Misc
Razor Thin: A New Perspective on Earth’s Atmosphere
Razor Thin: A New Perspective on Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth is the only known planet that sustains life. Its atmosphere provides us with oxygen, protects us from the Sun’s radiation, and creates the barometric pressure needed so water stays liquid on our planet.
But while Earth’s atmosphere stretches for about 10,000 km (6,200 miles) above the planet’s surface, only a thin layer is actually habitable.
This graphic, inspired by Andrew Winter, shows just how small Earth’s “habitable zone” is, using the state of Florida as a point of reference.
Earth’s Like an Onion: It Has Layers
Our planet’s atmosphere is made up of a unique cocktail of gases—roughly 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with trace amounts of water, argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
It’s separated into five different layers:
- Exosphere: The uppermost layer of our atmosphere that melds into outer space.
- Thermosphere: Begins at around 80 km (50 miles) above sea level and extends to approximately 600 km (372 miles), reaching temperatures as high as 2,000°C (3,600°F).
- Mesosphere: Around 30 km (19 miles) in range, meteors burn as they pass through this layer, creating “shooting stars.”
- Stratosphere: Home to the ozone layer, which is responsible for absorbing a majority of the sun’s radiation.
- Troposphere: The closest layer to ground. It stretches about 7–15 kilometers (5–10 miles) from the surface.
The troposphere makes up approximately 75-80% of the atmosphere’s mass, as it’s where most of the dust, ash, and water vapor are stored. But only a part of this layer is suitable for human life—in fact, the atmosphere’s habitable zone is so small, several mountain ranges extend beyond it.
Reaching Into Earth’s Atmosphere: Extremely High Altitudes
Elevations above 5,500 meters (18,000 ft) are considered extremely high altitude and require special equipment and/or acclimatization in order to survive. Even then, those who choose to venture to extreme heights run the risk of getting altitude sickness.
When it comes to the world’s tallest mountain ranges, the Himalayas are the highest. At their peak, Mount Everest, the Himalayas reach 8,848 m (29,000 ft) above sea level.
Mountain range | Highest mountain | Height | Countries |
---|---|---|---|
Himalayas | Mount Everest | 8,848 m | Nepal, China |
Karakoram | K2 | 8,611 m | Pakistan |
Hindu Kush | Tirich Mir | 7,708 m | Pakistan |
Kongur Shan | Kongur Tagh | 7,649 m | China |
Daxue Mountains | Mount Gongga | 7,556 m | China |
Pamir Mountains | Ismoil Somoni Peak | 7,495 m | Tajikistan |
Kakshaal Too | Jengish Chokusu | 7,439 m | China, Kyrgyzstan |
Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains | Gyala Peri | 7,294 m | China |
Andes | Aconcagua | 6,960 m | Argentina |
Kunlun Mountains | Chakragil | 6,760 m | China |
Cordillera de la Ramada | Mercedario | 6,720 m | Argentina |
Tian Shan | Xuelian Feng | 6,627 m | China |
Hindu Raj | Buni Zom | 6,542 m | Pakistan |
Cordillera Occidental | Chimborazo | 6,263 m | Ecuador |
Alaska Range | Denali | 6,191 m | USA |
Saint Elias Mountains | Mount Logan | 5,959 m | Canada |
Eastern Rift mountains | Mount Kilimanjaro | 5,895 m | Tanzania |
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta | Pico Cristóbal Colón | 5,700 m | Colombia |
Caucasus Mountains | Mount Elbrus | 5,642 m | Russia |
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt | Pico de Orizaba | 5,636 m | Mexico |
Alborz | Mount Damavand | 5,610 m | Iran |
Yun Range | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain | 5,596 m | China |
Bogda Shan | Bogda Peak | 5,445 m | China |
Cordillera Oriental | Ritacuba Blanco | 5,410 m | Colombia |
Armenian Highlands | Mount Ararat | 5,137 m | Turkey |
Rwenzori Mountains | Mount Stanley | 5,109 m | Congo, Uganda |
Despite the dangers of extreme altitude, hundreds of mountaineers attempt to climb Mount Everest each year. On Everest, the region above 8,000 m (26,000 feet) is referred to as the “death zone,” and climbers have to bring bottled oxygen on their trek in order to survive.
Life Beyond Earth
Earth is the only known planet with an atmosphere we can survive in. And even on Earth, certain areas are considered dead zones.
But there may be other life forms out in the galaxy that we haven’t discovered. Recent research in The Astrophysical Journal predicts there are at least 36 intelligent civilizations throughout the galaxy today.
So life may very well exist beyond Earth. It just might look a bit different than we’re used to.
Misc
Charted: Car Brand Loyalty in 2024
This ranking of car brand loyalty shows what percentage of owners would buy from the same brand for their next vehicle.
Car Brand Loyalty in 2024
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
This graphic visualizes the best and worst car brands in terms of brand loyalty. This is measured by the % of current owners who would buy from the same brand for their next vehicle.
Data comes from Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction survey, which includes responses from owners of more than 330,000 vehicles.
Car Brands With the Most Loyal Customers
Rivian takes the top spot in this ranking, with 86% of owners saying they would buy from the brand again. The EV startup has carved an interesting niche for itself with its outdoor adventure-focused models, and despite several recalls, appears to have won the hearts of its early customers.
Company | % who would buy again |
---|---|
🇺🇸 Rivian | 86 |
🇩🇪 Mini | 77 |
🇩🇪 BMW | 76 |
🇩🇪 Porsche | 76 |
🇺🇸 Tesla | 74 |
🇰🇷 Genesis | 73 |
🇯🇵 Lexus | 73 |
🇯🇵 Subaru | 70 |
It’s interesting to note that Tesla held the #1 spot in last year’s ranking.
Car Brands With the Least Loyal Customers
At the other end of the spectrum we have brands with the least loyal customers, suggesting that owners are less satisfied with their purchase.
Company | % who would buy again |
---|---|
🇺🇸 Cadillac | 61 |
🇺🇸 Chrysler | 60 |
🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz | 59 |
🇩🇪 Audi | 59 |
🇺🇸 Jeep | 58 |
🇯🇵 Nissan | 55 |
🇩🇪 Volkswagen | 51 |
🇯🇵 Infiniti | 43 |
At the bottom of this table is Nissan’s luxury marque, Infiniti, with only 43% of owners saying they would revisit the brand for their next car.
Infiniti dealerships are aware of this alarming trend, and have attributed it to the brand’s aging lineup. In a recent interview, Steve Lapin, Chairman of the Infiniti National Dealer Advisory Board, said: “Product is king. Infiniti doesn’t have the right products right now to compete in the marketplace.”
Interested in learning more about the automotive industry? Check out this graphic, which ranks the world’s top 10 exporters of automotive products.
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