what looks like an armored slug takes up residence
residence
it's called relax eeeh a new generation
of complex multi-celled organisms the
earth enters one of the most dynamic
periods in its history the Cambrian
explosion increased oxygen levels allow
creatures to grow larger and develop
and these trilobite
distant relatives of insects lobsters
life in the oceans blossoms from
[Music]
this is anomalocaris nearly two feet
long it has large eyes razor-sharp teeth
[Music]
the trilobite can't write itself it's
[Music]
also found in the sea is pacaya only an
inch and a half long they may be the
first organism with a spine over
millions of years this simple structure
will evolve into the spine that keeps us standing
[Music]
expecting to find life in ruins the
the trilobite scavenge monsters prowl
and we're creatures began to take on
familiar forms beneath the waves there
are already tens of thousands of plant
and animal species the advance of life
seems unstoppable [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
460 million years ago the plates have
been moving again a new continent now
it's 90 degrees and oxygen levels are
the land should be covered with plants
and crawling with creatures but there's
not much here besides a few patches of algae
algae [Music]
it blasts the surface with deadly
radiation so the complex life in the
ocean doesn't stand a chance on land but
30 miles up where the Rays enter the
Earth's atmosphere something is happening
when oxygen meets the sun's radiation it
turns into another kind of gas called ozone
this gas forms a blanket around the
over 120 million years the ozone layer
gets sticker and prevents more and more
radiation from reaching the Earth's
surface without this layer life on land
simply wouldn't exist now shielded from
radiation life takes off small mossy
they pump out even more oxygen levels saw
saw [Music]
375 million years ago a new species
it uses its neck to raise itself up [Music]
and it's fins function its legs allowing
this is one of the most important
moments in the making of our planet over
15 million years creatures like these of
all they grow stronger limbs and spend
more time out of the water where plant
life is exploded until 360 million years
ago their relatives called tetrapods
make the land their home from tetrapods
four-legged vertebrates evolved into
dinosaurs birds mammals and eventually
humans there are mosses and ferns
everywhere some at least a hundred feet
tall a seed is carried by the wind until
now plants reproduced using spores
single-cell particles that need plenty
but this seed is miles from water this
embryonic plant has its own food and
water supply unlike a Spore this seed
can survive far from water for months
the humble seed spreads life across the
plan and each tree and plant pumps out
even more oxygen [Applause]
[Music]
it's an environment very much like today [Music]
the planet has come a long way from a
lump of burning rock and dust to a blue
the dragonfly it's called mega Nora
this insect is the size of an eagle what
were once legs have evolved into wings
extending the dragonflies hunting
territory over a vast area there are
[Music]
these creatures called arthropods were
among the first to set foot on land
hundreds of millions of years ago they
look almost identical to the bugs that
invade our homes today except for one
big difference like the mega Nora
they're monsters it's a world full of
Giants where millipedes are six feet
long and scorpions are the size of wolves
wolves [Music]
[Music]
this is because the oxygen level is much
higher than it is today which allows
their respiratory systems to be more
efficient fuelling their bodies to grow larger
larger [Applause]
so far animals have been laying their
eggs in the water but a lizard-like
creature called the high/low Namas
prefers lack its eggs contain all the
water and nutrients that the developing
fetus needs the babies grow in their own
self-contained pond the egg is a major
evolutionary breakthrough allowing
animals to leave the water behind and
conquer left [Music]
this baby Hyland almost leads the advance
advance [Music]
as a new creature the reptile [Music]
[Music]
inevitably with life comes death dead
plant matter builds up and decays into
dense soggy layers over hundreds of
millions of years rocks cover these
layers and heat from the Earth's core
and pressure from the overlying rocks
transform these layers into scenes of :
each lump of coal burned today is made
of plants that died 300 million years ago
ago [Music]
amidst the decay hidden from sight life
is stirred soon seeds will germinate
plants will grow and this wasteland will
live again life seems to have conquered
the planet but will it last [Music]
a herd of creatures graze the Siberian
[Music]
evolution takes a huge leap forward
small lizards are now giant reptiles
these scooter saws are distant relatives
of turtles [Music]
if these plant eaters look tough the
carnivores must be seriously mean like
this worgen opposite a perfectly
the gorgonopsids saber teeth wound the
SCOOTER saw [Music]
the predator watches as its prey grows
something strange happens
enormous pressure builds beneath the
but the llama isn't from one single
volcano the entire landscape is erupting [Music]
[Music]
it's a flood basalt eruption a massive
plume of mantle rises up from deep
inside the earth and pushes molten rock
out through fissures in the Earth's crust
crust [Music]
a lush paradise is now a lifeless hell
the SCOOTER sauce and the gorgonopsids
are dead
they're the first casualties in the
greatest mass extinction the world has
[Music]
on the other side of the continent
it appears to be snowing but the
temperature is about 70 degrees
it's actually ash fall out from the
the ash burns and suffocates the animals
sulfur dioxide from the eruptions fills
the atmosphere
as it rains the gas turns to sulfuric
what was a local disaster has now turned global
the Siberian eruptions increase the
Earth's carbon dioxide levels the
atmosphere gets harder water evaporates
around the world life on land is being
wiped out and life in the oceans has
also been compromised the waters turned pink
plants trilobites and predators disappear
disappear [Music]
a new hotter atmosphere heated the
oceans and stripped them of oxygen
now this pink algae is one of the few
life-forms that can survive in the
stagnant water
the Siberian eruptions transformed the
entire planet nothing not even the
deepest ocean floor is beyond their reach
reach [Music]
bubbles of methane gas escape from
methane is a greenhouse gas at least 20
times deadlier than carbon dioxide until now
now
the gas has been frozen but as the sea
[Music]
released into the atmosphere
this powerful gas pushes up temperatures
even further it's now almost 105 degrees
11 degrees hotter than before the
creatures that survived the initial
destruction now face a new and deadly
environment few will live it's been 500
thousand years since the eruptions first
began and all this time the lavas been
pouring out by now it covers an area the
size of the United States with a layer
a few survived by eating anything they
can find
250 million years ago the earth reverts
back to an almost lifeless planet but
that's about to change again it's been
50 million years since virtually all
life on Earth was wiped out and the
planet has been transformed it's now 200
million years ago and just one
supercontinent Pangea stretches from
after the trauma of the mass extinction
the planet he is temperature stabilized
the acid rain neutralizes and vegetation
returns with 95 percent of all life on
Earth wiped out the field opens for a
new species to emerge one that will
these are called Amazon's like all dinos
they evolved from the reptiles that
survived the Permian extinction at 15
feet tall their size makes them slow and
[Applause]
the AMA Soros is too big a meal for one
Dilophosaurus but not for too [Music]
[Music]
the dinosaurs have repopulated the earth
but no species contain this Restless
the Earth's crust is thinning it's
releasing lava and shaking with
earthquakes as it being stretched by
it's also happening near what will
the Earth's plates are on the move again
190 million years ago the great
a vast slab of land breaks away creating
a chasm it fills with a new ocean called
the tifa's / what will one day be the
currents push nutrients up into the
coastal waters and the nutrients attract
fish in the millions but again with so
dead fish and plankton carp at the ocean floor
floor
over the next 10 million years layers of
rock will bury and heat the dead
creatures ancient fish and plankton will
become boy [Music]
every gallon of gas in our cause every
piece of plastic on the platter paint all our walls the carpet under our
paint all our walls the carpet under our feet even the soap we wash with almost
feet even the soap we wash with almost all originated in this way
all originated in this way [Music]
180 million years ago the North American plate is still moving away from the
plate is still moving away from the European an Asian plate
it's shifting about one inch each year the same speed at which our fingernails
the same speed at which our fingernails grow
but fast-forward 35 million years and a new ocean forms as well as new
new ocean forms as well as new confidence the United States breaks away
confidence the United States breaks away from Africa
the world as we know it takes shape the chasm between the two continents builds
chasm between the two continents builds creating the Atlantic Ocean
creating the Atlantic Ocean [Music]
and in the middle lives of all cake [Music]
like before currents deep beneath the earth's crust move the plates again
the entire seafloor tears in to and is pushed up into a ridge of mountains and
pushed up into a ridge of mountains and volcanoes
it grows higher than the Himalayas and longer than the rocket's the water here
longer than the rocket's the water here is hot as molten lava forces its way out
is hot as molten lava forces its way out from deep inside the earth
as the lava cools it creates a new range of volcanic mountains and a new ocean
of volcanic mountains and a new ocean floor
Pangaea breaks apart and our world rearranges again
rearranges again [Music]
[Music] it's this geological activity that makes
it's this geological activity that makes the earth Restless creative and unique
the earth Restless creative and unique and every time the planet reinvents
and every time the planet reinvents itself its inhabitants adapt and evolve
like the ichthyosaurus their reptile ancestors lived on land but as the
ancestors lived on land but as the planet changed so did these animals they
planet changed so did these animals they grew fins moved into the newly formed
grew fins moved into the newly formed Atlantic Ocean
this one it's 20 feet long and can travel at a quick 25 miles an hour
it's the ocean's fastest creature and most efficient predator it rules the
most efficient predator it rules the oceans for 50 million years
oceans for 50 million years [Music]
longer than a bus and as heavy as a truck its jaws are eight times more
truck its jaws are eight times more powerful than a great white shocks with
powerful than a great white shocks with teeth 12 inches long
teeth 12 inches long [Music]
the earth and its inhabitants have changed beyond recognition this was once
changed beyond recognition this was once solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean
solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean the very spot where amasau is raised and
the very spot where amasau is raised and the lava soars stalk their prey the
the lava soars stalk their prey the dinosaurs world may be different but
dinosaurs world may be different but they're as dominant as ever they appear
they're as dominant as ever they appear invincible
invincible [Music]
[Music] they're one of the planet's most
they're one of the planet's most successful species they've survived
successful species they've survived volcanic eruptions earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions earthquakes and entire continents splitting apart the
entire continents splitting apart the dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million
dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million years
a number of mammals have also survived like this shrew my cat
like this shrew my cat [Music]
they're prey to the dinosaurs so they live in trees or underground and venture
live in trees or underground and venture out only at night mammals pose no threat
out only at night mammals pose no threat to the dinosaurs
nothing on earth can challenge their dominance nothing on earth
a large piece of space rock heads toward Earth
this asteroid is at least 6 miles across and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour
and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour it's bigger than Mount Everest
it's bigger than Mount Everest [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] and has straight for the Gulf of Mexico
it travels so fast that its impact would be missed in a blink of an eye
[Music] a split-second changes the world forever
at impact the asteroids back edge stands at 35,000 feet
it strikes with such immense force that it destroys everything it hits
the asteroid itself instantly vaporizes [Applause]
[Applause] unleashing the energy of millions of
unleashing the energy of millions of nuclear weapons
nowhere is safe with debris flying everywhere
debris as big as entire city blocks circled the earth
the blastwave races out from the impact zone like shrapnel from an exploding
zone like shrapnel from an exploding bomb
minutes after impact hundreds of miles from where the asteroid struck the earth
from where the asteroid struck the earth is under attack
[Music] earthquakes shake the ground
earthquakes shake the ground [Music]
but the onslaught has only just begun the plume of molten rock and dust
the plume of molten rock and dust spreads out and engulfs the planet
spreads out and engulfs the planet the entire sky acts like a giant lamp
the entire sky acts like a giant lamp [Music]
heating the Earth's surface to over 500 degrees vegetation spontaneously ignites
even months after the impact smoke and ash still block out the sun's rays and
ash still block out the sun's rays and with less sunlight plants die and the
with less sunlight plants die and the animals stop
sixty-five million years ago the impact has blasted stoned and burnt the
has blasted stoned and burnt the dinosaurs
but the dinosaurs demise brings opportunity for another species a mammal
opportunity for another species a mammal [Music]
[Music] by living underground mammals have
by living underground mammals have avoided the heat and fires and by eating
avoided the heat and fires and by eating anything
anything they thrive while more selective eaters
they thrive while more selective eaters die
they are the unlikely inheritors of the dinosaurs crowd
dinosaurs crowd [Music]
and as one story ends another begins with the dinosaurs out of the way our
with the dinosaurs out of the way our ancestors may now have a chance at life
[Music] the dinosaurs are long dead the planet
the dinosaurs are long dead the planet is peaceful in this new world our mammal
is peaceful in this new world our mammal ancestors are evolving
ancestors are evolving [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] 47 million years ago this Lake in what
47 million years ago this Lake in what will one day be Germany is the perfect
will one day be Germany is the perfect place to spot them
place to spot them [Music]
[Music] unlike early enamels its eyes and brain
unlike early enamels its eyes and brain are bigger
are bigger [Music]
[Music] this is Darwinian assaleh or eden she
this is Darwinian assaleh or eden she looks nothing like humans but fossil
looks nothing like humans but fossil evidence today indicates that these
evidence today indicates that these creatures might evolve into monkeys apes
creatures might evolve into monkeys apes and eventually humans looking back
and eventually humans looking back through 47 million years of evolution
through 47 million years of evolution might reveal one of our earliest known
might reveal one of our earliest known ancestors the lake sits on a volcanic
ancestors the lake sits on a volcanic crater it belches out noxious gas that
crater it belches out noxious gas that eventually kills either
eventually kills either [Music]
the lake preserves her in its oxygen-depleted depths one day when the
oxygen-depleted depths one day when the water is gone and EDA's fossil is found
water is gone and EDA's fossil is found [Music]
[Music] this primitive primate could help piece
this primitive primate could help piece together the beginning of our own story
together the beginning of our own story the story of human life
we're closer to understanding how everything we've seen from ocean
everything we've seen from ocean bacteria through walking fish and
bacteria through walking fish and subterranean rodents leads to us and to
subterranean rodents leads to us and to understanding how our planet was made 47
understanding how our planet was made 47 million years ago the atmosphere is much
million years ago the atmosphere is much like today
temperature is 75 degrees and a day lasts just under 24 hours the earth is
lasts just under 24 hours the earth is now almost identical to the planet we
now almost identical to the planet we call home
call home almost
almost [Music]
India moves north toward Asia [Music]
the Indian and Asian plates are locked in a titanic struggle
[Music] and neither plate is winning
as they buckle the ocean floor contorts upward along a 1500 mile line
a vast mountain range rises up over 27,000 feet
these are the Himalayas [Music]
and the highest melton of all Mount Everest
Everest [Music]
it's summit reaches up into the Earth's Jetstream the same altitude where planes
Jetstream the same altitude where planes fly
when the snow on the peaks melts it feeds rivers like the Ganges Indus
feeds rivers like the Ganges Indus yellow and Yangtze
yellow and Yangtze [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] the Himalayas are like a vast water
the Himalayas are like a vast water tower one day their rivers will supply
tower one day their rivers will supply water for almost half the world's
water for almost half the world's population
20 million years ago this is our planet with every continent and every ocean as
with every continent and every ocean as we know it
[Music] except one thing is still missing the
except one thing is still missing the human race
human race [Music]
[Music] and for humans to evolve something needs
and for humans to evolve something needs to change
along the African coast a great rift opens up
it stretches nearly 4,000 miles [Music]
with mountains growing along its edge [Music]
this ape-like creature may stay in these trees forever but its world is changing
the growing mountains act like a wall prohibiting moisture from the Indian
prohibiting moisture from the Indian Ocean from passing over the land it's
Ocean from passing over the land it's getting hotter and drier
getting hotter and drier a lush rainforest becomes an arid
a lush rainforest becomes an arid savanna
the new hotter climate changes the creatures habitat forcing them to search
creatures habitat forcing them to search further for food soon they stop dragging
further for food soon they stop dragging their knuckles like Apes and begin to
their knuckles like Apes and begin to stand and walk on two feet it's the most
stand and walk on two feet it's the most important step in the human story
this mountain range could be the reason humans walk on two feet
the random movement of two plates may have kick-started a chain of events that
have kick-started a chain of events that leads to the first humans
leads to the first humans [Music]
a man and child I seen very much like today but it's one and a half million
today but it's one and a half million years ago they are an early species of
years ago they are an early species of human called Homo erectus and these are
human called Homo erectus and these are the first footprints like our own
the first footprints like our own [Music]
[Music] civilizations past and present everyone
civilizations past and present everyone that's ever lived the greatest
that's ever lived the greatest inventions the most brilliant ideas
inventions the most brilliant ideas human history in all its complexity and
human history in all its complexity and splendour begins here and now
splendour begins here and now [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
the climate changes again 70,000 years ago sea levels fall and the gap between
ago sea levels fall and the gap between Africa and Arabia shrinks to just 8
Africa and Arabia shrinks to just 8 miles the Red Sea is now narrow and
miles the Red Sea is now narrow and shallow enough for a small group to
shallow enough for a small group to cross out of Africa there another later
cross out of Africa there another later species of human called Homo sapiens
scientists believe that the entire world beyond Africa was populated from
beyond Africa was populated from descendants of these 200 individuals
over time our ancestors multiply and spread out to India on to Asia
spread out to India on to Asia and into Europe
[Music] but while humans head north a giant wall
but while humans head north a giant wall of ice travels south
of ice travels south [Music]
[Music] Europe 40,000 years ago Homo sapiens
Europe 40,000 years ago Homo sapiens arrived only to find a world that's
arrived only to find a world that's quickly changing it should be the height
quickly changing it should be the height of summer but it's getting colder the
of summer but it's getting colder the plants are frostbitten and the rivers of
plants are frostbitten and the rivers of frozen natural changes in the Earth's
frozen natural changes in the Earth's orbit co2 levels and the flow of warm
orbit co2 levels and the flow of warm water around the planet conspired to
water around the planet conspired to lower the earth's temperature the earth
lower the earth's temperature the earth and its inhabitants enter an ice age
and its inhabitants enter an ice age Glacius as high as skyscrapers creep
Glacius as high as skyscrapers creep over the northern hemisphere about a
over the northern hemisphere about a foot every day slow and powerful they
foot every day slow and powerful they sculpt the landscape gouging out great
sculpt the landscape gouging out great depressions
the planet will never look the same again
now around 20,000 years ago they grind to a halt
to a halt much of the northern hemisphere is
much of the northern hemisphere is covered by ice sheets up to one and a
covered by ice sheets up to one and a half miles thick
half miles thick [Music]
[Music] with trillions of gallons of water
with trillions of gallons of water locked up as ice sea levels fall
locked up as ice sea levels fall [Music]
[Music] a strip of land emerges from the ocean
a strip of land emerges from the ocean between Siberia and Alaska
[Music] it's a bridge between two vast
it's a bridge between two vast continents a gateway that takes humans
continents a gateway that takes humans from Asia to a new world the Americas
they're the last great continents to be colonized the last great human migration
colonized the last great human migration and the first Americans
now 14,000 years ago the changes that trigger the ice age reverse as the ice
trigger the ice age reverse as the ice retreats it reveals a very different
retreats it reveals a very different northern hemisphere the huge depressions
northern hemisphere the huge depressions that the glaciers create fill with water
that the glaciers create fill with water to become North America's Great Lakes
[Music] 6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to
6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to the poles toward the Arctic and
the poles toward the Arctic and Antarctic
Antarctic [Music]
after a four and a half billion years on a we're finally home this is our world
a we're finally home this is our world our time
the planets incredible story helps us understand how and why everything around
understand how and why everything around us is here today
us is here today [Music]
[Music] from the skies above to water the
from the skies above to water the essential ingredient for life
[Music] to the ground beneath our feet
to the ground beneath our feet [Music]
[Music]
and finally life [Music]
a chain of catastrophes and coincidences creating a spectacular result each
creating a spectacular result each triumph and disaster is a step leading
triumph and disaster is a step leading to here
this journey is only half the story a lot more is yet to come the earth will
lot more is yet to come the earth will live for at least another 4.5 billion
live for at least another 4.5 billion years
years [Music]
more wonders more terrorists and more strange creatures lie ahead for our
strange creatures lie ahead for our restless and creative planet
restless and creative planet [Music]
[Music] the next chapter of a story is still to
the next chapter of a story is still to be written
be written [Music]
the asteroid itself instantly vaporizes [Applause]
[Applause] unleashing the energy of millions of
unleashing the energy of millions of nuclear weapons
nowhere is safe with debris flying everywhere
debris as big as entire city blocks circle the earth
the blastwave races out from the impact zone like shrapnel from an exploding
zone like shrapnel from an exploding bomb
minutes after impact hundreds of miles from where the asteroid struck the earth
from where the asteroid struck the earth is under attack
[Music] earthquakes shake the ground
earthquakes shake the ground [Music]
but fianc law has only just begun the plume of molten rock and dust spreads
plume of molten rock and dust spreads out and engulfs the planet
the entire sky acts like a giant lamp [Music]
feeding the Earth's surface to over 500 degrees vegetation and the nutrients
degrees vegetation and the nutrients attract fish in the millions but again
attract fish in the millions but again with so much life also comes death
dead fish and plankton carp at the ocean floor over the next 10 million years
floor over the next 10 million years layers of rock blueberry and heat the
layers of rock blueberry and heat the dead creatures ancient fish and plankton
dead creatures ancient fish and plankton will become boy
will become boy [Music]
every gallon of gas in our cars every piece of plastic on the platter
piece of plastic on the platter paint all our walls the carpet under our
paint all our walls the carpet under our feet even the soap we wash with almost
feet even the soap we wash with almost all originated in this way
all originated in this way [Music]
180 million years ago the North American plate is still moving away from the
plate is still moving away from the European an Asian plate
it's shifting about one inch each year the same speed at which our fingernails
the same speed at which our fingernails grow
but fast-forward 35 million years and a new ocean forms as well as new
new ocean forms as well as new confidence the United States breaks away
confidence the United States breaks away from Africa
the world as we know it takes shape the chasm between the two continents builds
chasm between the two continents builds creating the Atlantic Ocean
and in the middle lives of all cake [Music]
like before currents deep beneath the earth's crust move the plates again
the entire seafloor tears into and is pushed up into a ridge of mountains and
pushed up into a ridge of mountains and love
but the dinosaurs demise brings opportunity for another species a mammal
opportunity for another species a mammal [Music]
[Music] by living underground mammals have
by living underground mammals have avoided the heat and fires and by eating
avoided the heat and fires and by eating anything
anything they thrive while more selective eaters
they thrive while more selective eaters stop they are the unlikely inheritors of
stop they are the unlikely inheritors of the dinosaurs crowd
the dinosaurs crowd [Music]
and as one story ends another begins with the dinosaurs out of the way our
with the dinosaurs out of the way our ancestors may now have a chance at life
[Music] the dinosaurs are long dead the planet
the dinosaurs are long dead the planet is peaceful in this new world our mammal
is peaceful in this new world our mammal ancestors are evolving
ancestors are evolving [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] 47 million years ago this lake in what
47 million years ago this lake in what will one day be Germany is the perfect
will one day be Germany is the perfect place to spot them
place to spot them [Music]
[Music] unlike early enamels its eyes and brain
unlike early enamels its eyes and brain are bigger
are bigger [Music]
[Music] this is Darwinian assaleh for Edith she
this is Darwinian assaleh for Edith she looks nothing like humans but fossil
looks nothing like humans but fossil evidence today indicates that these
evidence today indicates that these creatures might evolve into monkeys apes
creatures might evolve into monkeys apes and eventually humans looking back
and eventually humans looking back through 47 million years of evolution
through 47 million years of evolution might reveal one of our earliest known
might reveal one of our earliest known ancestors our fingernails grow
but fast-forward 35 million years and a new ocean forms as well as new
new ocean forms as well as new confidence the United States breaks away
confidence the United States breaks away from Africa
the world as we know it takes shape the chasm between the two confidence builds
chasm between the two confidence builds creating the Atlantic Ocean
creating the Atlantic Ocean [Music]
and in the middle lives of all cake [Music]
like before currents deep beneath the earth's crust move the plates again
the entire seafloor tears into and is pushed up into a ridge of mountains and
pushed up into a ridge of mountains and volcanoes
it grows higher than the Himalayas and longer than the rocket's the water here
longer than the rocket's the water here is hot as molten lava forces its way out
is hot as molten lava forces its way out from deep inside the earth
as the lava cools it creates a new range of volcanic mountains and a new ocean
of volcanic mountains and a new ocean floor
Pangaea breaks apart and our world rearranges again
rearranges again [Music]
[Music] it's this geological activity that makes
it's this geological activity that makes the earth Restless creative and unique
the earth Restless creative and unique and every time the planet reinvents
and every time the planet reinvents itself its inhabitants adapt and evolve
like the ichthyosaurs their reptile ancestors lived on land but as the
ancestors lived on land but as the planet changed so did these animals they
planet changed so did these animals they grew fins and moved into the newly
grew fins and moved into the newly formed Atlantic Ocean
this one it's 20 feet long except one thing is still missing the human race
thing is still missing the human race [Music]
[Music] and for humans to evolve something needs
and for humans to evolve something needs to change
along the African coast a great rift opens up
it stretches nearly 4,000 miles [Music]
with mountains growing along its edge [Music]
this ape-like creature may stay in these trees forever but its world is changing
the growing mountains act like a wall prohibiting moisture from the Indian
prohibiting moisture from the Indian Ocean from passing over the land it's
Ocean from passing over the land it's getting hotter and drier
getting hotter and drier the lush rainforest becomes an arrant
the lush rainforest becomes an arrant savanna the new hotter climate changes
savanna the new hotter climate changes the creatures habitat forcing them to
the creatures habitat forcing them to search further for food
search further for food soon they stop dragging their knuckles
soon they stop dragging their knuckles like Apes and begin to stand and walk on
like Apes and begin to stand and walk on two feet it's the most important step in
two feet it's the most important step in the human story
this mountain range could be the reason humans walk on two feet
the random movement of two plates may have kick-started a chain of events that
have kick-started a chain of events that leads to the first humans
leads to the first humans [Music]
a man and child a scene very much like today but it's one and a half million
today but it's one and a half million years ago they are an early species of
years ago they are an early species of human cop
even months after the impact smoke and ash still block out the sun's rays
and with less sunlight plants Don and the animals stop
sixty-five million years ago the impact has blasted stoned and burnt the
has blasted stoned and burnt the dinosaurs
but the dinosaurs demise brings opportunity for another species a mammal
opportunity for another species a mammal [Music]
[Music] by living underground mammals have
by living underground mammals have avoided the heat and fires and by eating
avoided the heat and fires and by eating anything
anything they thrive while more selective eaters
they thrive while more selective eaters stop they are the unlikely inheritors of
stop they are the unlikely inheritors of the dinosaurs crowd
the dinosaurs crowd [Music]
and as one story ends another begins with the dinosaurs out of the way our
with the dinosaurs out of the way our ancestors may now have a chance at life
[Music] the dinosaurs are long dead the planet
the dinosaurs are long dead the planet is peaceful in this new world our mammal
is peaceful in this new world our mammal ancestors are evolving
ancestors are evolving [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] 47 million years ago this lake in what
47 million years ago this lake in what will one day be Germany is the perfect
will one day be Germany is the perfect place to spot them
place to spot them [Music]
[Music] now around 20,000 years ago they grind
now around 20,000 years ago they grind to a halt
to a halt much of the northern hemisphere is
much of the northern hemisphere is covered by ice sheets up to one and a
covered by ice sheets up to one and a half miles thick
half miles thick [Music]
[Music] with trillions of gallons of water
with trillions of gallons of water locked up as ice sea levels fall
locked up as ice sea levels fall [Music]
[Music] a strip of land emerges from the ocean
a strip of land emerges from the ocean between Siberia and Alaska it's a bridge
between Siberia and Alaska it's a bridge between two vast continents a gateway
between two vast continents a gateway that takes humans from Asia to a new
that takes humans from Asia to a new world the Americas they're the last
world the Americas they're the last great continents to be colonized the
great continents to be colonized the last great human migration and the first
last great human migration and the first Americans
now 14,000 years ago the changes that trigger the ice age reverse as the ice
trigger the ice age reverse as the ice retreats it reveals a very different
retreats it reveals a very different northern hemisphere the huge depressions
northern hemisphere the huge depressions that the glaciers create fill with water
that the glaciers create fill with water to become North America's Great Lakes
[Music] 6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to
6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to the poles toward the Arctic and
the poles toward the Arctic and Antarctic
Antarctic [Music]
after a four and a half billion years on a we're finally home this is our world
a we're finally home this is our world our time
the planets incredible story helps us understand how and why everything around
understand how and why everything around us is here today
us is here today [Music]
[Music] from the skies above to water the
from the skies above to water the essential ingredient for life
[Music] to
to [Music]
this baby Hyland almost leads the advance
advance [Music]
as a new creature the rep top [Music]
[Music] inevitably with life comes death dead
inevitably with life comes death dead plant matter builds up and decays into
plant matter builds up and decays into dense soggy layers over hundreds of
dense soggy layers over hundreds of millions of years rocks cover these
millions of years rocks cover these layers and heat from the Earth's core
layers and heat from the Earth's core and pressure from the overlying rocks
and pressure from the overlying rocks transform these layers into scenes of :
transform these layers into scenes of : each lump of coal burned today is made
each lump of coal burned today is made of plants that died 300 million years
of plants that died 300 million years ago
ago [Music]
amidst the decay hidden from sight life is stirred soon seeds will germinate
is stirred soon seeds will germinate plants will grow and this wasteland will
plants will grow and this wasteland will live again life seems to have conquered
live again life seems to have conquered the planet but will it last
the planet but will it last [Music]
a herd of creatures graze the Siberian Plains and they are big
[Music] evolution takes a huge leap forward
evolution takes a huge leap forward small lizards are now giant reptiles
small lizards are now giant reptiles these scutosaurus are distant relatives
these scutosaurus are distant relatives of turtles
of turtles [Music]
if these plant eaters look tough the call of ORS must be seriously mean like
call of ORS must be seriously mean like this gorgonopsids
this gorgonopsids a perfectly engineered prehistoric
a perfectly engineered prehistoric killing machine
the eruptions first began and all this time the lavas been pouring out by now
time the lavas been pouring out by now it covers an area the size of the United
it covers an area the size of the United States with a layer of molten rock
States with a layer of molten rock nearly four miles deep 95% of the
nearly four miles deep 95% of the species are gone
a few survived by eating anything they can find
can find and living in burrows underground
250 million years ago the earth reverts back to an almost lifeless planet but
back to an almost lifeless planet but that's about to change again it's been
that's about to change again it's been 50 million years since virtually all
50 million years since virtually all life on Earth was wiped out and the
life on Earth was wiped out and the planet has been transformed it's now 200
planet has been transformed it's now 200 million years ago and just one
million years ago and just one supercontinent Pangea stretches from
supercontinent Pangea stretches from pole to pole
after the trauma of the mass extinction the planet heals temperatures stabilize
the planet heals temperatures stabilize the acid rain neutralizes and vegetation
the acid rain neutralizes and vegetation returns with 95% of all life on Earth
returns with 95% of all life on Earth wiped out the field opens for a new
wiped out the field opens for a new species to emerge one that will dominate
species to emerge one that will dominate the planet like no other
these are called Amazon's like all dinos they evolved from the
like all dinos they evolved from the reptiles that survived the Permian
reptiles that survived the Permian extinction at 15 feet tall their size
extinction at 15 feet tall their size makes them slow and vulnerable nearby is
makes them slow and vulnerable nearby is the Dilophosaurus it's small
civilizations past and present everyone that's ever lived the greatest
that's ever lived the greatest inventions the most brilliant ideas
inventions the most brilliant ideas human history in all its complexity and
human history in all its complexity and splendour begins here and now
splendour begins here and now [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
the climate changes again 70,000 years ago sea levels fall and the gap between
ago sea levels fall and the gap between Africa and Arabia shrinks to just 8
Africa and Arabia shrinks to just 8 miles the Red Sea is now narrow and
miles the Red Sea is now narrow and shallow enough for a small group to
shallow enough for a small group to cross out of Africa there another later
cross out of Africa there another later species of human called Homo sapiens
scientists believe that the entire world beyond Africa was populated from
beyond Africa was populated from descendants of these 200 individuals
over time our ancestors multiply and spread out to India on to Asia
spread out to India on to Asia and into Europe
[Music] but while humans head north a giant wall
but while humans head north a giant wall of ice travels south Europe 40,000 years
of ice travels south Europe 40,000 years ago Homo sapiens arrived only to find a
ago Homo sapiens arrived only to find a world that's quickly changing it should
world that's quickly changing it should be the height of summer but it's getting
be the height of summer but it's getting colder the plants are frostbitten and
colder the plants are frostbitten and the rivers of frozen natural changes in
the rivers of frozen natural changes in the Earth's orbit co2 levels and the
the Earth's orbit co2 levels and the flow of warm water around the planet
flow of warm water around the planet conspired to lower the earth's
conspired to lower the earth's temperature the earth and its
temperature the earth and its inhabitants enter an ice age Glacius as
inhabitants enter an ice age Glacius as high as skyscrapers creep over the
high as skyscrapers creep over the northern hemisphere about a foot every
northern hemisphere about a foot every day slow and
sulfur dioxide from the eruptions fills the atmosphere
the atmosphere as it rains the gas turns to sulfuric
as it rains the gas turns to sulfuric acid and burns everything it falls on
what was a local disaster has now turned global
the Siberian eruptions increase the Earth's carbon dioxide levels the
Earth's carbon dioxide levels the atmosphere gets harder water evaporates
atmosphere gets harder water evaporates and vegetation dies
around the world life on land is being wiped out and life in the oceans has
wiped out and life in the oceans has also been compromised the waters turned
also been compromised the waters turned pink
plants trilobites and creditors disappear
disappear [Music]
a new hotter atmosphere heated the oceans and stripped them of oxygen
oceans and stripped them of oxygen now this pink algae is one of the few
now this pink algae is one of the few life-forms that can survive in the
life-forms that can survive in the stagnant water the Siberian eruptions
stagnant water the Siberian eruptions transform the entire planet nothing not
transform the entire planet nothing not even the deepest ocean floor is beyond
even the deepest ocean floor is beyond their reach
their reach [Music]
bubbles of methane gas escape from beneath the seabed
methane is a greenhouse gas at least 20 times deadlier than common dioxide until
times deadlier than common dioxide until now the gas has been frozen but as the
now the gas has been frozen but as the sea temperature rises it begins to melt
[Music] released into the atmosphere
released into the atmosphere this powerful gas pushes up temperatures
this powerful gas pushes up temperatures even further it's now home
the earth and its inhabitants have changed beyond recognition this was once
changed beyond recognition this was once solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean
solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean the very spot where amasau is raised and
the very spot where amasau is raised and the lava source stopped their prey the
the lava source stopped their prey the dinosaurs world may be different but
dinosaurs world may be different but they're as dominant as ever they appear
they're as dominant as ever they appear invincible
invincible [Music]
[Music] they're one of the planet's most
they're one of the planet's most successful species they've survived
successful species they've survived volcanic eruptions earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions earthquakes and entire continents splitting apart the
entire continents splitting apart the dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million
dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million years
a number of mammals have also survived like this shrew like at
like this shrew like at [Music]
they're praying to the dinosaurs and so they live in trees or underground and
they live in trees or underground and venture out only at night mammals pose
venture out only at night mammals pose no threat to the dinosaurs nothing on
no threat to the dinosaurs nothing on earth can challenge their dominance
a large piece of space rock heads toward Earth
this asteroid is at least 6 miles across and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour
and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour it's bigger than Mount Everest
it's bigger than Mount Everest [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] and heads straight for the Gulf of
and heads straight for the Gulf of Mexico
it travels so fast that its impact would be missed in a blink of an eye
minutes after impact hundreds of miles from where the asteroid struck the earth
from where the asteroid struck the earth is under attack
[Music] earthquakes shake the ground
earthquakes shake the ground [Music]
but the onslaught has only just begun the plume of molten rock and dust
the plume of molten rock and dust spreads out and engulfs the planet
the entire sky acts like a giant lamp [Music]
heating the Earth's surface to over 500 degrees vegetation spontaneously ignites
even months after the impact smoke and ash still block out the sun's rays
and with less sunlight plants die and the animals stop
sixty-five million years ago the impact has blasted stoned and burnt the
has blasted stoned and burnt the dinosaurs
but the dinosaurs demise brings opportunity for another species a mammal
opportunity for another species a mammal [Music]
[Music] by living underground mammals have
by living underground mammals have avoided the heat and fires and by eating
avoided the heat and fires and by eating anything dead is being wiped out and
anything dead is being wiped out and life in the oceans has also been
life in the oceans has also been compromised the waters turned pink
plants trilobites and creditors disappear
disappear [Music]
a new hotter atmosphere heated the oceans and stripped them of oxygen
oceans and stripped them of oxygen now this pink algae is one of the few
now this pink algae is one of the few life-forms that can survive in the
life-forms that can survive in the stagnant water the Siberian eruptions
stagnant water the Siberian eruptions transformed the entire planet nothing
transformed the entire planet nothing not even the deepest ocean floor is
not even the deepest ocean floor is beyond their reach
beyond their reach [Music]
bubbles of methane gas escape from beneath the seabed
methane is a greenhouse gas at least 20 times deadlier than common dioxide until
times deadlier than common dioxide until now the gas has been frozen but as the
now the gas has been frozen but as the sea temperature rises it begins to melt
[Music] released into the atmosphere
released into the atmosphere this powerful gas pushes up temperatures
this powerful gas pushes up temperatures even further it's now almost 105 degrees
even further it's now almost 105 degrees 11 degrees hotter than before the
11 degrees hotter than before the Siberian eruptions creatures that
Siberian eruptions creatures that survived the initial destruction now
survived the initial destruction now face a new and deadly environment few
face a new and deadly environment few will live it's been five hundred
will live it's been five hundred thousand years since the eruptions first
thousand years since the eruptions first began and all this time the lavas been
began and all this time the lavas been pouring out by now it covers an area the
pouring out by now it covers an area the size of the United States with a layer
size of the United States with a layer of molten rock nearly four miles deep
a few survived by eating anything they can find
can find and living in burrows underground
but everything else is dead the huge depressions that the glaciers
the huge depressions that the glaciers create fill with water to become North
create fill with water to become North America's Great Lakes
[Music] 6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to
6,000 years ago the ice retreats back to the poles toward the Arctic and
the poles toward the Arctic and Antarctic
Antarctic [Music]
after a four and a half billion you join a we're finally home this is our world
a we're finally home this is our world our time
the planets incredible story helps us understand how and why everything around
understand how and why everything around us is here today
us is here today [Music]
[Music] from the skies above to water the
from the skies above to water the essential ingredients for life
[Music] to the ground beneath our feet
to the ground beneath our feet [Music]
and finally life [Music]
a chain of catastrophes and coincidences creating a spectacular result each
creating a spectacular result each triumph and disaster is a step leading
triumph and disaster is a step leading to here
this journey is only half the story a lot more is yet to come the earth will
lot more is yet to come the earth will live for at least another 4.5 billion
live for at least another 4.5 billion years
years [Music]
more wonders more terrorists and more strange creatures lie ahead for our
strange creatures lie ahead for our restless and creative planet
restless and creative planet [Music]
[Music] the next chapter of a story is still to
the next chapter of a story is still to be written
a mammal by living underground mammals have avoided the heat and fires and by
have avoided the heat and fires and by eating anything
eating anything they thrive while more selective eaters
they thrive while more selective eaters die
[Music] they are the unlikely inheritors of the
they are the unlikely inheritors of the dinosaurs crowd
dinosaurs crowd [Music]
and as one story ends another begins with the dinosaurs out of the way our
with the dinosaurs out of the way our ancestors may now have a chance at life
[Music] the dinosaurs are long dead the planet
the dinosaurs are long dead the planet is peaceful in this new world our mammal
is peaceful in this new world our mammal ancestors are evolving
ancestors are evolving [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] 47 million years ago this lake in what
47 million years ago this lake in what will one day be Germany is the perfect
will one day be Germany is the perfect place to spot them
place to spot them [Music]
[Music] unlike early enamels its eyes and brain
unlike early enamels its eyes and brain are bigger
are bigger [Music]
[Music] this is Darwinian SLA or EDA she looks
this is Darwinian SLA or EDA she looks nothing like humans but fossil evidence
nothing like humans but fossil evidence today indicates that these creatures
today indicates that these creatures might evolve into monkeys apes and
might evolve into monkeys apes and eventually humans looking back through
eventually humans looking back through 47 million years of evolution might
47 million years of evolution might reveal one of our earliest known
reveal one of our earliest known ancestors the lake sits on a volcanic
ancestors the lake sits on a volcanic crater it belches out noxious gas that
crater it belches out noxious gas that eventually kills either
eventually kills either [Music]
the lake preserves her in its oxygen-depleted depths ox with teeth 12
oxygen-depleted depths ox with teeth 12 inches long
inches long [Music]
the earth and its inhabitants have changed beyond recognition this was once
changed beyond recognition this was once solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean
solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean the very spot where amasau is raised and
the very spot where amasau is raised and the lava source stalk their prey the
the lava source stalk their prey the dinosaurs world may be different but
dinosaurs world may be different but they're as dominant as ever
they're as dominant as ever they appear invincible
they appear invincible [Music]
[Music] they're one of the planet's most
they're one of the planet's most successful species they've survived
successful species they've survived volcanic eruptions earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions earthquakes and entire continents splitting apart the
entire continents splitting apart the dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million
dinosaurs have thrived for 165 million years
a number of mammals have also survived like this shrew like at
like this shrew like at [Music]
they're prey to the dinosaurs and so they live in trees or underground and
they live in trees or underground and venture out only at night mammals pose
venture out only at night mammals pose no threat to the dinosaurs
nothing on earth can challenge their dominance
a large piece of space rock heads toward Earth
this asteroid is at least 6 miles across and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour
and traveling over 40,000 miles an hour it's bigger than Mount Everest
it's bigger than Mount Everest [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] and head straight for the Gulf of Mexico
it travels so fast that its impact would be missed in a blink up the planet has
be missed in a blink up the planet has come a long way from a lump of burning
come a long way from a lump of burning rock and dust to a blue and green world
rock and dust to a blue and green world bursting with love
it's called mega Noura this insect is the size of an eagle what were once legs
the size of an eagle what were once legs have evolved into wings extending the
have evolved into wings extending the dragonflies hunting territory over a
dragonflies hunting territory over a vast area there are also millipedes and
vast area there are also millipedes and spiders down there
[Music] these creatures called arthropods were
these creatures called arthropods were among the first to set foot on land
among the first to set foot on land hundreds of millions of years ago they
hundreds of millions of years ago they look almost identical to the bugs that
look almost identical to the bugs that invade our homes today except for one
invade our homes today except for one big difference like the mega Nora
big difference like the mega Nora they're monsters it's a world full of
they're monsters it's a world full of Giants where millipedes are six feet
Giants where millipedes are six feet long and scorpions are the size of
long and scorpions are the size of wounds
wounds [Music]
[Music] this is because the oxygen level is much
this is because the oxygen level is much higher than it is today which allows
higher than it is today which allows their respiratory systems to be more
their respiratory systems to be more efficient fuelling their bodies to grow
efficient fuelling their bodies to grow larger
larger [Applause]
so far animals have been laying their eggs in the water but a lizard-like
eggs in the water but a lizard-like creature called the high/low Namas
creature called the high/low Namas prefers land its eggs contain all the
prefers land its eggs contain all the water and nutrients that the developing
water and nutrients that the developing fetus needs the babies grow in their own
fetus needs the babies grow in their own self-contained pond the egg is a major
self-contained pond the egg is a major evolutionary breakthrough allowing
evolutionary breakthrough allowing animals to leave the water behind and
animals to leave the water behind and conquer left
conquer left [Music]
this baby Hyland almost leads the advance
advance [Music]
as a new creature the rep top [Music]
[Music] Pangaea breaks apart and our world
Pangaea breaks apart and our world rearranges again
rearranges again [Music]
[Music] it's this geological activity that makes
it's this geological activity that makes the earth Restless creative and unique
the earth Restless creative and unique and every time the planet reinvents
and every time the planet reinvents itself its inhabitants adapt and evolve
like the ichthyosaurus their reptile ancestors lived on land but as the
ancestors lived on land but as the planet changed so did these animals they
planet changed so did these animals they grew fins and moved into the newly
grew fins and moved into the newly formed Atlantic Ocean
this one it's 20 feet long and can travel at a quick 25 miles an hour
it's the oceans fastest creature and most efficient predator it rules the
most efficient predator it rules the oceans for 50 million years
oceans for 50 million years [Music]
the playa saw longer than a bus and as heavy as a truck its jaws are eight
heavy as a truck its jaws are eight times more powerful than a great white
times more powerful than a great white sharks with teeth 12 inches long
sharks with teeth 12 inches long [Music]
the earth and its inhabitants have changed beyond recognition this was once
changed beyond recognition this was once solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean
solid ground now it's the Atlantic Ocean the very spot where amis oars raised and
the very spot where amis oars raised and the lava source stalk their prey the
the lava source stalk their prey the dinosaurs world may be different but
dinosaurs world may be different but they're as dominant
when the consonant to applaud many rocks were exposed
were exposed [Music]
these rocks absorb the acid rain including its carbon dioxide vast
including its carbon dioxide vast quantities of co2 are absorbed out of
quantities of co2 are absorbed out of the atmosphere
[Music] now there's not enough carbon dioxide in
now there's not enough carbon dioxide in the air to trap the sun's heat around
the air to trap the sun's heat around the planet in just a few thousand years
the planet in just a few thousand years the temperature plummets to around minus
the temperature plummets to around minus 60 degrees
60 degrees this frozen wasteland is southern
this frozen wasteland is southern Australia 650 million years ago
it's the start of what some scientists called
called snowball earth a period they believed to
snowball earth a period they believed to be the longest coldest ice age ever to
be the longest coldest ice age ever to grip the planet
a vast wall of ice lose thousands of FIFA
the more ice there is the more sunlight it reflects away from the planet and the
it reflects away from the planet and the faster the ice spreads
nearby is a second ice sheet just as hot the two sheets spread away from the
the two sheets spread away from the poles toward each other to meet at the
poles toward each other to meet at the equator
now an ice sheet up to 10,000 feet thick covers the entire plaque
earth first began as a molten ball of fire now it's a frozen ball of ice
fire now it's a frozen ball of ice [Music]
[Music] virtually all the sun's light and warm
virtually all the sun's light and warm reflects back into space
reflects back into space [Music]
[Music] and it seems as though nothing not even
and it seems as though nothing not even the Sun can rescue the planet now
the Sun can rescue the planet now [Music]
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