Go West, Young Continent
Earth's land surfaces are constantly in motion. North America is creeping west into the Pacific Ocean at a rate
roughly equal to the growth of your fingernails.
Shields Up
Earth's atmosphere does more than just give us air to breath. It shields us from almost all the harmful radiation of
the Sun and protects us from most meteorite impacts. Without our atmosphere, Earth would be a lifeless, cratered
hunk of rock such as the Moon or Mercury.
Constant Bombardment
Earth is hit by up to 10,000,000 km (22,000,000 lbs) of meteors each day - and hardly anyone notices. Most of the
material is dust-like grains so light they actually drift gently to Earth.