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How the Earth Works

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48
The Lonely Planet
2023-12-21
What are the chances that there are other civilizations in our galaxy? Given the delicate balance of conditions that have allowed life to flourish on Earth, that number may be astonishingly small.

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47
The Solar System
2023-12-21
Although Earth is unique in our solar system for having complex life, it is not unique in geologic processes such as volcanism, earthquakes, mantle convection, erosion, and even stream and lake formation.

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46
History of Life
2023-12-21
Life on Earth began at least 3.85 billion years ago, almost as soon as the conditions of a stable ocean would allow it.

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45
Humans
2023-12-21
Life has been altering the planet over roughly the past 4 billion years. What is remarkable, however, is the rapidity with which humans have become Earth's most powerful agent of geologic change.

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44
Renewable Energy Sources
2023-12-21
We will eventually get almost all of our energy from solar-driven sources. These include solar panels and passive solar heating.

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42
Plate Tectonics and Natural Resources
2023-12-21
Did you ever wonder why there is gold in California, coal in Indiana, and oil in Iraq? During the natural process of plate tectonics, valuable metals and ores become concentrated to levels much higher than they normally exist.

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41
Climate Change and Human History
2023-12-21
The course of human civilization, which began at the same time as the warm, stable climates of the current interglacial period, is strongly tied to small changes in global and regional climates.

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40
Short-Term Climate Change
2023-12-21
This lecture looks at climate change on timescales of decades to thousands of years. Several factors affect climate at these shorter timescales, among them variations in sunlight, ocean current fluctuations, and volcanoes.

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38
Planetary Wobbles and the Last Ice Age
2023-12-21
There is a cyclical pattern in the alternation of cold glacial periods and warmer interglacials, primarily due to variations in Earth's orbital characteristics. These are called Milankovitch cycles.

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37
Glaciers
2023-12-21
Glaciers are slowly moving rivers of flowing ice. They are remarkably efficient agents of erosion, tearing away mountains faster than any other geologic process.

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36
Shorelines
2023-12-21
The pounding of ocean waves is so strong that it sets all the continents reverberating. Shorelines are energetic environments where wave energy erodes rock and transports the sediments that become sedimentary rocks.

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35
Groundwater
2023-12-21
There is 100 times more water in the ground than in streams and lakes combined. Groundwater rarely consists of underground rivers, but rather of water percolating slowly though tiny pore spaces within rocks.

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34
Streams
2023-12-21
Once sediment is eroded and moved downhill, streams do most of the work from there. Streams are like a giant network of highways, continuously carrying rock from the mountains to the sea.

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33
Mass Wasting
2023-12-21
Once rock is broken into sediment, gravity makes sure that it heads downhill. Such "mass wasting" can occur as quickly as a landslide or as slowly as the piecemeal creep caused by repeated freezing and thawing.

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32
Jungles and Deserts
2023-12-21
The circulation of air within the atmosphere occurs predominantly in the form of six large convecting cycles called Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. These control the distribution of precipitation and therefore of ecosystems.

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31
Erosion
2023-12-21
A mountain on the Moon can last for billions of years, but the same mountain on Earth is worn down in only tens of millions of years. The reason is the rapid rate of erosion on Earth due to its atmosphere and hydrosphere.

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30
Earth's Atmosphere
2023-12-21
Earth's gravity is strong enough to hold onto an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen, while lighter gases have long since been lost to space. We explore the structure of the atmosphere and its circulation.

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29
Water on Earth
2023-12-21
Earth is unique in the solar system for having liquid water at its surface. Water is the single most important substance on our planet, controlling much of geology and allowing for the evolution of life.

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28
The Sun-Driven Hydrologic Cycle
2023-12-21
As fast as plate tectonics creates mountains, erosion tears them down. The principal agents of erosion are water and ice, which are part of a continuous cycle of moving water called the hydrologic cycle.

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27
Assembling North America
2023-12-21
North America has a fascinating geologic history, having continuously grown in size through collisions with other continents. The process of growth has been very different on the East and West coasts.

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26
History of Plate Motions
2023-12-21
Earth's tectonic plates have been moving for at least as long as scientists can see back into the geologic record. Over time the continental fragments collect into supercontinents and then break apart again.

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25
Anatomy of an Earthquake
2023-12-21
The 2004 Sumatra earthquake produced a massive tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people around the Indian Ocean. We look at the complex tectonic forces behind this cataclysm.

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24
Anatomy of a Volcano
2023-12-21
We examine the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, triggered when an earthquake caused a gigantic avalanche that released pent-up magma and gases, leveling trees for over 600 square kilometers.

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23
Predicting Natural Disasters
2023-12-21
Volcanoes can be easily monitored, and they reveal many clues to an impending eruption as the magma slowly forces its way toward the surface. Earthquakes, by contrast, are not yet predictable.

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22
Destruction from Volcanoes and Earthquakes
2023-12-21
The largest earthquakes and volcanic eruptions release as much energy as the simultaneous explosion of tens of thousands of nuclear weapons. We look at the human consequences of these events.

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21
Intraplate Volcanoes
2023-12-21
For years intraplate volcanoes such as those that produced the Hawaiian Islands were lumped together under the catch-all name of "hot spots," but recent work is showing that Earth has many different ways of making a volcano.

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20
Continents Collide and Mountains Are Made
2023-12-21
When plate motions bring continents in contact with each other, the result is the formation of mountains. A notable example is the Himalayas, produced by the continental collision of India with China.

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19
Subduction Zones
2023-12-21
Subduction zones are the most geologically exciting places on Earth. Here the most destructive earthquakes and volcanoes occur, and forces are generated that may rip supercontinents apart.

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18
Transform Faults
2023-12-21
The San Andreas is a transform fault that separates the North American and Pacific plates. Transform faults are actually rare on land, but mid-ocean ridges are intersected by countless such features.

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17
Rifts and Ridges
2023-12-21
Oceans undergo reincarnation: they repeatedly die and are reborn. The Atlantic Ocean is only 180 million years old and will eventually close up again.

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16
The Ocean Seafloor
2023-12-21
The seafloor shows a tremendous diversity of features that are related to plate tectonics and the process of mantle convection.

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15
Plate Tectonics
2023-12-21
Continents move because they are the surface expression of mantle convection. Two main forces are directly responsible for plate motions: slab pull and ridge push.

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14
Earthquakes
2023-12-21
More than 200,000 earthquakes are recorded each year. We examine the types of faults along which they occur and the aftermath, which in some cases can leave the Earth ringing like a gong for months.

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13
Folding
2023-12-21
Most rock of the crust and mantle is solid. And yet, over long timescales, the crust and mantle are in motion, bending and flowing.

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12
Volcanoes
2023-12-21
Volcanoes form where magma reaches the surface and erupts

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11
Crystallization
2023-12-21
When magma cools below certain temperatures, solid mineral crystals begin to grow. With continued cooling the entire magma will eventually crystallize, and the result is an igneous rock.

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10
Magma
2023-12-21
Most magma is generated beneath mid-ocean ridges, where plates move apart and rock moves toward the surface to fill the gaps. Magma forms in these places due to a process called pressure release.

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9
Minerals
2023-12-21
Rocks are made of minerals, which in turn are composed of different elements. Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements in Earth's mantle and crust, and most rocks contain them.

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8
Japanese Death Match
2013-11-27
Exploring volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.

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7
Ice Age or Hell Fire?
2013-11-20
Geologist, Martin Pepper, and biologist, Liz Bonnin, explore North America in search of evidence of the most powerful geological events the Earth has ever seen -Ice Ages. Finding out how they have both carved the land and moulded life.

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6
The Rockies Built the Atom Bomb
2013-11-13
Geologist, Martin Pepper, and biologist, Liz Bonnin, travel to the iconic Rocky Mountains, to reveal the extraordinary link between the Rockies' soaring peaks and the uranium that ended up in ‘Little Boy', the atomic bomb detonated over the Japanese city

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5
Will Europe Burn in Hell?
2013-11-06
Biologist Liz Bonnin and Geologist Martin Pepper investigate the world's most dangerous volcano Mount Vesuvius only to discover that the three million people of Naples live in the shadow of another, much more deadly super volcano, called Campi Flegrei.

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4
Will Hawaii Sink L.A.?
2013-10-30
Exploring catastrophic geological events in Hawaii's history.

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3
Will Iceland Poison the Skies?
2013-10-23
Examining whether Iceland's volcanoes could create global problems in the future.

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2
Asteroid Armageddon
2013-10-16
Martin and Liz investigate a giant asteroid impact that may have wiped out the Dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Martin experiences the power of a NASA supergun and Liz follows the geological clues to Mexico where she dives an underground river.

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1
Can Krakatoa Stop Time?
2013-10-09
An active volcano with the power to plunge the whole world into a brutal dark age is rising for the sea in the heart of the Asia. It's done it before - and it will erupt again.

Watch How the Earth Works Season 1 Episode 1 Now

How the Earth Works is an engrossing program that aired on the Science Channel in 2013. The program is an interactive source of education and entertainment revolving around the Earth Sciences and the planet's geological phenomena. The show artfully combines gripping storytelling with profound scientific knowledge to offer viewers a comprehensive understanding of the planet we inhabit, its structure, evolution and phenomenal processes.

The show's hosts are Liz Bonnin and Martin Pepper, both of whom have a strong grounding in the Earth sciences. Bonnin is a biochemist with a master's degree in wildlife biology, and Pepper is a geologist. Their insightful perspectives and charismatic presentations enrich the program, making complex concepts engaging for viewers of various ages and backgrounds. The hosts neatly bridge the gap between advanced scientific theories and layman's understanding, effectively unfolding the mysterious world that lies beneath the Earth's crust.

How the Earth Works narrates the planet's story in eight parts, with each 44-minute episode investigating unique and fascinating phenomena. The themes range from the fiery eruptions of volcanoes, the cataclysmic impacts of asteroids on Eearth, and the dynamic process of tectonic plate movement, to the creation of mountains and canyons. It also explores the role of ice in shaping our landscapes and the life-sustaining role of our atmosphere.

The show's narrative is further bolstered by visually captivating graphics and effects. These high-quality representations and simulations make the enactment of intricate phenomena such as volcano formation or iceberg movement, spellbindingly vivid. These visual elements also act as powerful educational tools that simplifies the complexity of geologic phenomena.

Each episode builds on broad topics elucidated earlier, interweaving scientific theories with supporting evidence to make audiences fully aware of the processes that mold the earth. Audiences are guided through time and history to understand the world as we see it today. The discoveries made at each step of this journey give rise to fresh inquiry and shape the narrative of subsequent episodes.

The thrill of exploration and discovery is a running theme throughout the series, keeping audiences at the edge of their seats. Bonnin and Pepper are unafraid to venture into perilous territories, be it inside the deadly mouth of a volcano or at the heart of an arctic storm. The hosts' fearless and hands-on exploration of the Earth's features and phenomena leave the viewers enlightened and well-informed, and the profundity of their passion for Earth sciences permeates through the television screen.

One of the noteworthy aspects of How the Earth Works is how it addresses the interdependence of various geological elements. The show provides a holistic understanding of the Earth as a coherent entity, where the geological features and phenomena don't exist in isolation, but are integrally linked. This multi-faceted exploration underscores the delicate balance of our planet and the complexities that enable life to exist and thrive.

Further adding to the show's scientific integrity are the numerous interviews with experts in the field. These experts provide additional depth and authenticity to the information presented in each episode, substantiating the hosts' explanations and hypotheses with their expert insights.

Despite the focus on Earth sciences, How the Earth Works successfully transcends disciplinary boundaries. The show doesn't merely talk about the physical Earth, but also touches upon biology, chemistry, and even climate science. The ecological implications of geological processes and the impact of human activity on these processes are also explored, offering a well-rounded knowledge about the world we inhabit.

Irrespective you are an armchair geologist, keen eco-enthusiast, or someone who is simply mesmerized by the wonders of our planet, How the Earth Works is a scintillating journey likely to be appreciated. Its rich visual storytelling, in-depth scientific analysis, and the charisma of its hosts make it not only an intriguing watch, but also a valuable tool for learning.

In conclusion, How the Earth Works stands out as a unique blend of entertainment and education. The enriching content, lively hosting, and beautiful imaging, successfully invite the audience to fall in love with our planet and appreciate its complexities. Its nuanced and enlightening depiction of Earth's intricate workings are likely to leave viewers awestruck and filled with newfound respect for our home - the phenomenal planet Earth.

How the Earth Works is a series categorized as a new series. Spanning 1 seasons with a total of 46 episodes, the show debuted on 2013. The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 7.3.

Channel
Science Channel
Rating
7.3/10
Cast
Liz Bonnin, Martin Pepper, Michelle Thaller
How the Earth Works is available on .