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My favourite 'What if?' from xkcd
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Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 26 2015, 12:08am

Post #1 of 35 (2106 views)
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My favourite 'What if?' from xkcd Can't Post

What if the Earth's oceans were drained from their lowest point? What would happen to the Earth's landscapes?

Be sure to hover over the images to read the hypertexts.

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 12:18am

Post #2 of 35 (2031 views)
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Fascinating! [In reply to] Can't Post

Its all the Netherlands in the end. Laugh Mayo on our fries, its inevitable.


It would be a weird change to currents - air and water - I suppose, as the oceans are so much smaller. I wonder how the exposed sea bottom would be for farming, once the ambient salt levels dropped with rainwater infusion?


And will Japan say, isthmus be my lucky day?








Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 26 2015, 12:45am

Post #3 of 35 (2027 views)
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Would the salinity drop, though? [In reply to] Can't Post

The closed system of evaporation/rainfall would keep the salinity at the same level, wouldn't it? (Once the draining had stopped.) Or does rainwater that drains from land carry some salinity with it, and so would have less area to disperse in when it hit the much-reduced seas?

I suspect the sea would be warmer though as there would be less of it to absorb heat from sunlight. I wonder if cloud cover would change with less of the planet's surface covered in water?

(I love how we all become part of the Netherlands.) Laugh

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


(This post was edited by Ataahua on Feb 26 2015, 12:46am)


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 12:58am

Post #4 of 35 (2022 views)
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I was thinking that the salt levels of the newly exposed soil [In reply to] Can't Post

itself would need to drop to be used for agriculture - should have been clearer about that idea. The seas, I guess, would stay approximately the same. But that may depend on rainfall patterns I guess. We could have more 'dead seas' form, I suppose, if inland seas are left in place with little rain?


I too wonder with less depth if that means higher temps and more evaporation - so more overall rainfall and cloud cover? Sheesh, then things might warm from cloud insulation...Crazy OK, where's the Tylenol???? What an intricate number of changes.


We need Daniel. Laugh








(This post was edited by Brethil on Feb 26 2015, 1:01am)


zarabia
Tol Eressea


Feb 26 2015, 1:51am

Post #5 of 35 (2012 views)
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Let's send up the Penguin Signal :) [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To


We need Daniel. Laugh


You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round

~Do You Realize?, The Flaming Lips


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 2:05am

Post #6 of 35 (2012 views)
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I love it! Like this? [In reply to] Can't Post

 








(This post was edited by Brethil on Feb 26 2015, 2:06am)


zarabia
Tol Eressea


Feb 26 2015, 2:08am

Post #7 of 35 (2005 views)
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Haha! Awesome! :D// [In reply to] Can't Post

 

You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round

~Do You Realize?, The Flaming Lips


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 2:11am

Post #8 of 35 (2007 views)
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Would it be a Mold World? [In reply to] Can't Post

With higher water temps, more cloud cover so less sunlight, and lots of rain? Ugh!








Kim
Valinor


Feb 26 2015, 2:13am

Post #9 of 35 (2002 views)
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And Moss World [In reply to] Can't Post

hmmm, sounds suspiciously familiar...

#OneLastTime


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 3:41am

Post #10 of 35 (1995 views)
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Oddly enough, with us discussing this I watched a show [In reply to] Can't Post

about water, and one shocking change was the loss (still happening) of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan. The Earth Observatory discusses it here:

Shrinking Aral Sea

The lower water levels led to extreme salination, salt blowoff, soil loss from the death of the plant life, and toxic end levels of pesticides. Not encouraging. Crazy








sador
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 7:12am

Post #11 of 35 (1978 views)
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Thank you! [In reply to] Can't Post

It seems that you New Zealanders will have a good time of it, until being conquered by the Dutch.


DanielLB
Immortal


Feb 26 2015, 7:26am

Post #12 of 35 (1991 views)
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A whole new world / I have arrived! [In reply to] Can't Post



Immediate thought: the weather and the penguins are doomed!

Second thought: I have no idea how the earth system would react to this. The only thing I can be sure on is that (in the short-term) Antarctica South Netherlands would collapse, and the sea levels (for a time) would increase around the continent. Ice shelves act as a plug for the domed Antarctic continent. If you drop the sea level, you loose the plugs, and glaciers would suddenly pour out from the continent leading to massive ice loss. With less water in water cycle, the glaciers wouldn't be replenished, and you would probably lose the majority of the permanent ice. The seas around South Netherlands would be a lot less saline than elsewhere.

Third thought: South Netherland ice loss would be the least of our concerns. All the underwater vents and volcanoes would be exposed, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The deep ocean is also an important sink for carbon (dioxide). With that sink virtually non-existent, the levels would shoot through the roof in the atmosphere. We'd pretty much be set for a runaway greenhouse effect. Still, those who like sunbathing will enjoy the heat.

Fourth thought: War. All the angry gun-wielding Vikings sitting on settees would kill us all.


Kim
Valinor


Feb 26 2015, 7:58am

Post #13 of 35 (1982 views)
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If you click to the Next page [In reply to] Can't Post

You find out what happens to all the water when it lands on Mars. Short answer: New Netherlands. Laugh


Also, I just noticed the logo at the top - there's a dinosaur being held over the Sarlaac pit. Awesome. Except the real Sarlaac pit doesn't have tentacles coming out of it.

#OneLastTime


Lissuin
Valinor


Feb 26 2015, 8:38am

Post #14 of 35 (1972 views)
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Aaaah, DanielLB, honey, [In reply to] Can't Post

sounds like you might need a break from Off Topic topics. Evil


Quote
Fourth thought: War. All the angry gun-wielding Vikings sitting on settees would kill us all.


You need some fairy dust! Now, think happy thoughts.

http://static.tumblr.com/...xfd1r1tdj5o1_500.gif

Better?

Smile


Lissuin
Valinor


Feb 26 2015, 8:59am

Post #15 of 35 (1975 views)
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Husband is from The Netherlands. [In reply to] Can't Post

There'll be no living with him after this.Unimpressed


dormouse
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 10:14am

Post #16 of 35 (1964 views)
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psst.... liking this.... [In reply to] Can't Post

But then, I am half Dutch!!! Cool


Bombadil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 12:37pm

Post #17 of 35 (1950 views)
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Seems the DRAIN is in "The Marianas Trench" off.. [In reply to] Can't Post

Off Japan or is it?
... Near the Philippines...?

Too
Lazy to
Look THAT up..

Bom would like to walk to Europe?

www.charlie-art.biz
"What Your Mind can conceive... charlie can achieve"


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 3:26pm

Post #18 of 35 (1951 views)
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The Penguin Signal worked! [In reply to] Can't Post

Commissioner Gordon asked if you would bring Robin; I told him no, he will bring science.


I didn't even contemplate glacier loss, and what that would mean. Yikes. If all our water mediates the global temperatures and crust emissions (like a big radiator?) that could get ugly.


And all that connected land ... if the angry Vikings can just jump on bicycles, invasions will be rampant. I may just start wearing a horn helmet, to be on the safe side.








Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 3:58pm

Post #19 of 35 (1938 views)
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This cracked me up. // [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
Husband is from The Netherlands. There'll be no living with him after this.Unimpressed









DanielLB
Immortal


Feb 26 2015, 5:30pm

Post #20 of 35 (1928 views)
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Fairy dust! [In reply to] Can't Post

That sure will help my wingless Balrogs fly!Tongue


DanielLB
Immortal


Feb 26 2015, 5:42pm

Post #21 of 35 (1924 views)
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Dressing up as a Narwhal isn't going to help, Brethil! [In reply to] Can't Post


Quote
I may just start wearing a horn helmet, to be on the safe side.


You need to go all Terminator on those Vikings.


Dame Ioreth
Tol Eressea


Feb 26 2015, 5:52pm

Post #22 of 35 (1917 views)
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We had a small flock of very confused robins [In reply to] Can't Post

on our front lawn the day before this most recent snow hit. Poor things. They really didn't look happy with life. Usually they are gone for the winter. Can't say why this group decided to stay....

... oh... wrong robin... Blush

Vikings on bicycles? Surely they'd ride Harleys or something equally as loud and menacing (and don't call me Shirley )

.
Heed WBA when building blanket forts.
ITLs don't get enough FAS. :)

Where there's life there's hope, and need of vittles.
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings






Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 6:25pm

Post #23 of 35 (1915 views)
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Too late. I'm keeping the hat. [In reply to] Can't Post










Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 26 2015, 6:27pm

Post #24 of 35 (1910 views)
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I think they tend to lose their keys. // [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To

Vikings on bicycles? Surely they'd ride Harleys or something equally as loud and menacing (and don't call me Shirley )









Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 26 2015, 6:33pm

Post #25 of 35 (1910 views)
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Ha! :D / [In reply to] Can't Post

 

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories

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