100 Earth Facts You Should Know

How well do you really know the stunning blue marble that is our home? From the origins of our planet to the vast number of species it shelters, here are 100 fascinating facts about Earth and life on it, based on an episode of The List Show on YouTube.

1. Earth’s name has an extraordinary origin, unlike any other planet.

Earth stands out as the only planet in our solar system that doesn’t derive its name from Greek or Roman mythology.

2. The term Earth comes from the Old English word eorþe.

Eorþe translates to “ground, soil, dry land.” It was also used to distinguish our realm from the underworld and the heavens, long before we had a clear idea of what a planet actually is. The fact that we needed a word for our planet even before we understood the concept of planets might explain the complex and somewhat unclear history behind the term. It’s difficult to pinpoint who first applied the word earth, or its predecessors, to describe the astronomical body that we now know as Earth. The usage likely evolved as our scientific understanding grew.

3. This is where you are (astronomically speaking).

Earth resides in the Milky Way galaxy, the third planet from the sun in our solar system.

4. Sunlight takes a little while to reach Earth.

According to NASA, it takes approximately eight minutes for sunlight to travel from the sun to Earth.

5. Earth is situated one astronomical unit away from the sun.

This is not a mere coincidence—historically, an astronomical unit represented the average distance from Earth to the sun. It served as a convenient measure for scientists to communicate distances. For comparison, the distance from New York to California is roughly 0.00003 astronomical units.

6. The earliest known maps of Earth date back thousands of years.

Maps have existed for millennia. The oldest surviving maps are thought to be from around 14,500 BCE, with one believed to depict the stars and found in the Lascaux caves of France.

7. One ancient map might be etched into a mammoth tusk.

There’s a possibility that a map depicting local landscapes from what is now the Czech Republic was carved into a mammoth tusk dating back to 25,000 BCE. The word “might” is key here, as it can be challenging to distinguish between abstract art and intentional cartography on tusks carved millennia ago. However, some believe this tusk, estimated to be 27,000 years old, is indeed a map.

8. Jigsaw puzzles originally began as cut-up maps.

Invented around 1760, jigsaw puzzles were initially designed as educational tools to teach children geography, where they would piece together different countries to form a world map (or more commonly, just a map of Europe).

9. The oldest known surviving world map is the Babylonian World Map.

The oldest known surviving world map is the Babylonian World Map, which dates back to the 6th century BCE. This clay tablet features a labeled representation of the known world, with a focus on the Euphrates River. It is currently displayed in the British Museum.

10. Mercator projection maps are particularly useful for navigation at sea.

Although the Babylonian World Map wasn’t particularly accurate, even modern maps have their flaws—far from being perfect. The map most people are familiar with is based on the Mercator projection. This projection maintains the shape of land masses but distorts the size of regions near the poles. While it has been the standard for centuries, its main advantage is in sailing, not in providing an accurate representation of relative land sizes.

11. Greenland might be much smaller than you imagine.

Due to the distortion caused by Mercator projections, certain countries like Greenland appear much larger than they actually are. If you imagine Greenland, it might seem nearly as large as Africa—but in reality, it’s roughly the size of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In fact, you could fit about 14 Greenlands inside Africa.

The Mercator projection significantly exaggerates the size of Antarctica, to the point where many publishers opt to omit it. This often results in world maps with Europe placed near the vertical center, and the equator appearing about two-thirds of the way down the map, despite the fact that the equator is supposed to be at the center of the world.

12. Some believe political messages are embedded in map design choices.

Some interpret these distortions as political statements. When Boston public schools decided to stop buying Mercator projection maps for classrooms, an official framed the decision as part of a broader effort to move away from what they described as a “very Eurocentric” perspective.

A stronger critique comes from Marianne Franklin, a professor of Global Media and Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, who stated that distorted projections like Mercator’s "reinforce the ongoing Anglo-Euro-American assumption that the world revolves around them, centered on these geo-cultural axes."

13. The Gall-Peters projection has its own set of pros and cons.

For example, the Boston public school system chose to begin purchasing maps based on the Gall-Peters projection, which provides a more accurate representation of area and size. However, this projection also has its own shortcomings, particularly in the distortion of the shapes of continents. Some cartographic historians, such as Professor Matthew Edney at the University of Southern Maine, prefer the Eckert IV projection, which maintains proportionality without distorting the continent shapes as severely as Gall-Peters. Ultimately, there are significant challenges in trying to perfectly depict a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional surface.

14. Crates of Mallus is credited with creating the first known globe.

The first known globe is believed to have been created around 150 BCE by the philosopher Crates of Mallus from Cilicia. Although the idea of a spherical Earth was suggested as early as 500 BCE by Pythagoras, there is no historical evidence to suggest anyone made a globe at that time, if they did, the records have been lost to history.

15. Aristotle understood that the Earth wasn’t flat.

Over a century later, the Greek philosopher Aristotle confirmed that Earth was not flat. He wrote about how traveling north to south caused different stars to appear in the sky, a phenomenon that would be impossible on a flat Earth due to the changing horizon.

16. Eratosthenes estimated the Earth’s circumference.

Eratosthenes used observations of how high the sun rose in two different Egyptian cities, combined with some simple math, to estimate the Earth’s circumference. Despite the rudimentary techniques he used, his calculation was remarkably accurate, over 2,000 years ago.

17. The oldest surviving globe dates back to 1492 and was created by German astronomer Martin Behaim.

The globe, called Erdapfel (which translates to "Earth apple"), stands as a significant historical artifact that reflects both the expansive and limited knowledge we had about the Earth. It contains many inaccuracies, including mythical islands in the Atlantic Ocean. But let's cut Behaim some slack—he didn’t have Google Earth to verify his facts.

18. HC SVT DRACONES can be found on the Hunt-Lenox Globe.

One of the other oldest surviving globes, the Hunt-Lenox Globe, dating back to around 1510, is notable for being one of the rare historical instances where the phrase HC SVNT DRACONES, meaning 'Here be Dragons,' is featured. The Latin inscription appears just south of the equator near Asia, which could possibly refer to the Komodo dragons found in the Indonesian islands.

19. Magellan led (most of) the first successful journey around the globe.

In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships, proving that it was possible to circumnavigate the Earth, thus dispelling any remaining doubts about its round shape. Unfortunately, Magellan lost his life during the expedition, and out of the five ships, only one completed the entire journey.

20. Pocket globes were once a fashionable accessory.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a trend for middle-class ‘men of the world’ to carry a pocket globe, a miniature globe of just 2 to 3 inches, small enough to fit comfortably next to a pocket watch.

21. The largest globe in the world is named Eartha.

On the opposite end of the scale, the largest globe in the world is named Eartha, with a diameter surpassing 41 feet. Created by the DeLorme mapping corporation, it is currently displayed in an atrium in Yarmouth, Maine. In 1999, it earned the Guinness World Records title for Largest Revolving Globe, a distinction it still holds today.

22. NASA’s Voyager 1 captured an iconic photograph of Earth.

While globes offer an interesting representation of Earth, they pale in comparison to the grandeur of actual photographs of our planet made possible by technological advances. On February 14, 1990, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft captured a photo of Earth from about 4 billion miles away. The image shows Earth as little more than a speck in the vast universe. Taken at the request of Carl Sagan, he later described it as, '[a] mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.' He famously referred to it as the Pale Blue Dot.

23. Concern for the planet has sparked inspiration among many musicians.

Earth has long been a source of inspiration for musicians. Marvin Gaye’s 1971 hit 'Mercy, Mercy Me' addressed ecological conservation. Joe Walsh created an entire album, Songs for a Dying Planet, centered around this theme. In 2015, an all-star collaboration featuring Paul McCartney, Sean Paul, and Natasha Bedingfield, among others, recorded 'Love Song to the Earth' to raise awareness of climate change.

24. Mishka Henner creates art using satellite imagery.

Artists have increasingly turned to technology for inspiration, such as Belgian-born Mishka Henner, who uses satellite images as the foundation for his art. His piece '51 U.S. Military Outposts' features images of relatively obscure military sites, showcasing this high-tech approach.

25. 'Earth art' incorporates natural materials like soil, rocks, and sand.

Not only has Earth inspired countless artists, but it has also been used as an art material. The Land Art or Earth Art movement of the 1960s and '70s embraced this concept, using natural materials like soil, rocks, and sand to craft works of art. One of the most notable figures in this movement was Robert Smithson, who created earthworks like Spiral Jetty, a piece made of earth and basalt. A spectacular example of Earth Art is Celtic Horse in Slovakia, a 330-foot by 330-foot geoglyph, or stone sculpture. Artist Andrew Rogers has created more than 50 geoglyphs across 16 countries and all seven continents.

26. Earth has been a frequent inspiration for science fiction.

In Jules Verne’s 1864 novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, the dangers of descending into the Earth are vividly illustrated as the protagonists encounter Jurassic sea creatures.

27. and 28. The crust is the Earth's outermost layer, made primarily of one type of rock.

If we were to venture toward the Earth's core, we would begin at the crust, which is the outermost layer of the planet. Composed mainly of igneous rocks, it is the layer that supports all life on Earth.

29. The Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old.

Around 4.5 billion years ago, Earth was essentially a molten ball of rock. Scientists estimate the planet's age to be about 4.54 billion years, with a margin of error of about 1 percent. This figure has been determined through observations, radiometric dating, and some educated assumptions.

30. Rocks dating back at least billion years have been discovered on every continent.

Researchers often seek out the oldest rocks on Earth to study the radioactive isotopes within them for age dating. Rocks that are at least billion years old have been found on every continent, with zircon crystals in Western Australia dating back to around 4.4 billion years. However, plate tectonics can destroy and recycle some of Earth's oldest rocks, making them less reliable for determining the planet's age.

31. Rocks from Earth's moon have been dated to 4.4 to 4.5 billion years old.

Luckily, Earth’s nearby companion, the moon, has been largely untouched by plate tectonics, preserving many of its ancient rocks. During the 1960s and 1970s, astronauts brought back some of these moon rocks, and they were later dated to be between 4.4 and 4.5 billion years old.

32. Several sources of data help us estimate Earth’s age.

Our best estimate of Earth’s age comes from combining various data points. Radiometric dating of meteorites helps us understand when the solar system began, and the analysis of lead isotopes on Earth assists scientists in determining how much time would be needed to achieve the current compositions. The estimate—4.54 billion years—is highly reliable, but some questions remain.

33. A 2020 study proposed Earth might have formed in as little as 5 million years.

We’re still uncertain about the exact speed of Earth’s formation. A study published in February 2020 by University of Copenhagen researchers proposed that Earth formed in just about 5 million years, a much faster timeline than earlier estimates, which spanned tens of millions of years.

34. This conclusion was drawn from an alternative theory of the planet’s formation.

The study’s authors propose that Earth’s creation involved the gradual accumulation of cosmic dust, instead of random collisions between celestial bodies. While five million years may still seem like a long time, if you condense the solar system’s roughly 4.6 billion-year history into a single 24-hour “cosmic day,” Earth’s formation would only occupy about a minute and a half of that day, according to their model.

35. At one point, the Earth’s temperature reached about 2800°F.

Around 500 million years into its existence, Earth had reached a scorching 2800°F, hot enough to melt iron.

36. The intense heat led to increased movement of the Earth’s molten materials.

This period of extreme heat was akin to Earth's tumultuous adolescence, shaping it into the planet we know today. The high temperatures promoted the movement of Earth's molten rock, causing lighter materials like water, silicon, and oxygen to rise to the surface, forming the early mantle and crust.

37. and 38. Earth lacked atmospheric oxygen for around 2 billion years—until cyanobacteria began oxygenating the planet via photosynthesis.

For the first 2 billion years of Earth’s history, atmospheric oxygen was absent. Then, cyanobacteria began using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. The reasons why cyanobacteria transitioned from single-celled to multicellular organisms and started producing oxygen in sufficient amounts remain unclear, but this process led to The Great Oxidation Event.

39. The rise in atmospheric oxygen triggered the Cambrian Explosion.

Without The Great Oxidation Event, the Cambrian Explosion would not have occurred, marking a pivotal moment in evolution when an explosion of life emerged, including vertebrates and many shelled creatures like brachiopods. Despite being called an explosion, this event may have spanned up to 20 million years.

40. The Earth’s crust is categorized into two types: continental and oceanic.

Jump ahead several hundred million years to the present. The Earth’s surface has cooled, now divided into two distinct layers: continental crust, which is between 18 and 30 miles thick, and oceanic crust, which measures 2 to 4.5 miles thick.

41. Over a million species of plants and animals have been identified by scientists.

Scientists have cataloged approximately 1.2 million species of plants and animals, but some estimates suggest there could still be 7.5 million more species to discover. Experts predict that Earth’s total species count could range between 1 to 6 billion. A study published in 2017 by scientists at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in The Quarterly Review of Biology, suggested that bacteria may make up 70 to 90 percent of Earth's species. In terms of biodiversity, Earth remains a largely unexplored frontier.

42. and 43. Humans and domesticated animals account for around 95 percent of all land-dwelling vertebrates, and their presence has significantly impacted Earth's natural resources.

Despite the wide variety of life on Earth, it is estimated that humans and farm animals make up an overwhelming 95 percent of all vertebrate land animals, leaving just 5 percent for wild vertebrates.

This imbalance is one reason many scientists argue that we are facing an environmental crisis, as humans and livestock consume a large portion of the planet's natural resources. Between 25 and 40 percent of the energy captured by plants is used by humans and animals.

44. Insects make up over 80 percent of all known species on Earth.

While humans are the dominant species in terms of resources, insects make up the majority of Earth's species. Over 80 percent of known species, or more than 1 million, are insects. If you've ever had ants invade your space, this probably isn't surprising.

45. Collembolans, also known as springtails, have an astonishing population density.

Ants aren't the only insects that excel in numbers. Collembolans, tiny shrimp-like springtails ranging from 0.25 to 10 mm in size, can be found in densities as high as 10,000 individuals per cubic meter of soil. In some areas, that number can skyrocket to 200,000. The next time you're standing on soil that's not covered by pavement, you might be standing above a vast population of springtails.

46. Beetles show an immense variety of species.

For a world of variety in species, look no further than beetles. With over 400,000 species already identified, and undoubtedly more yet to be discovered, beetles make up a significant portion of Earth's biodiversity. In fact, one out of every three to one out of every five known life forms on the planet is a beetle.

47. Biodiversity comes in three distinct types.

Genetic diversity refers to the variations in the genes of individuals; species diversity highlights the differences between populations of species and the species themselves; and ecosystem diversity encompasses the range of habitats and processes present within a specific environment.

48. Earth's biodiversity has contributed to the development of new medications.

The next time you take a prescription or over-the-counter medicine for a headache or other ailment, remember that Earth's biodiversity might be the source. Many of the medications we use today were derived from plants, bacteria, and fungi. For example, willow bark provided the foundation for aspirin, and in 2018, there were reports about a new antibiotic potentially discovered in the soil of an Irish churchyard, which has long been used in folk remedies, according to the BBC.

49. Four crops account for two-thirds of the global food supply.

Only four crops—wheat, maize, rice, and soybean—supply about two-thirds of the food consumed worldwide. In an effort to lessen our carbon footprints, scientists hope to turn to the 7,000 other crops historically cultivated by humans. Perhaps one day, instead of using flour, you might be making pancakes with moringa leaves.

50. Colombia may be the most biodiverse country per square kilometer.

Colombia is believed to be the most biodiverse country on Earth by area, with one in every ten species of flora and fauna residing there. It boasts more bird and orchid species than any other place. This remarkable diversity is supported by the country’s wide range of ecosystems. In fact, you could trek from a desert to a tundra within a matter of days in Colombia.

51. Earth is surrounded by five major oceans.

These include the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern oceans. While most countries now acknowledge the Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean as a distinct, major ocean, some still only recognize the first three or four. There are even those who refer to a single global “world ocean.”

52. It is estimated that there are approximately 20 million tons of gold in the ocean.

The oceans are, quite literally, Earth's treasure. Experts estimate that around 20 million tons of gold exist in the waters. This gold isn't hidden in sunken pirate ships—it’s dissolved in the water itself. These minuscule gold particles, if accumulated, would be worth roughly 1.1 quadrillion dollars. Unfortunately, you can’t practically sift for it, as one liter of ocean water contains about 13 billionths of a gram of gold.

53. The Atlantic Ocean contains the largest waterfall on the planet.

The Denmark Strait, located beneath the Atlantic, holds the world’s largest waterfall, plunging more than 11,500 feet. The dense cold water flowing from the east meets the less dense warm water from the west, and when they converge, the cold water sinks, forming a giant waterfall.

54. It also houses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

This enormous mostly-underwater mountain range stretches for about 10,000 miles. For comparison, the Andes mountain range is approximately 4,300 miles long.

55. Point Nemo is Earth’s most isolated location.

The most isolated location on Earth is in the Pacific Ocean, known as Point Nemo. It holds the title of being the furthest point from any land, with the nearest islands more than 1,600 miles away. This spot is so remote that at times, the closest humans to it are astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

56. In 1992, over 28,000 rubber duckies were released into the Pacific Ocean.

In 1992, a massive accidental dumping of 28,000 rubber duckies into the Pacific Ocean occurred. Oceanographers used this unexpected event to track the ducks' journey and better understand ocean currents. The ducks’ journey continued to be tracked into the mid-2000s.

57. The Indian Ocean has had several names throughout history.

The name we use today, the Indian Ocean, was established in the 16th century. Before that, it was referred to as Oceanus Orientalis Indicus, or the Eastern Ocean of India, and was also known as the Western Ocean by Chinese explorers.

58. The Kerguelen Plateau lies in the Indian Ocean.

There’s a nearly completely submerged landmass in the Indian Ocean—the Kerguelen Plateau. Situated about 1,800 miles southwest of Australia, it was formed by the Kerguelen volcanic hotspot, which likely emerged around 130 million years ago.

59. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of all the oceans.

Although the Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the five oceans, it was no easy feat to explore. The first scientific expedition to its central region didn’t take place until the 1890s, led by Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who would later be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his work with refugees.

60. Walruses are primarily found in the Arctic Ocean.

Walruses are also found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Their tusks are primarily used for social purposes, especially in mating rituals and displays of dominance. However, they are also employed to help these massive creatures haul themselves onto ice, as noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

61. Not all organizations acknowledge the Southern Ocean.

The Southern Ocean is recognized by many authorities, but it is not officially acknowledged by the National Geographic Society, which includes Antarctica as part of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

62. The Southern Ocean is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.

Though the Southern Ocean may seem cold and unwelcoming, it is home to an incredible range of wildlife. Penguins, whales, orcas, seals, and even colossal squids all thrive in its frigid waters.

63. and 64. Beneath the Earth's crust lies the mantle, where significant processes take place that are crucial to plate tectonics.

While deep oceans are found within the Earth's crust, if we dig further down, we reach the mantle. Solid like the crust, the mantle also contains softer rocks that shift over millions of years. As National Geographic explains, 'Activity in the mantle drives plate tectonics, contributing to volcanoes, seafloor spreading, earthquakes, and orogeny (mountain-building).''

65. and 66. The deeper you go into the mantle, the hotter it gets, and the term 'geothermal gradient' describes this temperature shift.

Temperatures in the mantle vary from approximately 1000°C to 3700°C. As expected, the deeper you go, the hotter it becomes. This temperature change is called the geothermal gradient. On average, for every kilometer you descend into the crust, the temperature increases by 25°C (roughly 1°F for every 70 feet). This rate slows in the mantle, rising by around half a degree Celsius per kilometer, but accelerates again near the core.

67. The core of the Earth lies roughly 3000 kilometers beneath its surface.

To reach the Earth's core, you would need to travel about 3000 kilometers downward, which is approximately the distance between London and the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This puts us not too far from our planet's extremely hot core.

68. The temperature at the Earth's core is nearly the same as the sun's surface temperature.

According to Caltech geochemist Paul Asimow, as quoted in Popular Mechanics, 'Within uncertainty, the temperature at the center of the Earth is the same as the temperature at the surface of the sun.' That temperature is about 10,000°F.

69. It's impossible to directly observe the Earth's core.

Due to the extreme conditions of temperature and pressure, it’s impossible to directly observe the Earth’s core. So how do geologists make educated guesses about it? Dr. Ken Rubin, a professor in the Earth sciences department at the University of Hawaii, addressed this exact question on the Ask An Earth Scientist website. Dr. Rubin shares some fascinating Earth facts in his explanation. He explains, "We can determine the Earth’s overall density and mass by observing how it affects the orbits of other planets and the moon." In simple terms, although we can't weigh the Earth on a scale, our understanding of gravity allows us to make accurate estimates—thanks to Isaac Newton’s law of gravity and Henry Cavendish’s work on the 'universal gravitational constant.'

70., 71., and 72. We know the Earth’s mass, its volume, and how many Earths could fit inside the sun.

Earth’s mass is estimated to be around 6 sextillion metric tonnes, and its volume is approximately 1 trillion cubic kilometers.

That might sound huge, but it becomes even more mind-boggling when you put it into perspective. For instance, about a million Earths could fit inside the sun.

73. Chondrites are crucial in helping scientists estimate the chemical makeup of the Earth.

Dr. Rubin highlights that there are other pieces of evidence that help us understand the chemical composition of Earth’s materials, such as studying chondrites. These meteorites are considered largely unchanged since their formation at the dawn of the solar system. Rubin further explains that by examining this information, scientists can create a 'balance sheet' of all the elements expected to be found on Earth, and then identify which elements are absent from the crust or mantle. By eliminating these, geologists deduce that the missing elements must be located in the core.

74. The Earth’s magnetic field provides clues about the planet’s core.

Furthermore, the presence of Earth’s magnetic field suggests that the core must contain a large amount of metal, specifically metals that remain liquid even under extreme pressure. Through evidence and logical reasoning, scientists conclude that the core is largely composed of iron, with smaller amounts of nickel and lighter elements like oxygen or sulfur.

75. and 76. Earth’s magnetic field can undergo flips, and approximately 170 such reversals have occurred over the past 76 million years.

Here’s a fascinating fact about Earth’s magnetic field: it has the ability to flip. If you could stand in the same spot and face the same direction thousands of years apart, your compass would show you facing north one time and south another. Geological evidence suggests that roughly 170 polarity reversals have taken place over the last 76 million years.

77. Polarity reversals might occur more quickly than originally believed.

A recent article in the journal Nature Communications suggests that polarity reversals could take place much faster than previously thought, although 'much faster' is a relative term. These events are still expected to span tens of thousands of years.

78 and 79. The Earth isn’t a perfect sphere—and several factors cause its shape to distort.

Rather than being a perfect sphere, the Earth is more accurately described as an oblate spheroid, meaning it’s slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. Several forces, such as plate tectonics, tides, and irregular gravitational anomalies, cause the planet to deviate from a perfect oblate spheroid. However, the term still conveys the distortion from a spherical shape, giving us a much clearer representation of the Earth's true form.

This distortion is primarily due to Earth’s rotation and the centrifugal force it generates. Geologist Vic Baker from the University of Arizona compares it to spinning a ball of silly putty, though he points out that “Earth's plasticity is much, much less than that of the silicone plastic clay so familiar to children."

80. At the poles, you’re closer to the Earth’s core than at the equator.

Because Earth isn’t a perfect sphere, standing at sea level means you’re about 21 kilometers closer to the center of the Earth at the poles compared to the equator.

81. Your weight is slightly lower in Ecuador than in Antarctica.

The farther apart the centers of mass of two objects, the weaker the gravitational pull between them. Given Earth’s bulging shape, gravity is stronger at the poles than at the equator, so you would weigh a little less in Ecuador than in Antarctica. However, your mass remains unchanged. This refers specifically to weight, which reflects gravity’s influence on an object.

82. Altitude is another factor that can impact your weight.

Other factors come into play as well. When you're at higher altitudes, you're farther from the Earth's center, which means your weight slightly decreases. For instance, you’d weigh a little less when flying in a high-flying airplane.

83. The Earth beneath your feet can also influence gravitational forces.

The connection between altitude and gravity is more intricate. Although gaining altitude moves you farther from the Earth’s center, mountains themselves add their own gravitational pull. Additionally, the density of the Earth’s crust in a specific area impacts your weight, whether you're atop a mountain or elsewhere.

84. and 85. Canada’s Hudson Bay region is home to a gravitational anomaly, which may be explained by two key factors.

Gravity varies around the world for several reasons, and one of the most notable differences occurs in Canada’s Hudson Bay region, where residents weigh about a tenth of an ounce less than they would in regions with more typical gravity.

GRACE, a collaborative research initiative between NASA and the German Aerospace Center, provided an explanation for the gravitational anomaly in Hudson Bay, pinpointing two key factors. Thousands of years ago, a massive ice sheet covered the region, compressing the Earth’s crust and pushing mass away from the depression. As a result, there is less mass beneath you in Hudson Bay, leading to weaker gravitational pull. Furthermore, convection currents 100 to 200 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface are believed to play a significant role. These currents are thought to drag the continents downward, further reducing the gravitational force in this area. The GRACE team estimated that the ice sheet’s effect could account for 25 to 45 percent of the gravity reduction in Hudson Bay, with the rest attributed to convection currents and tectonic movements.

86. and 87. The shifting of tectonic plates can form islands—and trigger earthquakes.

The ongoing, gradual movement of tectonic plates has broad and profound effects on Earth. It can lead to the creation of entire islands, such as Hawaii, which is essentially a collection of active volcanoes.

Plate tectonics can also trigger earthquakes. For example, when two tectonic plates converge, pressure accumulates. When the plates finally break free, the stored energy can cause seismic waves that may be imperceptible without sensitive equipment or manifest as a catastrophic natural disaster.

88. The biggest earthquake on record occurred in Chile.

The most powerful earthquake ever reliably recorded occurred in 1960 with the Valdivia earthquake in southern Chile. It registered a 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. Since the moment magnitude scale is logarithmic, the Chilean quake released nearly 8000 times more energy than San Francisco’s destructive 1989 earthquake, which had a 6.9 magnitude.

89. Weather and climate are not the same thing.

Consider weather as a snapshot of a specific moment, while climate is the pattern observed over time. Climate represents the long-term trends of weather. Spoiler alert for Earth: the trends aren’t looking good.

90. A tornado once transported a check across hundreds of miles.

Earth’s weather phenomena are truly captivating. For instance, in 1991, a tornado carried a canceled personal check from Stockton, Kansas, to Winnetoon, Nebraska—covering a distance of approximately 223 miles.

91. Lightning can occasionally form a bouncing ball.

While the exact mechanism remains poorly understood, historians of science believe that references to phenomena resembling ball lightning appeared as early as 1557.

92. Humans are largely at the mercy of weather, but that hasn't stopped us from attempting to gain control over it.

From the mythological tales of ancient Greece to prayers in modern religions, attempting to summon specific weather patterns has been a goal for many throughout history. For instance, the Berwick witches of Scotland were accused of using black magic to conjure storms in an effort to sink King James VI of Scotland’s ship.

93. Cloud seeding is a contemporary effort to influence weather patterns.

There are various modern methods designed to control the weather, with cloud seeding being the most common. This technique involves altering precipitation in clouds, either to encourage rainfall or reduce fog around airports. Chemicals like silver iodide or dry ice are typically used, though the effectiveness of these methods is still debated.

94. Operation Popeye was an attempt to weaponize weather for military purposes.

Sadly, some modern efforts to alter the weather have been used with nefarious intentions. For example, Operation Popeye was an American military operation aimed at causing rainfall in Vietnam. The strategy was to extend the monsoon season, thereby disrupting supply lines. Although the operation was carried out, as Popular Science notes, “Its stated objective—to ensure Americans won the Vietnam War—was never realized.” As a result, “weather warfare” was banned by the UN under the Environmental Modification Convention.

95. The troposphere is the closest layer of the atmosphere to Earth's surface.

Earth’s atmosphere is a remarkable, multi-layered shield that protects us from the harshness of space. The troposphere, which is the lowest layer, stretches from the Earth's surface up to an average height of about 12 kilometers. Despite being the thinnest layer, it holds approximately 80 percent of the atmosphere's total mass.

96. Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere.

The stratosphere extends from around 12 kilometers up to about 50 kilometers above Earth's surface. It is also where the ozone layer resides, providing vital protection from harmful solar radiation.

97. Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms (O₃).

Though the term “ozone” may sound like a villain from a superhero series, it’s simply trioxygen, or O₃—an oxygen molecule with three atoms instead of the usual two. Ozone is often described as having a scent reminiscent of chlorine, burning wires, or electrical sparks.

98. The mesosphere, which is the third layer, reaches approximately 80 to 85 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

The highest point of the mesosphere is known as the mesopause, and it holds the title of the coldest natural location on Earth. Temperatures here can dip to an average of -120°F (-85°C).

99. The International Space Station orbits within the thermosphere.

Next on the list is the thermosphere, a layer of the atmosphere that ranges from 500 to 1000 kilometers in altitude. This height can vary greatly due to changes in solar activity. The International Space Station orbits within this layer.

100. The exosphere marks the boundary between Earth and outer space.

Finally, we have the exosphere, which extends up to about 10,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Some estimates stretch it as far as 190,000 kilometers—roughly half the distance to the moon. This zone is notoriously difficult to define, as it represents the point where Earth’s atmosphere gradually fades into space. The exosphere is so sparse that individual atoms can travel for hundreds of miles without colliding with one another.