Atlas: Uncovering Earth

Narrated by Campbell Scott, this scenery-rich Discovery Channel series looks at the interconnectedness of life and landscape in three locations—Africa's Great Rift Valley, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Mediterranean—taking a multidisciplinary approach that explores how biology and geology have affected human behavior and culture (and vice versa). In the volcanic Great Rift Valley—site of fossil remains of our earliest human-hominid ancestors—an evaporated ancient sea supports a local economy based on “white gold” (salt), while scorching-hot lakes amazingly provide sustenance to hardy flamingoes. In the Pacific, some four centuries of continuous observations of Golden Plover birds by Polynesian seafarers eventually led to the discovery and settlement of the island chain of Hawaii, where waves inspired surfing and the harsh terrain made the taro root a dietary staple. The Mediterranean Sea likely resulted from a natural dam at present-day Gibraltar giving way some five million years ago, creating a body of water that would spawn trading ports that helped to finance the Roman Empire. The time-lapse cinematography and CGI simulations of the passage of geological eras here reminds us that nature changes constantly: someday, all of these places will disappear or morph into other forms. DVD extras include two episodes of Solving History with Olly Steeds, in which reporter Steeds explores the mysteries of Atlantis and Devil's Island. Likely to appeal to armchair travelers and nature buffs, this is recommended. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)