There is so much about Earth that many of us take for granted. Here are some incredible facts about Earth that you may not know:
1. Earth is the only known planet to contain liquid water on its surface.
Water is essential for human, plant and animal life. Earth is the only known planet in the universe where liquid water exists. This makes it an incredibly special planet, since life cannot exist without water.
2. Earth is the fourth largest planet in our Solar System.
Earth is much smaller than giants like Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, but it still qualifies as the fourth largest planet in our Solar System.
3. Earth is the fifth densest planet in the Solar System.
Earth has a lot of mass, so much that it makes it one of the densest planets in our Solar System. This density helps it to maintain its gravitational pull, allowing us to stay grounded on its surface.
4. Earth has over 1.7 million known species.
Earth is home to many unique and diverse species, with over 1.7 million species being discovered and identified. This number is constantly growing and experts believe that there are many more species yet to be discovered.
5. Our planet is the only known planet to have an entire biosphere.
An Earth biosphere extends from the deepest ocean trenches to the outer layer of the atmosphere. It includes all the living and non-living things that affect our lives.
6. Earth has one moon.
Earth’s moon, known as the Luna, appears in the night sky and helps to create tides in the oceans by creating a tidal pull on the Earth’s surface.
7. Earth’s average temperature is 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
Earth’s average temperature is 57 degrees Fahrenheit, but regions close to the equator tend to be much warmer. Our planet’s temperature can fluctuate depending on the seasons and natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions and storms.
8. Earth is the third planet from the Sun.
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, nestled between Venus and Mars. It is the only planet in our Solar System known to contain life.
9. Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old.
It is believed that Earth was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, making it one of the oldest known planets in the universe.
10. Earth travels around the Sun at an average speed of 67,000 mph.
Earth moves around the Sun at an incredible speed, completing one orbit around the Sun in approximately 365 days. The speed of our planet around the Sun helps us to keep track of the seasons and the length of day and night.
11. Earth has a fitting nickname: the Blue Planet.
From space, Earth has a blue glow due to the vast quantities of water that cover its surface. This blue hue has earned the planet its nickname, the Blue Planet.
12. Earth’s core is hot enough to melt rock.
Earth’s core is incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching over 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is hot enough to melt the rocks in the Earth’s mantle, creating magma and lava.
13. Earth’s core is made up of iron and nickel.
Earth’s core is mainly made up of iron and nickel, with some other elements mixed in. This mixture helps to create the strong magnetic field that helps to protect us from incoming solar radiation.
14. Earth’s atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other.
Earth’s atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and a mixture of other trace gases and aerosols. These gases are crucial for life on Earth to exist, giving us the air we need to breathe.
15. Earth is home to some of the deepest points in the ocean.
The Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is the deepest part of the Earth’s oceans. This spot reaches depths of over 36,000 feet below sea level.
16. Earth has an outer magnetic shield called the magnetosphere.
Earth’s outer atmosphere, known as the magnetosphere, helps to protect us from solar radiation and incoming solar storms. This outer layer directs the radiation away from our planet, making it an important part of our planet’s natural defences.
17. Earth’s gravity is strong enough to keep us grounded.
Earth’s gravity is powerful enough to keep us grounded on its surface, despite the fact that the force of gravity weakens the further away you are from the surface.
18. Earth is the only known place in the universe that hosts life.
Although there are many lifeless planets, Earth is the only known place in the universe known to host any form of life.
19. Mountains cover one-fifth of Earth’s land surface.
Earth’s land surface is mainly covered by mountains and hills, with over one-fifth of the planet’s land being mountainous. Many of these mountainous regions are incredibly beautiful, making them popular tourist destinations.
20. Earth is home to over 30 million species of plants.
Earth is home to over 30 million species of plants, with some of these being vital for our survival. Plants are essential for human, animal and aquatic life, providing food, oxygen and shelter.
21. Earth has some of the oldest rocks in the universe.
Earth has rocks that are over 4 billion years old, making them some of the oldest rocks in the universe. Some of these rocks can be found on the moon and in other planets, giving us valuable insight into the past.
22. Earth’s surface consists of 70% water and 30% land.
The majority of Earth’s surface consists of water, with over 70% of its surface being covered by oceans and other bodies of water. The remaining 30% of the planet’s surface is made up of land.
23. Earth’s atmosphere is 97% nitrogen and 3% other gases.
The atmosphere that covers our planet is made up of mostly nitrogen (97%), with the remaining 3% being composed of other gases, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon and more.
24. Earth’s water is constantly recycled.
Water is constantly recycled through the process of evaporation and precipitation. Water evaporates from the surface of the Earth, rises up into the atmosphere and eventually returns back to the ground as rain.
25. Over 80% of Earth’s land has been modified by humans.
Humans have had a huge impact on the Earth’s surface, with over 80% of the planet’s land being modified in some way by humans. This can range from deforestation to urban development.
26. Earth is the only known planet to have an ozone layer.
Earth’s ozone layer helps to protect us from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. This layer of gas forms a protective shield that filters out some of the Sun’s rays, allowing us to live on the planet safely.
27. Earth has an immense collection of natural resources.
Earth has a massive collection of natural resources that are vital for human life. These resources provide us with food, fuel, shelter and other essential items.
28. Earth experiences more than 1,500 earthquakes every day.
Earth experiences over 1,500 earthquakes on a daily basis, with some of these being small enough to go undetected. Earthquakes happen as a result of shifting tectonic plates, and can cause immense destruction if they strike an inhabited area.
29. Earth’s seasons are caused by the tilt of its axis.
Earth’s axis is tilted slightly from its orbital path, causing the planet to receive direct sunlight for different lengths of time throughout the year. This is why we experience different seasons and weather conditions.
30. Earth is the only Solar System planet that doesn’t have a ring.
Although most of the other large planets in our Solar System have rings of debris around them, Earth does not. This is because Earth’s strong gravitational pull is able to keep particles from clumping together to form a ring.
31. Earth has the widest range of climates and terrains in the Solar System.
Earth has an incredible variety of terrains and climates, ranging from tropical rainforests to frozen tundras and deserts. No other planet in our Solar System has this much variety.
32. Earth’s average surface temperature is rising due to global warming.
Unfortunately, global warming has had a significant impact on Earth’s climate, causing its average surface temperature to rise rapidly. This has had a massive impact on the
