Watch Earth Shocks: Our Hyperactive Planet
- 2007
- 1 Season
Earth Shocks: Our Hyperactive Planet is a fascinating and informative documentary series produced by XiveTV that explores the natural phenomena that occur on our earth. The show is a blend of solid scientific information, striking visuals, and compelling storytelling that deliver an insight into the geological processes, climate change, and the unpredictable human reactions that result in our planet's constant evolution.
The series is comprised of six episodes, each of which focuses on a different aspect of our global system. From the boiling mud pools of Iceland's geothermal sites, to the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City, and the remote deserts of Australia, Earth Shocks takes the viewer on a journey into the heart of our planet's natural phenomena.
The show provides a rich insight into the earth's diverse geological features - from the ocean floor to the highest peaks. The first episode, which takes a look at volcanoes, showcases the beauty and the destructive power of nature's fiery fury. Viewers are treated to stunning footage of eruptions that demonstrate the immense power behind the explosions - blasts that can expel tons of ash, rock, and gas high into the atmosphere. The documentary delves into how volcanic activity shapes the surrounding landscapes and explores the dangers they pose to human civilization, pointing out how sudden and potentially catastrophic volcanic eruptions can be.
The second episode of Earth Shocks takes a closer look at the planet's extensive fault lines which on occasion can shake our planet to its very core. From the Great Alaskan Earthquake to the devastating Tsunami in Japan, the show traces the impact and the historical significance of these events. Combining footage from disaster zones and interviews with experts, viewers are educated on the geological principles behind earthquakes and their intricate measurement through seismology.
The documentary's third episode, titled "Catastrophic Weather" explains how our planet's complex climate systems work, and what causes unruly and at times, deadly weather phenomena. The show gives insights into how weather patterns develop, and how they affect the earth and its inhabitants. From hurricanes and floods, to droughts and heatwaves, this episode gives a perspective on how unpredictable and life-threatening, these natural events can be.
Episode four in Earth Shocks is all about plate tectonics, which explains how the earth's crust forms and shifts over time. The program tells the story of how the earth evolved over billions of years by assembling itself into a continually moving jigsaw puzzle, building mountains, opening and closing oceans, and unlocking natural resources. The documentary explains how the movement of plates has created new land masses, changed the climate, and even had an impact on the evolution of life itself.
The fifth episode in Earth Shocks is titled "Life on the Brink" and focuses on the impact that humans and their lifestyles are having on the planet. The show questions how our way of life is altering the natural order of things and is causing a domino effect that is threatening life on earth. The episode delves into issues such as global warming, and the destruction of native ecosystems due to deforestation, as well as looking at how actions such as overfishing have a destructive effect on both marine animals and human well-being.
The epic final episode of Earth Shocks looks at the natural systems that run our planet - such as the water cycle, carbon cycle and oxygen cycle - and discusses how the earth proceeds to adapt to the changes brought about by human activity. The episode explores the interconnected relationship between all living things and their environment, exploring the "butterfly effect" and how seemingly small actions can have life-changing consequences for our biosphere.
Overall, Earth Shocks: Our Hyperactive Planet from XiveTV is an informative and visually striking documentary that takes the audience on an educational journey into the heart of our planet's natural phenomena. Replete with stunning visuals, expert interviews, and captivating storytelling, the six-part series opens a window into the geological, meteorological and ecological systems that populate our world. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in science, natural history and the evolution of the earth.