5 Startling Facts About EarthDecember 28, 2015

Expect the location of the continents to change. Geologists believed that the continents of the world once existed as one. Pangaea was the supercontinent and Panthalassa was the super ocean. This was how the planet looked like millions of years ago, and the tectonic movement was responsible for this gigantic landmass to break apart. Scientists would point out that the Himalayas, a mountain range in Central Asia, was a result of the "collision" of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia. They also believed that the forming and breaking up of landmass happened more than once. No one can tell the next. As a matter of fact, we hardly feel the movement behind the Earth's crust. An earthquake would be another thing, though.

Will there be a decrease in sea water? When Pangaea broke up, Panthalassa ceased to exist. There would be several oceans and seas. The separation may have caused a part of the landmass to slide down beneath the sea surface, but the amount of water hardly changed. If you think about it, we might have a problem. The human population is increasing, but the land remained the same. And many areas are inhabitable. Maybe scientists will find a solution. We might live to see human colonies in open water.

Rocks do get recycled. You may find it hard to believe, but volcanologists will insist it's true. They do have a risky job, observing active volcanoes at close range. They provide clues on the history of our planet. One of their discoveries is how magma, coming out of the volcanoes, hardened into rocks. After several decades, these same rocks will push back to the Earth. How? Think of plate tectonics. (We don't feel it most of the time.) Also recall the law of gravity, where fresh rocks will replace the old ones.

What happens to the ice in Antarctica when it melts? Scientists closely study Antarctica, which can provide clue on the Earth's climate. The continent holds seventy percent of the Earth's fresh water supply. It will be safe to assume that most of the liquid are frozen. It happens that ninety percent of the world's ice are located there. The sea level goes up when the ice melts. The coastal communities will be endangered. But what about the planet? How about the climate? These are intriguing questions, which scientists are still trying to find the answers.

The longest mountain range is not found in the surface. The Andes Mountains, which occupy the leftmost side of South America, is the longest mountain range in sight. But scientist will point out that there's a longer ridge beneath the sea. It's more than twice the length of the Andes. It's a series of volcanic cones (like the Andes). If we can only go down and look at it.

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