This week, we learned …
… how the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history happened. Read of the week.

Photograph by U.S. Coast Guard
Learn more about Hurricane Joaquin with our resource here.
… how Somaliland successfully fights terrorism.

Map by National Geographic
Why might Somaliland be more stable than neighboring Somalia?
… Latinos in New Mexico are redefining their heritage within the context of the region’s history of slavery.

Photograph of New Mexican students circa 1949 by Justin Locke, National Geographic
Start a discussion about The Race Issue with our guide for teachers and parents.
… how lemonade protected Paris during the Plague.

What did rats have to do with the plague?
… Antarctica is experiencing record precipitation.

Photograph by Jeff Mauritzen, National Geographic
How snowy does Antarctica get?
… how a citizen science project is strenthening marine conservation and the fishing industry in Puerto Rico.

Photograph by B. Anthony Stewart, National Geographic (1962)
How are terrestrial conservationists responding to the aftermath of Maria?
… sweet potatoes may have reached Polynesia 100,000 years before humans did.

Photograph by Ivan Atmanagara, courtesy Wikimedia. CC-BY-2.0
Where are the world’s supply of sweet potatoes produced today?
… a new Antarctic expedition will take time off from science to search for Shackleton’s legendary ship Endurance.

Photograph courtesy the Royal Geographic Society
How far did Shackleton come to the pole (on another expedition)?
… the secret language of cargo ships.

Photograph by Wualex, courtesy Wikimedia. Public domain
… scientists may have identified the world’s largest “sea monster.”

Illustration by Matte FX, National Geographic
How do fossils like Shonisaurus give scientists clues about life on Earth millions of years ago?