The Big Why: Extreme Earth Edition
Surviving the Planet’s Wildest Limits
Forget your backyard—we are traveling to the edges of the map. From mountains that breathe fire to ice that moves like a slow-motion river, we explore the 'why' behind the most powerful forces on Earth.
Topics
Magma Monsters: Why do volcanoes explode?
Peek into the Earth’s kitchen where pressure turns solid rock into glowing, liquid fire.
The Blue Giants: Why do glaciers move if they are ice?
Watch as massive rivers of ice slowly carve out entire valleys like a giant frozen chisel.
Crystal Cathedrals: Why are there giant caves underground?
Discover how silent drops of water can 'eat' through solid rock to create hidden palaces.
The Sky Highs: Why is the top of Mount Everest so thin?
Learn why the world's tallest mountain is still growing every year and why humans can barely breathe at the top.
Fire in the Deep: How can life survive near underwater volcanoes?
Meet the strange creatures living in the pitch-black ocean that eat chemicals instead of sunlight.
The Ground Shaker: Why does the Earth tremble?
Investigate the giant 'puzzle pieces' beneath our feet that cause earthquakes when they bump together.
The Wall of Water: How do Tsunamis get so big?
See how a tiny jolt on the seafloor can turn into a racing mountain of water.
Tornado Alley: Why does the wind turn into a funnel?
Discover the 'perfect storm' of hot and cold air that creates the world's fastest winds.
Earth’s Teapots: Why do Geysers blast hot water?
Explore the natural plumbing system that shoots boiling water hundreds of feet into the air.
The Death Valley: Why is it so hot in the desert?
Uncover the 'heat trap' secrets of the hottest places on our planet.
The Neon Sky: Why do the Northern Lights glow?
Learn how the Earth’s invisible shield fights off sun-particles to create a cosmic light show.
The Exploding Lake: Why can some water be dangerous?
Investigate the rare 'silent' volcanoes hiding at the bottom of peaceful-looking lakes.
The Grand Canyon: How can a small river carve a giant hole?
See the power of 'the slow drip' and how water acts like a giant sandpaper on the world.
The Endless Night: Why is the South Pole frozen solid?
Travel to the bottom of the world where the ice is two miles thick and the sun disappears for months.
The Boiling Ring: Why are most volcanoes in the 'Ring of Fire'?
Map out the edge of the Pacific Ocean where the Earth is most active and explosive.
Diamond Deep: How does the Earth make jewels?
Learn how the extreme weight of the planet crushes plain old coal into sparkling diamonds.
The Great Whirlpool: Why does the ocean spin?
Explore the massive 'drains' in the sea that can swallow ships and move the world's heat.
Singing Sands: Why do sand dunes make music?
Discover the strange acoustic secret of desert mountains that 'hum' when the wind blows.
Super-Bolts: Why is some lightning way stronger than others?
Meet the 'king' of lightning bolts that are 100 times more powerful than a normal strike.
The Great Pangaea: Why did the continents drift apart?
See the giant 'supercontinent' that used to exist and how it broke into the seven pieces we live on today.