1
00:00:06,799 --> 00:00:09,761
[dramatic music]
2
00:00:09,802 --> 00:00:15,266
* *
3
00:00:15,308 --> 00:00:16,976
- Greetings.
Bill Nye here.
4
00:00:17,018 --> 00:00:19,562
If you've been watching
this show, you'd agree,
5
00:00:19,604 --> 00:00:22,440
we've survived some
crazy disasters together:
6
00:00:22,482 --> 00:00:24,901
flaming debris
from outer space,
7
00:00:24,942 --> 00:00:26,903
pyroclastic death clouds,
8
00:00:26,944 --> 00:00:28,905
solar shockwaves,
9
00:00:28,946 --> 00:00:31,741
the time I wore a bow tie
in the hot tub.
10
00:00:31,783 --> 00:00:36,788
But our next disaster
is the scariest one yet.
11
00:00:36,829 --> 00:00:40,917
It will happen in a region
known as the Ring of Fire.
12
00:00:40,958 --> 00:00:42,251
Never heard of it?
13
00:00:42,293 --> 00:00:44,003
A lot of people haven't.
14
00:00:44,045 --> 00:00:46,756
And yet if you live
on the Ring of Fire,
15
00:00:46,798 --> 00:00:50,468
you're in grave danger
every single day,
16
00:00:50,510 --> 00:00:52,970
including this place.
17
00:00:53,012 --> 00:00:57,392
Welcome to the picturesque town
of Homer, Alaska.
18
00:00:57,433 --> 00:01:00,186
Today, you could say that this
19
00:01:00,228 --> 00:01:02,688
is one of the most dangerous
places on Earth.
20
00:01:02,730 --> 00:01:06,234
[deep rumbling]
21
00:01:09,612 --> 00:01:12,365
The Ring of Fire is awakening!
22
00:01:12,407 --> 00:01:14,867
This is only the beginning
of the end.
23
00:01:14,909 --> 00:01:16,202
Brace yourselves!
24
00:01:16,244 --> 00:01:19,372
[rumbling]
25
00:01:21,999 --> 00:01:24,961
[dramatic music]
26
00:01:25,002 --> 00:01:31,926
* *
27
00:01:43,896 --> 00:01:45,690
[cow mooing]
28
00:01:45,732 --> 00:01:52,864
* *
29
00:01:53,698 --> 00:01:56,993
Greetings, and welcome
to the Disaster Institute.
30
00:01:57,034 --> 00:02:00,621
Here, we chronicle the great
cataclysms that have happened,
31
00:02:00,663 --> 00:02:04,625
are happening, and could
happen at any moment.
32
00:02:04,667 --> 00:02:07,712
We're here to witness
yet another end of the world.
33
00:02:07,754 --> 00:02:10,423
And we'll show you how science
can carry us through
34
00:02:10,465 --> 00:02:12,175
the worst scenarios.
35
00:02:12,216 --> 00:02:14,594
We will also answer
the question,
36
00:02:14,635 --> 00:02:17,138
"Why is Earth
so damn dangerous?"
37
00:02:17,180 --> 00:02:20,475
Sometimes, doesn't it seem like
our planet is out to get us?
38
00:02:20,516 --> 00:02:23,352
Especially on this show.
39
00:02:23,394 --> 00:02:24,854
We're about to experience
40
00:02:24,896 --> 00:02:27,190
the most terrifying disaster
of all.
41
00:02:27,231 --> 00:02:30,735
After we're done here,
you will never forget its name:
42
00:02:30,777 --> 00:02:32,403
the Ring of Fire.
43
00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,575
The Ring of Fire is a zone
of fractures and fault lines
44
00:02:37,617 --> 00:02:41,537
25,000 miles long
and 300 miles wide.
45
00:02:41,579 --> 00:02:43,164
Nine out of ten earthquakes
46
00:02:43,206 --> 00:02:46,375
and almost all of the world's
volcanoes are located
47
00:02:46,417 --> 00:02:48,086
along this narrow perimeter.
48
00:02:48,127 --> 00:02:50,880
The Ring of Fire stretches
all around the edge
49
00:02:50,922 --> 00:02:52,382
of the Pacific Ocean,
50
00:02:52,423 --> 00:02:54,717
where it touches 15 countries.
51
00:02:54,759 --> 00:02:57,678
If you're one of the
two billion people who reside
52
00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,224
on the Pacific Coast of Chile,
the Pacific Coast of Mexico,
53
00:03:01,265 --> 00:03:05,561
or the coasts of Russia,
Japan, Indonesia, Canada,
54
00:03:05,603 --> 00:03:08,272
New Zealand,
or the United States,
55
00:03:08,314 --> 00:03:11,025
then you live
with ever-present danger.
56
00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:13,820
That includes my beloved
Seattle, Washington,
57
00:03:13,861 --> 00:03:17,407
and even some places not known
for extreme heat or volcanoes,
58
00:03:17,448 --> 00:03:20,743
like Alaska.
59
00:03:23,704 --> 00:03:25,581
You might call the Ring of Fire
60
00:03:25,623 --> 00:03:28,084
the mother of all
natural disasters.
61
00:03:28,126 --> 00:03:29,752
And you'd be right,
62
00:03:29,794 --> 00:03:33,089
because it's where most of
Earth's disasters are born,
63
00:03:33,131 --> 00:03:34,382
like this one.
64
00:03:34,424 --> 00:03:37,677
March 27th, 1964.
65
00:03:37,719 --> 00:03:40,304
This is not a movie
about a disaster
66
00:03:40,346 --> 00:03:42,181
or a made-up disaster.
67
00:03:42,223 --> 00:03:44,767
It's a movie of a disaster.
68
00:03:44,809 --> 00:03:47,270
What I'm about
to show you is real.
69
00:03:47,311 --> 00:03:49,439
This really happened.
70
00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,567
[film projector whirring]
71
00:03:52,608 --> 00:03:55,528
[soft dramatic music]
72
00:03:55,570 --> 00:04:00,408
* *
73
00:04:00,450 --> 00:04:02,243
- At Valdez,
the "Chena's" come in,
74
00:04:02,285 --> 00:04:04,996
always a red letter day
in the life of the town.
75
00:04:05,037 --> 00:04:07,415
For the men, it means
the first payday of spring,
76
00:04:07,457 --> 00:04:10,001
working cargo in the hold
and down on the dock.
77
00:04:10,043 --> 00:04:12,670
And for the kids, it's always
a little like Christmas.
78
00:04:12,712 --> 00:04:14,630
They flock down to the dock
when the ship comes in,
79
00:04:14,672 --> 00:04:16,132
knowing the deckhands
will greet them
80
00:04:16,174 --> 00:04:17,425
with fruit and candy.
81
00:04:17,467 --> 00:04:18,634
Two of the crewmen,
82
00:04:18,676 --> 00:04:20,970
Fred Newmayer
and Ernest Nelson,
83
00:04:21,012 --> 00:04:22,805
unlimber their
8-millimeter movie cameras,
84
00:04:22,847 --> 00:04:24,182
trying to get some pictures
85
00:04:24,223 --> 00:04:25,558
of the grinning youngsters
and their dogs
86
00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,851
on the dock below.
87
00:04:26,893 --> 00:04:30,188
Then, at 5:36,
a dozen miles deep,
88
00:04:30,229 --> 00:04:32,106
the Earth begins to move.
89
00:04:32,148 --> 00:04:36,319
Suddenly, the whole harbor
at Valdez begins to empty.
90
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:37,945
It drains almost dry.
91
00:04:37,987 --> 00:04:39,530
[loud rumbling]
92
00:04:39,572 --> 00:04:43,159
A subterranean cavern opens
directly alongside the ship.
93
00:04:43,201 --> 00:04:46,662
Soon, only its mast tips
can be seen from the top.
94
00:04:46,704 --> 00:04:48,331
The dock splinters,
goes down with it,
95
00:04:48,372 --> 00:04:51,375
while crewmen try frantically
to reach the people on it.
96
00:04:51,417 --> 00:04:54,545
Out in the Gulf of Alaska,
the ocean bottom plunges,
97
00:04:54,587 --> 00:04:57,423
then heaves upward
a full 50 feet,
98
00:04:57,465 --> 00:05:00,635
and a wave starts racing
for shore.
99
00:05:00,676 --> 00:05:04,639
[waves roaring]
100
00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:08,309
[dramatic music]
101
00:05:08,351 --> 00:05:10,353
Fred Newmayer grabs
the deck stanchion,
102
00:05:10,395 --> 00:05:11,813
holds on for dear life,
103
00:05:11,854 --> 00:05:13,940
and keeps his camera running.
104
00:05:13,981 --> 00:05:17,235
* *
105
00:05:17,276 --> 00:05:19,862
No one on the dock
at Valdez will survive;
106
00:05:19,904 --> 00:05:22,990
the longshoreman,
the kids, or their dogs.
107
00:05:26,828 --> 00:05:29,497
- Sorry, we usually like
to show a cartoon
108
00:05:29,539 --> 00:05:31,040
before our feature,
109
00:05:31,082 --> 00:05:34,544
but our regular projectionist
couldn't take it anymore.
110
00:05:34,585 --> 00:05:36,671
When that 9.2
megathrust earthquake
111
00:05:36,713 --> 00:05:38,548
rocked the coast of Alaska,
112
00:05:38,589 --> 00:05:40,925
600 miles of fault line
ruptured
113
00:05:40,967 --> 00:05:44,053
and released five centuries
of built-up pressure.
114
00:05:44,095 --> 00:05:47,306
The only survivor that day
was Fred Newmayer
115
00:05:47,348 --> 00:05:49,392
and his astonishing home movie.
116
00:05:49,434 --> 00:05:51,728
His ship managed
to stay afloat.
117
00:05:51,769 --> 00:05:55,231
Everything else was swept away
in five minutes.
118
00:05:55,273 --> 00:05:59,569
That is the destructive power
of the Ring of Fire.
119
00:05:59,610 --> 00:06:02,238
And now, today, we'll see
the story of how
120
00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:04,991
the Ring of Fire goes berserk.
121
00:06:05,032 --> 00:06:08,870
We're about to take a ride
on our Disaster Simulator.
122
00:06:08,911 --> 00:06:12,874
I want you to experience
this disaster firsthand
123
00:06:12,915 --> 00:06:15,585
from different points of view:
124
00:06:15,626 --> 00:06:18,296
a young boat captain
seeking safe haven
125
00:06:18,337 --> 00:06:21,090
in a storm of water and fire,
126
00:06:21,132 --> 00:06:23,676
a scientist tracking
the end of the world
127
00:06:23,718 --> 00:06:26,220
while facing it herself,
128
00:06:26,262 --> 00:06:27,638
and from the point of view
129
00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,933
of a world locked in
seismic conflict.
130
00:06:32,685 --> 00:06:35,104
In the more than 50 years
since that day,
131
00:06:35,146 --> 00:06:38,357
the coast of Alaska has been
relatively quiet,
132
00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:39,734
but the Ring of Fire
doesn't care
133
00:06:39,776 --> 00:06:41,611
if we're paying attention.
134
00:06:41,652 --> 00:06:43,946
It's not a TikTok influencer.
135
00:06:43,988 --> 00:06:46,115
It's more powerful
than all of us,
136
00:06:46,157 --> 00:06:50,661
and today, the Ring of Fire
will awaken once more.
137
00:06:52,330 --> 00:06:56,375
[rumbling]
138
00:06:56,417 --> 00:06:59,337
[unsettling music]
139
00:06:59,379 --> 00:07:04,300
* *
140
00:07:04,342 --> 00:07:07,845
Our story begins here,
in the not-so-distant future,
141
00:07:07,887 --> 00:07:11,641
on a fishing boat off
the shores of Southern Alaska.
142
00:07:13,851 --> 00:07:18,898
This vessel has been at sea
for the past three days.
143
00:07:18,940 --> 00:07:22,151
This was our young captain's
first solo expedition
144
00:07:22,193 --> 00:07:25,238
since her dad retired
and she took over his boat.
145
00:07:25,279 --> 00:07:27,073
- Port Authority,
Port Authority, Port Authority,
146
00:07:27,115 --> 00:07:28,866
this is "Midnight Sun."
Do you read me?
147
00:07:28,908 --> 00:07:31,869
- She and her crew have
hauled in a great catch.
148
00:07:31,911 --> 00:07:34,330
Now they're headed home
to warm beds,
149
00:07:34,372 --> 00:07:37,667
steady floors,
and sorely missed loved ones.
150
00:07:37,708 --> 00:07:38,835
- Coast Guard,
Coast Guard, Coast Guard,
151
00:07:38,876 --> 00:07:41,254
this is "Midnight Sun."
Do you read me?
152
00:07:41,295 --> 00:07:44,215
- But the skipper can't dock
her boat until she receives
153
00:07:44,257 --> 00:07:46,843
confirmation
from the Port Authority,
154
00:07:46,884 --> 00:07:49,053
and they're not
answering her calls.
155
00:07:49,095 --> 00:07:55,852
* *
156
00:08:03,109 --> 00:08:05,528
An hour later,
she approaches shore
157
00:08:05,570 --> 00:08:07,155
and searches the horizon
158
00:08:07,196 --> 00:08:09,157
for all
the familiar landmarks.
159
00:08:11,117 --> 00:08:16,622
Where's the lighthouse,
the dock, the other boats?
160
00:08:19,417 --> 00:08:22,628
[foreboding music]
161
00:08:22,670 --> 00:08:29,802
* *
162
00:08:37,435 --> 00:08:40,772
- [coughing]
163
00:09:13,930 --> 00:09:16,265
- This sucker almost
broke my arm and my line.
164
00:09:16,307 --> 00:09:19,268
Put up a hell of a fight.
You gotta respect that.
165
00:09:19,310 --> 00:09:21,521
It's your lucky day,
little bubba.
166
00:09:21,562 --> 00:09:24,607
I'm going to sauté you up
with some lemons and capers.
167
00:09:24,649 --> 00:09:26,275
What the hell?
168
00:09:26,317 --> 00:09:29,320
[rumbling]
169
00:09:29,362 --> 00:09:32,448
[screaming]
170
00:09:32,490 --> 00:09:39,664
* *
171
00:10:06,607 --> 00:10:09,569
[unsettling music]
172
00:10:09,610 --> 00:10:10,945
* *
173
00:10:10,987 --> 00:10:13,448
- Scientists at
the Geophysical Institute
174
00:10:13,489 --> 00:10:16,993
in Fairbanks, Alaska
are shaken--literally.
175
00:10:20,705 --> 00:10:22,540
They were jolted awake
in their beds
176
00:10:22,582 --> 00:10:24,375
at 4:37 in the morning
177
00:10:24,417 --> 00:10:27,587
by a massive earthquake
off the Southern Coast.
178
00:10:27,628 --> 00:10:32,967
Preliminary estimates
place it at a magnitude 8.3.
179
00:10:33,009 --> 00:10:36,846
That's geology talk
for "holy [bleep]!"
180
00:10:36,888 --> 00:10:39,682
These dots represent
seismometers,
181
00:10:39,724 --> 00:10:41,976
ocean buoys, and other sensors
182
00:10:42,018 --> 00:10:45,146
connected in a huge
telecommunications network.
183
00:10:45,188 --> 00:10:47,607
It allows the people living
on the Ring of Fire
184
00:10:47,648 --> 00:10:51,819
to share critical information
about earthquakes, volcanoes,
185
00:10:51,861 --> 00:10:55,448
tsunamis, and other disasters,
all in real time.
186
00:10:55,490 --> 00:10:57,867
And these scientists
are racing to identify
187
00:10:57,909 --> 00:11:00,995
what fault slipped
to cause this quake.
188
00:11:01,037 --> 00:11:03,289
Was this earthquake
the main event,
189
00:11:03,331 --> 00:11:05,625
or was it what
they call a foreshock,
190
00:11:05,666 --> 00:11:09,587
a harbinger of something
much bigger and more deadly?
191
00:11:09,629 --> 00:11:11,964
It has already been
very deadly.
192
00:11:12,006 --> 00:11:13,591
Satellite views show that
193
00:11:13,633 --> 00:11:15,510
the coastal town
of Homer, Alaska,
194
00:11:15,551 --> 00:11:17,595
was destroyed within minutes.
195
00:11:17,637 --> 00:11:20,181
There's nothing left.
196
00:11:20,223 --> 00:11:23,017
An entire town swallowed up
in just a few moments?
197
00:11:23,059 --> 00:11:27,230
Really? Yes, really.
198
00:11:27,271 --> 00:11:30,108
You see, Homer,
just like Valdez before it,
199
00:11:30,149 --> 00:11:31,818
was built on layers of
200
00:11:31,859 --> 00:11:34,320
water-saturated sand
and gravel,
201
00:11:34,362 --> 00:11:37,073
which feels as solid
as concrete
202
00:11:37,115 --> 00:11:39,951
until violently shaken
by an earthquake.
203
00:11:39,992 --> 00:11:43,704
Solid ground suddenly
becomes a thick liquid,
204
00:11:43,746 --> 00:11:46,040
so we call it liquefaction.
205
00:11:46,082 --> 00:11:48,126
It led to an underwater
landslide,
206
00:11:48,167 --> 00:11:50,211
which caused a giant wave.
207
00:11:50,253 --> 00:11:53,548
What didn't collapse
got washed away.
208
00:11:53,589 --> 00:11:56,551
[ominous music]
209
00:11:56,592 --> 00:11:58,177
* *
210
00:11:58,219 --> 00:12:01,347
Hold on,
another earthquake alert.
211
00:12:01,389 --> 00:12:03,349
And another.
212
00:12:06,018 --> 00:12:08,479
Something unprecedented
is unfolding.
213
00:12:08,521 --> 00:12:10,773
The global network
of seismometers
214
00:12:10,815 --> 00:12:13,025
is reacting
to major disruptions
215
00:12:13,067 --> 00:12:14,944
all around the Ring of Fire.
216
00:12:14,986 --> 00:12:17,864
One, two, three, four,
five major earth--
217
00:12:17,905 --> 00:12:18,948
Wait.
218
00:12:18,990 --> 00:12:21,117
Make it six major earthquakes
219
00:12:21,159 --> 00:12:23,619
all occurring within
the past few hours.
220
00:12:23,661 --> 00:12:28,332
[alarm beeping rapidly]
221
00:12:28,374 --> 00:12:31,127
Tokyo, Japan.
222
00:12:31,169 --> 00:12:33,755
Christchurch, New Zealand.
223
00:12:33,796 --> 00:12:35,423
Lima, Peru.
224
00:12:42,680 --> 00:12:44,182
Seattle, Washington.
225
00:12:46,350 --> 00:12:49,103
Along the coast of California.
226
00:12:51,481 --> 00:12:55,234
Earthquakes are common
on Earth, hence the name,
227
00:12:55,276 --> 00:12:56,944
but this,
228
00:12:56,986 --> 00:12:59,447
this is a first
in recorded history.
229
00:12:59,489 --> 00:13:02,533
Some people think it's
a chain reaction of quakes.
230
00:13:02,575 --> 00:13:04,786
Others say that's impossible.
231
00:13:04,827 --> 00:13:07,288
Whatever the case,
it is happening.
232
00:13:07,330 --> 00:13:10,625
Six major earthquakes
in one day,
233
00:13:10,666 --> 00:13:11,709
and they're not something
234
00:13:11,751 --> 00:13:12,877
you want to sit
and binge watch.
235
00:13:12,919 --> 00:13:15,546
[rumbling]
236
00:13:15,588 --> 00:13:18,466
[electricity crackling]
237
00:13:21,260 --> 00:13:24,138
That was another quake
off the coast of Alaska.
238
00:13:24,180 --> 00:13:26,682
She's worried that this quake
could trigger an eruption
239
00:13:26,724 --> 00:13:29,352
of a nearby submarine volcano.
240
00:13:29,394 --> 00:13:34,690
* *
241
00:13:34,732 --> 00:13:36,317
Something similar happened
242
00:13:36,359 --> 00:13:38,319
during the recent
Tonga eruption
243
00:13:38,361 --> 00:13:40,488
under the South Pacific
sea floor,
244
00:13:40,530 --> 00:13:42,156
a devastating blast
245
00:13:42,198 --> 00:13:44,367
that shot all the way
into the stratosphere
246
00:13:44,409 --> 00:13:47,620
and split the island
into two separate islands.
247
00:13:47,662 --> 00:13:50,498
Our geophysicist is worried
something even bigger
248
00:13:50,540 --> 00:13:52,959
could happen off
the coast of Alaska.
249
00:13:55,545 --> 00:14:00,007
This is Adak Island,
population 326.
250
00:14:00,049 --> 00:14:02,677
It's in a bad spot.
251
00:14:02,719 --> 00:14:05,930
Other nearby islands are being
evacuated by the Coast Guard,
252
00:14:05,972 --> 00:14:09,517
but there are not enough boats
to rescue everyone.
253
00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,521
The people living on Adak
are stranded and helpless.
254
00:14:13,563 --> 00:14:15,857
If that undersea volcano
erupts,
255
00:14:15,898 --> 00:14:18,109
tsunamis and liquefaction
256
00:14:18,151 --> 00:14:21,237
could sink Adak Island
within minutes.
257
00:14:23,281 --> 00:14:26,159
The Coast Guard issues
an emergency call.
258
00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,661
All available vessels
should proceed at once
259
00:14:28,703 --> 00:14:32,081
to assist in the evacuation
of Adak Island.
260
00:14:34,083 --> 00:14:36,085
Despite losing everything
she loved,
261
00:14:36,127 --> 00:14:39,380
her home, her friends,
her dear father,
262
00:14:39,422 --> 00:14:41,883
she channels her grief
into helping others,
263
00:14:41,924 --> 00:14:44,886
determined to rescue
the people on Adak Island
264
00:14:44,927 --> 00:14:46,721
from a similar fate.
265
00:14:46,763 --> 00:14:53,102
* *
266
00:14:58,191 --> 00:14:59,942
Normally, they would
just worry about
267
00:14:59,984 --> 00:15:02,236
weather conditions.
268
00:15:02,278 --> 00:15:04,405
Today,
the Geophysical Institute
269
00:15:04,447 --> 00:15:06,491
is keeping
the vessels apprised
270
00:15:06,532 --> 00:15:09,827
of seismic conditions as well.
271
00:15:09,869 --> 00:15:13,581
Tsunamis are now happening
all along the Pacific Rim.
272
00:15:13,623 --> 00:15:17,627
Most will dissipate, but a few
will cause major damage.
273
00:15:17,668 --> 00:15:19,462
[electronic crackling]
274
00:15:19,504 --> 00:15:24,425
* *
275
00:15:24,467 --> 00:15:28,054
This is not an earthquake.
This is intentional.
276
00:15:28,096 --> 00:15:32,517
A direct cyberattack on the
global seismographic network.
277
00:15:32,558 --> 00:15:35,269
Vital elements of the system
are beginning to shut down
278
00:15:35,311 --> 00:15:38,314
in multiple countries
around the world,
279
00:15:38,356 --> 00:15:40,316
but no one knows
who's responsible
280
00:15:40,358 --> 00:15:43,653
for this cyberattack
or even why they're attacking.
281
00:15:43,694 --> 00:15:45,029
What you're about to witness
282
00:15:45,071 --> 00:15:49,492
is our first international
Act of Cow.
283
00:15:49,534 --> 00:15:50,785
[cow mooing]
284
00:15:50,827 --> 00:15:53,454
Act of Cow symbolizes
the human negligence
285
00:15:53,496 --> 00:15:56,791
that can trigger a disaster
or make one worse.
286
00:15:56,833 --> 00:15:59,210
It's inspired by
a bovine named Daisy,
287
00:15:59,252 --> 00:16:02,171
who, as legend has it,
kicked over a lantern
288
00:16:02,213 --> 00:16:04,173
and started
the Great Chicago Fire.
289
00:16:04,215 --> 00:16:05,800
[cow mooing]
290
00:16:05,842 --> 00:16:09,011
With nations around the world
already on edge,
291
00:16:09,053 --> 00:16:11,431
the situation
quickly escalates.
292
00:16:11,472 --> 00:16:13,808
The American military
suspects that Russian hackers
293
00:16:13,850 --> 00:16:15,768
are behind the attack.
294
00:16:15,810 --> 00:16:16,936
- What the hell are you doing?
295
00:16:16,978 --> 00:16:18,771
Without that data,
we're all blind.
296
00:16:18,813 --> 00:16:21,107
- And the Russians
suspect everyone else.
297
00:16:21,149 --> 00:16:23,151
- You blame us for everything.
298
00:16:23,192 --> 00:16:25,486
How do we know it isn't you?
299
00:16:25,528 --> 00:16:27,363
- Desperate to protect
their own data,
300
00:16:27,405 --> 00:16:30,366
the U.S. and Russia
disconnect their sensors
301
00:16:30,408 --> 00:16:31,909
from the network.
302
00:16:31,951 --> 00:16:33,953
China, not taking any chances,
303
00:16:33,995 --> 00:16:35,830
retracts its data as well.
304
00:16:35,872 --> 00:16:38,458
Other nations quickly
follow suit
305
00:16:38,499 --> 00:16:40,918
in a chain reaction
of suspicion.
306
00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,254
Scientists are now
flying blind.
307
00:16:43,296 --> 00:16:45,840
They can no longer
track earthquake epicenters,
308
00:16:45,882 --> 00:16:49,385
impending volcanic eruptions,
or incoming tsunamis.
309
00:16:49,427 --> 00:16:52,346
They can no longer reckon
who or what is at risk,
310
00:16:52,388 --> 00:16:56,142
all because of nationalism
and politics.
311
00:16:56,184 --> 00:16:59,937
But people don't have time for
politics on the Ring of Fire.
312
00:16:59,979 --> 00:17:03,191
What they really need
is a ring of ceasefire.
313
00:17:03,232 --> 00:17:06,027
[rumbling]
314
00:17:06,069 --> 00:17:08,738
Get ready for the worst day
on Earth!
315
00:17:08,780 --> 00:17:11,574
[all shouting]
316
00:17:11,616 --> 00:17:15,578
* *
317
00:17:19,791 --> 00:17:23,836
[sirens wailing]
318
00:17:23,878 --> 00:17:27,131
- That last Alaska earthquake
was a whopper,
319
00:17:27,173 --> 00:17:29,550
7.4 on the Richter scale.
320
00:17:29,592 --> 00:17:32,053
The city of Fairbanks
got hit hard.
321
00:17:32,095 --> 00:17:35,681
It's anyone's guess when the
next aftershocks will strike.
322
00:17:38,393 --> 00:17:40,478
We can't stop earthquakes,
323
00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,980
and now we can't predict them
very well either.
324
00:17:43,022 --> 00:17:46,317
At least we could predict
the likelihood of aftershocks,
325
00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,778
landslides, tsunamis,
and other consequences,
326
00:17:48,820 --> 00:17:50,363
but not now,
327
00:17:50,405 --> 00:17:54,450
not without these nations
talking to each other.
328
00:17:54,492 --> 00:17:57,286
No one around the Ring of Fire,
no one anywhere,
329
00:17:57,328 --> 00:17:59,705
has any idea of what
might come next.
330
00:17:59,747 --> 00:18:02,667
[ominous music]
331
00:18:02,708 --> 00:18:07,130
* *
332
00:18:07,171 --> 00:18:09,298
[plane engine whirring]
333
00:18:09,340 --> 00:18:11,134
Not even the Japanese.
334
00:18:11,175 --> 00:18:12,510
You see, the people of Japan
335
00:18:12,552 --> 00:18:15,471
are long-time residents
on the Ring of Fire.
336
00:18:15,513 --> 00:18:17,515
Their country is the most
seismically active
337
00:18:17,557 --> 00:18:18,975
area on the planet,
338
00:18:19,016 --> 00:18:22,478
and they think of themselves
as supremely prepared,
339
00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:24,897
but nothing can prepare you
for what they call
340
00:18:24,939 --> 00:18:27,233
Daidjishin, "the big one."
341
00:18:27,275 --> 00:18:31,863
[rumbling]
342
00:18:42,415 --> 00:18:45,168
[passengers screaming]
343
00:18:45,209 --> 00:18:46,502
[wheels screeching]
344
00:18:51,174 --> 00:18:52,842
[mechanical spluttering]
345
00:18:52,884 --> 00:18:56,721
[engines roaring]
346
00:18:56,763 --> 00:19:03,728
* *
347
00:19:07,148 --> 00:19:11,402
Although Japan records
the largest number of quakes,
348
00:19:11,444 --> 00:19:14,655
geophysicists will tell you
that it's Indonesia
349
00:19:14,697 --> 00:19:18,242
that gets hit the hardest
by the Ring of Fire.
350
00:19:18,284 --> 00:19:20,578
It's been battered
by all the disasters,
351
00:19:20,620 --> 00:19:26,000
earthquakes, hurricanes,
volcanoes, monsoons,
352
00:19:26,042 --> 00:19:28,336
floods, landslides,
353
00:19:28,378 --> 00:19:31,422
and, of course, tsunamis.
354
00:19:31,464 --> 00:19:33,341
Sometimes history
repeats itself
355
00:19:33,383 --> 00:19:35,259
in the worst possible way.
356
00:19:35,301 --> 00:19:38,388
With no tsunami warning system,
the people here in Bali
357
00:19:38,429 --> 00:19:40,056
and other parts of Indonesia
358
00:19:40,098 --> 00:19:43,393
have no idea there's been
a deep sea earthquake
359
00:19:43,434 --> 00:19:44,769
off shore.
360
00:19:44,811 --> 00:19:48,856
Yet again, hundreds
of thousands of people
361
00:19:48,898 --> 00:19:51,943
will be caught
tragically unaware.
362
00:19:51,984 --> 00:19:58,950
* *
363
00:20:06,124 --> 00:20:10,211
Meanwhile, on the other side
of the Pacific Ocean,
364
00:20:10,253 --> 00:20:13,589
our young boat captain
races toward Adak Island
365
00:20:13,631 --> 00:20:16,217
to help with
the emergency evacuation.
366
00:20:16,259 --> 00:20:23,391
* *
367
00:20:29,897 --> 00:20:32,692
It turns out our geophysicist
was right to be worried
368
00:20:32,734 --> 00:20:34,610
about the Alaskan earthquake
369
00:20:34,652 --> 00:20:38,281
cracking open a magma chamber
just below the seafloor
370
00:20:38,322 --> 00:20:40,366
and triggering an eruption.
371
00:21:40,051 --> 00:21:47,016
* *
372
00:21:59,237 --> 00:22:00,696
A massive quake
373
00:22:00,738 --> 00:22:03,282
along a previously unknown
fault line
374
00:22:03,324 --> 00:22:04,867
has struck less than a mile
375
00:22:04,909 --> 00:22:07,078
from the Diablo Canyon
Nuclear Plant.
376
00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:09,914
Although the plant's operators
took every precaution,
377
00:22:09,956 --> 00:22:11,165
they could not have foreseen
378
00:22:11,207 --> 00:22:13,042
that events
on the Ring of Fire
379
00:22:13,084 --> 00:22:16,754
could amplify the geologic
stresses quite like this.
380
00:22:16,796 --> 00:22:19,424
Structural damage
to the reactors is severe.
381
00:22:19,465 --> 00:22:22,301
Radiation emissions rise
to dangerous levels.
382
00:22:22,343 --> 00:22:23,886
Over a quarter-million
residents
383
00:22:23,928 --> 00:22:26,889
in the County of San Luis
Obispo are in danger.
384
00:22:26,931 --> 00:22:30,059
A complete meltdown
of Reactor 2 is underway.
385
00:22:30,101 --> 00:22:33,312
The entire county and its many
miles of gorgeous coastline
386
00:22:33,354 --> 00:22:36,899
will be rendered uninhabitable
for ten centuries.
387
00:22:36,941 --> 00:22:41,237
The U.S. will have
its very own Chernobyl.
388
00:22:41,279 --> 00:22:44,240
[ominous music]
389
00:22:44,282 --> 00:22:46,868
* *
390
00:22:51,956 --> 00:22:53,458
[sighs]
391
00:22:53,499 --> 00:22:57,587
Nothing like a strong Seattle
cup of Joe to really focus.
392
00:22:57,628 --> 00:23:01,466
Maybe it's the water,
the air, the ambiance.
393
00:23:01,507 --> 00:23:03,968
Seattle was my home
for 26 years.
394
00:23:04,010 --> 00:23:05,762
I worked as
a mechanical engineer,
395
00:23:05,803 --> 00:23:07,597
did a little stand-up comedy,
396
00:23:07,638 --> 00:23:10,016
and eventually hosted
my first TV show,
397
00:23:10,058 --> 00:23:12,977
all right here
in the Emerald City.
398
00:23:13,019 --> 00:23:16,814
It makes what's about to happen
hurt all the more.
399
00:23:16,856 --> 00:23:19,150
You see, the city of Seattle
was built on top of
400
00:23:19,192 --> 00:23:22,612
water-saturated silt,
sand, and clay
401
00:23:22,653 --> 00:23:25,698
scraped up here
by ancient glaciers.
402
00:23:25,740 --> 00:23:28,576
The earlier quake
that rattled Seattle
403
00:23:28,618 --> 00:23:32,747
was enough to loosen things up
underground.
404
00:23:32,789 --> 00:23:36,501
[rumbling]
[glasses clinking]
405
00:23:36,542 --> 00:23:40,046
Feels like a 6, at least!
406
00:23:40,088 --> 00:23:43,383
Right now, the ground
beneath our feet is--
407
00:23:43,424 --> 00:23:44,675
damn it.
408
00:23:44,717 --> 00:23:46,302
Liquefaction!
409
00:23:46,344 --> 00:23:47,970
Damn!
410
00:23:48,012 --> 00:23:49,639
- [screams]
411
00:23:55,686 --> 00:23:58,106
[people screaming]
412
00:24:05,363 --> 00:24:08,366
- As our disaster simulation
comes to a fiery end,
413
00:24:08,408 --> 00:24:11,661
I mourn the demise
of my beloved Seattle
414
00:24:11,702 --> 00:24:15,873
while wondering, "Why not
take Portland instead?"
415
00:24:15,915 --> 00:24:19,293
Major seismic events continue
along the Ring of Fire
416
00:24:19,335 --> 00:24:21,003
for the next few weeks.
417
00:24:21,045 --> 00:24:23,131
By now, world leaders
recognize that
418
00:24:23,172 --> 00:24:25,925
a lone hacker was behind
the cyberattack,
419
00:24:25,967 --> 00:24:28,761
and they try
to reopen communications.
420
00:24:28,803 --> 00:24:30,179
But it's too late.
421
00:24:30,221 --> 00:24:33,558
With all this destruction,
you might be wondering,
422
00:24:33,599 --> 00:24:36,936
"Why is Earth so damn dangerous
anyway?"
423
00:24:39,731 --> 00:24:41,733
Hey, wh--what are you
doing here?
424
00:24:41,774 --> 00:24:44,152
You're part of the simulation.
425
00:24:44,193 --> 00:24:47,155
[dramatic music]
426
00:24:47,196 --> 00:24:49,365
* *
427
00:24:49,407 --> 00:24:51,951
[both yelling]
428
00:25:04,714 --> 00:25:06,799
- As our disaster simulation
comes to an end,
429
00:25:06,841 --> 00:25:09,969
the Ring of Fire has left
its mark on Earth,
430
00:25:10,011 --> 00:25:13,139
and the Disaster Institute
lies in ruins.
431
00:25:13,181 --> 00:25:15,683
All part of the simulation,
of course.
432
00:25:15,725 --> 00:25:18,978
Someone with a sick
sense of humor.
433
00:25:19,020 --> 00:25:23,066
Really?
I had to die twice this time?
434
00:25:23,107 --> 00:25:26,319
[sighs]
435
00:25:26,360 --> 00:25:29,822
Well, let's hit the lab
and answer the question,
436
00:25:29,864 --> 00:25:32,950
"Why is Mother Nature
always trying to kill us?"
437
00:25:34,035 --> 00:25:37,080
Our planet is dangerous,
people.
438
00:25:37,121 --> 00:25:40,750
It can burn us, swallow us,
crush us, and drown us,
439
00:25:40,792 --> 00:25:42,293
sometimes all at once.
440
00:25:42,335 --> 00:25:43,878
But as far as we can figure,
441
00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:47,382
Earth is the only place
in all of known space
442
00:25:47,423 --> 00:25:49,258
that has living things on it.
443
00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:51,052
Coincidence?
444
00:25:51,094 --> 00:25:52,345
Not at all.
445
00:25:52,387 --> 00:25:55,723
This planet of ours
is biologically alive
446
00:25:55,765 --> 00:25:59,560
precisely because
it is geologically alive.
447
00:25:59,602 --> 00:26:03,272
Many scientists speculate that
life began in ocean vents
448
00:26:03,314 --> 00:26:06,192
fed by the churning heat
of Earth's core.
449
00:26:06,234 --> 00:26:07,860
It's like those
bumper stickers say,
450
00:26:07,902 --> 00:26:11,197
"Live, laugh, lava?"
451
00:26:11,239 --> 00:26:13,199
[clears throat]
Funny story.
452
00:26:13,241 --> 00:26:16,035
When I was in seventh grade,
my teacher, Mrs. Paul,
453
00:26:16,077 --> 00:26:20,039
told us about Alfred Wegener
and continental drift.
454
00:26:20,081 --> 00:26:23,376
Wegener speculated that
Africa and South America
455
00:26:23,418 --> 00:26:25,253
used to be one continent
456
00:26:25,294 --> 00:26:28,631
because they seemed to fit
together like puzzle pieces.
457
00:26:28,673 --> 00:26:31,551
At first, the idea that
continents could scoot around
458
00:26:31,592 --> 00:26:33,219
seemed comical.
459
00:26:33,261 --> 00:26:36,180
But just five years after
I got out of high school,
460
00:26:36,222 --> 00:26:39,225
that crazy idea was
established science.
461
00:26:39,267 --> 00:26:41,477
See, Mrs. Paul was right.
462
00:26:41,519 --> 00:26:44,355
I told you
it was a funny story.
463
00:26:44,397 --> 00:26:47,692
In the late 1960s,
geologists on research ships
464
00:26:47,734 --> 00:26:52,321
discovered that the sea floor
is slowly tearing apart
465
00:26:52,363 --> 00:26:55,408
at what we now call
the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,
466
00:26:55,450 --> 00:26:58,494
causing North America
to drift away from Europe
467
00:26:58,536 --> 00:27:00,496
about two centimeters a year,
468
00:27:00,538 --> 00:27:02,915
about as fast
as your fingernails grow.
469
00:27:02,957 --> 00:27:04,834
Might not seem like much,
470
00:27:04,876 --> 00:27:07,420
but over millions of years,
it adds up.
471
00:27:07,462 --> 00:27:12,341
Just picture millions of years
of fingernails growing.
472
00:27:12,383 --> 00:27:14,802
No. [clears throat]
Let's--let's not do that.
473
00:27:14,844 --> 00:27:16,846
We now know that Earth's crust
474
00:27:16,888 --> 00:27:19,724
isn't just one big shell
of rock.
475
00:27:19,766 --> 00:27:23,853
It's broken into a dozen major
pieces and a few smaller ones,
476
00:27:23,895 --> 00:27:26,564
and all those pieces
are called plates,
477
00:27:26,606 --> 00:27:29,609
each one moving in a slightly
different direction.
478
00:27:29,650 --> 00:27:31,611
The whole system
of moving plates
479
00:27:31,652 --> 00:27:33,571
is called tectonics,
480
00:27:33,613 --> 00:27:36,032
from the Greek word
for construction.
481
00:27:36,074 --> 00:27:39,911
When the plates collide
or break apart, watch out.
482
00:27:39,952 --> 00:27:42,330
Geologic pandemonium
breaks loose,
483
00:27:42,371 --> 00:27:46,626
rocks and lava
living together.
484
00:27:46,667 --> 00:27:50,463
While the Atlantic Ocean
is expanding on one side,
485
00:27:50,505 --> 00:27:54,342
over on this side, the plates
are closing in on each other
486
00:27:54,384 --> 00:27:55,635
from all directions,
487
00:27:55,676 --> 00:27:57,762
colliding with
tremendous energy,
488
00:27:57,804 --> 00:28:01,349
and creating the Ring of Fire.
489
00:28:05,269 --> 00:28:08,940
On our planet,
it's all about cycles.
490
00:28:08,981 --> 00:28:12,151
Heat inside the Earth drives
cycles of melted rock,
491
00:28:12,193 --> 00:28:14,570
and that's why
the world is so dangerous.
492
00:28:14,612 --> 00:28:17,657
And it's also why we're alive.
493
00:28:17,698 --> 00:28:19,158
Allow me to demonstrate
494
00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:22,161
while also getting
some always welcome cardio.
495
00:28:22,203 --> 00:28:25,164
I'll drive the cycles of Earth.
496
00:28:25,206 --> 00:28:27,291
The inner workings of Earth
are alive
497
00:28:27,333 --> 00:28:30,294
with geological
and biological forces,
498
00:28:30,336 --> 00:28:33,005
all of them cycling
at the same time,
499
00:28:33,047 --> 00:28:35,842
all simultaneously
sustaining life
500
00:28:35,883 --> 00:28:37,844
and also destroying it.
501
00:28:37,885 --> 00:28:40,054
There's the water cycle.
502
00:28:40,096 --> 00:28:43,683
Everybody knows that
life needs water.
503
00:28:43,725 --> 00:28:46,102
Nothing on Earth would
live long without it,
504
00:28:46,144 --> 00:28:48,855
certainly not you and me.
505
00:28:48,896 --> 00:28:50,940
Oceans become clouds.
506
00:28:50,982 --> 00:28:52,567
Clouds become rain.
507
00:28:52,608 --> 00:28:55,111
Rain becomes rivers and lakes.
508
00:28:55,153 --> 00:29:00,074
But hurricanes, tornadoes,
lightning storms, floods,
509
00:29:00,116 --> 00:29:02,785
are all part
of the water cycle too.
510
00:29:02,827 --> 00:29:05,580
Some of that water seeps
deep into the Earth,
511
00:29:05,621 --> 00:29:08,291
where it's filtered through
rocks and minerals
512
00:29:08,332 --> 00:29:11,085
and produces the molecules
needed for life.
513
00:29:11,127 --> 00:29:14,380
This is the carbon cycle.
514
00:29:14,422 --> 00:29:17,842
Life is made
of carbon molecules.
515
00:29:17,884 --> 00:29:21,512
The carbon dioxide in
our atmosphere feeds plants.
516
00:29:21,554 --> 00:29:24,724
Animals eat plants,
including us,
517
00:29:24,766 --> 00:29:27,727
who also eat other animals.
518
00:29:27,769 --> 00:29:29,812
When plants and animals die,
519
00:29:29,854 --> 00:29:31,522
they return that carbon back
520
00:29:31,564 --> 00:29:33,066
to the Earth and air.
521
00:29:33,107 --> 00:29:35,234
It's the cycle of life, baby,
522
00:29:35,276 --> 00:29:38,821
but the carbon cycle
walks a narrow tightrope.
523
00:29:38,863 --> 00:29:42,658
Too much carbon dioxide,
and our planet gets too hot.
524
00:29:42,700 --> 00:29:44,660
We broil like Venus.
525
00:29:44,702 --> 00:29:47,455
Too little carbon,
and our planet cools,
526
00:29:47,497 --> 00:29:49,540
and we freeze like Mars.
527
00:29:49,582 --> 00:29:51,751
Too much carbon
in the atmosphere
528
00:29:51,793 --> 00:29:53,961
is driving climate change,
529
00:29:54,003 --> 00:29:57,924
the greatest disaster
we face today.
530
00:29:57,965 --> 00:30:00,760
Our planet has
other cycles too.
531
00:30:00,802 --> 00:30:03,012
Earth has an oxygen cycle,
532
00:30:03,054 --> 00:30:04,722
a nitrogen cycle,
533
00:30:04,764 --> 00:30:08,810
a phosphorus cycle,
and, of course, a water cycle.
534
00:30:08,851 --> 00:30:11,687
[panting]
These cycles run all at once.
535
00:30:11,729 --> 00:30:15,525
Nothing stays in place long
on our restless Earth.
536
00:30:15,566 --> 00:30:17,527
They're all largely driven
537
00:30:17,568 --> 00:30:21,989
by powerful geologic forces
inside our planet.
538
00:30:22,031 --> 00:30:24,117
When those forces
are unleashed,
539
00:30:24,158 --> 00:30:27,870
you get volcanoes
and earthquakes.
540
00:30:27,912 --> 00:30:29,956
It's why the Ring of Fire
exists.
541
00:30:29,997 --> 00:30:31,457
It's why Mother Earth,
542
00:30:31,499 --> 00:30:33,793
in all her
transformational glory,
543
00:30:33,835 --> 00:30:36,921
is beautiful but deadly,
544
00:30:36,963 --> 00:30:40,091
the femme fatale
of our solar system.
545
00:30:40,133 --> 00:30:42,176
Sure, it's dangerous,
546
00:30:42,218 --> 00:30:44,429
but that's what makes it alive.
547
00:30:44,470 --> 00:30:46,639
That's what makes it fun.
548
00:30:46,681 --> 00:30:48,516
[sighs]
549
00:30:48,558 --> 00:30:51,728
Okay, uh, who am I kidding?
550
00:30:51,769 --> 00:30:55,773
You've been watching this show.
It's not always fun.
551
00:30:55,815 --> 00:30:58,359
But if you're like me,
and I know I am,
552
00:30:58,401 --> 00:31:01,571
you probably wouldn't mind
living without those
553
00:31:01,612 --> 00:31:05,658
Ring of Fire disasters.
554
00:31:05,700 --> 00:31:08,995
Hey, you want to check out
the safest place on Earth,
555
00:31:09,036 --> 00:31:10,621
geologically speaking?
556
00:31:10,663 --> 00:31:13,833
Somewhere far away
from any liquefaction
557
00:31:13,875 --> 00:31:16,419
or tectonic tsunamis?
558
00:31:16,461 --> 00:31:19,505
[dramatic music]
559
00:31:19,547 --> 00:31:23,676
* *
560
00:31:23,718 --> 00:31:26,929
You might try
the desert nation of Qatar.
561
00:31:26,971 --> 00:31:30,183
Qatar has no earthquakes
because the country is flat.
562
00:31:30,224 --> 00:31:33,061
There are no mountains
or tectonic forces,
563
00:31:33,102 --> 00:31:36,064
no floods, landslides,
hurricanes,
564
00:31:36,105 --> 00:31:38,608
just very hot and sunny
in the summer
565
00:31:38,649 --> 00:31:41,569
and slightly not as hot
in the winter.
566
00:31:41,611 --> 00:31:44,655
[wind whistling]
567
00:31:44,697 --> 00:31:47,867
Maybe you specifically
want to avoid earthquakes.
568
00:31:47,909 --> 00:31:51,162
Then you definitely want
to head to the peace and quiet
569
00:31:51,204 --> 00:31:52,538
of Antarctica,
570
00:31:52,580 --> 00:31:54,916
Earth's steadiest,
most stable continent.
571
00:31:54,957 --> 00:31:57,835
Plus, you'll never again
have to shop for sandals.
572
00:31:57,877 --> 00:31:59,587
[chuckles]
573
00:31:59,629 --> 00:32:02,882
[wondrous music]
574
00:32:02,924 --> 00:32:05,802
* *
575
00:32:05,843 --> 00:32:08,388
For the ultimate in safety,
no plate tectonics,
576
00:32:08,429 --> 00:32:11,391
hardly any quakes,
no volcanoes,
577
00:32:11,432 --> 00:32:13,768
no tsunamis,
for crying out loud,
578
00:32:13,810 --> 00:32:16,562
you could abandon
this world entirely
579
00:32:16,604 --> 00:32:18,314
and go to the Moon.
580
00:32:18,356 --> 00:32:20,733
Several countries
and maybe a few billionaires
581
00:32:20,775 --> 00:32:23,444
are currently planning
small bases there
582
00:32:23,486 --> 00:32:25,947
and maybe
a fulfillment center or two.
583
00:32:29,283 --> 00:32:32,870
With enough work, you could
even give the Moon water
584
00:32:32,912 --> 00:32:35,248
and an atmosphere.
585
00:32:35,289 --> 00:32:38,376
It's an idea called
"terraforming."
586
00:32:41,170 --> 00:32:44,257
On the Moon, we'd have to
bring life to a lifeless place
587
00:32:44,298 --> 00:32:46,676
and keep replenishing it.
588
00:32:46,718 --> 00:32:49,595
Earth sustains itself.
589
00:32:49,637 --> 00:32:51,597
Our planet is alive,
590
00:32:51,639 --> 00:32:54,225
and we wouldn't be alive
without it,
591
00:32:54,267 --> 00:32:58,020
but isn't there a way
we can learn to live with it?
592
00:32:58,062 --> 00:33:00,273
Our planet is dangerous.
593
00:33:00,314 --> 00:33:03,067
Is there some way
to make it safer?
594
00:33:03,109 --> 00:33:05,528
Well, I'm so glad you asked.
595
00:33:11,868 --> 00:33:13,953
- Earth is a dangerous place.
596
00:33:13,995 --> 00:33:16,247
That's why we built
this institute.
597
00:33:16,289 --> 00:33:19,208
But not all disasters
are created equal.
598
00:33:19,250 --> 00:33:20,501
Living on the Ring of Fire
599
00:33:20,543 --> 00:33:22,587
isn't like knocking
a comet out of the sky
600
00:33:22,628 --> 00:33:25,965
or shielding our electrical
grid from a solar flare.
601
00:33:26,007 --> 00:33:28,801
The scope of it
is just too huge.
602
00:33:28,843 --> 00:33:30,428
Well, as I always say,
603
00:33:30,470 --> 00:33:33,097
big problems need
big solutions.
604
00:33:33,139 --> 00:33:35,683
And the Ring of Fire is big,
605
00:33:35,725 --> 00:33:39,437
so big it will need
smaller solutions too.
606
00:33:39,479 --> 00:33:41,230
We need to think about
the Ring of Fire
607
00:33:41,272 --> 00:33:44,817
globally and locally
in our own communities.
608
00:33:44,859 --> 00:33:48,362
So let's start at home.
609
00:33:50,823 --> 00:33:52,450
Another earthquake?
610
00:33:52,492 --> 00:33:55,661
Yes, but this one
is an earthquake
611
00:33:55,703 --> 00:33:57,538
in the name of science.
612
00:33:57,580 --> 00:34:00,124
Behind me is
the world's largest
613
00:34:00,166 --> 00:34:02,377
outdoor seismic simulator,
614
00:34:02,418 --> 00:34:05,713
located here at the University
of California San Diego.
615
00:34:05,755 --> 00:34:09,717
It's big enough to shake
a ten-story building.
616
00:34:09,759 --> 00:34:13,596
The goal here is to learn more
about how buildings fail
617
00:34:13,638 --> 00:34:15,681
and to develop
better technologies
618
00:34:15,723 --> 00:34:20,603
to keep buildings intact
when the ground starts to move.
619
00:34:20,645 --> 00:34:23,314
This facility
and others like it
620
00:34:23,356 --> 00:34:27,110
will help engineers build
better systems and structures.
621
00:34:27,151 --> 00:34:29,821
[wondrous music]
622
00:34:29,862 --> 00:34:37,036
* *
623
00:34:37,870 --> 00:34:39,372
Now, there's an old saying--
624
00:34:39,414 --> 00:34:42,291
or an old saying
among seismologists, anyway--
625
00:34:42,333 --> 00:34:44,794
that earthquakes
don't kill people,
626
00:34:44,836 --> 00:34:46,337
buildings kill people.
627
00:34:46,379 --> 00:34:48,589
So let's make
our buildings safer!
628
00:34:48,631 --> 00:34:49,590
Whoa!
629
00:34:53,386 --> 00:34:55,972
Some of the most
dangerous killers
630
00:34:56,013 --> 00:34:58,349
are ordinary brick and mortar
structures,
631
00:34:58,391 --> 00:35:00,184
the kind that are common
everywhere
632
00:35:00,226 --> 00:35:01,769
in old neighborhoods.
633
00:35:01,811 --> 00:35:04,439
Let's avoid building
these kinds of structures
634
00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:06,566
in earthquake zones.
635
00:35:06,607 --> 00:35:08,985
Let's use our knowledge
to make structures
636
00:35:09,026 --> 00:35:12,613
earthquake-proof--
okay, earthquake resistant--
637
00:35:12,655 --> 00:35:14,532
by being strong
where they need to be strong
638
00:35:14,574 --> 00:35:16,868
and flexible where
they need to be flexible.
639
00:35:16,909 --> 00:35:20,538
I keep telling people
not to build on sand and mud,
640
00:35:20,580 --> 00:35:22,707
but do they listen to me?
No!
641
00:35:22,749 --> 00:35:24,208
They want to live
near the beach
642
00:35:24,250 --> 00:35:26,461
or on a picturesque hillside.
643
00:35:26,502 --> 00:35:29,797
Fine, but those locations
can still be a lot safer
644
00:35:29,839 --> 00:35:32,050
if the buildings there
have deep foundations
645
00:35:32,091 --> 00:35:33,676
that connect to bedrock.
646
00:35:36,429 --> 00:35:38,806
Buildings themselves
can also do a lot
647
00:35:38,848 --> 00:35:41,267
to absorb and resist
the seismic waves
648
00:35:41,309 --> 00:35:44,479
an earthquake throws at them.
649
00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:47,982
Case in point,
the Taipei Tower in Taiwan.
650
00:35:48,024 --> 00:35:50,026
It uses a massive pendulum
651
00:35:50,068 --> 00:35:53,488
suspended inside the building
from the 91st floor
652
00:35:53,529 --> 00:35:54,822
to counter and absorb
653
00:35:54,864 --> 00:35:57,742
the swaying motion
in an earthquake.
654
00:35:57,784 --> 00:36:00,286
Many of the world's
tallest skyscrapers
655
00:36:00,328 --> 00:36:02,872
make use of the same
counterweight idea.
656
00:36:05,541 --> 00:36:08,044
And we need to think
beyond earthquakes.
657
00:36:08,086 --> 00:36:09,504
Some of the biggest threats
658
00:36:09,545 --> 00:36:13,257
from Earth's shifty tectonic
plates are tsunamis.
659
00:36:13,299 --> 00:36:14,884
They may be unstoppable,
660
00:36:14,926 --> 00:36:17,345
but we can drastically reduce
their impact
661
00:36:17,387 --> 00:36:20,139
with seawalls
and fortified structures
662
00:36:20,181 --> 00:36:22,225
if we knew where
and how a tsunami
663
00:36:22,266 --> 00:36:24,268
was most likely to strike.
664
00:36:24,310 --> 00:36:26,062
That's why tsunami simulators
665
00:36:26,104 --> 00:36:29,273
like the one in London
are such a big deal.
666
00:36:29,315 --> 00:36:31,776
Engineers here run experiments
667
00:36:31,818 --> 00:36:34,779
to simulate
extreme tsunami conditions.
668
00:36:34,821 --> 00:36:36,906
Their research will help us
better predict
669
00:36:36,948 --> 00:36:39,325
where and how tsunamis
will strike
670
00:36:39,367 --> 00:36:41,411
and better protect us
against them.
671
00:36:41,452 --> 00:36:43,496
The destructive power
of tsunamis
672
00:36:43,538 --> 00:36:46,040
makes them impossible
to study in real life,
673
00:36:46,082 --> 00:36:49,544
so recreating them in a lab
helps scientists observe
674
00:36:49,585 --> 00:36:51,254
how the huge waves form
675
00:36:51,295 --> 00:36:52,922
and how they move
across the ocean
676
00:36:52,964 --> 00:36:56,843
and what happens
when they hit the shore.
677
00:36:56,884 --> 00:36:58,970
Model houses and buildings
show how
678
00:36:59,011 --> 00:37:01,097
different materials
are impacted,
679
00:37:01,139 --> 00:37:03,725
which helps engineers
build better structures
680
00:37:03,766 --> 00:37:07,645
and design seismographs,
tide gauges, pressure sensors,
681
00:37:07,687 --> 00:37:10,148
and other technologies
to detect tsunamis
682
00:37:10,189 --> 00:37:13,818
and send out rapid warnings
to people in harm's way.
683
00:37:13,860 --> 00:37:16,320
[siren blaring]
684
00:37:16,362 --> 00:37:18,281
All of this
and sturdier buildings
685
00:37:18,322 --> 00:37:20,032
are great local actions.
686
00:37:20,074 --> 00:37:23,244
They will make daily life
on the Ring of Fire safer.
687
00:37:23,286 --> 00:37:27,790
But it's our global actions
that will save the most lives.
688
00:37:27,832 --> 00:37:32,003
The most powerful safety
measure we have is information.
689
00:37:32,045 --> 00:37:33,296
That's why it's so important
690
00:37:33,337 --> 00:37:35,089
that we all communicate
with each other
691
00:37:35,131 --> 00:37:37,675
and don't allow politics
and paranoia
692
00:37:37,717 --> 00:37:41,554
to cloud the free flow
of scientific data.
693
00:37:41,596 --> 00:37:44,724
Information also
has to be secure.
694
00:37:44,766 --> 00:37:46,517
We need to harden
our infrastructure
695
00:37:46,559 --> 00:37:48,102
against cyberattacks,
696
00:37:48,144 --> 00:37:51,105
and we need better systems
to provide early warnings,
697
00:37:51,147 --> 00:37:54,984
another low cost,
high payoff investment.
698
00:37:55,026 --> 00:37:56,527
Five minutes of early warning
699
00:37:56,569 --> 00:37:58,988
makes a huge difference
in a tsunami.
700
00:37:59,030 --> 00:38:01,616
And I can tell you
from personal experience,
701
00:38:01,657 --> 00:38:04,535
even ten seconds can mean
the difference between
702
00:38:04,577 --> 00:38:06,913
life and death
in an earthquake.
703
00:38:06,954 --> 00:38:10,249
In a world with early alert
systems in place,
704
00:38:10,291 --> 00:38:12,960
both Homer, Alaska,
and Adak Island
705
00:38:13,002 --> 00:38:16,339
are evacuated in time.
706
00:38:21,260 --> 00:38:24,180
[soft dramatic music]
707
00:38:24,222 --> 00:38:28,893
* *
708
00:38:28,935 --> 00:38:31,354
With the safe decommissioning
of nuclear sites
709
00:38:31,396 --> 00:38:32,897
around the Ring of Fire,
710
00:38:32,939 --> 00:38:36,067
as is planned for
the Diablo Canyon Plant,
711
00:38:36,109 --> 00:38:38,403
no radioactive wasteland.
712
00:38:38,444 --> 00:38:40,655
Always a plus.
713
00:38:40,696 --> 00:38:42,990
And what about Valdez, Alaska,
714
00:38:43,032 --> 00:38:44,742
the harbor town
that got wiped out
715
00:38:44,784 --> 00:38:48,913
by that massive earthquake
and tsunami back in 1964?
716
00:38:48,955 --> 00:38:51,874
Well, Valdez
was eventually rebuilt
717
00:38:51,916 --> 00:38:54,836
at a safer location
a few miles away.
718
00:38:54,877 --> 00:38:56,587
Today, new buildings
are designed
719
00:38:56,629 --> 00:38:58,631
to withstand intense shaking,
720
00:38:58,673 --> 00:39:01,884
while older structures
have been retrofitted,
721
00:39:01,926 --> 00:39:05,471
and development in the most
dangerous areas is off-limits.
722
00:39:05,513 --> 00:39:08,766
All of this won't prevent
another quake from happening,
723
00:39:08,808 --> 00:39:11,728
but the people in Valdez
and other Alaskan communities
724
00:39:11,769 --> 00:39:13,563
are much safer
and better equipped
725
00:39:13,604 --> 00:39:15,773
to survive future disasters,
726
00:39:15,815 --> 00:39:18,067
a reliable blueprint
for anyone
727
00:39:18,109 --> 00:39:20,111
living on the Ring of Fire.
728
00:39:20,153 --> 00:39:23,114
[hopeful music]
729
00:39:23,156 --> 00:39:28,327
* *
730
00:39:29,495 --> 00:39:31,247
With quake-ready structures,
731
00:39:31,289 --> 00:39:33,916
more of my beloved Seattle
is saved.
732
00:39:33,958 --> 00:39:36,627
More important,
more people are saved
733
00:39:36,669 --> 00:39:39,672
by a multinational
seismic alert system
734
00:39:39,714 --> 00:39:41,966
that helps people get to safety
in time
735
00:39:42,008 --> 00:39:45,887
so we can rebuild and come back
better than ever...
736
00:39:48,681 --> 00:39:51,017
With the best damn coffee
on the planet.
737
00:39:57,106 --> 00:39:58,775
- Humankind is unique.
738
00:39:58,816 --> 00:40:01,444
In the four billion years
of life on Earth,
739
00:40:01,486 --> 00:40:03,446
we are the first species
to create
740
00:40:03,488 --> 00:40:05,948
a technological civilization.
741
00:40:05,990 --> 00:40:08,951
Through science, we are finally
beginning to understand
742
00:40:08,993 --> 00:40:12,121
our deep relationship
with the planet we live on,
743
00:40:12,163 --> 00:40:14,040
how much Earth influences us,
744
00:40:14,082 --> 00:40:17,794
and how much we can
and do influence Earth.
745
00:40:17,835 --> 00:40:20,671
In the halls
of our Disaster Institute,
746
00:40:20,713 --> 00:40:23,925
we've shown how badly
things might go for us.
747
00:40:23,966 --> 00:40:26,302
We've also shown
how good things could be
748
00:40:26,344 --> 00:40:28,679
if we have the right systems
in place.
749
00:40:28,721 --> 00:40:31,474
In the coming years,
we can build a stronger,
750
00:40:31,516 --> 00:40:33,393
more resilient civilization
751
00:40:33,434 --> 00:40:35,645
if we work together
to make it happen.
752
00:40:35,686 --> 00:40:37,563
No, we don't all
have to hold hands
753
00:40:37,605 --> 00:40:39,023
or agree on everything,
754
00:40:39,065 --> 00:40:41,484
but we do have to help
each other out
755
00:40:41,526 --> 00:40:44,404
when Mother Nature throws
something nasty our way.
756
00:40:44,445 --> 00:40:46,489
[pensive music]
757
00:40:46,531 --> 00:40:47,990
My friends,
758
00:40:48,032 --> 00:40:50,201
there's a whole lot of crazy
going on in the world.
759
00:40:50,243 --> 00:40:53,663
I don't blame you if you feel
overwhelmed sometimes.
760
00:40:53,704 --> 00:40:57,291
But when I'm feeling blue,
I just think about science,
761
00:40:57,333 --> 00:40:59,168
evidence-based optimism.
762
00:40:59,210 --> 00:41:01,671
While there's still
a lot of work to be done,
763
00:41:01,713 --> 00:41:04,090
the world is better today
for more people
764
00:41:04,132 --> 00:41:06,634
than it's ever been
in recorded history.
765
00:41:06,676 --> 00:41:08,219
And do you know why?
766
00:41:08,261 --> 00:41:09,470
Because we're figuring out
767
00:41:09,512 --> 00:41:12,140
how to use science
for the greater good.
768
00:41:13,433 --> 00:41:15,017
Make no mistake,
769
00:41:15,059 --> 00:41:17,270
we're living
at a dangerous time,
770
00:41:17,311 --> 00:41:18,771
a frightening time.
771
00:41:18,813 --> 00:41:22,817
We're facing big problems,
and we need big solutions,
772
00:41:22,859 --> 00:41:25,445
but we are a resilient species
773
00:41:25,486 --> 00:41:28,656
with a unique ability
to think and reason.
774
00:41:28,698 --> 00:41:31,200
So do I think the end is nigh?
775
00:41:31,242 --> 00:41:32,285
No.
776
00:41:32,326 --> 00:41:34,078
The end's a long way off
777
00:41:34,120 --> 00:41:37,373
because together, we can--
dare I say it--
778
00:41:37,415 --> 00:41:40,251
change the world.
779
00:41:40,293 --> 00:41:43,212
[bold triumphant music]
780
00:41:43,254 --> 00:41:47,508
* *
781
00:41:49,677 --> 00:41:52,597
[dramatic music]
782
00:41:52,638 --> 00:41:59,771
* *