Unlike the other planets in our solar system, the Earth is not named after a Greek or Roman God.
Our planet’s daily rotation gives us the magnificent sunrises and sunsets we enjoy.
Have you ever thought about the Earth we live on? What is it made of? How heavy is it? Do you know why we have leap years? If you’re curious to learn something new, here are 30 interesting facts about our amazing planet!
The Earth weighs approximately 5,974,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms, which is equivalent to the weight of approximately 55 quintillion blue whales, the heaviest creatures on Earth.
Contrary to popular belief, the Earth does not take 24 hours to complete a rotation. It actually takes 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, which astronomers call a sidereal day.
A year on Earth is not 365 days but rather 365.2564 days. The extra 0.2564 days is added to February once every four years, which we call a leap year.
Have you ever heard the Earth being referred to as the Blue Planet? This is because 70% of its surface is covered with water.
Of the 70% of water covering the Earth, only 3% is fresh, while the remaining 97% is salty.
More than 2% of the Earth’s freshwater is found in ice sheets and glaciers, which means less than 1% is in lakes and rivers.
The Earth is one of the brightest planets from a distance due to the reflection of the Sun’s rays on the water covering its surface.
The Earth has three distinct layers: the Crust, the Mantle, and the Core, and each layer is composed of different elements.
The Crust is made up of 96% Iron, Oxygen, Silicon, Magnesium, Sulphur, and Nickel, while the other 4% is made up of trace amounts of Calcium, Aluminium, and other elements.
The Earth’s Crust consists of plates that move perpetually on the Earth’s Mantle at the same rate as a person’s fingernails grow.
On an elemental level, the Mantle consists of 44.8% Oxygen, 21.5% Silicon, and 22.8% Magnesium, along with trace amounts of Iron, Aluminium, Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium, bound together in rocks.
The Mantle is the largest layer of the Earth, approximately 2,970 km thick, making up 84% of the Earth’s total volume.
The Earth’s Core consists of two layers, an outer and an inner layer, primarily composed of Iron and Nickel.
The outer layer of the Core is believed to be liquid, while the inner layer is believed to be a solid as hot as the Sun.
The Earth is protected from Solar Wind by a powerful magnetic field that surrounds it due to the unique Nickel-Iron properties of its core and its rotation. There have been many misconceptions about the Earth in the past, including the belief that it was the center of the Solar System and that it was flat. The Earth’s rotation is slowing down gradually, but it will be about 140 million years before it experiences 25-hour days. The Earth is the most dense planet in our solar system, with a density of roughly 5.52 grams per cubic centimeter. Its name comes from the Old English and Germanic words for “ground.” The Earth is the only planet in our solar system with water in all three forms and is struck by lightning 8.6 million times per day. It is also the only place where a Solar Eclipse can occur. Although life as we know it has existed on Earth for only 150-200 million years, the planet itself is almost 5 billion years old. The Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.4 degrees, and it is the third planet from the Sun. We are fortunate to call this remarkable planet home.
FAQ
What is the age of the Earth?
The Earth is estimated to be around 4.54 billion years old. This age has been determined through radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites.
What is the Earth’s circumference?
The Earth’s circumference at the equator is approximately 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles). However, due to the Earth’s shape, the circumference at the poles is slightly smaller, at approximately 40,008 kilometers (24,860 miles).
What is the deepest point on Earth?
The Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is the deepest point on Earth, reaching a depth of 10,994 meters (36,070 feet) below sea level.
What is the largest desert on Earth?
The largest desert on Earth is actually the Antarctic Desert, which covers an area of approximately 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles).
What is the Earth’s magnetic field?
The Earth’s magnetic field is a result of the molten iron core in the planet’s interior. The magnetic field is what protects the Earth from harmful solar winds and radiation.
What is the Earth’s atmosphere made of?
The Earth’s atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). It also contains trace amounts of other gases, including carbon dioxide, neon, and helium.
Zayn Anderson is a prolific writer with a passion for uncovering the world’s intriguing facts. Armed with an insatiable curiosity, he delves into various subjects, from history and science to nature and technology.