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Treasures of the Earth: Power

Season 43 Episode 20 | 53m 10s

Drill down to discover the treasures beneath our feet that power our world. Fossil fuels–coal, oil, and natural gas–powered the industrial revolution and allowed us to build a way of life that many cherish today. Personal cars, planes, lights, hot showers–all of these are gifts from our fossil fuels… but they have a dirty dark side in that they are polluting the planet.

Aired: 08/15/18 | Expires: 10/16/19
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
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Io’s intense volcanic activity defies all expectations.
For millions of years, a tiny moon has made a significant impact on the structure of Saturn’s rings.
This is what it would be like to walk on the surface of Venus.
Recent hurricanes blow away records for destruction, costing over a trillion dollars in 20 years.
Most objects with a radius over 200 miles are spherical, but Haumea is an exception.
Watch this interview with Sir Arthur C. Clarke for The Mind Machine (1978.)
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Knights and firearms clashed on the battlefield for over 200 years.
Hurricanes are getting more intense, faster.
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