Skip to main content

Evolution and Geologic History

Evolution and geologic history reveal how life and Earth have changed over time. The National Academies explore fossil records, genetic evidence, and natural processes that shape our planet.

What's happening

Evolution’s Surprises

Feature Story

Paleontologist and National Academy of Sciences member Neil Shubin discusses the twists and turns of evolution, the ancient viruses we carry, and our deep links to the rest of life

Paleontologist Neil Shubin

Featured Publications

A Synthesis Center for Paleoenvironmental Records of Extreme Events

Consensus Study Report

2026

Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program

Consensus Study Report

2025

State of the Art and Practice in the Assessment of Earthquake-Induced Soil Liquefaction and Its Consequences

Consensus Study Report

2021

Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock

Consensus Study Report

2020

Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical Research and Education for the 21st Century

Consensus Study Report

2020

Featured work

Status of Insects in North America

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical Research and Education for the 21st Century

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Catalyzing Opportunities for Research in the Earth Sciences (CORES): A Decadal Survey for NSF’s Division of Earth Sciences

Consensus/Advisory Activity

State of the Art and Practice in Earthquake Induced Soil Liquefaction Assessment

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Subsurface Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rocks

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Underground Engineering for Sustainable Development

Consensus/Advisory Activity

The Importance of Deep-Time Geologic Records for Understanding Climate Change Impacts

Consensus/Advisory Activity

The Earth System Context for Hominin Evolution

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Grand Research Questions in the Solid-Earth Sciences

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space - Panel on Earth Surface and Interior: Dynamics and Hazards

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Upcoming events

Units

Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering

Standing Committee

U.S. National Committee for Geodesy and Geophysics (USNC/IUGG)

Standing Committee

Earth Systems and Resources Program Area

Oversight Unit

Tide area looks like a Earth, Rock fragments like a continent.

Life Sciences and Biotechnology Program Area

Oversight Unit

Magnified body's raw materials, stem cells

Committee on Earth Resources

Standing Committee

Center for Health, People, and Places (CHPP)

Oversight Unit

Climate Crossroads

Oversight Unit

Geographical and Geospatial Sciences Committee

Standing Committee

Board on Life Sciences

Standing Committee

Board on Earth Sciences and Resources

Standing Committee

Subscribe to Emails from the National Academies

Stay up to date on activities, publications, and events by subscribing to email updates.