Our planet Earth has a mesmerizing history that spans across 4.6 billion years. For a majority of this immense timeframe, single-celled life reigned supreme. But, about 500 million years ago, everything changed immensely. A dramatic occurrence took place known as the Cambrian “explosion.”

Neighbors in the East Las Vegas Valley say a proposal to build hundreds of homes on the edge of the desert is in direct conflict with the push to protect the area and stop any future development. For years now, there’s been an effort to bring a national monument to the area.

While digging for garden soil, a Las Vegas farmer was shocked to find mammoth teeth, but now the rest of his discoveries are expected to cause a controversy as it may change 12,000 years of history. During a Protectors of Tule Springs meeting Tuesday night, Dr. Steve Rowland, a UNLV geoscience professor and paleontologist, helped present newly analyzed findings from a 30-year-old archeological dig field report from the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary.

Frenchman Mountain isn’t the easiest hike in Las Vegas, but the sharp incline and oppressive heat don’t deter UNLV geologist Steve Rowland from revisiting the place he’s dedicated much of his career to studying.

Mountains here. Mountains there. Mountains everywhere. New Las Vegas residents, especially if they’re from east of the Rockies, may not be used to seeing mountains in their front, side and rear windows. But what are the names of those prominent mountains and mountain ranges?

High schoolers could read about the Great Unconformity in a geology textbook, or they could stand on a trail on Frenchman Mountain, notice that the rocks look different and wonder why.

A paleontologist who excavated what he believes is a Washoe hunting camp in the flood plain of the Carson River is scheduled to speak 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. UNLV Professor Emeritus Steve Rowland will discuss the excavation of he believes is a 200-year-old butchering site.

The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, visited by millions of admirers each year. So, naturally, you'd think that all of its rock layers had been studied and named. But you'd be wrong.