The drifting journey of granite on the earth
Explore the earth
The plate has experienced formation and fragmentation,
Compression, extension and deposition and denudation of the earth's crust.
At about this time
Life began to appear.
Granite may also have begun to form on a large scale at this stage.
The period of prehistoric life (530 million ~ 65 million years ago)
About 530 million years ago
The evolution of life has been silent for billions of years
Finally broke out at this moment:
In a short period of 20 million years
All kinds of animals have emerged.
History is called the Cambrian explosion of life.
Granite is also a witness to all this.
On a granite wall next to a swamp
Covered with the earliest bryophytes.
They work hard on photosynthesis.
Provide the most important nourishment for life-oxygen.
Vicissitudes of life, hundreds of millions of years later
This place has become a slope.
Suddenly, the granite gravel on the ground began to tremble.
It turned out that a plate dragon came slowly.
Eat nearby leaves
It was the first herbivorous giant dinosaur on earth.
After eating
Panlong accidentally ate part of the granite gravel.
Later studied by biologists
Panlong's eating crushed stone is used to assist in grinding food.
Plate dragon
But all life seems to be a drop in the ocean for granite.
Or due to meteorite impact
Or environmental mutation.
65 million years ago,
Dinosaur extinction
The granite is quietly waiting for the appearance of the next lord!
Human era
Stone Age (2.5 million ~ 3500 years ago)
One afternoon 2.5 million years ago
At the foot of a steep hill in the Drakens Mountains of Africa
Long-term weathering and erosion led to mountain collapse.
A large number of granite fragments fell from the mountain.
Piled up at the foot of the mountain
Among them, there are some fragments with sharp edges due to shear failure.
Ancient apes and granite
In this land,
There lives a group of Australopithecus.
One day, patriarch Caesar was leading the male Australopithecus to hunt the African hare.
When passing through this collapse area,
The patriarch accidentally stepped on a blank foot.
Fell on the rubble.
The sharp edge of the gravel instantly cut the skin on his leg.
The patriarch curiously picked up the sharp gravel
Made a tentative stroke on the left arm.
The momentary pain and the fear that followed
Let it throw away the stone angrily.
This day is a memorable day.
The earth has opened a new chapter:
The human era has begun!
The mulberry age (3500-1760 BC)
After human ancestors learned to make and use tools,
The wheel of human civilization rolls faster and faster.
After entering the era of agriculture
It only takes thousands of years for mankind
In the fields of smelting, agriculture, textile and so on.
Considerable achievements have been made.
In the meantime
Human beings have created a series of stone products with complex processes and a wide variety of stone tools.
Even some large stone buildings.
Pyramid
2570 BC
Pharaoh Khufu of the fourth Dynasty in Egypt
Use the efforts of the whole country to build their own mausoleum-the Pyramid of Khufu.
The Pyramid of Khufu was originally 146.6 meters high.
The bottom edge of each strip is 230 meters long.
It took a total of 30 years to build the Pyramid of Khufu
2.3 million pieces of granite and limestone were used
Each stone weighs an average of 2.5 tons.
Pyramid
The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest pyramid that currently exists in the world.
It is known as "the seventh miracle of the world".
Excellent mechanical properties of granite
To a certain extent, it ensures the stability of the structure.
At the same time, its resistance to weathering
It also helps to preserve the pyramids intact.
Stone mill
480 BC
Lu Ban, the ancestor of the civil craftsman
Invented many handicrafts for military and agricultural use.
Including the stone mill.
Before the stone mill appeared,
The main method of processing grain is
Put the grain in the stone mortar and pound it with a pestle.
The invention of stone mill has greatly improved the processing efficiency.
According to the records of Shiben
Luban stacked the two stones on top of each other
The rice and wheat are ground into powder by rotating friction.
Stone mill
Biotite granite.
The reason why the stone mill chooses granite as the material
Because the minerals in the granite
For example, quartz and feldspar are often formed in irregular particles.
Therefore, the rotational friction of the two granites has strong grindability.
Industrial Age (1760-1970)
Compared to the Stone Age and the Nongsang Age
In these two hundred years of the industrial age,
The ability of human invention and creation is constantly breaking through.
The steam engine brought by James Watt
What's more, it has sounded the horn of industrial technology striding forward.
Granite has also been given new uses.
For example, for laying railway tracks and anti-nuclear facilities.
Railway track laying
As the most iconic product of the industrial age
The train has brought human transport capacity to a new level.
It will take two days to use the "eight hundred miles urgent".
Now, ordinary people have bought a ticket for the general express train.
It takes only a few hours to travel 400 kilometers (800 miles) a day.
The safe and smooth operation of the railway system
It is closely related to the laying of the track.
The track system is mainly composed of two parallel rails and sleepers used for fixing.
And the ballast under the sleeper.
And ballast is actually broken granite.
Railway track laying
There are three main reasons for using granite as ballast:
For one thing, crushed granite can turn the train
The pressure transmitted through the sleeper is uniformly transmitted to the roadbed.
Prolong the overall service life of roadbed
Second, the train runs on the tracks.
It will cause a small bend in the tracks.
The displacement between the stones can reduce the plastic damage to the rails.
Third, it is cheap.
Compared to concrete
Granite costs much less.
Nuclear shield
Some time after the end of the Industrial Revolution
The world political pattern once entered the stage of the Cold War.
The shadow of nuclear weapons hangs over the world powers
The establishment of anti-nuclear facilities has become a national priority.
Take the United States as an example
In 1958, the core command center of US military defense
The Cheyenshan military base, known as the "nerve center" of the US military, was established.
Located in a 2500-meter-high granite mountain in Colorado
The top of the base is protected by a layer of granite about 500 meters thick.
Cheyenne Mountain Base, USA
The US military will build the base in the granite mountain.
Is closely related to the mechanical properties of granite.
In the uniaxial compression experiment of rock mechanics
The compressive strength of granite can reach 200 MPA.
And the natural joints of granite mountains
When you encounter an impact, you can also absorb some of the energy through collapse and fragmentation.
Maximize the safety of the facilities below
It is a natural nuclear shield.
Decorative building materials
The most extensive application of granite in modern times
There is nothing more than decorative building materials in daily life.
Look out in the city
The shadow of granite can be seen everywhere.
Such as the Monument to the people's Heroes in Beijing
Images of martyrs in Yuhuatai, Nanjing
The reason why granite can become an important decorative building material
In addition to its own high hardness, good wear resistance and other characteristics
It is also because the mineral composition of granite is different.
The color stripes of different granites are different.
Information Age (1970 to date)
Storage, handling and production facilities
Granite has important applications in storage, treatment and production.
Such as a reservoir made of granite
Can store soy
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Fwuebks Sushma and writers in Earth and other communities.
Antarctic Penguin Breeding Is Heating Up Sooner — and That’s a Big Problem
Scientists have discovered that penguins in Antarctica are starting their breeding season earlier than ever before — a change that might sound harmless but is actually raising alarms among researchers. As temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere rise and sea ice patterns shift, these iconic birds are facing challenges that could ripple through the entire Antarctic ecosystem. The finding, based on decades of field observations, highlights how climate change is not just melting glaciers or warming oceans — it is directly affecting wildlife behaviors in ways that could have long-term consequences. For communities of scientists, conservationists, and even eco-tourists who value Antarctica’s unique wildlife, the implications are serious. Why Penguin Breeding Is Happening Sooner For decades, researchers have tracked the Adélie and emperor penguin populations across Antarctica. By comparing breeding dates with historical data, they noticed a clear trend: penguins are laying eggs and hatching chicks earlier than in previous decades. Dr. Samantha Hughes, a marine biologist studying Antarctic ecosystems, explained: “Penguins are highly sensitive to environmental cues. Warmer temperatures and earlier ice melt mean that the conditions they rely on for breeding are coming sooner, so they adjust their reproductive cycles.” At first glance, this might seem like an adaptive behavior. After all, responding to environmental changes is part of survival. But scientists warn that earlier breeding can create new problems, particularly when it comes to food availability and weather patterns. The Challenges of Earlier Breeding Penguins depend on a delicate balance between breeding timing, ice coverage, and food supply. Fish and krill, which are the primary food sources for chicks, follow their own seasonal patterns. If penguins hatch too early, they may face a mismatch between the peak food supply and the period when chicks need it most. This phenomenon, known as phenological mismatch, can have serious consequences: Chick starvation: Chicks may hatch before food sources are abundant enough to sustain them. Increased predation: Younger, weaker chicks are more vulnerable to predators. Colony instability: Uneven survival rates can disrupt social structures and breeding success within colonies. Dr. Hughes adds: “Even a difference of a few weeks in hatching times can affect survival rates. In an environment as extreme as Antarctica, timing is everything.” Climate Change Is the Driving Force Scientists point to rising temperatures, changing sea ice patterns, and shifting winds as the main factors behind earlier breeding. Over the past 50 years, Antarctic regions have warmed at rates faster than the global average, leading to earlier ice melt in spring. Sea ice is critical because it provides stable platforms for penguins to nest and raise their chicks. When ice melts too early, penguins may be forced to nest in less secure locations, increasing the risk of flooding and chick loss. Additionally, the warming waters affect the abundance of krill, tiny crustaceans that are the foundation of the Antarctic food web. Less krill means less food for penguins, further exacerbating the effects of early breeding. Why This Matters Beyond Penguins Penguins are often seen as indicator species, meaning that changes in their populations can signal broader environmental shifts. If penguin breeding and survival are disrupted, it could indicate that the entire Antarctic ecosystem is under stress, including seals, seabirds, and even fish populations that humans rely on. Communities involved in Antarctic research are particularly concerned because this disruption can affect long-term conservation strategies. Protecting species like penguins isn’t just about preserving wildlife; it’s about maintaining ecosystem health in a region that plays a critical role in regulating global climate. Observing the Changes Researchers have been using a combination of satellite imaging, on-the-ground observation, and drones to monitor penguin colonies. These methods allow scientists to track: Egg-laying dates Chick hatching and growth Colony sizes and survival rates Data collected over decades show a clear pattern: in some regions, penguins are breeding up to two weeks earlier than 50 years ago. While that might seem minor, in the fragile Antarctic environment, even small changes can have cascading effects. What Can Be Done Addressing this problem requires both local and global action. On a local level, conservationists are working to protect key breeding grounds and monitor populations for signs of stress. International cooperation is crucial, because Antarctica is governed by treaties that involve multiple countries. On a broader scale, tackling the root cause — climate change — is essential. Scientists emphasize reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow warming trends and protect fragile ecosystems. As Dr. Hughes notes: “If we don’t address climate change, these changes aren’t just a temporary anomaly. They could lead to permanent shifts in penguin populations and Antarctic ecosystems.” The Human Connection This issue isn’t just about penguins. Communities of researchers, scientists, and environmental advocates rely on a stable Antarctic ecosystem for studies that inform global climate policy. Eco-tourism communities also depend on healthy penguin populations for responsible tourism, which can be a source of income and education. In other words, the timing of penguin breeding may seem like a small, isolated detail, but it has broader implications for science, conservation, and global awareness. Looking Ahead The discovery that Antarctic penguins are breeding earlier is a wake-up call. It highlights how climate change can subtly, yet profoundly, alter animal behavior. Scientists, conservationists, and policymakers must collaborate to understand these changes and implement strategies to mitigate their impact. For communities around the world who care about wildlife, this is a reminder that even remote ecosystems are interconnected with human actions. Protecting penguins and their habitats isn’t just about saving a species — it’s about protecting the health of the planet and our shared future.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 23 hours ago in Earth
Elon Musk Says Retirement Savings “Won’t Matter” in 20 Years—Here’s What Experts Think
Recently, Elon Musk sparked a heated debate on social media with a bold claim: in 20 years, traditional retirement savings “won’t matter.” The Tesla and SpaceX CEO suggested that the way people think about money and retirement today might be completely obsolete in a couple of decades. As usual, Musk’s statements are equal parts provocative and visionary, leaving many wondering whether they should rethink their financial plans entirely. To get clarity, we reached out to seven personal finance and AI experts to hear their thoughts on Musk’s prediction. Their insights provide a mix of caution, optimism, and futuristic thinking. 1. The Case for Obsolescence: AI and Automation AI strategist Dr. Karen Liu believes Musk isn’t exaggerating when he talks about the diminishing importance of retirement savings. “If AI and automation continue at the current pace, many traditional jobs could disappear,” she explains. “By 2046, people might earn income from AI-driven ventures, digital assets, or royalties rather than a 9-to-5 paycheck. In that case, the way we save for retirement could indeed look very different.” She emphasizes that new financial models might emerge, such as universal basic income (UBI) or AI-managed wealth portfolios, making conventional retirement accounts less critical. “People might no longer need 401(k)s or IRAs in the same way we do now,” she adds. 2. The Human Factor: Some Things Don’t Change Personal finance advisor Marcus Bell takes a more conservative view. “Even if the economy changes drastically, money management skills won’t be irrelevant,” he says. “Musk may be right that retirement savings as we know them may evolve, but having a financial cushion will always matter. Emergencies, healthcare costs, and life changes won’t disappear.” Bell suggests a hybrid approach: continue contributing to traditional retirement accounts while exploring alternative investments like digital currencies, AI-managed funds, or entrepreneurial ventures. 3. Cryptocurrency and the Digital Asset Revolution Crypto expert Priya Desai sees Musk’s comment as a nod toward the rise of digital assets. “By 2046, much of personal wealth may reside in cryptocurrencies, tokenized real estate, and NFTs rather than bank accounts or pensions,” she says. Desai believes that blockchain technology could redefine ownership and wealth accumulation, making traditional retirement savings less central. However, she cautions: “Digital assets are highly volatile. While they may replace some retirement vehicles, they aren’t a guaranteed substitute. Diversification will remain crucial.” 4. AI-Powered Wealth Management AI entrepreneur Rohan Kapoor points out that AI itself could make traditional retirement planning almost obsolete. “Imagine AI systems that continuously optimize your investments, taxes, and spending in real-time,” he says. “If AI handles wealth accumulation more efficiently than humans, you may not need to manually save and plan decades in advance.” Kapoor predicts that by 2046, AI advisors could create personalized financial lifelines that automatically adjust for inflation, market changes, and lifestyle goals. In this scenario, traditional 401(k)s might feel outdated. 5. The Social Safety Net Factor Economist Dr. Elise Morgan reminds us that social and political structures will also play a role. “Even if technology changes how wealth is accumulated, government programs like Social Security, healthcare, or UBI will shape retirement,” she explains. “Musk’s statement assumes a high-tech, highly automated economy, which is just one possible scenario.” Morgan urges caution: relying solely on futuristic predictions could be risky. Traditional savings may still act as a fallback if economic or technological disruptions fail to deliver as Musk anticipates. 6. Mindset and Wealth Beyond Money Financial psychologist Sandra Liu emphasizes that wealth isn’t only monetary. “Even if retirement accounts lose their traditional meaning, financial literacy, resourcefulness, and the ability to leverage technology will remain critical skills,” she says. “Musk’s prediction is more about mindset than accounts. People who can adapt, innovate, and use technology to generate income will thrive regardless of conventional savings.” 7. Preparing for the Future, Not Panicking Finally, futurist Jared Thompson encourages a pragmatic approach: “Don’t panic or abandon your retirement plan just because Elon Musk said so. Think of it as a signal to diversify—invest in tech, learn AI skills, and explore new income streams.” Thompson suggests a “layered strategy”: keep some traditional retirement savings while experimenting with AI-driven investment platforms, cryptocurrencies, and entrepreneurial projects. What Does This Mean for You? Musk’s prediction may sound extreme, but the expert opinions reveal a spectrum of possibilities. Here’s a practical takeaway: Keep saving, but diversify: Don’t abandon retirement accounts, but explore AI-driven investments, crypto, or digital assets. Invest in skills: AI, coding, and tech literacy may be as valuable as cash reserves in 20 years. Embrace flexibility: Financial plans should be adaptable to rapid technological and societal changes. Mind the basics: Emergency funds, debt management, and smart spending remain essential regardless of tech trends. In short, Musk’s warning isn’t necessarily a call to abandon traditional retirement planning—it’s a reminder that the future of money is changing rapidly. Those who combine conventional strategies with an eye on emerging technologies may be the ones who truly thrive in 2046. Conclusion: Elon Musk’s claim that retirement savings “won’t matter” in 20 years is provocative, but it opens an important conversation about the intersection of finance, technology, and the future of work. While some experts see it as a harbinger of radical change, others stress prudence and flexibility. Either way, the message is clear: the next two decades will demand both financial savvy and tech literacy. The question isn’t whether retirement savings will disappear—it’s whether you’ll adapt to the evolving financial landscape.
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in Earth
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.