# Start End Original Translated
1 00:00:02,947 00:00:07,046 National Geographic Earth: Making of a Planet Original Air Date on March 6, 2011 National Geographic Earth: Making of a Planet Original Air Date on March 6, 2011
2 00:00:07,071 00:00:11,071 -- sync, corrected by elderman -- -- sync, corrected by elderman --
3 00:00:14,563 00:00:18,133 The Earth, as far as we know it's the The Earth, as far as we know it's the
4 00:00:18,201 00:00:22,973 only home to life in the universe. only home to life in the universe.
5 00:00:23,041 00:00:29,380 So what makes our planet so special? So what makes our planet so special?
6 00:00:30,249 00:00:36,389 To find answers, we must travel back in time. To find answers, we must travel back in time.
7 00:00:36,457 00:00:40,460 See the first humans walk the Earth. See the first humans walk the Earth.
8 00:00:40,528 00:00:44,598 Ride each colliding continent. Ride each colliding continent.
9 00:00:44,666 00:00:50,570 Face killer dinosaurs. Face killer dinosaurs.
10 00:00:50,638 00:00:56,778 Dive into oceans full of bizarre life forms. Dive into oceans full of bizarre life forms.
11 00:00:56,846 00:01:00,683 Feel the bitter chill of global ice ages. Feel the bitter chill of global ice ages.
12 00:01:00,751 00:01:04,855 And experience the fury of cosmic missile attacks. And experience the fury of cosmic missile attacks.
13 00:01:12,330 00:01:14,532 By travelling back in time, By travelling back in time,
14 00:01:14,599 00:01:17,034 we can piece together our planet's incredible we can piece together our planet's incredible
15 00:01:17,102 00:01:18,836 story. story.
16 00:01:18,904 00:01:23,374 And discover why all of this, and all of us, And discover why all of this, and all of us,
17 00:01:23,441 00:01:24,975 are here. are here.
18 00:01:42,262 00:01:44,497 The journey starts almost five billion The journey starts almost five billion
19 00:01:44,565 00:01:48,035 years ago. years ago.
20 00:01:48,736 00:01:53,074 There's no sign of Earth just yet. There's no sign of Earth just yet.
21 00:01:55,310 00:01:59,980 Only the Sun, a newborn star surrounded by dust. Only the Sun, a newborn star surrounded by dust.
22 00:02:05,754 00:02:09,991 The Earth hasn't formed yet. The Earth hasn't formed yet.
23 00:02:19,102 00:02:21,938 But through time, gravity pulls the dust But through time, gravity pulls the dust
24 00:02:22,005 00:02:24,607 into tiny rocks. into tiny rocks.
25 00:02:38,992 00:02:41,927 To our surprise, something as complex as To our surprise, something as complex as
26 00:02:41,995 00:02:45,364 a planet is made from nothing more than dust a planet is made from nothing more than dust
27 00:02:45,432 00:02:48,168 and rocks. and rocks.
28 00:02:49,971 00:02:53,006 Over millions of years, gravity pulls these Over millions of years, gravity pulls these
29 00:02:53,074 00:02:56,642 rocks together to form the Earth, rocks together to form the Earth,
30 00:02:56,710 00:02:58,511 one of at least a hundred planets one of at least a hundred planets
31 00:02:58,578 00:03:01,080 circling the sun. circling the sun.
32 00:03:31,041 00:03:33,742 But four and a half billion years ago, But four and a half billion years ago,
33 00:03:33,810 00:03:37,813 Earth looks more like hell than home. Earth looks more like hell than home.
34 00:03:41,717 00:03:43,751 Up close the temperature is over Up close the temperature is over
35 00:03:43,819 00:03:47,888 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
36 00:03:47,956 00:03:50,924 There's no air, just carbon dioxide, There's no air, just carbon dioxide,
37 00:03:50,992 00:03:54,427 nitrogen and water vapor. nitrogen and water vapor.
38 00:03:54,629 00:03:57,164 It's so hot and toxic that if we got any It's so hot and toxic that if we got any
39 00:03:57,232 00:03:59,700 closer we'd be incinerated and closer we'd be incinerated and
40 00:03:59,768 00:04:03,638 suffocated in seconds. suffocated in seconds.
41 00:04:13,784 00:04:16,052 This newborn planet is a boiling ball of This newborn planet is a boiling ball of
42 00:04:16,120 00:04:17,720 liquid rock; liquid rock;
43 00:04:24,828 00:04:28,630 an endless ocean of lava. an endless ocean of lava.
44 00:04:37,974 00:04:40,242 A young planet called Theia is heading A young planet called Theia is heading
45 00:04:40,310 00:04:45,115 straight for Earth. straight for Earth.
46 00:04:45,383 00:04:48,318 The size of Mars, it travels nearly 10 miles The size of Mars, it travels nearly 10 miles
47 00:04:48,386 00:04:51,255 per second, twenty times faster than a per second, twenty times faster than a
48 00:04:51,323 00:04:52,924 bullet. bullet.
49 00:05:01,366 00:05:04,168 The intruder's gravity distorts the Earth's surface. The intruder's gravity distorts the Earth's surface.
50 00:05:33,569 00:05:36,604 The blast wave races around the planet. The blast wave races around the planet.
51 00:05:37,239 00:05:40,508 It's as though both young planets turn to liquid, It's as though both young planets turn to liquid,
52 00:05:50,920 00:05:52,888 trillions of tons of debris blast trillions of tons of debris blast
53 00:05:52,955 00:05:56,492 out into space. out into space.
54 00:06:13,178 00:06:15,745 But over the course of a thousand years, But over the course of a thousand years,
55 00:06:15,813 00:06:18,581 gravity turns the rubble into a ring of gravity turns the rubble into a ring of
56 00:06:18,649 00:06:24,286 red hot dust and rock that circles the Earth. red hot dust and rock that circles the Earth.
57 00:06:29,424 00:06:32,226 From this ring, a ball forms, From this ring, a ball forms,
58 00:06:32,294 00:06:37,231 over two thousand miles wide. over two thousand miles wide.
59 00:06:41,971 00:06:46,174 It's the birth of our moon. It's the birth of our moon.
60 00:06:51,547 00:06:55,151 But it's much closer than the moon today, But it's much closer than the moon today,
61 00:06:55,218 00:06:58,721 just 14,000 miles away instead of a quarter of just 14,000 miles away instead of a quarter of
62 00:06:58,789 00:07:02,359 a million miles. a million miles.
63 00:07:18,312 00:07:20,947 The sun rises over a cooling Earth. The sun rises over a cooling Earth.
64 00:07:21,014 00:07:27,152 And sets just three hours later. And sets just three hours later.
65 00:07:27,287 00:07:29,555 The Earth is spinning so fast that an entire The Earth is spinning so fast that an entire
66 00:07:29,623 00:07:34,593 day lasts six hours. day lasts six hours.
67 00:07:34,861 00:07:37,162 The days may pass quickly but the Earth The days may pass quickly but the Earth
68 00:07:37,230 00:07:41,366 changes slowly. changes slowly.
69 00:07:41,568 00:07:44,136 To understand the making of our planet we To understand the making of our planet we
70 00:07:44,204 00:07:48,974 need to fast foard through millions of years. need to fast foard through millions of years.
71 00:08:12,367 00:08:14,936 3.9 billion years ago, 3.9 billion years ago,
72 00:08:15,003 00:08:19,174 a hail of meteors attack the Earth. a hail of meteors attack the Earth.
73 00:08:19,642 00:08:21,944 It's debris left over from the solar system's It's debris left over from the solar system's
74 00:08:22,012 00:08:25,448 formation. formation.
75 00:08:32,458 00:08:35,026 Inside the meteors are crystals that look like Inside the meteors are crystals that look like
76 00:08:35,094 00:08:39,831 grains of salt. grains of salt.
77 00:08:40,099 00:08:43,401 And inside the crystals are minute droplets of And inside the crystals are minute droplets of
78 00:08:43,469 00:08:45,303 water. water.
79 00:08:52,243 00:08:54,945 These deadly missiles could contain the vital These deadly missiles could contain the vital
80 00:08:55,013 00:08:57,714 ingredient for life on Earth. ingredient for life on Earth.
81 00:09:11,794 00:09:14,429 Only a small amount of water exists inside Only a small amount of water exists inside
82 00:09:14,497 00:09:17,699 each meteorite, but as they bombard the Earth each meteorite, but as they bombard the Earth
83 00:09:17,766 00:09:20,201 for over 20 million years, for over 20 million years,
84 00:09:20,268 00:09:23,605 pools of water grow. pools of water grow.
85 00:09:26,075 00:09:28,310 The Earth's core remains molten, The Earth's core remains molten,
86 00:09:28,377 00:09:30,479 but its surface has cooled enough to form a but its surface has cooled enough to form a
87 00:09:30,546 00:09:32,347 crust. crust.
88 00:09:32,415 00:09:36,818 The air is around 170 degrees. The air is around 170 degrees.
89 00:09:39,154 00:09:41,089 In the future, there's a chance we could In the future, there's a chance we could
90 00:09:41,157 00:09:44,659 swallow this very water. swallow this very water.
91 00:09:44,727 00:09:46,661 Every sip, every puddle, Every sip, every puddle,
92 00:09:46,729 00:09:49,831 every drop of water in every ocean, every drop of water in every ocean,
93 00:09:49,898 00:09:53,034 is billions of years old. is billions of years old.
94 00:09:53,836 00:09:55,703 And it may have travelled millions of And it may have travelled millions of
95 00:09:55,770 00:09:59,073 miles to reach us, carried inside a miles to reach us, carried inside a
96 00:09:59,141 00:10:01,976 meteor. meteor.
97 00:10:03,979 00:10:06,179 The Earth looks more familiar, The Earth looks more familiar,
98 00:10:06,247 00:10:11,418 but it's still a dangerous place. but it's still a dangerous place.
99 00:10:11,586 00:10:13,520 Winds are faster than the most destructive Winds are faster than the most destructive
100 00:10:13,588 00:10:15,989 hurricanes today. hurricanes today.
101 00:10:16,057 00:10:18,125 It's a mega storm, whipped up by the It's a mega storm, whipped up by the
102 00:10:18,193 00:10:22,330 planet's rapid rotation. planet's rapid rotation.
103 00:10:32,074 00:10:34,910 The moon is so close to Earth that its gravity The moon is so close to Earth that its gravity
104 00:10:34,977 00:10:38,212 is overwhelmed, creating huge tides is overwhelmed, creating huge tides
105 00:10:38,280 00:10:42,083 that race across the planet's surface. that race across the planet's surface.
106 00:11:13,882 00:11:16,684 But over time, the moon moves away, But over time, the moon moves away,
107 00:11:16,751 00:11:21,221 the waves calm down and the planet spins slower. the waves calm down and the planet spins slower.
108 00:11:26,226 00:11:29,562 700 million years after the planet's birth, 700 million years after the planet's birth,
109 00:11:29,629 00:11:33,766 life-giving water covers its surface. life-giving water covers its surface.
110 00:11:35,035 00:11:37,303 And scattered throughout are tiny And scattered throughout are tiny
111 00:11:37,371 00:11:40,106 islands. islands.
112 00:11:45,514 00:11:49,951 They seem to have appeared from nowhere. They seem to have appeared from nowhere.
113 00:11:51,854 00:11:55,823 So how did they get here? So how did they get here?
114 00:12:00,463 00:12:02,330 Molten rock bursts through the Earth's Molten rock bursts through the Earth's
115 00:12:02,398 00:12:07,668 crust and rises up through the ocean. crust and rises up through the ocean.
116 00:12:09,371 00:12:11,306 Over time the lava cools, Over time the lava cools,
117 00:12:11,374 00:12:14,509 forming a volcanic island. forming a volcanic island.
118 00:12:19,748 00:12:22,016 In the future, these islands will join In the future, these islands will join
119 00:12:22,084 00:12:27,288 together to form the first continents. together to form the first continents.
120 00:12:27,956 00:12:31,992 Earth now has water and land. Earth now has water and land.
121 00:12:32,060 00:12:34,762 It's beginning to look like the planet we call home. It's beginning to look like the planet we call home.
122 00:12:37,465 00:12:40,066 But the atmosphere is still toxic and the But the atmosphere is still toxic and the
123 00:12:40,134 00:12:43,068 temperature is scorching. temperature is scorching.
124 00:12:43,136 00:12:45,037 Life here is impossible. Life here is impossible.
125 00:12:55,691 00:12:57,759 Since the planet's formation, Since the planet's formation,
126 00:12:57,827 00:13:01,763 meteors have been pummeling Earth. meteors have been pummeling Earth.
127 00:13:02,365 00:13:06,668 But now, 3.8 billion years ago, But now, 3.8 billion years ago,
128 00:13:06,735 00:13:09,904 the assault enters a violent new phase. the assault enters a violent new phase.
129 00:13:09,972 00:13:12,039 Something's disturbed the orbits of these Something's disturbed the orbits of these
130 00:13:12,106 00:13:16,042 meteorites. meteorites.
131 00:13:18,078 00:13:20,313 In addition to water, the meteors carry In addition to water, the meteors carry
132 00:13:20,381 00:13:23,582 something else. something else.
133 00:13:32,491 00:13:35,026 As they dissolve, the meteorites release As they dissolve, the meteorites release
134 00:13:35,094 00:13:36,461 minerals. minerals.
135 00:13:36,529 00:13:39,030 Carbon and primitive proteins made of amino Carbon and primitive proteins made of amino
136 00:13:39,098 00:13:42,400 acids are transported from outer space to the acids are transported from outer space to the
137 00:13:42,468 00:13:45,336 bottom of the ocean. bottom of the ocean.
138 00:13:50,475 00:13:54,211 Thousands of feet below the waves, it is dark, Thousands of feet below the waves, it is dark,
139 00:13:54,278 00:13:57,947 and close to freezing. and close to freezing.
140 00:14:13,031 00:14:17,768 But a dramatic illusion is taking shape. But a dramatic illusion is taking shape.
141 00:14:19,438 00:14:25,010 Underwater chimneys, spewing hot liquid. Underwater chimneys, spewing hot liquid.
142 00:14:28,447 00:14:31,082 Seawater seeps down into the Earth through Seawater seeps down into the Earth through
143 00:14:31,150 00:14:33,852 cracks in the crust, collecting minerals and cracks in the crust, collecting minerals and
144 00:14:33,920 00:14:36,588 gases along the way. gases along the way.
145 00:14:36,656 00:14:39,323 This potent mixture is released back out into This potent mixture is released back out into
146 00:14:39,391 00:14:44,027 the ocean, building these towers. the ocean, building these towers.
147 00:14:48,399 00:14:50,067 Combined with the minerals and chemicals Combined with the minerals and chemicals
148 00:14:50,134 00:14:52,602 from the meteorites, the water becom a from the meteorites, the water becom a
149 00:14:52,670 00:14:54,804 chemical soup. chemical soup.
150 00:14:57,008 00:14:59,843 It's impossible to know how or when, It's impossible to know how or when,
151 00:14:59,911 00:15:02,279 but somehow these chemicals come together but somehow these chemicals come together
152 00:15:02,347 00:15:06,284 to create life. to create life.
153 00:15:07,519 00:15:09,521 The water is now full of microscopic The water is now full of microscopic
154 00:15:09,588 00:15:11,289 organisms. organisms.
155 00:15:11,357 00:15:13,859 These single-celled bacteria are the These single-celled bacteria are the
156 00:15:13,926 00:15:18,431 earliest forms of life on Earth. earliest forms of life on Earth.
157 00:15:22,103 00:15:25,338 This is a defining moment in the making of This is a defining moment in the making of
158 00:15:25,406 00:15:27,340 the planet. the planet.
159 00:15:29,310 00:15:33,013 Microscopic life is underway. Microscopic life is underway.
160 00:15:43,391 00:15:45,693 For hundreds of millions of years For hundreds of millions of years
161 00:15:45,761 00:15:47,662 nothing changes. nothing changes.
162 00:15:50,900 00:15:55,905 The only life is single-celled bacteria. The only life is single-celled bacteria.
163 00:16:04,347 00:16:06,482 To find more complex life, To find more complex life,
164 00:16:06,550 00:16:11,720 we need to fast forward to 3.5 billion years ago, we need to fast forward to 3.5 billion years ago,
165 00:16:15,158 00:16:18,961 and a shallow ocean. and a shallow ocean.
166 00:16:25,068 00:16:29,138 These look like rocks, or even plants, These look like rocks, or even plants,
167 00:16:29,206 00:16:33,809 growing out of the sea bed. growing out of the sea bed.
168 00:16:34,644 00:16:37,847 Each mound is a colony of living bacteria Each mound is a colony of living bacteria
169 00:16:37,915 00:16:40,683 called a stromatolite. called a stromatolite.
170 00:16:45,322 00:16:48,590 These bacteria turn sunlight into food, These bacteria turn sunlight into food,
171 00:16:48,658 00:16:51,893 a process called photosynthesis. a process called photosynthesis.
172 00:16:51,961 00:16:54,829 It uses the power of sunlight to traform It uses the power of sunlight to traform
173 00:16:54,897 00:16:58,399 carbon dioxide and water into glucose, carbon dioxide and water into glucose,
174 00:16:58,467 00:17:00,902 a simple form of sugar. a simple form of sugar.
175 00:17:15,386 00:17:18,688 And this magical transformation releases And this magical transformation releases
176 00:17:18,756 00:17:23,361 a by-product, a gas called oxygen. a by-product, a gas called oxygen.
177 00:17:27,399 00:17:30,034 Underwater, the stromatolites slowly Underwater, the stromatolites slowly
178 00:17:30,102 00:17:34,171 fill the oceans with oxygen. fill the oceans with oxygen.
179 00:17:37,442 00:17:40,643 The oxygen then turns traces of iron into The oxygen then turns traces of iron into
180 00:17:40,711 00:17:43,846 rust, which fall to the ocean floor, rust, which fall to the ocean floor,
181 00:17:43,914 00:17:47,717 to form deposits of iron rich rock. to form deposits of iron rich rock.
182 00:17:47,785 00:17:50,220 It's this mineral that will one day be used to It's this mineral that will one day be used to
183 00:17:50,287 00:17:55,126 build bridges, ships, and skyscrapers. build bridges, ships, and skyscrapers.
184 00:18:05,439 00:18:08,374 Above the waves, the oxygen transforms the Above the waves, the oxygen transforms the
185 00:18:08,442 00:18:10,577 atmosphere. atmosphere.
186 00:18:10,644 00:18:12,812 These stromatolites are creating the most These stromatolites are creating the most
187 00:18:12,880 00:18:16,883 important element for life on earth. important element for life on earth.
188 00:18:16,950 00:18:19,853 Without them, virtually every living thing Without them, virtually every living thing
189 00:18:19,920 00:18:22,122 wouldn't exist. wouldn't exist.
190 00:18:30,265 00:18:32,600 Over the next two billion years oxygen Over the next two billion years oxygen
191 00:18:32,668 00:18:35,204 levels continue to rise, levels continue to rise,
192 00:18:35,271 00:18:37,740 and as the planet's spin slows, and as the planet's spin slows,
193 00:18:37,808 00:18:43,880 the days get longer, lasting at least 16 hours. the days get longer, lasting at least 16 hours.
194 00:18:53,557 00:18:56,725 3 billion years after the planet's birth, 3 billion years after the planet's birth,
195 00:18:56,792 00:18:59,160 there's still no complex life, there's still no complex life,
196 00:18:59,228 00:19:05,466 no plants, no dinosaurs, no humans. no plants, no dinosaurs, no humans.
197 00:19:06,234 00:19:08,669 But the Earth has something unlike any But the Earth has something unlike any
198 00:19:08,737 00:19:11,439 other planet in this solar system, other planet in this solar system,
199 00:19:11,507 00:19:14,943 a force with the power to change everything. a force with the power to change everything.
200 00:19:23,316 00:19:24,650 One and a half billion One and a half billion
201 00:19:24,717 00:19:29,255 years ago, the Earth is a beautiful blue ball, years ago, the Earth is a beautiful blue ball,
202 00:19:29,323 00:19:33,559 dotted with volcanic islands. dotted with volcanic islands.
203 00:19:33,827 00:19:37,063 Over millions of years, a mysterious force Over millions of years, a mysterious force
204 00:19:37,131 00:19:40,099 rearranges these islands. rearranges these islands.
205 00:19:40,167 00:19:41,700 Hidden beneath the ocean, Hidden beneath the ocean,
206 00:19:41,768 00:19:44,369 the Earth's crust breaks into vast the Earth's crust breaks into vast
207 00:19:44,437 00:19:46,438 plates. plates.
208 00:19:46,706 00:19:50,574 But even deeper, the Earth's core is so hot But even deeper, the Earth's core is so hot
209 00:19:50,642 00:19:52,977 that it generates movement in the rock that it generates movement in the rock
210 00:19:53,044 00:19:56,646 beneath the crust. beneath the crust.
211 00:19:57,014 00:19:59,482 These movements push and pull the plates These movements push and pull the plates
212 00:19:59,550 00:20:02,886 around the globe, carrying the oceans and around the globe, carrying the oceans and
213 00:20:02,954 00:20:05,856 islands with them. islands with them.
214 00:20:06,625 00:20:09,827 Millions of years race by, Millions of years race by,
215 00:20:09,895 00:20:14,065 our planet is alive, and changing. our planet is alive, and changing.
216 00:20:15,968 00:20:19,169 Over 400 million years a vast new super Over 400 million years a vast new super
217 00:20:19,237 00:20:21,372 continent takes shape. continent takes shape.
218 00:20:21,439 00:20:25,543 It's called Rodinia. It's called Rodinia.
219 00:20:29,748 00:20:32,583 In the shallow waters surrounding Rodinia, In the shallow waters surrounding Rodinia,
220 00:20:32,651 00:20:34,852 stromatolites work their magic for more stromatolites work their magic for more
221 00:20:34,920 00:20:38,789 than two billion years, pumping oxygen into the than two billion years, pumping oxygen into the
222 00:20:38,857 00:20:40,957 atmosphere. atmosphere.
223 00:20:42,127 00:20:45,195 The temperature is 85 degrees. The temperature is 85 degrees.
224 00:20:45,530 00:20:49,467 And the days are 18 hours long. And the days are 18 hours long.
225 00:20:56,842 00:21:00,379 But this planet looks more like Mars than Earth. But this planet looks more like Mars than Earth.
226 00:21:05,552 00:21:09,056 To find life, we must fast forward through time. To find life, we must fast forward through time.
227 00:21:21,968 00:21:27,772 Washington State: 750 million years ago. Washington State: 750 million years ago.
228 00:21:27,840 00:21:30,909 A force deep inside the planet rips the crust A force deep inside the planet rips the crust
229 00:21:30,976 00:21:33,310 to pieces. to pieces.
230 00:21:33,378 00:21:34,879 It's as though the world is breaking It's as though the world is breaking
231 00:21:34,946 00:21:36,847 apart. apart.
232 00:21:38,517 00:21:40,218 And there's only one force powerful enough And there's only one force powerful enough
233 00:21:40,285 00:21:44,389 to do this, heat. to do this, heat.
234 00:21:45,157 00:21:47,926 It escapes from the Earth's molten core, It escapes from the Earth's molten core,
235 00:21:47,993 00:21:52,463 stretching and weakening the crust. stretching and weakening the crust.
236 00:21:52,531 00:21:55,566 Inch by inch, year by year, Inch by inch, year by year,
237 00:21:55,634 00:21:56,867 the great super-continent is the great super-continent is
238 00:21:56,935 00:22:00,671 splitting in two. splitting in two.
239 00:22:38,046 00:22:41,014 The intense geological activity spawns a mass The intense geological activity spawns a mass
240 00:22:41,082 00:22:43,417 of volcanoes. of volcanoes.
241 00:22:43,685 00:22:45,185 They pump carbon dioxide into the They pump carbon dioxide into the
242 00:22:45,253 00:22:47,988 atmosphere. atmosphere.
243 00:23:04,741 00:23:07,176 The carbon dioxide mixes with water, The carbon dioxide mixes with water,
244 00:23:07,244 00:23:10,746 and creates acid rain. and creates acid rain.
245 00:23:20,957 00:23:23,024 When the continent tore apart, When the continent tore apart,
246 00:23:23,092 00:23:29,063 many rocks were exposed. many rocks were exposed.
247 00:23:29,665 00:23:32,800 These rocks absorb the acid rain, These rocks absorb the acid rain,
248 00:23:32,868 00:23:35,536 including its carbon dioxide. including its carbon dioxide.
249 00:23:35,604 00:23:38,806 Vast quantities of CO 2 are absorbed out of the Vast quantities of CO 2 are absorbed out of the
250 00:23:38,874 00:23:41,309 atmosphere. atmosphere.
251 00:23:48,585 00:23:51,221 Now, there's not enough carbon dioxide in the Now, there's not enough carbon dioxide in the
252 00:23:51,288 00:23:56,426 air to trap the sun's heat around the planet. air to trap the sun's heat around the planet.
253 00:23:57,061 00:23:59,129 In just a few thousand years, In just a few thousand years,
254 00:23:59,197 00:24:01,565 the temperature plummets to around the temperature plummets to around
255 00:24:01,632 00:24:05,601 minus 60 degrees. minus 60 degrees.
256 00:24:05,836 00:24:08,837 This frozen wasteland is Southern Australia, This frozen wasteland is Southern Australia,
257 00:24:08,905 00:24:13,675 650 million years ago. 650 million years ago.
258 00:24:13,743 00:24:16,978 It's the start of what some scientists call It's the start of what some scientists call
259 00:24:17,046 00:24:20,682 Snowball Earth, a period they believe to Snowball Earth, a period they believe to
260 00:24:20,750 00:24:24,353 be the longest, coldest ice age ever to grip be the longest, coldest ice age ever to grip
261 00:24:24,421 00:24:25,321 the planet. the planet.
262 00:24:30,495 00:24:33,397 A vast wall of ice looms thousands of feet A vast wall of ice looms thousands of feet
263 00:24:33,465 00:24:35,066 high. high.
264 00:24:37,002 00:24:40,805 And it's unstoppable. And it's unstoppable.
265 00:24:41,073 00:24:43,541 The more ice there is the more sunlight it The more ice there is the more sunlight it
266 00:24:43,608 00:24:45,776 reflects away from the planet, reflects away from the planet,
267 00:24:45,844 00:24:49,579 and the faster the ice spreads. and the faster the ice spreads.
268 00:24:50,447 00:24:55,617 Nearby is a second ice sheet just as high. Nearby is a second ice sheet just as high.
269 00:24:55,685 00:24:58,220 The two sheets spread away from the poles, The two sheets spread away from the poles,
270 00:24:58,288 00:25:00,789 toward each other to meet at the Equator. toward each other to meet at the Equator.
271 00:25:24,714 00:25:27,082 Now an ice sheet up to 10,000 Now an ice sheet up to 10,000
272 00:25:27,150 00:25:33,056 feet thick covers the entire planet. feet thick covers the entire planet.
273 00:25:34,525 00:25:38,295 Earth first began as a molten ball of fire, Earth first began as a molten ball of fire,
274 00:25:38,363 00:25:42,499 now it's a frozen ball of ice. now it's a frozen ball of ice.
275 00:25:45,970 00:25:49,073 Virtually all the sun's light, and warmth, Virtually all the sun's light, and warmth,
276 00:25:49,140 00:25:54,245 reflects back into space. reflects back into space.
277 00:26:01,320 00:26:03,221 And it seems as though nothing, And it seems as though nothing,
278 00:26:03,289 00:26:06,625 not even the Sun can rescue the planet now. not even the Sun can rescue the planet now.
279 00:26:19,393 00:26:22,094 650 million years ago, 650 million years ago,
280 00:26:22,162 00:26:25,432 ice entombs the planet. ice entombs the planet.
281 00:26:25,499 00:26:28,302 For 15 million years, the Earth is a vast For 15 million years, the Earth is a vast
282 00:26:28,369 00:26:31,171 frozen snowball. frozen snowball.
283 00:26:33,275 00:26:35,243 But it can't last forever; But it can't last forever;
284 00:26:35,311 00:26:37,646 something must release the Earth from this something must release the Earth from this
285 00:26:37,713 00:26:41,250 frozen prison. frozen prison.
286 00:26:41,318 00:26:43,653 And when it does, who knows whether life has And when it does, who knows whether life has
287 00:26:43,720 00:26:46,956 survived beneath the ice. survived beneath the ice.
288 00:26:47,024 00:26:49,993 The surface is frozen but the core is still The surface is frozen but the core is still
289 00:26:50,060 00:26:53,962 hotter than the sun's surface. hotter than the sun's surface.
290 00:26:59,568 00:27:01,235 Volcanoes have been erupting since the Volcanoes have been erupting since the
291 00:27:01,302 00:27:03,837 world began to freeze. world began to freeze.
292 00:27:03,905 00:27:07,373 But up until now even their heat and power But up until now even their heat and power
293 00:27:07,441 00:27:11,344 made no impact on the ice. made no impact on the ice.
294 00:27:13,648 00:27:16,016 Volcanoes pump out billions of tons of Volcanoes pump out billions of tons of
295 00:27:16,084 00:27:19,687 carbon dioxide. carbon dioxide.
296 00:27:19,954 00:27:22,590 Before the big freeze, the Earth's rocks Before the big freeze, the Earth's rocks
297 00:27:22,657 00:27:27,195 absorbed most of the CO2. absorbed most of the CO2.
298 00:27:27,530 00:27:30,632 But now, with the rocks smothered in ice, But now, with the rocks smothered in ice,
299 00:27:30,700 00:27:33,168 there's nothing to absorb the gas. there's nothing to absorb the gas.
300 00:27:33,236 00:27:36,639 So it fills the atmosphere. So it fills the atmosphere.
301 00:27:43,447 00:27:46,149 Like a blanket, it traps the sun's warmth Like a blanket, it traps the sun's warmth
302 00:27:46,217 00:27:47,884 around the planet, allowing the around the planet, allowing the
303 00:27:47,952 00:27:51,921 temperatures to rise. temperatures to rise.
304 00:27:52,223 00:27:55,725 Now, after 15 million years, Now, after 15 million years,
305 00:27:55,793 00:27:58,861 the ice begins to melt. the ice begins to melt.
306 00:28:21,321 00:28:23,822 It's thought that during Snowball Earth It's thought that during Snowball Earth
307 00:28:23,890 00:28:26,524 the ice pushed the crust down. the ice pushed the crust down.
308 00:28:26,592 00:28:31,029 But now, as it melts, the crust bounces up, But now, as it melts, the crust bounces up,
309 00:28:31,097 00:28:35,099 creating fissures and weak spots, creating fissures and weak spots,
310 00:28:35,167 00:28:37,769 and more volcanoes. and more volcanoes.
311 00:28:42,742 00:28:45,844 The volcanoes release more carbon dioxide and The volcanoes release more carbon dioxide and
312 00:28:45,912 00:28:50,049 push the temperature up even higher. push the temperature up even higher.
313 00:28:50,450 00:28:54,887 The melt gathers momentum. The melt gathers momentum.
314 00:28:54,955 00:28:58,859 And oxygen levels rise. And oxygen levels rise.
315 00:28:59,628 00:29:02,363 Through a series of chemical reactions the Through a series of chemical reactions the
316 00:29:02,431 00:29:05,867 ice has created oxygen. ice has created oxygen.
317 00:29:06,168 00:29:08,002 While the planet was frozen, While the planet was frozen,
318 00:29:08,070 00:29:11,439 the Sun's ultraviolet rays reacted with water the Sun's ultraviolet rays reacted with water
319 00:29:11,506 00:29:14,709 molecules in the ice, to produce hydrogen molecules in the ice, to produce hydrogen
320 00:29:14,777 00:29:18,679 peroxide, a chemical rich in oxygen. peroxide, a chemical rich in oxygen.
321 00:29:30,726 00:29:34,262 Now, as the ice melts, the hydrogen peroxide Now, as the ice melts, the hydrogen peroxide
322 00:29:34,330 00:29:36,398 breaks down and releases massive breaks down and releases massive
323 00:29:36,465 00:29:41,102 amounts of oxygen. amounts of oxygen.
324 00:29:47,176 00:29:51,046 The Earth is waking up, and it's a very The Earth is waking up, and it's a very
325 00:29:51,114 00:29:53,215 different place. different place.
326 00:30:30,985 00:30:33,919 600 million years ago, the atmosphere is 600 million years ago, the atmosphere is
327 00:30:33,987 00:30:37,857 warmer, like a summer day. warmer, like a summer day.
328 00:30:39,926 00:30:45,163 And the days are about 22 hours long. And the days are about 22 hours long.
329 00:30:50,203 00:30:54,140 Add all this water and it's the perfect recipe Add all this water and it's the perfect recipe
330 00:30:54,208 00:30:56,142 for life. for life.
331 00:31:00,448 00:31:03,050 Before Snowball Earth, primitive bacteria Before Snowball Earth, primitive bacteria
332 00:31:03,118 00:31:06,387 emerged in the oceans. emerged in the oceans.
333 00:31:06,455 00:31:08,623 But surely they couldn't have survived But surely they couldn't have survived
334 00:31:08,691 00:31:12,593 an ice age 75 times longer than the entire an ice age 75 times longer than the entire
335 00:31:12,661 00:31:15,995 span of human history. span of human history.
336 00:31:16,197 00:31:18,131 If something has survived, If something has survived,
337 00:31:18,198 00:31:21,600 then life may be found where it was last seen, then life may be found where it was last seen,
338 00:31:21,668 00:31:24,069 in the oceans. in the oceans.
339 00:31:28,308 00:31:31,677 Now, 540 million years ago, Now, 540 million years ago,
340 00:31:31,745 00:31:33,913 in an ocean full of oxygen, in an ocean full of oxygen,
341 00:31:33,981 00:31:38,551 those primitive bacteria have evolved. those primitive bacteria have evolved.
342 00:31:38,853 00:31:40,387 A handful must have clung on through the A handful must have clung on through the
343 00:31:40,455 00:31:43,490 big freeze. big freeze.
344 00:31:43,557 00:31:45,192 There are plants scattered on the sea There are plants scattered on the sea
345 00:31:45,260 00:31:49,663 floor. floor.
346 00:31:49,998 00:31:54,868 And something else. And something else.
347 00:31:55,103 00:31:57,771 What looks like an armored slug takes up What looks like an armored slug takes up
348 00:31:57,839 00:31:59,873 residence. residence.
349 00:31:59,941 00:32:04,077 It's called Wiwaxia, a new generation of It's called Wiwaxia, a new generation of
350 00:32:04,145 00:32:08,781 complex multi-celled organisms. complex multi-celled organisms.
351 00:32:09,016 00:32:10,617 The Earth enters one of the most dynamic The Earth enters one of the most dynamic
352 00:32:10,685 00:32:17,691 periods in its history, the Cambrian explosion. periods in its history, the Cambrian explosion.
353 00:32:17,758 00:32:20,460 Increased oxygen levels allow creatures to grow Increased oxygen levels allow creatures to grow
354 00:32:20,528 00:32:26,867 larger and develop bony skeletons. larger and develop bony skeletons.
355 00:32:27,035 00:32:33,840 There are worms, sponges, There are worms, sponges,
356 00:32:33,908 00:32:37,810 and these trilobites: distant relatives of and these trilobites: distant relatives of
357 00:32:37,878 00:32:42,681 insects, lobsters, even scorpions. insects, lobsters, even scorpions.
358 00:32:51,090 00:32:55,760 Life in the oceans blossoms. Life in the oceans blossoms.
359 00:32:56,696 00:33:02,834 From microscopic bacteria, to monsters. From microscopic bacteria, to monsters.
360 00:33:12,410 00:33:15,946 This is Anomalocaris. This is Anomalocaris.
361 00:33:16,013 00:33:20,850 Nearly two feet long, it has large eyes, Nearly two feet long, it has large eyes,
362 00:33:20,918 00:33:25,588 razor sharp teeth and grasping limbs. razor sharp teeth and grasping limbs.
363 00:33:43,409 00:33:48,046 All it has to do, is take its pick. All it has to do, is take its pick.
364 00:33:56,322 00:33:58,556 The trilobite can't right itself, The trilobite can't right itself,
365 00:33:58,624 00:34:02,861 its soft belly is exposed. its soft belly is exposed.
366 00:34:16,978 00:34:19,813 Also found in the sea is Pikaia. Also found in the sea is Pikaia.
367 00:34:19,881 00:34:22,116 Only an inch and a half long, Only an inch and a half long,
368 00:34:22,183 00:34:27,621 they may be the first organism with a spine. they may be the first organism with a spine.
369 00:34:31,559 00:34:34,795 Over millions of years, this simple structure Over millions of years, this simple structure
370 00:34:34,863 00:34:37,965 will evolve into the spine that keeps us will evolve into the spine that keeps us
371 00:34:38,033 00:34:40,468 standing. standing.
372 00:34:57,319 00:34:59,854 Expecting to find life in ruins, Expecting to find life in ruins,
373 00:34:59,922 00:35:05,093 the oceans are in fact full of life. the oceans are in fact full of life.
374 00:35:06,028 00:35:09,797 Where trilobites scavenge and monsters Where trilobites scavenge and monsters
375 00:35:09,865 00:35:12,366 prowl. prowl.
376 00:35:12,434 00:35:14,235 And where creatures begin to take on And where creatures begin to take on
377 00:35:14,302 00:35:16,537 familiar forms. familiar forms.
378 00:35:19,441 00:35:22,376 Beneath the waves there are already tens of Beneath the waves there are already tens of
379 00:35:22,444 00:35:27,314 thousands of plant and animal species. thousands of plant and animal species.
380 00:35:27,382 00:35:30,718 The advance of life seems unstoppable. The advance of life seems unstoppable.
381 00:35:47,265 00:35:49,867 460 million years ago, 460 million years ago,
382 00:35:49,934 00:35:53,537 the plates have been moving, again. the plates have been moving, again.
383 00:35:53,772 00:35:59,143 A new continent now exists, Gondwana. A new continent now exists, Gondwana.
384 00:36:00,979 00:36:03,648 It's 90 degrees and oxygen levels are close It's 90 degrees and oxygen levels are close
385 00:36:03,715 00:36:06,684 to what they are today. to what they are today.
386 00:36:08,587 00:36:10,888 The land should be covered with plants and The land should be covered with plants and
387 00:36:10,955 00:36:13,557 crawling with creatures. crawling with creatures.
388 00:36:13,625 00:36:15,592 But there's not much here, But there's not much here,
389 00:36:15,660 00:36:18,796 besides a few patches of algae. besides a few patches of algae.
390 00:36:27,238 00:36:36,146 There's only one explanation, the Sun. There's only one explanation, the Sun.
391 00:36:40,085 00:36:46,391 It blasts the surface with deadly radiation, It blasts the surface with deadly radiation,
392 00:36:46,459 00:36:48,494 so the complex life in the ocean doesn't stand so the complex life in the ocean doesn't stand
393 00:36:48,562 00:36:50,796 a chance on land. a chance on land.
394 00:36:54,668 00:36:57,136 But 30 miles up, where the rays enter the But 30 miles up, where the rays enter the
395 00:36:57,204 00:37:02,074 Earth's atmosphere, something is happening. Earth's atmosphere, something is happening.
396 00:37:04,177 00:37:06,813 When oxygen meets the sun's radiation, When oxygen meets the sun's radiation,
397 00:37:06,880 00:37:09,081 it turns into another kind of gas, it turns into another kind of gas,
398 00:37:09,149 00:37:11,951 call ozone. call ozone.
399 00:37:13,754 00:37:15,689 This gas forms a blanket around the This gas forms a blanket around the
400 00:37:15,756 00:37:19,392 planet and absorbs the lethal radiation. planet and absorbs the lethal radiation.
401 00:37:22,163 00:37:25,699 Over 120 million years, the ozone layer gets Over 120 million years, the ozone layer gets
402 00:37:25,767 00:37:28,936 thicker and prevents more and more radiation thicker and prevents more and more radiation
403 00:37:29,003 00:37:32,105 from reaching the Earth's surface. from reaching the Earth's surface.
404 00:37:32,173 00:37:34,942 Without this layer, life on land simply Without this layer, life on land simply
405 00:37:35,009 00:37:37,110 wouldn't exist. wouldn't exist.
406 00:37:37,511 00:37:39,946 Now, shielded from radiation, Now, shielded from radiation,
407 00:37:40,013 00:37:43,082 life takes off. life takes off.
408 00:37:46,519 00:37:52,224 Small mossy lumps are the first land plants. Small mossy lumps are the first land plants.
409 00:37:52,759 00:37:56,261 They pump out even more oxygen. They pump out even more oxygen.
410 00:37:56,329 00:38:00,766 Levels soar. Levels soar.
411 00:38:06,941 00:38:11,011 375 million years ago, a new species lives in 375 million years ago, a new species lives in
412 00:38:11,079 00:38:14,648 the water, swimming. the water, swimming.
413 00:38:26,395 00:38:31,566 It's a strange fish called a Tiktaalik. It's a strange fish called a Tiktaalik.
414 00:38:53,622 00:38:58,192 It uses its neck to raise itself up. It uses its neck to raise itself up.
415 00:39:12,374 00:39:14,442 And its fins function as legs, And its fins function as legs,
416 00:39:18,780 00:39:22,049 allowing it to move out of the water. allowing it to move out of the water.
417 00:39:34,063 00:39:36,598 This is one of the most important moments in This is one of the most important moments in
418 00:39:36,666 00:39:39,567 the making of our planet. the making of our planet.
419 00:39:40,269 00:39:43,605 Over 15 million years, creatures like these Over 15 million years, creatures like these
420 00:39:43,673 00:39:45,374 evolve. evolve.
421 00:39:46,843 00:39:49,145 They grow stronger limbs and spend more They grow stronger limbs and spend more
422 00:39:49,213 00:39:52,214 time out of the water, where plant life is time out of the water, where plant life is
423 00:39:52,282 00:39:54,650 exploding. exploding.
424 00:39:55,018 00:39:58,587 Until, 360 million years ago, Until, 360 million years ago,
425 00:39:58,655 00:40:01,456 their relatives, called tetrapods, their relatives, called tetrapods,
426 00:40:01,524 00:40:04,660 make the land their home. make the land their home.
427 00:40:04,828 00:40:07,429 From tetrapods, four legged vertebrates From tetrapods, four legged vertebrates
428 00:40:07,497 00:40:10,399 evolve into dinosaurs, birds, evolve into dinosaurs, birds,
429 00:40:10,467 00:40:15,504 mammals and eventually humans. mammals and eventually humans.
430 00:40:18,875 00:40:22,011 There are mosses and ferns everywhere, There are mosses and ferns everywhere,
431 00:40:22,079 00:40:26,582 some at least a hundred feet tall. some at least a hundred feet tall.
432 00:40:26,984 00:40:29,285 A seed is carried by the wind. A seed is carried by the wind.
433 00:40:35,326 00:40:36,626 Until now, Until now,
434 00:40:36,694 00:40:39,395 plants reproduced using spores, plants reproduced using spores,
435 00:40:39,463 00:40:41,831 single-celled particles that need plenty of single-celled particles that need plenty of
436 00:40:41,899 00:40:44,800 water to grow. water to grow.
437 00:40:46,236 00:40:50,339 But this seed is miles from water. But this seed is miles from water.
438 00:40:52,776 00:40:55,344 This embryonic plant has its own food and This embryonic plant has its own food and
439 00:40:55,411 00:40:58,780 water supply. water supply.
440 00:40:58,848 00:41:02,083 Unlike a spore, this seed can survive far Unlike a spore, this seed can survive far
441 00:41:02,151 00:41:06,620 from water for months, even years. from water for months, even years.
442 00:41:19,165 00:41:22,501 The humble seed spreads life across the planet. The humble seed spreads life across the planet.
443 00:41:22,569 00:41:25,437 And each tree and plant pumps out even more And each tree and plant pumps out even more
444 00:41:25,505 00:41:27,706 oxygen. oxygen.
445 00:41:41,589 00:41:45,692 It's an environment very much like today. It's an environment very much like today.
446 00:42:02,675 00:42:05,343 The planet has come a long way, The planet has come a long way,
447 00:42:05,411 00:42:08,479 from a lump of burning rock and dust, from a lump of burning rock and dust,
448 00:42:08,547 00:42:11,315 to a blue and green world bursting with to a blue and green world bursting with
449 00:42:11,382 00:42:13,017 life. life.
450 00:42:19,023 00:42:27,598 There are now fish, plants, and this, There are now fish, plants, and this,
451 00:42:29,301 00:42:31,402 the dragonfly. the dragonfly.
452 00:42:34,272 00:42:37,008 It's called Meganeura. It's called Meganeura.
453 00:42:37,710 00:42:41,812 This insect is the size of an eagle. This insect is the size of an eagle.
454 00:42:41,879 00:42:43,948 What were once legs have evolved into What were once legs have evolved into
455 00:42:44,015 00:42:47,051 wings, extending the dragonfly's hunting wings, extending the dragonfly's hunting
456 00:42:47,119 00:42:51,089 territory over a vast area. territory over a vast area.
457 00:42:54,860 00:42:56,894 There are also millipedes, There are also millipedes,
458 00:42:56,962 00:43:00,732 and spiders down there. and spiders down there.
459 00:43:04,937 00:43:08,173 These creatures, called arthropod, These creatures, called arthropod,
460 00:43:08,240 00:43:10,541 were among the first to set foot on land were among the first to set foot on land
461 00:43:10,609 00:43:13,277 hundreds of millions of years ago. hundreds of millions of years ago.
462 00:43:13,612 00:43:16,080 They look almost identical to the bugs They look almost identical to the bugs
463 00:43:16,148 00:43:18,883 that invade our homes today. that invade our homes today.
464 00:43:18,951 00:43:21,418 Except for one big difference. Except for one big difference.
465 00:43:21,486 00:43:25,823 Like the Meganeura, they're monsters. Like the Meganeura, they're monsters.
466 00:43:25,991 00:43:28,058 It's a world full of giants, It's a world full of giants,
467 00:43:28,126 00:43:31,028 where millipedes are 6 feet long, where millipedes are 6 feet long,
468 00:43:31,095 00:43:36,867 andcorpions are the size of wolves. andcorpions are the size of wolves.
469 00:43:38,336 00:43:40,637 This is because the oxygen level is much This is because the oxygen level is much
470 00:43:40,705 00:43:42,705 higher than it is today, higher than it is today,
471 00:43:42,773 00:43:45,041 which allows their respiratory systems to which allows their respiratory systems to
472 00:43:45,108 00:43:47,676 be more efficient, fueling thier bodies to be more efficient, fueling thier bodies to
473 00:43:47,744 00:43:50,179 grow larger. grow larger.
474 00:43:59,788 00:44:02,256 So far, animals have been laying their eggs So far, animals have been laying their eggs
475 00:44:02,324 00:44:05,993 in the water. in the water.
476 00:44:06,194 00:44:07,928 But a lizard-like creature, But a lizard-like creature,
477 00:44:07,996 00:44:11,832 called the hylonomus, prefers land. called the hylonomus, prefers land.
478 00:44:12,601 00:44:15,737 Its eggs contain all the water and nutrients Its eggs contain all the water and nutrients
479 00:44:15,804 00:44:18,973 that the developing fetus needs. that the developing fetus needs.
480 00:44:19,041 00:44:20,342 The babies grow in their own The babies grow in their own
481 00:44:20,409 00:44:23,011 self-contained pond. self-contained pond.
482 00:44:23,079 00:44:25,147 The egg is a major evolutionary The egg is a major evolutionary
483 00:44:25,215 00:44:27,517 breakthrough. breakthrough.
484 00:44:28,252 00:44:31,387 Allowing animals to leave the water behind, Allowing animals to leave the water behind,
485 00:44:31,455 00:44:34,190 and conquer land. and conquer land.
486 00:44:46,168 00:44:51,305 This baby hylonomus leads the advance, This baby hylonomus leads the advance,
487 00:44:52,807 00:44:56,577 as a new creature, the reptile. as a new creature, the reptile.
488 00:45:10,493 00:45:14,997 Inevitably, with life, comes death. Inevitably, with life, comes death.
489 00:45:15,598 00:45:18,233 Dead plant matter builds up and decays Dead plant matter builds up and decays
490 00:45:18,301 00:45:22,370 into dense soggy layers. into dense soggy layers.
491 00:45:22,438 00:45:24,072 Over hundreds of millions of years, Over hundreds of millions of years,
492 00:45:24,140 00:45:26,441 rocks cover these layers. rocks cover these layers.
493 00:45:26,508 00:45:27,942 And heat from the Earth's core and And heat from the Earth's core and
494 00:45:28,010 00:45:30,144 pressure from the overlying rocks pressure from the overlying rocks
495 00:45:30,212 00:45:34,783 transform these layers into seams of coal. transform these layers into seams of coal.
496 00:45:36,385 00:45:39,221 Each lump of coal burned today is made of Each lump of coal burned today is made of
497 00:45:39,289 00:45:44,294 plants that died 300 million years ago. plants that died 300 million years ago.
498 00:45:55,774 00:45:58,475 Amidst the decay, hidden from sight, Amidst the decay, hidden from sight,
499 00:45:58,542 00:46:01,077 life is stirring. life is stirring.
500 00:46:01,412 00:46:03,713 Soon seeds will germinate, Soon seeds will germinate,
501 00:46:03,781 00:46:06,349 plants will grow, and this wasteland will plants will grow, and this wasteland will
502 00:46:06,417 00:46:08,552 live again. live again.
503 00:46:08,620 00:46:12,322 Life seems to have conquered the planet. Life seems to have conquered the planet.
504 00:46:12,389 00:46:13,823 But will it last? But will it last?
505 00:46:29,703 00:46:31,304 A herd of creatures graze A herd of creatures graze
506 00:46:31,371 00:46:37,743 the Siberian plains, and they are big. the Siberian plains, and they are big.
507 00:46:44,952 00:46:48,521 Evolution takes a huge leap forward, Evolution takes a huge leap forward,
508 00:46:48,589 00:46:53,426 small lizards are now giant reptiles. small lizards are now giant reptiles.
509 00:46:54,061 00:46:57,630 These scutosaurs are distant relatives of These scutosaurs are distant relatives of
510 00:46:57,698 00:47:01,234 turtles. turtles.
511 00:47:03,871 00:47:06,806 If these plant eaters look this tough, If these plant eaters look this tough,
512 00:47:06,873 00:47:11,777 the carnivores must be seriously mean. the carnivores must be seriously mean.
513 00:47:15,849 00:47:19,184 Like this gorgonopsid. Like this gorgonopsid.
514 00:47:19,252 00:47:21,754 A perfectly engineered pre-historic killing A perfectly engineered pre-historic killing
515 00:47:21,821 00:47:23,389 machine. machine.
516 00:47:41,677 00:47:44,579 The gorgonopsid's sabre-teeth wound the scutosaur. The gorgonopsid's sabre-teeth wound the scutosaur.
517 00:47:56,457 00:47:58,124 The predator watches, The predator watches,
518 00:47:58,192 00:48:01,661 as its prey grows weak from blood loss. as its prey grows weak from blood loss.
519 00:48:03,264 00:48:09,570 But before it can make its final move, But before it can make its final move,
520 00:48:09,638 00:48:12,841 something strange happens. something strange happens.
521 00:48:12,908 00:48:17,046 The ground gets hot. The ground gets hot.
522 00:48:22,787 00:48:25,488 Enormous pressure builds beneath the surface, Enormous pressure builds beneath the surface,
523 00:48:25,556 00:48:28,524 and lava spews into the air. and lava spews into the air.
524 00:48:57,858 00:49:01,861 But the lava isn't from one single volcano, But the lava isn't from one single volcano,
525 00:49:01,929 00:49:05,264 the entire landscape is erupting. the entire landscape is erupting.
526 00:49:07,467 00:49:09,868 It's a flood basalt eruption. It's a flood basalt eruption.
527 00:49:09,936 00:49:12,704 A massive plume of mantle rises up from A massive plume of mantle rises up from
528 00:49:12,772 00:49:16,007 deep inside the Earth, and pushes molten rock deep inside the Earth, and pushes molten rock
529 00:49:16,074 00:49:21,812 out through fissures in the Earth's crust. out through fissures in the Earth's crust.
530 00:49:24,249 00:49:28,152 The lush paradise is now a lifeless hell. The lush paradise is now a lifeless hell.
531 00:49:28,220 00:49:33,125 The scutosaurs and the gorgonopsids are dead. The scutosaurs and the gorgonopsids are dead.
532 00:49:33,560 00:49:35,561 They're the first casualties in the They're the first casualties in the
533 00:49:35,629 00:49:37,830 greatest mass extinction the world greatest mass extinction the world
534 00:49:37,898 00:49:42,603 has ever seen, the Permian Extinction. has ever seen, the Permian Extinction.
535 00:49:53,480 00:49:56,215 On the other side of the continent Gondwana, On the other side of the continent Gondwana,
536 00:49:56,282 00:50:00,885 nothing's changed, yet. nothing's changed, yet.
537 00:50:09,796 00:50:11,997 It appears to be snowing, It appears to be snowing,
538 00:50:12,065 00:50:17,169 but the temperature is about 70 degrees. but the temperature is about 70 degrees.
539 00:50:17,237 00:50:19,372 It's actually ash, fallout from the It's actually ash, fallout from the
540 00:50:19,440 00:50:23,543 eruptions some 10,000 miles away. eruptions some 10,000 miles away.
541 00:50:28,384 00:50:31,185 The ash burns and suffocates the animals, The ash burns and suffocates the animals,
542 00:50:31,253 00:50:34,055 killing them around the world. killing them around the world.
543 00:50:45,934 00:50:48,769 Sulphur dioxide from the eruptions fills the Sulphur dioxide from the eruptions fills the
544 00:50:48,837 00:50:51,505 atmosphere. atmosphere.
545 00:50:52,040 00:50:55,141 As it rains, the gas turns to sulphuric As it rains, the gas turns to sulphuric
546 00:50:55,209 00:50:59,211 acid, and burns everything it falls on. acid, and burns everything it falls on.
547 00:51:02,917 00:51:06,486 What was a local disaster has now turned What was a local disaster has now turned
548 00:51:06,554 00:51:08,355 global. global.
549 00:51:20,570 00:51:22,972 The Siberian eruptions increase the Earth's The Siberian eruptions increase the Earth's
550 00:51:23,040 00:51:26,042 carbon dioxide levels. carbon dioxide levels.
551 00:51:26,110 00:51:28,878 The atmosphere gets hotter. The atmosphere gets hotter.
552 00:51:28,946 00:51:32,849 Water evaporates. Water evaporates.
553 00:51:32,917 00:51:34,985 And vegetation dies. And vegetation dies.
554 00:51:45,664 00:51:52,269 Around the world, life on land is being wiped out. Around the world, life on land is being wiped out.
555 00:51:52,337 00:51:54,104 And life in the oceans, And life in the oceans,
556 00:51:54,172 00:51:56,574 has also been compromised. has also been compromised.
557 00:51:58,510 00:52:03,948 The waters turn pink. The waters turn pink.
558 00:52:07,286 00:52:11,656 Plants, trilobites, and predators, disappear. Plants, trilobites, and predators, disappear.
559 00:52:20,831 00:52:22,999 The new, hotter atmosphere heated the The new, hotter atmosphere heated the
560 00:52:23,067 00:52:27,170 oceans and stripped them of oxygen. oceans and stripped them of oxygen.
561 00:52:27,438 00:52:29,973 Now, this pink algae is one of the few life Now, this pink algae is one of the few life
562 00:52:30,041 00:52:34,745 forms that can survive in the stagnant water. forms that can survive in the stagnant water.
563 00:52:34,913 00:52:37,848 The Siberian eruptions transform the entire The Siberian eruptions transform the entire
564 00:52:37,916 00:52:40,918 planet, nothing, not even the deepest ocean planet, nothing, not even the deepest ocean
565 00:52:40,986 00:52:45,623 floor, is beyond their reach. floor, is beyond their reach.
566 00:52:52,564 00:52:55,132 Bubbles of methane gas escape from beneath the Bubbles of methane gas escape from beneath the
567 00:52:55,200 00:52:57,401 sea bed. sea bed.
568 00:53:01,506 00:53:04,108 Methane is a greenhouse gas, Methane is a greenhouse gas,
569 00:53:04,175 00:53:07,679 at least twenty times deadlier than carbon dioxide. at least twenty times deadlier than carbon dioxide.
570 00:53:09,782 00:53:12,817 Until now, the gas has been frozen. Until now, the gas has been frozen.
571 00:53:12,885 00:53:15,220 But as the sea temperature rises, But as the sea temperature rises,
572 00:53:15,288 00:53:18,123 it begins to melt. it begins to melt.
573 00:53:31,470 00:53:33,305 Released into the atmosphere, Released into the atmosphere,
574 00:53:33,372 00:53:35,940 this powerful gas pushes up temperatures this powerful gas pushes up temperatures
575 00:53:36,008 00:53:39,643 even further. even further.
576 00:53:39,878 00:53:42,880 It's now almost 105 degrees, It's now almost 105 degrees,
577 00:53:42,948 00:53:45,282 11 degrees hotter than before the Siberian 11 degrees hotter than before the Siberian
578 00:53:45,350 00:53:47,318 eruptions. eruptions.
579 00:53:51,924 00:53:54,793 Creatures that survive the initial destruction Creatures that survive the initial destruction
580 00:53:54,861 00:53:58,464 now face a new and deadly environment. now face a new and deadly environment.
581 00:53:58,532 00:54:02,435 Few will live. Few will live.
582 00:54:02,870 00:54:05,471 It's been five hundred thousand years since It's been five hundred thousand years since
583 00:54:05,539 00:54:07,740 the eruptions first began, the eruptions first began,
584 00:54:07,808 00:54:11,377 And all this time, the lava's been pouring out. And all this time, the lava's been pouring out.
585 00:54:13,280 00:54:16,082 By now, it covers an area the size of the By now, it covers an area the size of the
586 00:54:16,150 00:54:18,785 United States with a layer of molten rock United States with a layer of molten rock
587 00:54:18,852 00:54:24,156 nearly 4 miles deep. nearly 4 miles deep.
588 00:54:26,392 00:54:32,030 95 per cent of the species are gone. 95 per cent of the species are gone.
589 00:54:32,665 00:54:36,167 A few survive by eating anything they can find A few survive by eating anything they can find
590 00:54:36,235 00:54:41,172 and living in burrows underground. and living in burrows underground.
591 00:54:44,344 00:54:49,649 But everything else, is dead. But everything else, is dead.
592 00:54:49,716 00:54:53,553 250 million years ago, the Earth reverts back 250 million years ago, the Earth reverts back
593 00:54:53,621 00:54:56,890 to an almost lifeless planet. to an almost lifeless planet.
594 00:54:56,958 00:55:00,093 But that's about to change, again. But that's about to change, again.
595 00:55:06,436 00:55:08,036 It's been fifty million It's been fifty million
596 00:55:08,104 00:55:10,739 years since virtually all life on Earth was years since virtually all life on Earth was
597 00:55:10,806 00:55:13,575 wiped out. wiped out.
598 00:55:13,776 00:55:16,677 And the planet has been transformed. And the planet has been transformed.
599 00:55:19,748 00:55:23,217 It's now 200 million years ago, It's now 200 million years ago,
600 00:55:23,285 00:55:26,287 and just one supercontinent, Pangea, and just one supercontinent, Pangea,
601 00:55:26,354 00:55:30,057 stretches from pole to pole. stretches from pole to pole.
602 00:55:35,865 00:55:38,433 After the trauma of the mass extinction, After the trauma of the mass extinction,
603 00:55:38,501 00:55:41,303 the planet heals. the planet heals.
604 00:55:41,371 00:55:44,740 Temperatures stabilize; the acid rain Temperatures stabilize; the acid rain
605 00:55:44,807 00:55:48,210 neutralizes and vegetation returns. neutralizes and vegetation returns.
606 00:55:50,080 00:55:52,448 With 95 per cent of all life on Earth wiped With 95 per cent of all life on Earth wiped
607 00:55:52,516 00:55:56,419 out, the field opens for a new species to out, the field opens for a new species to
608 00:55:56,487 00:55:58,288 emerge. emerge.
609 00:55:58,522 00:56:00,790 One that will dominate the planet like no One that will dominate the planet like no
610 00:56:00,858 00:56:02,725 other. other.
611 00:56:09,398 00:56:13,467 The dinosaurs. The dinosaurs.
612 00:56:13,602 00:56:17,105 These are called Ammosaurs. These are called Ammosaurs.
613 00:56:17,172 00:56:19,341 Like all dinos, they evolved from the Like all dinos, they evolved from the
614 00:56:19,408 00:56:25,880 reptiles that survived the Permian Extinction. reptiles that survived the Permian Extinction.
615 00:56:26,349 00:56:30,151 At 15 feet tall, their size makes them slow, At 15 feet tall, their size makes them slow,
616 00:56:30,219 00:56:33,188 and vulnerable. and vulnerable.
617 00:56:39,994 00:56:46,599 Nearby is the dilophosaurus. Nearby is the dilophosaurus.
618 00:56:49,502 00:56:54,539 It's small, It's small,
619 00:56:54,607 00:56:56,742 and fast. and fast.
620 00:57:17,667 00:57:19,734 The ammosaurus is too big a meal for one The ammosaurus is too big a meal for one
621 00:57:19,801 00:57:22,403 dilophosaurus. dilophosaurus.
622 00:57:22,471 00:57:24,438 But not for two. But not for two.
623 00:57:39,155 00:57:42,191 The dinosaurs have repopulated the Earth. The dinosaurs have repopulated the Earth.
624 00:57:42,826 00:57:45,962 But no species can tame this restless, But no species can tame this restless,
625 00:57:46,029 00:57:48,197 volatile planet. volatile planet.
626 00:57:54,105 00:57:56,073 The earth's crust is thinning. The earth's crust is thinning.
627 00:57:56,140 00:57:58,041 It's releasing lava and shaking with It's releasing lava and shaking with
628 00:57:58,109 00:58:01,144 earthquakes, as if being stretched by some earthquakes, as if being stretched by some
629 00:58:01,212 00:58:03,413 unseen force. unseen force.
630 00:58:09,585 00:58:11,920 It's also happening near what will become It's also happening near what will become
631 00:58:11,988 00:58:16,224 North America's eastern seaboard. North America's eastern seaboard.
632 00:58:24,399 00:58:28,302 The Earth's plates are on the move again. The Earth's plates are on the move again.
633 00:58:28,370 00:58:30,371 190 million years ago, the great 190 million years ago, the great
634 00:58:30,439 00:58:34,174 super-continent of Pangea tears apart. super-continent of Pangea tears apart.
635 00:58:39,114 00:58:41,081 A vast slab of land breaks away, A vast slab of land breaks away,
636 00:58:41,149 00:58:44,284 creating a chasm. creating a chasm.
637 00:58:44,352 00:58:47,620 It fills with a new ocean called the Tethys It fills with a new ocean called the Tethys
638 00:58:47,688 00:58:51,791 over what will one day be the Middle East. over what will one day be the Middle East.
639 00:58:57,397 00:58:59,365 Currents push nutrients up into Currents push nutrients up into
640 00:58:59,433 00:59:04,838 the coastal waters. the coastal waters.
641 00:59:04,905 00:59:07,407 And the nutrients attract fish, And the nutrients attract fish,
642 00:59:07,475 00:59:14,348 in the millions. in the millions.
643 00:59:14,415 00:59:22,522 But again, with so much life, also comes death. But again, with so much life, also comes death.
644 00:59:22,590 00:59:28,194 Dead fish and plankton carpet the ocean floor. Dead fish and plankton carpet the ocean floor.
645 00:59:28,261 00:59:30,496 Over the next 10 million years, Over the next 10 million years,
646 00:59:30,564 00:59:33,232 layers of rock will bury and heat layers of rock will bury and heat
647 00:59:33,299 00:59:35,967 the dead creatures. the dead creatures.
648 00:59:36,035 00:59:37,369 Ancient fish and Ancient fish and
649 00:59:37,436 00:59:43,409 plankton will become oil. plankton will become oil.
650 00:59:55,823 00:59:58,926 Every gallon of gas in our cars, Every gallon of gas in our cars,
651 00:59:58,993 01:00:01,896 every piece of plastic on the planet, every piece of plastic on the planet,
652 01:00:01,963 01:00:04,465 the paint on our walls, the carpet under our the paint on our walls, the carpet under our
653 01:00:04,533 01:00:08,203 feet, even the soap we wash with, feet, even the soap we wash with,
654 01:00:08,271 01:00:17,079 almost all originated in this way. almost all originated in this way.
655 01:00:24,320 01:00:27,455 180 million years ago, the North American 180 million years ago, the North American
656 01:00:27,522 01:00:30,424 plate is still moving away from the European plate is still moving away from the European
657 01:00:30,492 01:00:39,733 and Asian plate. and Asian plate.
658 01:00:39,801 01:00:42,570 It's shifting about one inch each year, It's shifting about one inch each year,
659 01:00:42,638 01:00:49,444 the same speed at which our fingernails grow. the same speed at which our fingernails grow.
660 01:00:49,512 01:00:52,715 But fast forward 35 million years and a new But fast forward 35 million years and a new
661 01:00:52,783 01:00:58,954 ocean forms, as well as new continents. ocean forms, as well as new continents.
662 01:00:59,022 01:01:00,889 The United States breaks away from The United States breaks away from
663 01:01:00,957 01:01:05,660 Africa. Africa.
664 01:01:05,728 01:01:08,963 The world as we know it takes shape. The world as we know it takes shape.
665 01:01:09,030 01:01:11,965 The chasm between the two continents fills, The chasm between the two continents fills,
666 01:01:12,033 01:01:19,205 creating the Atlantic Ocean. creating the Atlantic Ocean.
667 01:01:22,843 01:01:29,949 And in the middle, lies a volcano. And in the middle, lies a volcano.
668 01:01:30,017 01:01:32,785 Like before, currents deep beneath the Like before, currents deep beneath the
669 01:01:32,852 01:01:41,394 Earth's crust move the plates again. Earth's crust move the plates again.
670 01:01:54,940 01:01:58,209 The entire sea floor tears in two and is The entire sea floor tears in two and is
671 01:01:58,277 01:01:59,945 pushed up into a ridge of pushed up into a ridge of
672 01:02:00,012 01:02:05,151 mountains and volcanoes. mountains and volcanoes.
673 01:02:05,219 01:02:07,387 It grows higher than the Himalayas, It grows higher than the Himalayas,
674 01:02:07,454 01:02:10,391 and longer than the Rockies. and longer than the Rockies.
675 01:02:10,458 01:02:15,330 The water here is hot, as molten lava forces The water here is hot, as molten lava forces
676 01:02:15,398 01:02:22,204 its way out from deep inside the earth. its way out from deep inside the earth.
677 01:02:22,271 01:02:25,274 As the lava cools, it creates a new range of As the lava cools, it creates a new range of
678 01:02:25,342 01:02:32,214 volcanic mountains, and a new ocean floor. volcanic mountains, and a new ocean floor.
679 01:02:32,282 01:02:35,651 Pangea breaks apart, and our world Pangea breaks apart, and our world
680 01:02:35,719 01:02:44,127 rearranges again. rearranges again.
681 01:02:56,142 01:02:59,043 It's this geological activity that makes the It's this geological activity that makes the
682 01:02:59,111 01:03:04,782 Earth restless, creative and unique. Earth restless, creative and unique.
683 01:03:04,850 01:03:06,884 And every time the planet reinvents And every time the planet reinvents
684 01:03:06,952 01:03:15,526 itself, its inhabitants adapt and evolve. itself, its inhabitants adapt and evolve.
685 01:03:19,598 01:03:24,904 Like the ichthyosaurs. Like the ichthyosaurs.
686 01:03:24,971 01:03:27,840 Their reptile ancestors lived on land, Their reptile ancestors lived on land,
687 01:03:27,908 01:03:29,976 but as the planet changed, but as the planet changed,
688 01:03:30,044 01:03:32,312 so did these animals. so did these animals.
689 01:03:32,380 01:03:33,981 They grew fins and moved into the newly They grew fins and moved into the newly
690 01:03:34,048 01:03:41,889 formed Atlantic Ocean. formed Atlantic Ocean.
691 01:03:41,957 01:03:44,292 This one is 20 feet long, This one is 20 feet long,
692 01:03:44,359 01:03:53,534 and can travel at a quick 25 miles an hour. and can travel at a quick 25 miles an hour.
693 01:03:55,337 01:03:57,772 It's the ocean's fastest creature and It's the ocean's fastest creature and
694 01:03:57,840 01:03:59,707 most efficient predator. most efficient predator.
695 01:03:59,775 01:04:08,216 It rules the oceans for 50 million years. It rules the oceans for 50 million years.
696 01:04:19,429 01:04:28,003 But now, there's a new contender. But now, there's a new contender.
697 01:04:37,313 01:04:42,984 The pliosaur. The pliosaur.
698 01:04:43,052 01:04:46,521 Longer than a bus, and as heavy as a truck, Longer than a bus, and as heavy as a truck,
699 01:04:46,589 01:04:49,524 its jaws are eight times more powerful its jaws are eight times more powerful
700 01:04:49,592 01:04:52,094 than a great white sharks', than a great white sharks',
701 01:04:52,161 01:05:00,502 with teeth 12 inches long. with teeth 12 inches long.
702 01:05:08,512 01:05:10,947 The Earth, and its inhabitants, The Earth, and its inhabitants,
703 01:05:11,014 01:05:13,883 have changed beyond recognition. have changed beyond recognition.
704 01:05:13,951 01:05:16,785 This was once solid ground, This was once solid ground,
705 01:05:16,853 01:05:20,456 now it's the Atlantic Ocean. now it's the Atlantic Ocean.
706 01:05:20,524 01:05:23,326 The very spot where ammosaurs grazed and The very spot where ammosaurs grazed and
707 01:05:23,394 01:05:26,829 dilophosaurs stalked their prey. dilophosaurs stalked their prey.
708 01:05:26,897 01:05:29,432 The dinosaurs' world may be different, The dinosaurs' world may be different,
709 01:05:29,500 01:05:32,101 but they're as dominant as ever. but they're as dominant as ever.
710 01:05:32,169 01:05:35,071 They appear invincible. They appear invincible.
711 01:05:45,280 01:05:46,580 They're one of the planet's most They're one of the planet's most
712 01:05:46,648 01:05:49,216 successful species. successful species.
713 01:05:49,284 01:05:52,685 They've survived volcanic eruptions, They've survived volcanic eruptions,
714 01:05:52,753 01:05:55,154 earthquakes, and entire continents splitting earthquakes, and entire continents splitting
715 01:05:55,222 01:06:01,493 apart, The dinosaurs have thrived for 165 apart, The dinosaurs have thrived for 165
716 01:06:01,561 01:06:09,934 million years. million years.
717 01:06:10,002 01:06:12,670 A number of mammals have also survived, A number of mammals have also survived,
718 01:06:12,738 01:06:21,246 like this shrew-like animal. like this shrew-like animal.
719 01:06:21,313 01:06:24,015 They're prey to the dinosaurs. They're prey to the dinosaurs.
720 01:06:24,083 01:06:26,551 So they live in trees or underground, So they live in trees or underground,
721 01:06:26,618 01:06:30,855 and venture out only at night. and venture out only at night.
722 01:06:30,922 01:06:39,796 Mammals pose no threat to the dinosaurs. Mammals pose no threat to the dinosaurs.
723 01:06:41,265 01:06:43,233 Nothing on Earth can challenge their Nothing on Earth can challenge their
724 01:06:43,300 01:06:52,142 dominance. dominance.
725 01:06:56,381 01:07:03,188 Nothing, on Earth. Nothing, on Earth.
726 01:07:03,255 01:07:05,224 A large piece of space rock, A large piece of space rock,
727 01:07:05,292 01:07:13,999 heads toward Earth. heads toward Earth.
728 01:07:14,067 01:07:17,570 This asteroid is at least 6 miles across, This asteroid is at least 6 miles across,
729 01:07:17,637 01:07:21,908 and travelling over 40,000 miles an hour. and travelling over 40,000 miles an hour.
730 01:07:21,976 01:07:30,950 It's bigger than Mount Everest, It's bigger than Mount Everest,
731 01:07:31,952 01:07:41,661 and heads straight for the Gulf of Mexico. and heads straight for the Gulf of Mexico.
732 01:07:46,200 01:07:49,335 It travels so fast that its impact would be It travels so fast that its impact would be
733 01:07:49,403 01:07:56,275 missed in a blink of an eye. missed in a blink of an eye.
734 01:07:56,343 01:08:03,749 A split second changes the world forever. A split second changes the world forever.
735 01:08:07,587 01:08:09,955 At impact, the asteroid's back edge At impact, the asteroid's back edge
736 01:08:10,023 01:08:19,697 stands at 35,000 feet. stands at 35,000 feet.
737 01:08:30,309 01:08:33,177 It strikes with such immense force that it It strikes with such immense force that it
738 01:08:33,245 01:08:42,422 destroys everything it hits. destroys everything it hits.
739 01:08:53,201 01:09:01,676 The asteroid itself instantly vaporizes, The asteroid itself instantly vaporizes,
740 01:09:01,744 01:09:03,778 unleashing the energy of millions unleashing the energy of millions
741 01:09:03,846 01:09:11,619 of nuclear weapons. of nuclear weapons.
742 01:09:11,687 01:09:13,288 Nowhere is safe, Nowhere is safe,
743 01:09:13,356 01:09:20,763 with debris flying everywhere. with debris flying everywhere.
744 01:09:20,831 01:09:23,499 Debris as big as entire city blocks Debris as big as entire city blocks
745 01:09:23,567 01:09:32,708 circle the Earth. circle the Earth.
746 01:09:40,951 01:09:44,086 The blastwave races out from the impact zone The blastwave races out from the impact zone
747 01:09:44,154 01:09:52,595 like shrapnel from an exploding bomb. like shrapnel from an exploding bomb.
748 01:10:22,893 01:10:25,327 Minutes after impact, hundreds of miles Minutes after impact, hundreds of miles
749 01:10:25,395 01:10:27,663 from where the asteroid struck, from where the asteroid struck,
750 01:10:27,730 01:10:36,172 the earth is under attack. the earth is under attack.
751 01:10:36,240 01:10:44,649 Boulders rain down. Boulders rain down.
752 01:10:44,716 01:10:51,922 Earthquakes shake the ground. Earthquakes shake the ground.
753 01:10:51,990 01:10:59,796 And tsunamis batter the coasts. And tsunamis batter the coasts.
754 01:11:08,071 01:11:12,274 But the onslaught has only just begun. But the onslaught has only just begun.
755 01:11:12,342 01:11:14,877 The plume of molten rock and dust spreads The plume of molten rock and dust spreads
756 01:11:14,945 01:11:19,315 out, and engulfs the planet. out, and engulfs the planet.
757 01:11:19,383 01:11:27,757 The entire sky acts like a giant lamp, The entire sky acts like a giant lamp,
758 01:11:27,825 01:11:28,891 heating the Earth's surface to heating the Earth's surface to
759 01:11:28,959 01:11:32,562 over 500 degrees. over 500 degrees.
760 01:11:32,630 01:11:41,773 Vegetation spontaneously ignites. Vegetation spontaneously ignites.
761 01:11:47,714 01:11:49,882 Even months after the impact, Even months after the impact,
762 01:11:49,950 01:11:51,817 smoke and ash still block out smoke and ash still block out
763 01:11:51,885 01:11:55,287 the sun's rays. the sun's rays.
764 01:11:55,355 01:11:58,423 And with less sunlight, plants die and the And with less sunlight, plants die and the
765 01:11:58,491 01:12:07,968 animals starve. animals starve.
766 01:12:16,310 01:12:18,511 65 million years ago, 65 million years ago,
767 01:12:18,578 01:12:20,847 the impact has blasted, the impact has blasted,
768 01:12:20,914 01:12:29,555 stoned and burnt the dinosaurs. stoned and burnt the dinosaurs.
769 01:12:31,424 01:12:40,666 Their 165 million year reign is over. Their 165 million year reign is over.
770 01:12:44,271 01:12:46,439 But the dinosaur's demise brings But the dinosaur's demise brings
771 01:12:46,506 01:12:53,945 opportunity for another species. opportunity for another species.
772 01:12:54,013 01:12:58,950 A mammal. A mammal.
773 01:12:59,018 01:13:01,787 By living underground, mammals have avoided By living underground, mammals have avoided
774 01:13:01,854 01:13:04,690 the heat and fires. the heat and fires.
775 01:13:04,758 01:13:08,061 And by eating anything, they thrive while more And by eating anything, they thrive while more
776 01:13:08,129 01:13:14,869 selective eaters die. selective eaters die.
777 01:13:14,936 01:13:17,271 They're the unlikely inheritors of the They're the unlikely inheritors of the
778 01:13:17,339 01:13:26,047 dinosaurs' crown. dinosaurs' crown.
779 01:13:27,750 01:13:30,018 And as one story ends. And as one story ends.
780 01:13:30,086 01:13:32,087 Another begins. Another begins.
781 01:13:32,154 01:13:34,622 With the dinosaurs out of the way, With the dinosaurs out of the way,
782 01:13:34,690 01:13:38,859 our ancestors' may now have a chance, at life. our ancestors' may now have a chance, at life.
783 01:13:56,837 01:14:00,405 The dinosaurs are long dead. The dinosaurs are long dead.
784 01:14:00,807 01:14:07,011 The planet is peaceful. The planet is peaceful.
785 01:14:07,079 01:14:09,279 In this new world, our mammal In this new world, our mammal
786 01:14:09,347 01:14:16,820 ancestors are evolving. ancestors are evolving.
787 01:14:23,063 01:14:26,198 47 million years ago, this lake, 47 million years ago, this lake,
788 01:14:26,266 01:14:28,635 in what will one day be Germany, in what will one day be Germany,
789 01:14:28,702 01:14:37,977 is the perfect place to spot them. is the perfect place to spot them.
790 01:14:47,487 01:14:49,988 Unlike earlier mammals, its eyes and Unlike earlier mammals, its eyes and
791 01:14:50,056 01:14:54,459 brain are bigger. brain are bigger.
792 01:14:54,527 01:14:59,765 This is Darwinius Massilae, or Ida. This is Darwinius Massilae, or Ida.
793 01:14:59,833 01:15:02,301 She looks nothing like humans, She looks nothing like humans,
794 01:15:02,369 01:15:04,937 but fossil evidence today indicates that but fossil evidence today indicates that
795 01:15:05,005 01:15:08,208 these creatures might evolve into monkeys, these creatures might evolve into monkeys,
796 01:15:08,276 01:15:15,784 apes, and eventually humans. apes, and eventually humans.
797 01:15:15,851 01:15:18,553 Looking back through 47 million years of Looking back through 47 million years of
798 01:15:18,620 01:15:21,589 evolution might reveal one of our earliest evolution might reveal one of our earliest
799 01:15:21,657 01:15:26,629 known ancestors. known ancestors.
800 01:15:26,696 01:15:30,266 The lake sits on a volcanic crater. The lake sits on a volcanic crater.
801 01:15:30,334 01:15:35,405 It belches out noxious gas, It belches out noxious gas,
802 01:15:35,473 01:15:43,713 that eventually kills Ida. that eventually kills Ida.
803 01:15:47,051 01:15:48,551 The lake preserves her in its The lake preserves her in its
804 01:15:48,619 01:15:54,624 oxygen depleted depths. oxygen depleted depths.
805 01:15:54,691 01:15:57,960 One day, when the water is gone and Ida's One day, when the water is gone and Ida's
806 01:15:58,028 01:16:03,966 fossil is found, this primitive primate could fossil is found, this primitive primate could
807 01:16:04,034 01:16:07,002 help piece together the beginning of our own help piece together the beginning of our own
808 01:16:07,070 01:16:15,644 story, the story of human life. story, the story of human life.
809 01:16:15,711 01:16:17,613 We're closer to understanding how We're closer to understanding how
810 01:16:17,680 01:16:20,650 everything we've seen, from ocean bacteria, everything we've seen, from ocean bacteria,
811 01:16:20,717 01:16:23,186 through walking fish and subterranean through walking fish and subterranean
812 01:16:23,254 01:16:27,658 rodents, leads to us. rodents, leads to us.
813 01:16:27,726 01:16:29,427 And to understanding how our And to understanding how our
814 01:16:29,494 01:16:35,267 planet was made. planet was made.
815 01:16:35,335 01:16:38,370 47 million years ago, the atmosphere 47 million years ago, the atmosphere
816 01:16:38,438 01:16:45,177 is much like today. is much like today.
817 01:16:45,245 01:16:48,680 The temperature is 75 degrees. The temperature is 75 degrees.
818 01:16:48,748 01:16:50,716 And a day lasts just under And a day lasts just under
819 01:16:50,784 01:16:53,652 twenty four hours. twenty four hours.
820 01:16:53,720 01:16:56,288 The Earth is now almost identical to The Earth is now almost identical to
821 01:16:56,356 01:16:59,324 the planet we call home. the planet we call home.
822 01:16:59,392 01:17:07,833 Almost. Almost.
823 01:17:17,010 01:17:23,616 The Earth's plates are on the move again. The Earth's plates are on the move again.
824 01:17:23,684 01:17:32,057 India moves north toward Asia. India moves north toward Asia.
825 01:17:40,401 01:17:42,802 The Indian and Asian plates are locked The Indian and Asian plates are locked
826 01:17:42,870 01:17:52,147 in a titanic struggle, in a titanic struggle,
827 01:17:53,783 01:17:58,520 and neither plate is winning. and neither plate is winning.
828 01:17:58,588 01:18:01,057 As they buckle, the ocean floor contorts As they buckle, the ocean floor contorts
829 01:18:01,124 01:18:09,267 upward along a 1,500 mile line. upward along a 1,500 mile line.
830 01:18:12,237 01:18:14,271 A vast mountain range rises up A vast mountain range rises up
831 01:18:14,339 01:18:23,047 over 27,000 feet. over 27,000 feet.
832 01:18:38,296 01:18:46,970 These are the Himalayas. These are the Himalayas.
833 01:18:50,708 01:18:53,209 And the highest mountain of all, And the highest mountain of all,
834 01:18:53,277 01:19:01,951 Mount Everest. Mount Everest.
835 01:19:02,019 01:19:03,920 Its summit reaches up into the Its summit reaches up into the
836 01:19:03,988 01:19:06,523 Earth's jet stream, the same altitude Earth's jet stream, the same altitude
837 01:19:06,591 01:19:16,166 where planes fly. where planes fly.
838 01:19:32,614 01:19:34,881 When the snow on the peaks melts, When the snow on the peaks melts,
839 01:19:34,949 01:19:38,285 it feeds rivers like the Ganges, Indus, it feeds rivers like the Ganges, Indus,
840 01:19:38,353 01:19:46,560 Yellow and Yangtze. Yellow and Yangtze.
841 01:19:46,627 01:19:49,830 The Himalayas are like a vast water tower. The Himalayas are like a vast water tower.
842 01:19:49,898 01:19:52,533 One day, their rivers will supply water for One day, their rivers will supply water for
843 01:19:52,600 01:20:00,742 almost half the world's population. almost half the world's population.
844 01:20:10,621 01:20:16,360 20 million years ago, this is our planet, 20 million years ago, this is our planet,
845 01:20:16,427 01:20:18,462 with every continent, and every ocean with every continent, and every ocean
846 01:20:18,529 01:20:25,635 as we know it. as we know it.
847 01:20:25,703 01:20:28,872 Except one thing is still missing, Except one thing is still missing,
848 01:20:28,939 01:20:35,512 the human race. the human race.
849 01:20:35,580 01:20:37,815 And for humans to evolve, And for humans to evolve,
850 01:20:37,882 01:20:41,418 something needs to change. something needs to change.
851 01:20:57,998 01:20:59,266 Along the African Along the African
852 01:20:59,333 01:21:06,941 coast, a great rift opens up. coast, a great rift opens up.
853 01:21:09,745 01:21:18,353 It stretches nearly 4,000 miles, It stretches nearly 4,000 miles,
854 01:21:19,055 01:21:27,829 with mountains growing along its edge. with mountains growing along its edge.
855 01:21:40,476 01:21:43,478 This ape-like creature may stay in these trees This ape-like creature may stay in these trees
856 01:21:43,546 01:21:50,353 forever, but its world is changing. forever, but its world is changing.
857 01:21:50,421 01:21:53,423 The growing mountains act like a wall, The growing mountains act like a wall,
858 01:21:53,491 01:21:55,792 prohibiting moisture from the Indian Ocean prohibiting moisture from the Indian Ocean
859 01:21:55,860 01:21:59,396 from passing over the land. from passing over the land.
860 01:21:59,463 01:22:03,299 It's getting hotter, and drier. It's getting hotter, and drier.
861 01:22:03,367 01:22:05,801 The lush rainforest becomes an arid The lush rainforest becomes an arid
862 01:22:05,869 01:22:09,872 savannah. savannah.
863 01:22:09,939 01:22:12,574 The new hotter climate changes the creatures' The new hotter climate changes the creatures'
864 01:22:12,642 01:22:15,410 habitat, forcing them to search further for habitat, forcing them to search further for
865 01:22:15,478 01:22:19,715 food, soon, they stop dragging their knuckles food, soon, they stop dragging their knuckles
866 01:22:19,783 01:22:21,449 like apes. like apes.
867 01:22:21,517 01:22:27,189 And begin to stand, and walk on two feet. And begin to stand, and walk on two feet.
868 01:22:27,256 01:22:28,957 It's the most important step in It's the most important step in
869 01:22:29,025 01:22:36,166 the human story. the human story.
870 01:22:36,233 01:22:38,768 This mountain range could be the reason This mountain range could be the reason
871 01:22:38,836 01:22:46,909 humans walk on two feet. humans walk on two feet.
872 01:22:48,411 01:22:51,580 The random movement of two plates may have The random movement of two plates may have
873 01:22:51,648 01:22:54,149 kick-started a chain of events that leads to kick-started a chain of events that leads to
874 01:22:54,217 01:22:59,954 the first humans. the first humans.
875 01:23:11,701 01:23:13,468 A man and child. A man and child.
876 01:23:13,536 01:23:16,237 A scene very much like today. A scene very much like today.
877 01:23:16,305 01:23:20,976 But it's one and a half million years ago. But it's one and a half million years ago.
878 01:23:21,043 01:23:24,079 They are an early species of human called They are an early species of human called
879 01:23:24,146 01:23:28,149 Homo Erectus. Homo Erectus.
880 01:23:28,217 01:23:30,852 And these are the first footprints like our And these are the first footprints like our
881 01:23:30,919 01:23:38,259 own; civilizations past and present, own; civilizations past and present,
882 01:23:38,326 01:23:41,061 everyone that's ever lived, everyone that's ever lived,
883 01:23:41,129 01:23:43,265 the greatest inventions, the greatest inventions,
884 01:23:43,333 01:23:45,834 the most brilliant ideas. the most brilliant ideas.
885 01:23:45,902 01:23:49,272 Human history, in all its complexity and Human history, in all its complexity and
886 01:23:49,339 01:23:58,281 splendor, begins here and now. splendor, begins here and now.
887 01:24:10,694 01:24:13,062 The climate changes again. The climate changes again.
888 01:24:13,130 01:24:17,767 70,000 years ago sea levels fall. 70,000 years ago sea levels fall.
889 01:24:17,835 01:24:20,203 And the gap between Africa and Arabia And the gap between Africa and Arabia
890 01:24:20,271 01:24:28,679 shrinks to just eight miles. shrinks to just eight miles.
891 01:24:28,747 01:24:31,381 The Red Sea is now narrow and shallow The Red Sea is now narrow and shallow
892 01:24:31,449 01:24:34,318 enough for a small group to cross, enough for a small group to cross,
893 01:24:34,385 01:24:38,456 out of Africa. out of Africa.
894 01:24:38,523 01:24:41,259 They're another later species of human, They're another later species of human,
895 01:24:41,326 01:24:49,767 called Homo Sapiens. called Homo Sapiens.
896 01:24:59,409 01:25:02,711 Scientists believe that the entire world beyond Scientists believe that the entire world beyond
897 01:25:02,779 01:25:05,881 Africa was populated from descendants of Africa was populated from descendants of
898 01:25:05,949 01:25:12,153 these two hundred individuals. these two hundred individuals.
899 01:25:12,221 01:25:15,457 Over time our ancestors multiply and spread Over time our ancestors multiply and spread
900 01:25:15,524 01:25:24,033 out; to India, onto Asia and into Europe. out; to India, onto Asia and into Europe.
901 01:25:36,047 01:25:38,248 But while humans head north, But while humans head north,
902 01:25:38,315 01:25:47,524 a giant wall of ice travels south. a giant wall of ice travels south.
903 01:25:47,591 01:25:51,294 Europe, 40,000 years ago. Europe, 40,000 years ago.
904 01:25:51,362 01:25:54,831 Homo sapiens arrive, only to find a world Homo sapiens arrive, only to find a world
905 01:25:54,899 01:25:57,900 that's quickly changing. that's quickly changing.
906 01:25:57,968 01:26:00,036 It should be the height of summer, It should be the height of summer,
907 01:26:00,104 01:26:02,139 but it's getting colder. but it's getting colder.
908 01:26:02,206 01:26:03,974 The plants are frostbitten, The plants are frostbitten,
909 01:26:04,042 01:26:08,179 and the rivers are frozen. and the rivers are frozen.
910 01:26:08,247 01:26:10,582 Natural changes in the Earth's orbit, Natural changes in the Earth's orbit,
911 01:26:10,649 01:26:13,752 CO2 levels, and the flow of warm water CO2 levels, and the flow of warm water
912 01:26:13,819 01:26:16,188 around the planet conspire to lower the around the planet conspire to lower the
913 01:26:16,256 01:26:18,624 Earth's temperature. Earth's temperature.
914 01:26:18,692 01:26:20,860 The Earth, and its inhabitants, The Earth, and its inhabitants,
915 01:26:20,927 01:26:23,963 enter an ice age. enter an ice age.
916 01:26:24,031 01:26:27,333 Glaciers as high as skyscrapers creep over Glaciers as high as skyscrapers creep over
917 01:26:27,401 01:26:32,738 the northern hemisphere about a foot every day, the northern hemisphere about a foot every day,
918 01:26:32,806 01:26:35,741 Slow, and powerful, they sculpt the Slow, and powerful, they sculpt the
919 01:26:35,809 01:26:41,247 landscape, gouging out great depressions. landscape, gouging out great depressions.
920 01:26:41,315 01:26:48,856 The planet will never look the same again. The planet will never look the same again.
921 01:26:48,924 01:26:51,826 Now, around twenty thousand years ago, Now, around twenty thousand years ago,
922 01:26:51,893 01:26:55,496 they grind to a halt. they grind to a halt.
923 01:26:55,564 01:26:57,965 Much of the northern hemisphere is covered Much of the northern hemisphere is covered
924 01:26:58,033 01:27:07,141 by ice sheets up to one and a half miles thick. by ice sheets up to one and a half miles thick.
925 01:27:09,744 01:27:12,046 With trillions of gallons of water locked With trillions of gallons of water locked
926 01:27:12,114 01:27:18,619 up as ice, sea levels fall. up as ice, sea levels fall.
927 01:27:18,687 01:27:21,255 A strip of land emerges from the ocean between A strip of land emerges from the ocean between
928 01:27:21,323 01:27:29,832 Siberia and Alaska. Siberia and Alaska.
929 01:27:29,899 01:27:34,604 It's a bridge between two vast continents, It's a bridge between two vast continents,
930 01:27:34,672 01:27:38,107 a gateway that takes humans from Asia to a a gateway that takes humans from Asia to a
931 01:27:38,175 01:27:43,245 new world, the Americas. new world, the Americas.
932 01:27:43,313 01:27:45,381 They're the last great continents to be They're the last great continents to be
933 01:27:45,448 01:27:49,985 colonized, the last great human migration, colonized, the last great human migration,
934 01:27:50,053 01:27:57,826 and the first Americans. and the first Americans.
935 01:28:04,234 01:28:07,703 Now, 14,000 years ago, the changes that Now, 14,000 years ago, the changes that
936 01:28:07,771 01:28:12,541 triggered the ice age reverse. triggered the ice age reverse.
937 01:28:12,609 01:28:15,344 As the ice retreats, it reveals a very As the ice retreats, it reveals a very
938 01:28:15,412 01:28:19,148 different northern hemisphere. different northern hemisphere.
939 01:28:19,215 01:28:21,217 The huge depressions that the glaciers The huge depressions that the glaciers
940 01:28:21,284 01:28:23,986 create fill with water to become North create fill with water to become North
941 01:28:24,054 01:28:33,197 America's Great Lakes. America's Great Lakes.
942 01:28:40,338 01:28:43,540 6,000 years ago, the ice retreats back to 6,000 years ago, the ice retreats back to
943 01:28:43,608 01:28:52,682 the poles, toward the Arctic and Antarctic. the poles, toward the Arctic and Antarctic.
944 01:29:05,030 01:29:08,099 After a four and a half billion year journey, After a four and a half billion year journey,
945 01:29:08,167 01:29:12,438 we're, finally home. we're, finally home.
946 01:29:12,505 01:29:18,844 This is our world, our time. This is our world, our time.
947 01:29:18,912 01:29:21,447 The planet's incredible story helps us The planet's incredible story helps us
948 01:29:21,514 01:29:25,050 understand how and why everything around us is understand how and why everything around us is
949 01:29:25,118 01:29:32,690 here today. here today.
950 01:29:32,757 01:29:39,997 From the skies above. From the skies above.
951 01:29:40,065 01:29:47,640 To water, the essential ingredient for life. To water, the essential ingredient for life.
952 01:29:47,707 01:29:56,383 To the ground beneath our feet. To the ground beneath our feet.
953 01:29:56,450 01:30:03,856 And finally life, a chain of catastrophes And finally life, a chain of catastrophes
954 01:30:03,924 01:30:06,291 and coincidences, creating a and coincidences, creating a
955 01:30:06,359 01:30:10,395 spectacular result. spectacular result.
956 01:30:10,463 01:30:13,264 Each triumph and disaster is a step Each triumph and disaster is a step
957 01:30:13,332 01:30:18,635 leading to here, each and every one of leading to here, each and every one of
958 01:30:18,703 01:30:23,407 us, right now. us, right now.
959 01:30:23,475 01:30:29,280 But the Earth's story isn't over. But the Earth's story isn't over.
960 01:30:29,348 01:30:33,018 This journey is only half the story. This journey is only half the story.
961 01:30:33,086 01:30:38,023 A lot more is yet to come. A lot more is yet to come.
962 01:30:38,091 01:30:41,460 The Earth will live for at least another 4.5 The Earth will live for at least another 4.5
963 01:30:41,528 01:30:50,735 billion years. billion years.
964 01:30:53,272 01:30:57,976 More wonders, more terrors, More wonders, more terrors,
965 01:30:58,044 01:31:00,578 and more strange creatures lie ahead for and more strange creatures lie ahead for
966 01:31:00,646 01:31:08,120 our restless and creative planet. our restless and creative planet.
967 01:31:08,187 01:31:11,156 The next chapter of Earth's story is still The next chapter of Earth's story is still
968 01:31:11,223 01:31:17,829 -- sync, corrected by elderman -- -- sync, corrected by elderman --
968 01:31:11,223 01:31:17,829 -- sync, corrected by elderman -- -- sync, corrected by elderman --