How the Earth Works Season 1 Episode 6 The Rockies Built the Atom Bomb

How the Earth Works season 1 episode 6, titled "The Rockies Built the Atom Bomb," explores the geologic history of the Rocky Mountains and how it played a role in the development of the atomic bomb.

The episode begins by tracing the formation of the Rocky Mountains over millions of years and the unique geological features that make up this mountain range, including the granite peaks and deep valleys. The show also examines how the Rocky Mountains were formed by the collision of tectonic plates and how the movement of these plates created the necessary conditions for the development of uranium, a key component of the atomic bomb.

The episode then delves deeper into the role that these geological formations played in the Manhattan Project, the secret government project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II. The Manhattan Project was based in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and was located near several uranium mines in the surrounding area.

Throughout the episode, experts in geology and history provide insight into how the location of the Manhattan Project was chosen, and how the scientists working on the project used their knowledge of geology to extract the necessary uranium from the surrounding mountains. The episode highlights the fact that without the unique geology of the Rocky Mountains, the atomic bomb may never have been developed.

In addition to exploring the link between geology and the development of the atomic bomb, "The Rockies Built the Atom Bomb" also examines the social and political implications of the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb. The show provides insight into the decision-making process behind the use of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the long-lasting effects that this decision had on the world.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through the prehistoric history of the Rocky Mountains, the complex scientific processes involved in the development of the atomic bomb, and the far-reaching consequences of this development. Overall, "The Rockies Built the Atom Bomb" is a fascinating exploration of how the earth works and how it has shaped human history in unexpected ways.