The end of the world is a popular topic for science fiction films and novels, but there are very real threats to our existence that could become reality.
Humanity can be wiped out by an asteroid collision or an extremely highly infectious pandemic that can wipe out almost the entire population of the planet. And while many of the apocalyptic scenarios sound a little weird, there are real risks to be feared today.
Apocalypse Now
If humanity nevertheless avoids the end of the world in the near future, be it an asteroid or a nuclear disaster, scientists still argue that people will still disappear in 500 million years, and in 6 billion years all life on planet Earth will disappear, because it is too will come very close to the sun. Our star, which is growing and striving to turn into a red giant, will practically melt the Earth over time.
Well, 500 million years is a long time for a species of mammals, but scientists often agree that the end of the species of intelligent people will come much sooner, due to the fault of the intelligent themselves.
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Most of all, scientists are afraid of natural disasters caused by very intense global warming. Pandemics such as swine and bird flu and Ebola are another threat to humanity. Last but not least, especially in connection with today's political tensions, it is worth mentioning the threat of nuclear war.
More distant threats to the prosperity of the human race on the planet include biological weapons, geoengineering failures, and the development of hostile artificial intelligence.
Taking all this into account, the question arises: if the end of the world came right now, what would become of the planet without people? It will take very little time for the Earth to "reset", but the process will be extremely cruel.
Here is the timeline and changes that will occur on Earth if humanity disappears.
Hours later
The planet will become dark. Electric lights will no longer illuminate the night as the power plants run out of fuel. Even solar panels will quickly become covered in dust, and windmills will run out of turbine lubricant.
The only stations that will continue to operate are hydroelectric. Many grand dams will be able to work for several months or even years.
Two to three days later
Most of the metro stations and tunnels will be flooded because the pumps that cut off water will stop working.
Ten days later
Pets and farm animals will die of hunger and dehydration. Animals on remote farms will be eaten by predators. At the same time, hungry dogs will huddle and hunt other animals.
A mounth later
Cooling water in nuclear power plants will evaporate. This will lead to a series of nuclear disasters more devastating than Fukushima and Chernobyl. But in general, the planet will quickly and easily come to its senses after radioactive contamination.
One year later
Satellites in orbit around the Earth will begin to fall, illuminating the sky with a strange glow of "shooting stars".
Twenty five years later
Vegetation will almost completely cover the once concrete streets and alleys of megalopolises. Some cities like Dubai and Las Vegas will find themselves buried in the sand.
Over time, urban vegetation will attract herbivores, and predators will follow.
Without humans, endangered species of animals and plants such as whales, snow leopards, tigers, and others will thrive and reproduce. Perhaps new species will appear.
Swamps that once covered large parts of the planet will reappear in the place of cities such as London and St. Petersburg. Nature will take its toll.
Three hundred years later
Metal buildings, bridges and towers will begin to corrode and collapse as they fall to the ground and become covered with vegetation or sink into water.
Ten thousand years later
The only proof of human existence on earth will be grandiose stone structures such as the Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China and Mount Rushmore.
Hope Chikanchi