How the Earth Works

Continents move. Glacial cycles come and go. Mountains spring up and erode away. We live on a planet that is constantly in motion - except we see it in extreme slow motion. In these exciting 48 lessons, you press fast-forward and witness the history of our planet unfold in spectacular detail. You will learn what the Earth is made of, where it came from, and, above all, how it works in this most astonishing journey. Travel through time and space as you look at what went into the making of our planet - from the big bang, to the formation of the solar system, to the gradual evolution of Earth into what we see today. You will travel to the center of the Earth and out again, charting the geological forces that are constantly reshaping the continents and seafloor. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis are byproducts of our planet's ceaseless activity, and you will focus on specific examples of each to learn why and when they occur. Then you will plunge below the waves and explore the cycling of water throughout the planet, along with its role in climate, erosion, plate tectonics, and biology. While we humans are at the mercy of our planet's natural forces, we are also agents of change. Follow the history of manmade changes to Earth's land, water, and air, and consider what we can do to preserve our planet for generations to come.