50 Interesting Fun Facts About Earth
Earth is, without a doubt, an awe-inspiring planet, so prepare to be amazed. Individuals living on this planet would agree that Earth is such a powerful and giant planet with exotic planetary scales and unbelievable facts to tell. It also cannot be denied that things and systems on Earth can be richly interconnected or intertwined. But regardless of that, this planet remains to be known for its majesty and magnificence. The more you get to learn fun facts about Earth, including its peculiarities, the more you will appreciate this planet and treasure its countless wonders, starting with the air that you breathe.
You have been living on Earth for years now. So, what are the fun facts about Earth that you have discovered and learned so far?
There are never-ending alien stories, but there are much more exciting Earth facts, which we call home waiting to be discovered. There are facts about meteor crashes, explosive volcanoes, collisions between rocky plates, fantasies in the deep oceans, and more worth learning and exploring.
If you seek the most interesting facts about Earth to feed your curiosity, you have come to the right place. This post will unveil 51 fun facts about Earth that will surely leave you to amaze and in awe.
Oh, if you also love trivia quizzes, don't forget to check our science trivia quizzes or the specific Earth trivia game. You can also check the Earth trivia questions and answers.
Amazing Fun Facts About Earth
1. The Earth Has a Waistline
This might sound funny, but Earth really has a lavish waistline. The Earth's circumference at the Equator is 40, 075 kilometers, or around 24, 901 miles. In the Equator, you would weigh less than when standing at any of the poles. Some individuals may not know it, but some studies revealed that the planet really has a waistline.
Source: LiveScience
2. Earth is Squashed Sphere
Earth's not a perfect sphere. As the planet spins, the gravity is pointed towards the center, and centrifugal force tends to push forward.
However, this gravity-contradicting force acts perpendicular to the Earth's axis.
The axis is inclined, and the centrifugal force at the Equator isn't restricted to gravity. Such imbalance is adding up at the Equator, where gravity pushes additional masses of water and Earth into a lump, or "extra tire" around the Earth.
Source: Science Focus
3. Earth is Recycled
This is also one of the fun facts about Earth that will surely surprise you. The ground that you are actually walking on is recycled. The Earth's rock cycle is known to transform igneous to sedimentary rocks, to metamorphic rocks, and then back again. Now, if you think that only material things can be recycled, well think again. Earth is also recycled.
Source: LiveScience
4. Planet Earth is Third Rock from the Sun, orbiting the sun
Earth is the third planet from the sun, and this is the only planet that can support the atmosphere with free water, oxygen and can support life. Thus, the Earth is unique in comparison to all other planets orbited by the sun. Earth is one of the terrestrial planets, such as Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Earth is also the home of millions of species, and these include humans. Oh, and our home planet earth orbits the sun as well.
Source: Fandom
5. Earth is Old
It has been calculated by researchers that Earth is about 4.54 billion years old. Photos of the Nuvvuagittuq Belt were captured on Earth, the earliest known rocks on the planet, which are said to be 4.28 billion years old. Scientists have scoured the Earth looking for the oldest stones to date idiomatically.
Source: National Geographic Society
6. The Moon Quakes
Moon quakes or "earthquakes" on the Moon do happen but are less intense and less frequent than those on Earth. Moonquakes are somehow associated with tidal stress. These tend to occur at much greater depths. The Moon is said to be tectonically active, just like the Earth.
Source: Space.com
7. Earth's on the Move
You might think that you are standing still, but you are actually moving. Depending on your location in this world, you can be spinning across space at only more than a thousand miles every hour.
Source: OlogyHome
8. People Do not Really Know Who Give the Name "Earth"
This is one of the fun facts about Earth. Some planets have historical data that can be accessed from a group or a person but not Earth. This might sound funny, but nobody can tell who gives Earth its name. This is also the only planet that isn't named after a Roman or Greek God. If you are a geography fan, we recommend you will try to answer some geography questions and answers, play geography trivia quizzes, or discover some geography fun facts!
Source: LiveScience
9. A Teaspoon of Soil can Contain few Billions of Microbes
A teaspoon of Earth's soil is estimated to be equal to the number of individuals living in Africa, which is around one billion. Also, there's more life underneath the soil than above it. In a teaspoon of soil, there are about 50 billion microbes. And though invisible to the naked eye, nearly 3 million to 500 million bacteria are present.
Source: Cedar Circle Farm and Educational Center
10. More Viruses are in the Universe than Stars
Earth is packed with viruses. The planet has an estimated ten nonillion viruses. This is even enough to assign a virus to each star in the universe a hundred million times over. But though there are over quadrillion individual viruses existing on Earth, most of these aren't poised to hop to humans.
Source: National Geographic
Interesting facts about planet earth
11. The Planet Had Two Moons Once
The Earth once had two moons. A second moon that spans about 750 miles or 1,200 kilometers wide and might have orbited the planet before it was slammed to the other one catastrophically. The tidal forces from the Earth are said to be the reasons that both moons migrate outward.
Source: Nature
12. Rocks on Earth Can Walk
Rocks are said to walk on planet Earth. They do this at least on Racetrack Playa, a pancake-flat lakebed found in Death Valley. A perfect storm there can move rocks that sometimes weigh tens or even a hundred pounds. According to NASA researchers, rocks encrusted by ice get inundated by meltwater coming from the hills on top of the playa.
Source: LiveScience
13. Lakes Explode
This isn't a joke. Lakes really do explode, and this is a fun fact. Cameroon has three deadly lakes: Kivu, Monoun, and Nyos. These are crater-like lakes sitting above the volcanic Earth. Magma underneath the surface tends to release carbon dioxide to the lakes resulting in a carbon dioxide-rich and deep layer right over the lakebed. Carbon dioxide can be produced in an explosion.
Source: University of Melbourne
14. Earth Was Once Purple
Earth used to appear in purple color. Early life on Earth might be as purple as how it is as green today. A microbiologist explains that the ancient microbes used molecules instead of chlorophyll to harness the sun's rays, giving organisms the purple hue. There is NASA-supported research that revealed that the purple-tinged molecule known as "retinal" might give the Earth its distinct look.
Source: Big Think
15. Earth is Electric
Lighting and thunder reveal the fiercer side of the planet Earth. One stroke of lightning has the power of heating the air to about 30,000 degrees Celsius or 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The most electric place on Earth is said to be a lake in Venezuela. You can see their lightning flashes 28 times per minute.
Source: BBC Earth
16. The Earth is Full of Riches
This is also one of the fantastic and fun facts about the Earth. There are over 10 million tons of pure gold in the vast oceans, and un-dissolved gold is said to be stuck in seafloor rocks. If this can be easily extracted, then many individuals can get hold of this shiny and valuable stuff. But according to National Ocean Service, Earth's oceans hold 20 million pounds of gold in a typical sweater.
Source: Geology In
17. The Earth is Powerful and Fast Moving Spacecraft
Humans are actually living in a high-speed spacecraft. Regardless of if you are just resting in your chair, you fly throughout the space quicker than the quickest object ever created or built by humans, about 1.3 million miles every hour.
Source: Our Planet
18. The Rotation of the Earth on its Axis Isn't Really 24 Hours
Earth's rotation to its axis approximately takes about 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds. Such rotation is linked to far away from fixed stars known as the sidereal day. This day pertains to the period it actually takes for a planet to rotate from a distant star perspective.
Source: Space Place
19. Without Spacesuit, You Won't Really Explode in Space
This one common myth tells that the body will explode in space when the spacesuit isn't worn. The human skin tends to be strong enough, and this can keep the human body from bursting. You can even survive for about two minutes in outer space unprotected. But of course, this is just a maximum of two minutes, or else you will die. If you love reading about space, you will love our space trivia quiz. You can also try to answer some space trivia questions and answers.
Source: SLATE
20. A Person Can See Around 2500 to 4000 Stars in the Earth's Sky with their Naked Eyes
In a moonless and clear sky far away from light-polluted places, young up to middle-aged persons with normal visions can see 2500 to 4000 stars in the sky.
Source: Our Planet
21. Earth's Atmosphere Extends Beyond the Moon
The exosphere extends from 630,000 kilometers away or about 50 times the planet's diameter, wherein this merges to the solar wind. The Moon and the Earth are 384, 400 kilometers, or 238, 855 miles. This means that the outer edge atmosphere of the Earth extends further beyond the Moon. There are also data showing that the outermost portion of the Earth's Atmosphere, known as Geocorona extends beyond the orbit of the Moon.
Source: EarthSky
22. Earth's Water Fits in Sphere 1384.04 Kilometers or 860 Miles in Diameter
The Pacific is undeniably big, and 71% of the surface of the Earth is ocean-covered. However, regardless of that, the amount of water of the Earth, lake water, river water, and liquid freshwater can actually fit the sphere 1384.04 kilometers or 860 miles in diameter.
Source: Ourplnt.com
23. The Core of the Earth is as Hot as the Sun's Surface
The inner core of the Earth has a temperature of about 6000 degrees Celsius or 10,800 Fahrenheit. This temperature is blazing hot to an extent beyond comprehension, and it's as hot as a star. Scientists in France have conducted a study regarding this matter. They came to a remarkable conclusion after their experimental setting through the use of X-ray diffraction, which showed the iron crystals form and melt under unbelievable pressure. Oh, another earth fact is that the outer core is very hot as well, although no as the inner core.
Source: The Atlantic
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Cool Facts About Earth
24. The Earth's Weight is Mind-Blowing
The Earth approximately weighs 5,974,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms or nearly about six septillion kilograms. This is the same weight as 54,807,339,449,541,284,403, approximately 55 quintillion of Blue Whale, the world’s heaviest creature.
Source: CoolCosmos
25. In the Solar System, Earth is the Densest Planet
The planet Earth is closer to anything else in the Solar System. Its combination of dense composition and enormous self-gravity makes it 18 times as massive as Mercury. These facts also position Earth as one of the densest planets in the Solar System.
The Earth's density varies in every part of the planet. For example, in the core, it's denser than in the crust. That said, the average density of Earth is 5.52 grams for every cubic centimeter.
Source: Forbes
26. Plants Play a Big Role in Giving Higher Amount of Oxygen on Earth
A higher amount of oxygen on the planet comes from plant life's carbon dioxide consumption during photosynthesis. So if you think that plants have no significant role on Earth, think again. Photosynthesis is important because this makes the Earth habitable.
Source: PennState
27. Tides are Results of Gravity Between the Moon and Earth
Gravity between the Moon and the Earth results in tides that occur on the planet. Such an effect on the Moon means it's locked to Earth tidally, and its period of rotation is similar to its time of orbit. It, therefore, always represents the same face to the planet.
Source: SciJinks
28. Earth Has Ultimately Powerful Magnetic Field
This powerful field protected the Earth from solar wind effects and was assumed to be the product of the planet's nickel-iron core and its fast rotation. 25 Gauss measures the average strength of the magnetic field in the outer core of the Earth. This is 50 times stronger than the magnetic field at the surface.
Source: web.ua.es
29. The Very First Life on Earth Came from the Oceans
The very first life known on Earth is believed to develop into the oceans by means of a process called abiogenesis. This is referred to as a natural process wherein life evolves from non-living matters such as simple organic compounds.
Source: Planetary Sciences, Inc.
30. Earth's Water Was First Trapped Within the Planet
The water was initially trapped but was brought to the surface over time through volcanic activities. The water on Earth may have originally been formed through chemical reactions deeper within the Earth's mantle. This research was led by the University College of Dublin.
Source: PHYS.ORG
31. The Hottest Desert on Earth
Satellite temperature data shows that Iran's Lut Desert is the hottest place on Earth. About seven years of satellite data on temperature shows that the Lut Desert, located in Iran, is the hottest place on Earth. It has the highest overall temperature of 70.7°C or 159.3°F recorded in 2005.
Source: Earth Observatory
32. Earth's Core Leaks
Studies revealed that the list of fun facts about Earth includes its core leaks. The magnetic field of the Earth tends to protect the planet and make it habitable by means of stopping high-energy and harmful energy particles from the sun. The major source of such a magnetic field is the core at the Earth's center. Also, the molten core of the Earth might be leaking iron.
Source: Science Daily
Weird Facts About Earth
33.When the Cores Cool, Magnetic Field of the Earth Disappears
If the molten core cools and turns solid a long time in the future, the Earth's magnetic field disappears. If this happens, the compass will stop working and pointing North, the birds won't be able to know where to fly as soon as they migrate, and the atmosphere will disappear as well.
Source: The Conversation
34. Earth Has Just One Natural Satellite
As the rate of the size of the body that it orbits, Moon is considered the biggest satellite in the solar system. But in real terms, it's only fifth among the biggest natural satellite. The Moon helps in stabilizing the Earth's wobble and stabilizes the climate as well. The distance between Moon and Earth is 240,000 miles or around 385 000 kilometers. It's crucial to understand that the Moon is the biggest satellite that orbits the Earth, not to be confused with Uranus and Neptune, which are the biggest known planets in our solar system.
Source: NASA Science
35. One Year on Earth is not Really 365 Days
A year on Earth is actually 365.2564 days. The .2564 extra days are the reasons why there are leap years. It is also, for this reason, people tack on one extra day in February each year divisible by 4 (but it won't happen if it is divisible by 100 and or it is divisible by 400).
Source: Space Facts
36. There are Different Percentages of Water of the Planet
Earth is composed of only 3% is fresh water, and 97% is salted. Of the 3%, more than 2% tends to be frozen in glaciers and ice sheets. This simply means that one percent of freshwater is found in rivers, lakes, and underground. About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, and oceans hold approximately 96.5%. Water even exists in water vapors, lakes, glaciers, ice caps, and more.
Source: USGS
37. There's a Septillion Drops of Snow Crystals Every Winter
The possibility that two snow crystals or flakes would be exactly the same in molecular structure and appearance is minimal. Proving this isn't easy. But every winter, there is one septillion or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 or a trillion snow crystals dropping from the sky.
Source: smithsonianmag.com
38. 60 Tons of Cosmic Dust Fall to the Earth every day
This sounds fun and magical, but more likely. You have inhaled a good amount of cosmic dust when you go out and head for work. Every day, dust from comets, meteorites, and other solar bodies usually falls into the Earth in very small particles, increasing iron and sodium levels in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists revealed that all together, this phenomenon brings about 60 tons of cosmic dust into the Earth daily.
Source: NOVA
39. Some parts of the Earth Has Less Gravity than the Others
Due to the planet's uneven shape, its gravity is distributed unevenly. Therefore, some parts of the Earth have higher or lower gravity than the others. Gravity on Earth actually varies on different parts though people often think that it's a ball. The Earth actually bulges at the Equator. This gets flattened at the poles because of its rotation. The mass of the Earth isn't spread out in a proportional manner; therefore, this can shift positions over time.
Source: HowStuffWorks Science
40. Earth's Layer is Composed of Crust and Mantle with Fun Side Facts
The layers of our Earth are composed of crust that is also comprised of different plates that float on Earth's mantle that also moves at a similar rate that an individual's fingernails grow. There have been numerous debates regarding this. There are even scientists suggesting solutions to the mystery surfacing theory of tectonic plates.
Source: ScienceDaily
Unknown Facts About Earth
41. The Earth's Name Means Ground
The Earth's name was derived from combinations of Germanic and Old English taken from 'ertha' and 'eor (th)e', which means ground. However, the handle's creator is not known. One of the interesting facts about the Earth is that this is the only planet not named after Roman or Greek Gods and Goddesses.
Source: LiveScience
42. You Can Drill a Tunnel on Earth
If you drill a tunnel on Earth and then jumped in, it would actually take 42 minutes for you to get into the other side. If you dig a tunnel, you can still take full advantage of the gravity of the Earth. Rather than traveling between two antipodes, you can travel shorter distances without really piecing down so far. And as mentioned, this amazingly takes only about 42 minutes.
43. Earth is a Great Place to Explore and Live
Earth is such a beautiful place to explore and live. This has countless features that support life. Actually, Earth is the only planet known to support and sustain life. These features continue to change and evolve. There are many great reasons people must be grateful for living on Earth. These include but not limited to, taking cleansing and deep breaths. There is solid ground to step and stand on. Seasons go round and round. People can enjoy the breeze and more.
Source: NASA
44.The Earth's Poles Flip
For more than 20 million years, magnetic poles flip-flopped every hundred of thousands of years. This simply means that if you have a compass for 800,000 years, it will tell you that Antarctica was in the North. Although scientists were certain that the planet's molten and churning iron core triggers these polar acrobatics, it isn't entirely clear what triggers such actual reversals. The Earth's North magnetic pole crept about 40 miles per year northward and provided that the last major reversals of poles occurred 780,000 years ago. We're long overdue for a flip.
Source: SPACE
45. The Biggest Mammal Migration on Earth is Airborne
You might think that 1.5 million wildebeest hoofing their way between Tanzania and Kenya were on top. Well, this is not the case. Millions of bats definitely fly between Kasanka National Park in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With over 10 million cat-sized echolocating and mango-munching involved, this is said to be the Earth's biggest mammal migration.
Source: Zambia
46. The fungus is Actually the Largest Creature on Earth
When talking about the most prominent living things on the planet, it's easy to talk about trees, elephants, and blue whales. You might even recall coral reefs as the largest critters' conglomerates. It has been reported that the largest single living thing is the Armillaria Mushroom found in Oregon.
Source: Business Insider
47. Some of the Clouds are Alive
There are instances that shape-shifting, dark and dusk clouds appear close to the ground. As these morphs and swirls, the clouds seem alive positively, and this is because they actually are. Formed by thousands of starlings that fly in tandem, this phenomenon is referred to as murmuration. Clouds are also said to be alive, with the tiniest bacteria grabbing water vapor in the atmosphere, making cloud droplets.
Source: LiveScience
48. A River is Boiling on Earth
Once believed as a legend, but there is really a boiling river concealed in the Peruvian Amazon. It is not literally boiling, but this comes within few degrees of such mark and still hot enough to somehow transform an already rainforest to a mystical and steaming paradise that can even cook small and clumsy live animals.
Source: Science Alert
49.Spaceship Earth
The Earth is a planet giving individuals the best opportunities to fully understand the planet in detail and helping people see how other planets behave and even the distant stars. Scientists are, therefore, monitoring the Earth from space. NASA got many missions designed to solve the mysteries of the planet.
Source: Stanford Libraries
50. There's a Cost if You Plan to Buy the Earth's Atmosphere
Some kept asking if the Earth's atmosphere is available for sale, how much would it cost? This is one fun and interesting question to ask. The manner in which Science factors this was through the use of small numbers and adding them up.
When seeking to buy CO2 at a measure of 1.3p for every cubic meter, the factor can jump far. You will not just need to begin small. However, you need to factor this into the entire atmosphere. The thing is, this might end at around $4,300,000,000,000,000, which is also equal to $4.3 Quadrillion.
Source: Science Sensei
When talking about the Earth, it seems that there are things that people take for granted. Some interesting and fun facts have been known thousands of years before, and some were just recently discovered and reported. Still, regardless of that, the planet Earth is undeniably packed with amazing things that will surprise you and leave you in awe.
At the end of the day, the people who cared about the planet will take time to learn more fun facts about the Earth, more old and recent discoveries, and more major things that will educate them and let them understand why this planet is incredible in many ways.
May the 51 interesting and fun facts about Earth leave not just knowledge but also appreciation to this planet and life here on Earth in general. The facts presented here will surely pass down into generations to learn about this beautiful planet.
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