The Earth - Beautiful Planet ( I )
A blue Jewel in space
Planet Earth is the only place we know of that supports life in the universe. It is about one-third as old as the universe itself and is truly beautiful, resembling a slightly flattened sphere with a heavy metal core and a lighter outer layer. It is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that provides air to breathe, and it features vast oceans, rich plains, towering mountains, and freshwater sources, all while orbiting a star that gives us warmth and energy. But how did our planet come to be, and what is it composed of? Approximately 4.6 billion years ago, Earth formed from the remnants of dead stars, which gathered in a massive gas cloud. This cloud became denser at its center, forming an accretion disk where small particles began to stick together to create larger objects, ultimately leading to the formation of planets. This process lasted between 10 to 20 million years and remains poorly understood. During this early period, a large object roughly the size of Mars collided with Earth. The impact was intense, and had the object been larger, it could have destroyed our planet. Material from Earth was thrown into orbit, resulting in the formation of the Moon, which is the largest satellite in relation to its planet in the solar system. At this point, Earth was a harsh environment, bombarded by asteroids, filled with lava, and having a toxic atmosphere. However, significant changes were on the horizon. Earth began to cool. Water from within the planet rose to the surface and rained down, only to evaporate and form clouds again. Countless asteroids also delivered additional water to Earth. Today, the Earth's surface consists of 71% water and 29% land, with 97.5% being salty and only 2.5% fresh. Of that fresh water, 69% is trapped in ice and snow, 30% is found underground, and only about 1% consists of lakes and rivers, with even less within living organisms. Over time, as Earth cooled, a thin crust formed. However, beneath the surface, hot rock continues to move and shift, breaking apart the crust. This ongoing process, known as plate tectonics, causes large tectonic plates to drift and collide, creating towering mountains and deep trenches. For instance, Mount Everest is formed by plate collision, while the Mariana Trench results from one plate sinking beneath another. Although these features seem significant from our viewpoint, they are relatively small compared to the entire structure of the Earth. The crust, where we live, is approximately 50 kilometers thick but can range between 5 and 70 kilometers. The deepest human-made hole is 12.262 kilometers deep. Below the crust lies the mantle, a rocky layer that stretches about 2,900 kilometers. The mantle is divided into the upper and lower sections, with the upper part being viscous and supportive of the crust, known as the lithosphere. Following this is the asthenosphere, made of mostly solid material that is less mobile. The lower mantle extends down to the outer core. This outer core is a liquid layer of iron and nickel, around 2,266 kilometers thick, with temperatures ranging from 4,000℃ to 5,700℃. At the center is the inner core, a mostly solid ball made of an iron-nickel alloy with a radius of about 1,200 kilometers, roughly 70% the size of the Moon and as hot as the Sun's surface. It grows slowly at an estimated rate of about 1 millimeter per year.
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The Earth - Beautiful Planet
Planet Earth is the home of every lifeform, known to us, in the universe. Its age is about 1/3 of the age of the universe and, admitted, It is a thing of beauty. a slightly squashed fair with a heavy metal core, and a lighter surface crust, wrapped in a thin sliver of sweet air to breathe, with vast oceans, fertile plains, magnificent mountains, fresh water rivers, streams, lakes and aquifers, orbiting a star which warms us, and gives us energy. But how did our home come in to existence, and what's it made of? 4.6 billion years ago, Earth was created from the remnants of dead stars, that collected in a giant, dirty gas cloud. The gas cloud became denser in its center, and formed an accretion disk. small particles started clumping together, and building larger and larger objects, until they form the objects we call "Planets" today. This process took 10 to 20 million years, and is still not very well understood. At about this time, when the solar system was young and chaotic, a giant object, about as big as Mars, collided with our home. The impact was violent, and if the object had been more massive, it might have destroyed Earth. Materials from Earth were smashed out into orbit, and formed the Moon, which is the biggest satellite in relation to its planet in the solar system. At this time, Earth was a hot hell, constantly being hit by asteroids, with seas of lava, and a toxic atmosphere. But something was about to change drastically. Earth cooled down. Water from the inside of the Earth wandered to the surface and rained down on Earth, only to vaporize again and become clouds. Millions of asteroids brought more and more water to our planet. All the water on Earth has about this volume compared to Earth. Today, the surface of Earth is 71% water, and 29% land. 97.5% is saline water, while only 2.5% is fresh water. The Fresh water is 69% ice and snow, 30% are ground waters, and only about 1% make up the remaining ground waters. But even this small part is mostly frozen. Only a tiny part of our water is actually lakes and rivers. and an even tinier part is bound in living things. So, gradually the Earth cooled down, and the surface formed a thin crust. But inside the earth, hot rock continue to swirl about, moving the crust from below and breaking it apart. This process is called "Plate Tectonics", and is happening right now. We'll make a whole video about it in the future. For now, let's just say that the crust of Earth consisted of separate giant plates that move around. As they meet, they crumble, and create mighty mountains. OR: violently plunge back down, deeper into Earth, creating deep trenches. That's the way the highest place on Earth was formed: Mt.Everest, and the deepest: the Mariana Trench. From our perspective, Earth's mountains and trenches are mighty indeed, but when you look at the Earth in cross-section, you can see how tiny they actually are. The part we stand on is the crust, which is about 50 kilometers thick, though it can vary between 5 and 70 kilometers By the way, the deepest hole ever drilled by man is 12.262 kilometers deep. After the crust, comes the mantle. It's a silicate rocky shell, and about 2,900 kilometers thick. The mantle consists of the upper mantle, and the lower mantle. The upper mantle has different regions, too. It's upper part, which is viscous and carries the crust, is called the "Lithosphere." After that, there comes the "Asthenosphere," which consists of less mobile, mostly solid material. The lower mantle reaches deep down to the outer core of Earth. Earth's outer core is a liquid layer of iron and nickel, about 2,266 kilometers thick. Temperatures vary from 4,000℃(7,232℉) to 5,700℃(10,292℉). And in the center, is the inner core. It's mostly solid, a ball made of an iron-nickel alloy. with a radius of about 1,200 kilometers. 70% of the size of the moon, and about the temperature of the surface of the Sun. It is slowly growing at an estimated rate of about 1mm/year. Now, for some respective, this small layer of crystallized melt products of former molten mantle, is where we live. Then, there's Earth's magnetic field. It's an invisible phenomenon that diverts high energy particles coming from the Sun and other sources, allowing for a stable environment with comparatively little radiation impact on Earth. But why is it there? Actually, we don't really know a terrible lot about that. We know, it has something to do with the core of Earth. Inside this metal sphere, large electrical currents flow in complicated patterns. They cause a magnetic field, that sort of stabilizes itself according to the laws of electrodynamics. This entire system is called the "Dynamo." But, don't let us fool you into thinking we have it all figured out. Speaking of breathtaking information, what about the airy stuff that surrounds us? By volume, dry air consists mostly of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon, a variable mount of water vapor, and small amounts of other gases. Humans are very dependent on the lowest layer of the atmosphere: the Troposphere - Where the weather is. It's 12 kilometers thick on average. Above that is the Stratosphere, which is where the ozone layer protects us from the sun's most aggressive type of light. Above that is the Mesosphere - the coolest place on Earth, with an average temperature around -85℃(-121℉). At about 80 kilometers up, the Thermosphere starts. The transition to space is a fluent one, without clear borders. but humans decided that space starts here. At about 100 kilometers, Earth stops, and space begins, though the atmosphere extends a bit further. In this region, we find the Ionosphere, the aurora borealis, and the ISS, and the outermost layer is the Exosphere, stretching up to 10,000 kilometers. It merges fluently with outer space, where there's no atmosphere at all. The atoms and molecules in this area are so far apart, that they can travel hundreds of kilometers without colliding with each other. OK. Humans, in their present form, have only been around for 200,000 years. - that's 0.004% of Earth's history. Not long, really. And, here we are now, living in a thin, moist layer on a small, wet rock. We call this rock: Earth. It is the product of the universe's deepest workings, the result of a constant process of creation and destruction, happening all of the universe, all the time, helped by chance, the laws of the universe and random events, we are really lucky.
By NguyenHoangNamabout a year ago in Earth
DoJ Attorneys Resign Over Decision Not to Investigate Agent in Minneapolis ICE Shooting
A Justice Department Decision Sparks Fallout Several US Department of Justice (DoJ) attorneys have resigned following an internal decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into a federal immigration agent involved in a shooting in Minneapolis, according to multiple officials familiar with the matter. The resignations have intensified scrutiny of the DoJ’s handling of the case and fueled public debate over law enforcement accountability, particularly when federal agents are involved. The shooting, which occurred during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis, has already drawn local outrage and national attention. The decision not to open a formal investigation has now added a new layer of controversy—this time from within the Justice Department itself. What Is Known About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting Details surrounding the incident remain limited, as authorities have not released a full public account. What has been confirmed is that an ICE agent discharged a firearm during an operation, resulting in a civilian being shot. The condition of the victim has not been fully detailed in official statements, though local officials confirmed the individual survived. Local law enforcement initially responded to the scene, but jurisdictional authority shifted quickly due to the involvement of a federal agent. Under standard procedure, incidents involving federal officers are typically reviewed by the DoJ to determine whether a civil rights or criminal investigation is warranted. It was this review—and its outcome—that ultimately triggered internal dissent. Why DoJ Attorneys Walked Away According to sources familiar with the resignations, multiple attorneys—some with experience in civil rights and public integrity cases—objected strongly to the decision not to open a formal investigation. They argued that the shooting met the threshold for independent review, regardless of whether charges were ultimately brought. One former official described the decision as “a dangerous precedent,” warning that declining to investigate could erode public trust. Others reportedly felt that political considerations, rather than legal standards, influenced the outcome. While the DoJ has not publicly confirmed the number of resignations, officials acknowledged that departures occurred and said they were handled in accordance with internal procedures. The Justice Department’s Position In a brief statement, the Department of Justice said it had conducted an initial assessment of the incident and concluded that there was insufficient basis to proceed with a criminal investigation at this time. Officials emphasized that such decisions are made after reviewing available evidence, including use-of-force policies and witness statements. The department rejected claims that the decision was politically motivated, insisting that prosecutors follow established legal thresholds rather than public pressure. However, the DoJ declined to provide further details, citing the sensitive nature of law enforcement operations and personnel matters. Minneapolis Officials and Community Reaction In Minneapolis, the reaction has been swift and critical. City leaders and community advocates have called for greater transparency, arguing that federal agents operating within city limits should be subject to the same level of scrutiny as local police. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about accountability,” said a local civil rights advocate. “When someone is shot, there must be an independent investigation, regardless of the badge involved.” Protests and community meetings have followed, with residents demanding the release of body camera footage, operational details, and a clearer explanation for the DoJ’s decision. ICE Operations Under Renewed Scrutiny The shooting and subsequent fallout have reignited broader concerns about ICE enforcement tactics. Critics argue that immigration operations often take place with limited oversight, creating conditions where accountability gaps can emerge. Advocacy groups note that ICE agents are armed and authorized to use force, yet incidents involving shootings are relatively rare—and therefore require especially careful review when they occur. Supporters of ICE counter that agents operate in dangerous environments and must make split-second decisions, warning against rushing to judgment without full facts. Political Pressure and the Rule of Law The resignations have also raised questions about political pressure within federal law enforcement agencies. While no direct evidence has been made public, former prosecutors say internal disagreement of this magnitude is unusual and concerning. “When career attorneys resign over a single decision, it signals a serious breakdown of trust,” said a former federal prosecutor. “That doesn’t happen lightly.” Lawmakers from both parties have begun asking questions, with some calling for congressional oversight hearings into the incident and the DoJ’s decision-making process. Legal Standards vs Public Expectations At the heart of the controversy is a long-standing tension in US justice: the gap between legal thresholds for prosecution and public expectations of accountability. Opening an investigation does not imply guilt, but declining to investigate can be perceived as preemptively closing the door on transparency. Civil rights experts argue that even if prosecutors believe charges are unlikely, a formal investigation can still serve an important public interest. “The process matters as much as the outcome,” said one legal scholar. “Especially when federal authority is involved.” What Happens Next While the DoJ has indicated it will not revisit its decision at this time, pressure is mounting. Civil lawsuits, independent reviews, or congressional inquiries could still follow. Meanwhile, the resignations themselves may become part of a broader reckoning inside the Justice Department, as leaders assess how internal dissent is handled—and how public confidence can be restored. For the attorneys who resigned, the decision appears to have been a matter of principle. For the public, the unanswered questions surrounding the Minneapolis shooting remain unresolved. Conclusion: A Case That Won’t Fade Quietly The resignations of DoJ attorneys over the decision not to investigate an ICE agent involved in a Minneapolis shooting have turned a single law enforcement incident into a national flashpoint. Beyond the specifics of the case, the episode raises fundamental questions about accountability, transparency, and the independence of the justice system. Whether through further investigation, legal action, or political oversight, the issue is unlikely to disappear—and the consequences may shape how similar cases are handled in the future.
By Aarif Lashariabout 9 hours ago in Earth
Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (2)
Excellent written
Thanks for sharing