There was no shortage of news about energy and the environment in 2022, from natural disasters to fuel price squeezes stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But as Climate + Environment Editor Stacy Morford and I reviewed our coverage over the past year, a different trend caught our eye: Readers are always interested in learning how the Earth and its atmosphere and climate system work.

For example, atmospheric scientist Kevin Hamilton examined how a volcanic eruption on Tonga released such a massive wave of energy that it made the atmosphere ring like a bell. Another question about explosions was also a reader favorite: What enabled cockroaches to survive the aftereffects of the Chicxulub meteorite, which led to the extinction of dinosaurs? As biologist Brian Lovett explained, the roaches were well-equipped to beat the odds.

A few of our articles explored under the surface of the planet, where climate changes are underway – ones you often don’t see until it’s too late. Polar scientist Ted Scambos took us on a tour in vivid detail of the forces eating away beneath Antarctica’s riskiest glacier and what that portends of the future. And paleoecologist Denise Su explained that humans have in fact lived through ice ages and that we’re living in one now, albeit in a period that’s warm and getting warmer.

Plus, so long 2022 – take our quiz to see how much you remember about a wild year.