Ep 3. Chernobyl's Nuclear Monsters

In season 7 episode 3 of What on Earth?, titled Chernobyl's Nuclear Monsters, the team explores the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred on April 26, 1986. The disaster was caused by a catastrophic explosion in the reactor core, releasing radioactive material into the air that affected hundreds of thousands of people in the surrounding regions.

Using satellite images and ground-level footage, the team investigates the current state of the abandoned city of Prypiat, which was once home to over 50,000 people before the disaster forced its evacuation. The team searches for any signs of life that might have returned to the area despite high levels of radiation, and investigates reports of mutant animals that are said to have evolved in response to the radioactive environment.

The team also investigates the "Red Forest," an area near the reactor that received the highest levels of radiation during the disaster and is now barren and desolate. Despite the danger, the team examines the area up close, using special equipment to measure radiation levels and ensure their safety.

Throughout the episode, the team speaks with local experts and scientists to piece together the lasting impact of the disaster on both the environment and the people who lived through it. They also explore the efforts being made to safely contain the remaining radiation in the area, and the ongoing research into the long-term effects of exposure on the human body.

Chernobyl's Nuclear Monsters is a chilling look at the ongoing legacy of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history, and the ways in which the environment and its inhabitants continue to be affected decades later.