National Geographic

From 50-foot penguin cliff jumps and elusive tigers to volcano eruptions and an eclipse, view these and other special moments featuring rare wildlife, scientific discoveries, and human exploration with our Pictures of the Year.

This week’s Mind Body Wonder newsletter, we examine three things that may lengthen your life: so-called good fat, a form of fasting, and protecting your gut—particularly over the holiday season. Plus, mixing vitamins and minerals; a cannabis caution.

It’s arguably the most famous volcano eruption in history: Mount Vesuvius buried the city of Pompeii under an avalanche of volcanic debris in A.D. 79. Even though Pompeii is remembered as a city frozen in time, not everyone died in the disaster. An estimated 2,000 people in Pompeii died during the eruption. That means thousands more may have survived. But where did they go? Scholars have found evidence that survivors made it out of Pompeii—and rebuilt their lives in neighboring communities. To learn how modern scholars are still following the trails of the survivors, head to: https://lnkd.in/e6gQw3gu

The ocean connects us all ?? Join Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of #Moana, in conversation with National Geographic Pristine Seas specialist Courtney Lorey about all things oceans, including Moana’s new adventure and why we need to protect this natural wonder. Disney’s #Moana2 is now playing only in theaters.

It’s a commonly held belief that the more intense the exercise, the more beneficial it is to your health—but does the science back it up? Recent research shows that low-to-moderate intensity exercise, like a steady walk, a relaxed jog, or cycling at a sustainable pace, may be just as—or even more—effective for improving health and endurance. Learn more about the benefits of low-intensity workouts: https://lnkd.in/ex76SNqu

From unique accents to fascinating hunting tactics—orcas are full of interesting qualities. How many of these remarkable facts caught you by surprise?

White smoke rising to signal a new pope’s election is a centuries-old tradition which takes center-stage in the recently released movie Conclave. While the process has evolved over time, the College of Cardinals still holds the power to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church—but how exactly does it all work?

Ny-?lesund, a small international research outpost in Svalbard, is one of the northernmost settlements on Earth. It began life as a coal-mining station staffed predominantly by men—but as it transitioned into a key research hub, Ny-?lesund has become home to an increasingly female-led contingent of scientists studying climate change.

“Frozen shoulder” is a real condition causing stiffness and difficulty in raising the arm. It mostly affects women, striking peri- or post-menopausal women more commonly than anyone else. The painful affliction can last for years—but has long been ignored by medical researchers who doubted its existence. New treatments may finally promise a cure. Learn more about frozen shoulder and how it might finally be addressed: https://lnkd.in/eDyCQimy

Do you know your goats from your hogs? How about your frogs from your sea turtles? Let's find out—and don't forget to brag about your score!