Science Writer
Fascinating science surrounds us, no matter how seemingly mundane the subject. I've spent years digging into topics that many see as "boring" to unearth exciting stories of discovery, failure, triumph, and more—all in pursuit of knowledge. I'm particularly fond of telling stories about the unusual and mysterious, like the curious earthquake that lasted 32 years, or the bit of mantle found exposed in Maryland.
My efforts to dig up these stories have been acknowledged with the 2020 David Perlman award for Excellence in Science Journalism for a story on the birth of an underwater volcano, and the 2021 American Society of Civil Engineer's award for Excellence in Journalism for a story about America's deteriorating dams.
I am also the author of several books. My children’s book What a Rock Can Reveal introduces young readers to the wonders of geology. You can also find my words in the solar system section of National Geographic’s Stargazer’s Atlas.
Maya Wei-Haas is represented by Aevitas Creative Management.
What a Rock Can Reveal
My first illustrated children’s book is now on sale worldwide! This book, aimed at ages 6 to 10, takes your kiddos on a spin through the exciting world of geology and the stories hidden in each stone.
Why are there seashells on the top of the highest peak in the world? What do the rocks look like deep under your feet? How do volcanoes create new land?
You’ll learn all these things and more in WHAT A ROCK CAN REVEAL!
One of NY Strategist’s Best Kids’ Books in 2024!
A Selection of Maya’s Stories
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Dismantling the Ship That Drilled for the Ocean’s Deepest Secrets
The JOIDES Resolution helped generations of scientists decipher Earth’s biggest mysteries. But it just finished its last expedition, and there are no plans for replacement.
The New York Times, Science section cover - Aug 27, 2024
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Deep Beneath Earth’s Surface, Clues to Life’s Origins
Last spring, scientists retrieved a trove of mantle rocks from underneath the Atlantic seafloor — a bounty that could help write the first chapter of life's story on Earth.
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Lava built this island—then entombed towns in stone
After one of the Canary Islands’ worst volcanic eruptions in centuries, a community confronts the damage, and rethinks its way of life.
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When Ancient Eruptions Pumped Diamonds to Earth’s Surface
A new study offers clues to the mysteries of kimberlite eruptions, the source of most of the diamonds mined on Earth today.
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Bringing Auckland’s Volcanic Underworld to Light
Hundreds of caves crisscross under the bustling metropolis—and scientists trying to map and protect them before construction in the growing city destroys the subterranean passages.
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A mega-tsunami in Greenland rang Earth like a bell for nine days
Scientists trace a strange seismic signal to a landslide that triggered a mega-tsunami in a remote Greenland fjord, where waves up to 20 meters tall crashed onto the rocky shores.
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Descending into one of the deepest caves on Earth
For decades, highly skilled cavers have come to Mexico to explore Cheve, a labyrinth within a mountain.
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NASA’s first Mars sample appears to have crumbled to bits
The Perseverance rover came up empty during its first attempt to collect a sample of Martian rock. But the rover is already on its way to try again.
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Origami is Revolutionizing Technology, From Medicine to Space
The centuries-old art of paper folding has long inspired artists. Now, it’s blazing new trails in science and technology. One thing is certain: The future is folded.
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They don’t struggle to breathe—but COVID-19 is starving them of oxygen
One alarming symptom robs many patients of blood oxygen well before they notice. Doctors are racing to understand it.
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Rare chunks of Earth’s mantle found exposed in Maryland
The set of rocks strewn throughout Baltimore likely represent a slice of prehistoric seafloor from a now-vanished ocean.
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First active fault zone found on Mars
Rumbling quakes on the red planet have been traced back to Cerberus Fossae, suggesting this geologically young region is still alive and cracking.
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Strange waves rippled around Earth. Now we may know why.
An “exceptional phenomenon” near the tiny islands of Mayotte may help explain a low-frequency rumble that swept around the world last year.
National Geographic Stargazer's Atlas: The Ultimate Guide to the Night Sky
Explore the cosmos with this beautiful coffee table book. You’ll find my words in one section of the book guiding you on an adventure through our solar system. We travel through space and time to meet every member of the celestial family and learn about how they formed the wild features we see today.
"Maya has a knack for finding stories that reveal marvels of the Earth, and she tells those stories with clarity and verve."
Jay Bennett,
National Geographic science editor
“I can assure you she’s the real deal, a smart, articulate and curious soul with a nose for news and the chops to tell a story.”
Michael Doyle
Reporter at E&E News, Professorial Lecturer at GW School of Media and Public Affairs