Scotland is a ground zero for some of the most significant geologic cataclysms in Earth's history. Understanding of these titanic shifts was prompted by a mysterious lake known as Loch Ness.

The discovery of the Marianas trench was one of the first puzzle pieces that lead to the understanding of the most massive process that shapes the geology of the Earth.

The unique geological conditions that make Krakatoa and it's successor, Anak Krakatau, extraordinarily explosive and, despite its remoteness, dangerous are explained.

The Great Lakes region provided geologists with much of the evidence for the frequent ice ages that visited North America. But the lakes may be a rather transient feature of the continent dependent upon the recurring ice ages to maintain their existence.

The evidence, structure, history and potential threat of the Yellowstone super volcano are described.

Most major geological processes require millions of year to become noticeable. Meteor impacts are exceptions which can cause comparable changes in seconds.

The Alps are known as the majestic mountain range of Europe. But their formation from a collision between Europe and Africa left an unstable structure that is now a classic study in erosion by rivers of water, ice and rock suggesting an even greater former glory.

The Atacama desert is the driest place on Earth. Since human records of the area began, some places have never received rain. The soil is so dry that it has been used as a test bed for the Mars rovers.

The origins of the remote Hawaiian island chain have remained a puzzle for generations.

Iceland is the largest and most fearsome volcanic island on the planet. Its volcanoes have caused climatic chaos and devastation across the planet, a fate which may one day happen again.

New York is one of the most man-made spaces on the planet, but everything from the height of its skyscrapers to the position of its harbour is governed by extraordinary forces.

The discovery of the San Andreas Fault and efforts to understand it are described.

What are the enormous forces that generate catastrophic waves deep on the ocean floor? The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is estimated to have released the energy of 23,000 atomic bombs.