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Our planet is shaped by an endless cycle of destruction and renewal.
This spectacular five-part series, presented by Tony Robinson, investigates the history of natural disasters, from the planet's beginnings to the present, putting a new perspective on our existence – that we are the product of catastrophe. Using the latest CGI effects and featuring scientific experts, the series reveals how the evolution of life on Earth has been shaped by lethal catastrophes that have caused mass extinctions, almost to the point of wiping out life altogether.
The first programme is the story of Earth's difficult birth and how the formation of our moon set us on a unique course to being a planet ripe for life.
650 million years ago Earth froze, pushing life to the edge of extinction.
Scientists believe that evolution has been shaped by major catastrophes that have almost extinguished all life on earth. Using the latest CGI and featuring scientific experts, Tony Robinson investigates these theories. 250 million years ago, 95% of life was wiped off the face of the Earth in the biggest extinction event ever. But what was responsible?
65 million years ago, the planet was rocked by yet another massive event when, seemingly out of nowhere, the mighty dinosaurs were suddenly wiped off the face of Earth.
So far, humans have been lucky to not experience a catastrophe on a global scale. Though they are the most powerful species on this planet, it's easy to forget that the forces that wiped out many successful species in the past are still at work.
