History Channel - How the Earth Was Made Series 1 - BluRay (2009) Part 13 The Alps

From a seething ocean of radioactive, molten rock to a refuge for life as we know it, Earth has undergone a staggering series of cataclysmic transformations in its long and epic history. Assailed relentlessly for millions of years by meteorites, our once toxic and hostile planet has been covered in water and in ice, and seen the rise and sundering of continents, the creation of an atmosphere, and, ultimately, the beginning of life. HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE plots the twisting course of Earth's amazing journey. Using groundbreaking special effects and traveling to remote locations where our planet still bears the scars of its violent history, this compelling documentary tells a story of unimaginable timescales, world-shattering forces, radical climates, and mass extinctions. HISTORY journeys back in time to show the creation of Earth s land masses, the birth of the first complex creatures, and devastating extinctions–before speculating on the future when all life becomes extinct. Spectacular on-location footage, evidence from geologists in the field, and clear, dramatic graphics combine in this stunning 13-part series from HISTORY to show how immensely powerful, and at times violent, forces of geology have formed our planet. Investigate with HISTORY the origins of some of the most well-known locations and geological phenomena in the world. From the Great Lakes to Iceland, the San Andreas Fault to Krakatoa, HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE travels the globe to reveal the physical processes that have shaped our planet. With rocks as their clues and volcanoes, ice sheets, and colliding continents as their suspects, scientists launch a forensic investigation that will help viewers visualize how the earth has evolved and formed over millions of years. Locations covered in “How the Earth Was Made” include Hawaii, a remote island chain brought to being by the movement of super heated magma deep within the earth, to the Marianas Trench, a spot in the sea deeper than Mount Everest is high, where the ocean floor disappears into the centre of the earth. Experience all 13 episodes of this landmark series for the first time on Blu-ray.

Part 13 The Alps

Spanning seven countries, the Alps are Europe's most important natural landmark. A team of investigators attempts to understand how the Alps evolved, and how long they will be around. Forming the center of Europe, the Alps are a barrier that is 750 miles long and 125 miles wide. The mountains formed 30 million years ago when the continent of Africa collided with Europe, forcing up a section of the ocean floor onto land. But how did marine fossils get there, seven thousand feet above sea level? The mysterious nature of the Alps was first investigated by Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci in 1510. Leonardo trekked into the mountains to observe fossils that had originally lived in the ocean, but were now located 7,000 feet above sea level, and 100 miles from the ocean. Today we know that a continental collision between Europe and Africa forced sections of the ocean floor (the ancient Tethys Ocean), and older rocks from Africa, onto land to create the Alps. The original Alps were 22,000 feet tall, as high as today's Himalayas. Gravity is the force that ultimately brings down mountains. In 100 million years, the Alps will gradually erode and will eventually resemble today's Appalachian Mountains in the United States.

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