We have had this belief that the earth is incredibly impressive. As for those who have seen it from outer space, it is even more beautiful than we can ever imagine. However, besides all of its majesty and magnificence, Earth seems to have some weird attributes that make it look bizarre. The more we learn about how strange the earth is, the more we come to appreciate the unique nature of the only life-supporting planet in the solar system. Here are 15 unusual facts about the earth that can’t be found anywhere else.
The knowledge we all have had about the earth’s poles is that the south is around Antarctica while the north is just beyond Alaska. And that’s how it has been for over 20 million years presumably. However, for the geographic poles, it is quite a different story with the magnetic poles. It has been suggested by scientists that the earth’ magnetic poles are changing every 600 years or thereabout. Beyond the speculation that the earth’s molten iron core could be responsible for this dramatic act, no scientist has been able to give a convincing answer regarding why the earth’s poles are changing.
The earth’s moon is one of the largest satellites in the solar system. With a size one-quarter as large as our planet, it cannot be more correct that earth has got itself a giant-sized moon. The only celestial duo that comes close to the earth’s moon regarding size is planet Pluto and its moon called Charon. Plenty of thanks to the fact that the earth is big, which is why we are entitled to a total eclipse.
Wildlife observers and researchers had always thought for years that the 1.3 million-plus wildebeest that traverse their way usually between the regions of Tanzania and Kenya is the biggest herd of animals. But they were very wrong! Millions of giant fruit bats make their way between the Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo every year. With up to 10 million of these bats involved in the fray each year, this has got to be the largest mammal migration of all time.
Questions about the largest animals on earth are always easy to answer because of the fastest images that may come to your mind like elephants, blue whales, trees, etc. It is said that the largest organism lived ever is a mushroom. It was initially spotted in Michigan where it was said to cover up to 37 acres of land. As if that was not enough, a team of scientists that were investigating the death of a specific tree later found out that this mushroom is so big that it now covers up to 2000 acres.
Have you ever been to Ethiopia Danakil Depression? If you would like to know what it feels or to visit a weird place, then you need to visit this place. Apart from being one of the driest, hottest, most bizarre and lowest places, this is undoubtedly one of the inhospitable places on Earth.
The south-western coast of Mauritius seems to be existing on the edge of a waterfall. However, the island’s dangerous position is nothing but an illusion. What appears to be very dangerous at sea level is very beautiful when looked at from an aerial perspective. This unique pattern is created by an ocean current that is formed by sand and silt.
Just over a thousand feet below the surface, you would find the most important natural crystals known ever in Mexico. They are usually referred to as the gypsum pillars. Some of the beams in this underwater crystal caves in Mexico are as long as 30fts. You wonder how the earth has been able to conceal such a gem for God knows how long. Interestingly, it was only discovered in 2000 when some miners accidentally came across its path.
Occasionally, dark-shape shifting clouds have been seen to appear close to the ground at dusk. These clouds look very lively when they swirl. This is a process that is known as a murmuration, and it is formed by thousands of starlings that fly in synchronized patterns. Scientists speculate that these birds fly in these patterns when they are trying to get away from their predators. However, it doesn’t change the fact that many are still puzzled as to how these birds could fly in such synchrony and precision.
As fascinating as you would like to imagine it, a boiling river exists somewhere in the Peruvian Amazon. Although the river is not boiling actually, it is only a few degrees short of boiling temperature. A confident explorer has attributed the hotness of the river to dangerous geothermal activities that are not related to oil-drilling or volcanoes.
The widespread seagrass in the Mediterranean is called Posidonia, and it is one of the oldest living things on earth. With the help of genetic sequencing, researchers have been able to establish that seagrass on Spain coast has lived up to one hundred thousand years.
With the size of the world and over 7 billion people, it is easy for you to assume that most of the planet earth is dry land. Surprisingly and interestingly, it is only 30% of our planet that is dry land. Virtually 70% of the earth’s surface is water.
We have learned before that the earth takes 24 hours to rotate about its axis. Well, I hate to burst your bubble as that is not entirely true. The earth does rotate about its axis in 23 hours and 56 minutes and 4 seconds. So does that imply that a day is shorter than 24 hours? Certainly not!
It is not new that the earth has just one moon. And a lot of articles have been written about the moon. But what is not mostly talked about is the fact that two other asteroids seemingly orbit the earth. They are part of a larger population of planetary bodies known as the Neo-Earth Objects.
The highest temperature recorded so far on earth has been 57.8 degrees Celsius. It was recorded somewhere in Libya around 1992.