Skyscraper
In the future, you might live in a moving skyscraper! The first one, called
the Dynamic Tower, will be built in Dubai. Each floor will rotate on its
own, making the building look different all the time—like a giant,
twisting Rubik’s Cube.
Unlike normal skyscrapers, this one will be built in a factory. The central
part will be put up first, and then the floors will be added from the top
down. This method makes construction faster, cheaper, and safer. The
lower floors will have offices and a hotel, while the higher floors will
have apartments. The top ten apartments will be huge, and owners will
be able to control their movement.
The tower will be eco-friendly, using wind turbines and solar panels to
generate electricity. It will produce enough energy for itself and other
nearby buildings.
Living there will be amazing! Imagine eating breakfast and changing your
view just by speaking. You could swim in an indoor pool next to your
bedroom and even park your car inside a lift that takes you to the
ground floor. The future of buildings is truly exciting!
Andes
On October 13, 1972, a plane flying from Uruguay to Chile crashed in the
Andes with 45 people on board. Only 16 survived, and their story is one
of the greatest tales of survival ever told.
The crash and freezing temperatures made survival difficult. The
passengers used seat covers as blankets and waited for rescue, but no
help came. After weeks of waiting, three men—Roberto Canessa, Nando
Parrado, and Antonio Vizintin—decided to climb the mountains to find
help. They wore layers of clothes, some from those who had died, and
carried a homemade sleeping bag.
Their journey was tough. After days of climbing, they reached what they
thought was the top, hoping to see a way down. Instead, they saw more
mountains. Still, Parrado spotted two lower peaks far away without
snow. To get there, they needed more food, so Vizintin returned to the
crash site while Parrado and Canessa continued.
As they walked, the landscape slowly changed. The snow disappeared,
and flowers appeared. Then they found a stream, saw farm animals, and
finally reached a town in Chile on December 21. A rescue team was sent
to save the 14 survivors still in the mountains.
Their ordeal was finally over. They had survived against all odds.
Cave
Darkness surrounds you. The air is damp, and you hear rushing water.
You switch on your headlamp and finally see your surroundings. To the
right, a tunnel disappears into the darkness. To the left, a waterfall
cascades over a cliff. You’re a caver, exploring one of Earth’s many caves,
eager to study its rock formations and unique creatures.
Meet a Caver
Let’s follow an expert caver who explores and photographs caves around
the world. He climbs mountains to reach hidden caves and dives deep to
find underwater ones. He has even photographed Mammoth Cave in the
USA—the longest cave system in the world, with 580 km of tunnels.
Underground Danger
Is caving dangerous? Yes, if you’re not prepared. Alvarez always explores
with a team, never alone. Safety is key, so cavers wear helmets, knee
pads, and gloves. They use headlamps and carry extra torches. Ropes are
also essential, and Alvarez enjoys using them to navigate caves.
Cave Decorations
Inside caves, rainwater dripping onto limestone creates amazing
formations. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, while stalagmites grow
from the ground. Some formations look like popcorn, and others
resemble nests of eggs.
Cave Creatures
Caves are home to strange creatures, many of which have no eyes. A
type of blind crayfish can live up to 175 years! Alvarez has seen eyeless
fish and spiders that rely on touch, smell, or hearing to navigate and
catch food.
Cave Threats
Caves need protection. Pollution from farms and businesses can damage
rock formations and harm animals. Human visitors can also be a threat.
That’s why responsible cavers follow this rule:
“Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but
time.”
