1. Earth Isn’t Actually Round: Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it’s slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation.
2.Coral Reefs Are Earth’s Largest Living Structure: Coral reefs are immense underwater structures formed by the accumulation of coral polyps over thousands of years. They provide habitat for numerous marine species and protect coastlines from erosion.
3.Earth Has a Squishy Interior: The Earth’s interior is not solid throughout; it consists of several layers, including the solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and crust. The mantle, though solid, behaves like a thick fluid over geological timescales.
4.Antarctica Is Home to the Largest Ice Sheet on Earth: Antarctica holds about 90% of the world’s ice and around 70% of the planet’s fresh water, making it the largest single mass of ice on Earth.
5.The Moon Is Drifting Away from Earth: Due to tidal forces, the Moon is gradually moving away from Earth at a rate of about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) per year.
6.Atacama Is the Driest Place on Earth: Located in Chile, the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth. Some parts of the desert have not received any significant rainfall in recorded history.
7.Earth’s Magnetic Pole Is Creeping Westward: Earth’s magnetic field is not static; it changes over time. Currently, the magnetic north pole is drifting towards Siberia at a rate of about 34 miles (55 kilometers) per year.
8.Europe Is the Second Smallest Continent in Size but the Third Largest in Population: Despite being the second smallest continent in terms of land area, Europe is densely populated and home to over 740 million people.
9.Tibetan Plateau Is Earth’s ‘Third Pole’: Often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” the Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau on Earth, with an average elevation exceeding 14,000 feet (4,267 meters).
10.Trees Are Breathers: Trees play a crucial role in the Earth’s ecosystem by absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and releasing oxygen, which is vital for the survival of most living organisms. They act as natural air filters and help regulate the climate.