Ep 4. Loch Ness

How the Earth Was Made season 1 episode 4 explores the mysterious cryptid and Scottish legend, the Loch Ness monster. The episode examines the geological history of the loch, its size, depth, and formation.

The episode begins by taking a bird's eye view of the Scottish Highlands, where the loch is situated. The narrator describes how the loch is a deep and extensive body of water, stretching over 37 kilometers, with a depth of nearly 230 meters. It is home to an array of marine life, including salmon, trout, and eel. However, its most notorious resident, the Loch Ness monster, remains elusive to this day.

The episode then delves into the geological evolution of the loch. Over 400 million years ago, Scotland lay close to the equator, and the area that is now the Highlands was covered by a shallow sea. Over time, sedimentary rocks formed from the remains of marine organisms, including limestone and sandstone. Changes in the Earth's crust caused the land to shift and rise, forming the mountains and valleys of the Highlands.

The narrator explains that during the last ice age, glaciers covered the region, scouring the landscape and carving out valleys. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind deep lakes and lochs, including Loch Ness. The episode describes how the loch was formed when the glacier melted, and the ice left behind a massive depression in the earth.

The episode then shifts focus to the Loch Ness monster, detailing various sightings and theories about its existence. The narrator explains that reports of a mysterious creature in the loch date back to the 6th century, with the most famous sighting occurring in 1933.

Scientists have investigated the loch to try and find evidence of the monster's existence. The episode covers various techniques, including sonar scanning and DNA analysis. However, no conclusive evidence has been found.

The Loch Ness episode of How the Earth Was Made explores the relationship between the geological history of the Scottish Highlands and the mythic monster of its most famous loch. The episode provides an in-depth look at the formation of the loch, the geology of the Highlands, and the ongoing mysterious sightings of the Loch Ness monster. It is an engrossing episode that will fascinate both fans of geology and those intrigued by the legend of the Loch Ness monster.