Earth’s Magnetic Field is on the Move
Think you know everything about Earth? Think again! These 10 surprising facts about our planet will leave you amazed and curious for more.
10 Surprising Facts About Earth That You Didn’t Learn in School
Introduction
Despite being our home, Earth is still full of mysteries and fascinating facts that are often overlooked. From its evolving magnetic field to the possibility of having more than one moon, our planet holds secrets that even the most attentive science student might have missed. Let’s dive into ten surprising facts about Earth that will change the way you see our incredible blue planet.
1. The Moon: Earth’s Cosmic Companion Came From a Collision
Four billion years ago, when Earth was still young, a massive Mars-sized space rock named Theia collided with the planet. The impact resulted in a large chunk breaking off, which eventually formed the Moon. This catastrophic event gave Earth its permanent celestial companion, making our nights a little less lonely.
2. Earth’s Magnetic Field is on the Move
Earth’s magnetic field isn’t static. In fact, since the 19th century, the northern magnetic pole has shifted about 685 miles, moving northwest across the Canadian Arctic. This constant roaming has been observed for centuries, with British explorer James Ross pinpointing the northern magnetic pole in 1831 and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen discovering it had shifted by 31 miles by 1904.
3. Gravity Isn’t the Same Everywhere
Surprisingly, gravity varies depending on where you are on Earth. One of the most well-known gravitational anomalies occurs in Canada’s Hudson Bay, where gravity is 25 to 45% weaker than elsewhere. This is likely due to melted glaciers and the uneven distribution of Earth’s mass, causing a slight deformation of the crust in this region.
4. Earth Might Have Had a Second Moon
Some scientists believe that Earth once had a second moon about 750 miles wide. This smaller satellite likely collided with the Moon we know today, explaining why the two sides of the Moon look so different. Even now, Earth occasionally captures large asteroids as temporary moons that orbit the planet for a few months before continuing their cosmic journey.
5. The Moon Has Moonquakes
Just like earthquakes, moonquakes occur on the Moon. These quakes are much deeper than those on Earth, occurring closer to the Moon’s core. Scientists attribute them to the gravitational pull between Earth and the Moon. While they’re less frequent, moonquakes provide fascinating insights into our satellite’s internal structure.
6. Earth’s Surface is Rich in Gold
Did you know that 20 million tons of gold are hidden beneath Earth’s crust and in its oceans? If evenly distributed, this gold could cover the planet in a 2-foot-thick layer. However, extracting it isn’t easy, as the metal is incredibly diluted—just 1 gram of gold for every 100 million tons of seawater.
7. Earth Might Have Been Purple
Dr. Shil Dasarma, a microbial geneticist, hypothesises that ancient Earth was likely purple. Early microbes may have used molecules other than chlorophyll to process sunlight, giving the planet a violet hue. This theory challenges the long-held belief that green has always been Earth’s dominant colour.
8. The Tallest Mountain Isn’t Mount Everest
While Mount Everest stands tall at 29,029 feet above sea level, the title of the tallest mountain technically belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii. When measured from its base on the ocean floor to its peak, Mauna Kea rises to a staggering 33,000 feet, surpassing Everest’s height.
9. Exploding Lakes Exist on Earth
On the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Cameroon, there are three deadly exploding lakes—Neos, Monoun, and Kivu. These lakes sit above volcanic activity, where magma releases carbon dioxide into the water, creating a thick layer of gas. When the pressure builds up, it releases explosively, asphyxiating any living beings nearby.
10. Earth Experienced the Most Powerful Volcanic Eruption in History
The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia remains the most powerful volcanic eruption ever recorded. Ranked 7 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), this explosion was so loud that it could be heard 1,200 miles away on Sumatra Island. The eruption caused massive destruction, killing 71,000 people and covering distant islands in wet ash.
