Special Sub-Topic: Natural Phenomenons And Wonders Click Here To Play: Natural Phenomenons And Wonders

Often called an 'Arctic Oasis,' these sea lakes on the Polar Cap can remain liquid for an entire winter. What are they called?

Polynyas. Pronounced 'pol-een-yas,' polynyas are vital to the fragile polar ecosystem and also of the earth's ecosystem as they allow life to continue throughout the harsh polar winters. Land animals can access the sea, and marine creatures can access the surface.

Auroras have been the subject of many myths. The Nordics believed that the earth was flat and the aurora was caused by a ring of fire marking the boundaries of the ocean. What has science discovered as the cause for this beautiful phenomenon?

Magnetic storms caused by solar winds. Solar flares create solar wind. When this solar wind hits the atoms in the upper atmosphere it creates a very powerful magnetic field. The charged atoms release ions that release the coloured lights. Various atom types will release different coloured light. The lights may be seen best closest to the poles as this is where the earth's magnetic fields are strongest.

Another natural phenomenon is the rainbow. You may know there aren't pots of gold at the bottom of the arc (I've checked), but have you noticed where the sun is always positioned when you're looking at a rainbow?

Behind you. The magic and wonder of the rainbow was erased by science as early as 1637 by Rene Descartes. Descartes studied light interacting with a single water droplet. 'The Rainbow From Myth to Mathematics.'

David Livingstone discovered this wonder in 1855. He named his discovery 'Victoria Falls' after Queen Victoria. The locals had a much older name 'Mosi-oa-Tunya.' How does this translate?

'The smoke that thunders'. The Zambezi River pours over 500 million litres of water over the edge into a narrow chasm 100 metres deep. The consequent spray can reach 500 metres into the air and may be seen 30 kilometers away.

Which remarkable mineral abundant sea is so dense and salty it can't sustain any life form? It lies further beneath sea level than any body of water on earth.

The Dead Sea. The Dead Sea in Israel is so rich in minerals it is said to be very therapeutic giving relief from ailments such as arthritis and curing skin disease. It is fed by the Jordan River and has no outlet. The hot desert sun evaporates the fresh water making it a very dense and salty lake. (Also known as the Salt Sea in Biblical times)

Standing tall nearly nine kilometres high, Mt Everest, named after the surveyor Sir George Everest, is the highest land peak on earth. You'll often hear climbers refer to Everest by its Tibetan name which is what?

Chomolungma. In Tibetan, 'Chomolungma' translates as 'mother goddess of the universe.' The Nepalese call Everest 'Sagarmatha,' meaning 'goddess of the sky.' For quite a few years Everest was known to British surveyors as 'number 15.'

The tides are said to be the 'heartbeat of our oceans.' The average tide variation measures around 1.5m (4ft). Which natural wonder records an astonishing tide variation of 16m (53ft)?

Bay Of Fundy - Nova Scotia. Due to a unique funnel shape, the Bay Of Fundy accepts and discharges over one hundred billion tonnes of water on every tide.

What is the only 'living' organism that can be viewed from space?

The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is over 2000 kilometers long (longer than the west coast of the USA) and is made up of nearly 3000 living reefs. The fragile ecosystem of the Reef is constantly under threat by pollution, Green House effects, shipping, fishing and tourists. We need to take great care of this living wonder.

The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean is the deepest point on earth. In which sea would you find it?

Philippine Sea. The Mariana trench is over 10 kilometres deep. To put this in perspective, if you sat Mt Everest at the bottom of the trench, there would still be two kilometres of water above the summit.

Discovered on New Years Day 1502 by Portuguese explorers, this natural wonder was named 'River of the First of January.' Very original - except it turned out not to be a river at all but which magnificent harbour?

Harbour of Rio de Janeiro. The pre-Portuguese Tamoio people called the harbour Guanabara - 'arm of the sea.' Thanks for playing. I hope you learnt something new.