Almost every day, gigantic forest fires spark all over the world. Tens of metres high, spreading over 500 kilometres, megafires threaten and destroy millions of people's lives. They can reach record temperatures of more than 1000 degrees celsius, creating fire storms: enormous explosions of flames. In this episode, we explore the scientific forces causing megafires.
Thousands of volcanoes rise from the earth's surface and over 1,500 of them are active. While they are essential to life on the planet, their eruptions remind us that we are living on top of an explosive cauldron. 500 million people live at the foot of active volcanoes. Although experts have today uncovered some of their secrets, they remain powerless in the face of this devastating phenomenon.
Tokyo, istanbul, los angeles...some of the world's biggest cities are threatened by earthquakes. They can annihilate a city in just a few seconds. Fortunately, our understanding of earthquakes is becoming more and more accurate. Researchers from all over the world are now focusing on one single objective: anticipating the exact moment when the earth will move.
Whilst some countries, such as the united states, are more affected than others, tornadoes are slowly gaining ground all over the world, destroying everything in their path. But how do they start? How can we predict them and minimise their destruction? Is global warming responsible for their increasing frequency? This episode explores the science behind tornadoes and their increasing frequency.
Anywhere on the planet where there is snow, no mountain is spared. Depending on the type of snow, the weather and the slope, an avalanche can reach incredible speeds: more than 300km per hour. A small avalanche can exert the same amount of pressure as a cyclone. Researchers and security experts have set up techniques to detect dangerous areas and limit their impact.
With new scientific knowledge, we know how electrical charges inside clouds are created, and new technology can monitor lightning moving through the sky. However, it can hit anything, anywhere, at any time...and it cannot be stopped. Nowhere is unaffected by this devastating and frightening natural phenomenon.