10 FACTS ABOUT EARTH YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT.

While we might think we know all there is to know about our home planet, the truth is that our Earth is full of astonishing mysteries yet to be fully unraveled by science. As we continue to explore the universe, our understanding of our own world evolves as well. Join us as we delve into ten captivating facts about our planet that might surprise you.

1. Mount Everest Isn't Earth's Tallest Mountain: It's a common misconception that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. In reality, Hawaiian Mauna Kea, when measured from base to summit, surpasses Everest by 4,445 feet. While its sea-level elevation is 13,795 feet, Mauna Kea's submerged base makes it an astounding 33,475 feet tall.

2. A 24-Hour Time Difference Between Neighbors: American Samoa, located a mere 1,240 miles from the Line Islands of Kiribati, boasts a staggering 25-hour time difference with its neighboring islands. Time truly bends in the realm of international time zones.

3. Antarctica: The Driest Place on Earth: Often thought of as the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile is a parched wonder. However, the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica have experienced a lack of rainfall for nearly two million years. With winds reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, it's a place where water is an extreme rarity.

4. Only 3% of Earth's Water is Freshwater: Surprisingly, a mere 3% of the world's water is freshwater. The majority, a staggering 97%, resides in the world's oceans and seas as salty seawater. Glaciers hold 70% of Earth's freshwater, while Lake Baikal in Siberia retains a significant 20%.

5. Göbekli Tepe: Earth's Oldest Temple: Göbekli Tepe in Southern Turkey is the world's oldest known temple, with an estimated age of around 12,000 years. Remarkable carvings on its pillars hint that roughly 11,000 years ago, a comet impact may have led to a sudden global cooling event.

6. Earth and the Moon's Cosmic Connection: Earth and the Moon share strikingly similar compositions, particularly in terms of oxygen and titanium. This intriguing connection suggests that about 4.36 billion years ago, a colossal collision with an object named Theia gave birth to Earth's one and only natural satellite, the Moon.

7. Continents Set to Reunite: Though continents now appear scattered, the Earth's landmasses are predicted to merge once again in 250 to 300 million years. This future supercontinent, Pangaea Ultima, will reunite what has been separated for millions of years.

8. Mass Extinction Caused by a Single-Celled Organism: The world's most significant mass extinction event, responsible for wiping out approximately 90% of Earth's species, can be attributed to Methanosarcina, a bacterial organism. This sudden proliferation occurred 252 million years ago, leading to the demise of insects and paving the way for Archosaurus' evolution, eventually giving rise to modern-day crocodiles.

9. The Ocean's Perpetual Darkness: Our planet's surface is primarily covered by the world's oceans, which occupy an impressive 71% of Earth's total area. However, sunlight can penetrate no deeper than 655 feet, leaving the rest perpetually shrouded in darkness.

10. Earth's Atmosphere Has a Boundary: Recognized as the Kármán line, this internationally accepted boundary lies 62 miles above sea level. Despite Earth's atmosphere extending much farther, this line, acknowledged by the World Air Sports Federation, signifies the division between our planet's atmosphere and the realm of outer space.

Our Earth is a treasure trove of astonishing facts, and as we uncover more about our world, the mysteries continue to deepen. These revelations remind us that there's still much left to learn about the planet we call home.