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 several awards, including 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 an 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!
A selection of Maya’s stories
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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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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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Ancient child’s bones deepen mystery of enigmatic human relative
Teeth and skull fragments found in the maze-like recesses of a South African cave fuel debate on how Homo naledi lived—and whether it disposed of its dead.
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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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Shrinking fossil-rich national monuments sparks outrage
Scientists are speaking out with concern and anger after the dramatic rollback of protections for roughly two million acres of land in national monuments.
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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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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.
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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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See a rare baby dinosaur curled up in its fossilized egg
One of the most complete dino embryos ever found shows the ancient infant tucked into a position that's strikingly similar to today’s unhatched chickens.
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