powerful nations to stop conflicts, negotiate peace, and restore stability. But when it comes to a major war involving Iran, China’s role may...
