The Dangers of Altering Earth's Topography: A Cautionary Tale
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The Implications of Earth's Changed Topography
The Earth's surface is comprised of approximately 71% water and 29% land. With a global population nearing 7.8 billion, one might wonder if reversing the Earth's topography would be beneficial. While this notion may seem appealing at first, a closer look reveals significant drawbacks.
This change would lead to a fundamental transformation in land configurations. The ocean floor, characterized by its monotony, averages a depth of around 3,700 meters. In this new scenario, our land would emerge as a vast plateau, towering at this height. Consequently, the Earth would become a colossal unified landmass, eliminating barriers to travel across the globe.
Moreover, the ocean floor hosts significantly more volcanoes than those found on land. Underwater eruptions release magma at rates 12 to 15 times higher than terrestrial volcanoes, indicating that volcanic activity would escalate in this reimagined world, bringing with it increased hazards.
Glaciers would become relics of the past as rising temperatures would nearly eradicate them, ultimately transforming our planet into a giant desert reminiscent of Venus.
The Impact on Climate
The oceans function as the Earth's cooling system. Currently, the abundance of seawater contributes to an average temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for humans and various animal species. However, in a world dominated by only 29% water, heat absorption would be insufficient, leading to extreme temperatures.
Additionally, marine algae play a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels. With a reduction in water bodies, the abundance of algae would decrease, resulting in higher concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, ushering in a new era of global warming.
Vegetation Challenges
In a landscape characterized by reduced water and intense heat, the environment would become increasingly inhospitable for plants. This scarcity would jeopardize agricultural practices, potentially limiting human access to food. A single meal per day could become a rare luxury.
Animal Adaptation
Cold-blooded species such as snakes and lizards might find it easier to adapt to the rising temperatures. However, mammals and birds would face significant challenges, needing to evolve rapidly to cope with extreme conditions or risk extinction. Herbivores, lacking sufficient vegetation, would struggle at the bottom of the food chain, leading to their eventual disappearance.
Human Survival in Coastal Areas
Most humans would likely congregate in coastal regions, as these areas would offer the only viable options for food production and milder temperatures. However, not everyone could reside near the coast, resulting in land and food scarcity, which could lead to increased crime.
Humans are typically adapted to altitudes of 800 to 840 meters. The average height of the proposed plateau would be around 3,700 meters, creating challenges for oxygen intake and basic survival.
While this scenario is purely hypothetical, it prompts reflection on how different our anatomy might be if such a topography had always existed. Perhaps we would have evolved into cold-blooded beings. Would you embrace life in this reimagined world?
In the first video, "Slow Changes To Earth's Surface," we explore the gradual transformations our planet undergoes over time, highlighting the consequences of these changes.
The second video, "Changes to Earth's Surface," delves into the various factors that influence the Earth's topography and the implications for life on our planet.