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Summary of "How Earth Made Us - Deep Earth"
The documentary focused on how the deep forces of the earth impacted the development of
human beings and is called “How Earth Made Us – Deep Earth”. The episode begins with the
host’s quest to popularize how the inner environment of the Earth determines civilization to a
large extent. The expedition starts at the Nika Mine in Northern Mexico resulting in the locating
of the Cave of Crystals1. It was not until the development of powerful lights that it was possible
to illuminate the exhibits contained in this cave, which has taken half a million years to grow and
is where enormous gypsum crystals grow from the Earth’s core. With very high temperatures
and humidity inside the cave, it is explained to be an important source and a reminder of Earth’s
strength and beyond-unimaginable potential.
The documentary then shifts to the Timna Valley in Israel's Negev Desert, where early humans
made a groundbreaking discovery of copper2. This made a sort of leap in terms of technology
from using stone and bone to metal. The Copper Age followed with the discovery of malachite
and the technological advancement of smelting technology came the Bronze and Iron Ages.
These breakthroughs changed the world producing tools and weapons that were sturdier and
more efficient than before.
Going deeper into the analysis of geological forces’ consequences, the episode is dedicated to the
fault lines and their significance in people’s lives. Looking at the Lut Desert in Iran, old qanats,
considered water supply systems, were constructed along the faults to provide people with fresh
water, which is always a vital necessity, especially in the desert territory3. These architectural
wonders prove how the ancients were able to maximize the earth's resources especially the
geological ones.
1 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (1/6),” March 21, 2010,
2 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (2/6),” March 22, 2010,
3 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (2/6),” March 22, 2010,
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As for the documentary’s focus, it offers a cinematographic presentation of the current context in
Istanbul where the city lies close to the Marmara Fault System which is part of the great North
Anatolian Fault4. Tunnels and structures vulnerable to earthquakes are designed with the help of
engineering to reduce the impacts of earthquakes. In this regard, there is a comparison made
between the ancient Hagia Sophia that has stood through several earthquakes, and the modern
structures, showing the continuous struggle in inhabiting areas along faults.
The relationship between the earth and man is largely portrayed in the documentary “How Earth
Made Us—Deep Earth.” From the formation of beautiful crystals in the interior of our planet to
mining in search of new metals that would change the world and the never-ending struggle with
earthquakes, one can state that the deep part of our planet has greatly influenced the course of
history.
Personal Reflection and Overall Impressions
The program How Earth Made Us – Deep Earth is a documentary that I found to give an
interesting insight into the effects of the deep Earth on mankind. Certainly the most noticeable
among them is the Cave of Crystals. These crystals are immense and gorgeous, and their very
sight makes one realize the marvels that lie beneath the surface5. Strict and intensive working
conditions demonstrate that studying this area is a great challenge for scientists and explorers
who just share a fascination with nature and its mysteries.
I found that of all the segments covered in the show the segment on the Timna Valley was quite
insightful. It points towards a significant epoch in the development of mankind, such as the
discovery and usage of metal. It enriched the ability to make tools while at the same time
4 Bulut, Fatih, and ASLI DOĞRU. "Time frame for future large earthquakes near İstanbul based
on east-to-west deceleratingfailure of the North Anatolian Fault." Turkish Journal of Earth
Sciences 30, no. 2 (2021): 204-214.
5 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (1/6),” March 21, 2010,
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providing the basis for future developments in technology. To implement copper, a metal
obtained from malachite that was mined at the Timna Valley, people needed to step into the new
Copper Age6. It is evident to me that geology has facilitated advancement as man transitioned
from the Stone to Bronze to the Iron Ages.
The concept of the fact that on the one hand fault lines are a source that supplies people with
various resources but on the other hand it can be a threat is quite inspiring. The cases of the
qanats located in Iran’s Lut Desert show how early societies managed to harness natural support
systems to counteract environmental limitations7. These underground aqueducts which are used
in the transportation of freshwater whereby the resource is sourced from deep down the desert
through the use of fault lines, depict the need for the fault lines to support life in arid land. It was
followed by a contrast with the contemporary people of Istanbul attempting to construct fault-
tolerant structures for an earthquake’s eventual occurrence, stressing the steadiness and
adaptability of humankind.
This episode that hangs a future risk of an earthquake in Istanbul can be considered one of the
saddest in the whole movie. They all raise to the surface the always lurking risk of residing near
fault lines. Buildings such as the Hagia Sophia which has survived many earthquakes is used to
illustrate engineering and anticipating disasters in the modern world8. Due to the frequency of
fatal earthquakes throughout history I believe that the Hagia Sophia’s ability to still stand today
conveys architectural success and the future practicality of annihilating these disasters as a
means to ensure its permanent safety.
“How Earth Made Us – Deep Earth” is a powerful documentary film that expands one’s
knowledge about the links between earthly geodynamics and the historic occurrence of human
6 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (2/6),” March 22, 2010,
7 MiraclesOfScience, “How The Earth Made Us - I (2/6),” March 22, 2010,
8 MiraclesOfScience, “How Earth Made Us - I (6/6),” April 19, 2010,
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evolution. It focuses on the role of geology in creating civilizations and makes us recall our
interaction with the earth’s constantly throbbing core. The film invites the audiences to value the
colossal forces of nature that have shaped and stepped on mankind throughout the centuries. It
also becomes a wake-up call pointing at the necessity of further development and improvement
in utilizing these forces to the maximum while making sure it is safe and efficient.
References
Bulut, Fatih, and Asli Doğru. "Time frame for future large earthquakes near İstanbul based on
east-to-west decelerating failure of the North Anatolian Fault." Turkish Journal of Earth
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Sciences 30, no. 2 (2021): 204-214. https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1032&context=earth
Miracles Of Science, “How The Earth Made Us - I (1/6),” March 21, 2010,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hKxV33euF0.
Miracles Of Science, “How The Earth Made Us - I (2/6),” March 22, 2010,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcnQidLJOpA.
Miracle Of Science, “How Earth Made Us - I (6/6),” April 19, 2010,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01fseuFxOUk.
