15 Most UNUSUAL Places Where Buildings Exist
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00:00Hey everyone, there are some buildings that can be found in the most remote and difficult-to-reach regions of the earth.
00:06Join me for the top 15 most unusual places where buildings exist, starting with number 15, the Palacio de Sal in Bolivia.
00:14The Palacio de Sal, or the Palace of Salt, is an extraordinary hotel that's made entirely of salt.
00:20It's located on the edge of Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, which is the world's largest salt flat.
00:26It was built in 1998 by Juan Casera Valda, and to make it, the workers used a million blocks of salt,
00:32which were used for the walls, floors, ceilings, and even the furniture.
00:36These salt blocks were harvested from the salt flats themselves, ensuring that the hotel remains in keeping with its natural surroundings.
00:43The design of the hotel, too, kind of reflects the beauty of the salt flats, with its white,
00:48crystalline appearance blending in with the vast expanse of salt.
00:51The hotel has 30 rooms, each with a unique design, but all keeping to the theme of salt construction.
00:58The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, ensuring that guests don't have to compromise on comfort.
01:03The beds, for instance, are made of salt blocks and covered with plush mattresses and cozy blankets to provide warmth in the high-altitude,
01:10cold desert climate. But with so much salt available,
01:13it probably comes as no surprise that it's a feature even of the restaurant in the hotel,
01:18with dishes such as salted lamb on offer, and even the tables and chairs in the dining area are being constructed from salt blocks.
01:25In addition to providing unique accommodations, the Palacio de Sol makes the most of its location and offers a range of activities that allow guests
01:32to explore the stunning surroundings.
01:34Guided tours of the salt flats, trips to the nearby Incahuasi Island with its giant cacti, and
01:40visits to the Ojo de Perdiz hot springs are great ways to experience the beauty of the salt flats,
01:45while also being able to stay there in luxury, too. You know, which is nice.
01:50Number 14, the Manipas Border Fort in India.
01:54So there's a number of structures across the world that have been built at extreme altitudes,
01:59but the highest building that's permanently lived in is the Border Fort at Manipas,
02:04which is in the Indian state of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas. The Manipas itself,
02:09which is known as Manila, is one of the highest motorable roads in the world, at an elevation of over
02:1518,000 feet, or 5,600 meters, and both the fort and the road have strategic military importance because of its position along the
02:22Indian border with China. The fort at Manipas has an interesting history that's been at the center of political tensions in the region.
02:29This pass has long been a critical trade route between India and Tibet, and the fort, even though it's not as widely recognized as other
02:36Himalayan forts, has been vital to the stability of the pass.
02:40Constructed by the Indian army,
02:41it's a vital military outpost too, and from there, troops are able to monitor and defend the border area.
02:46The fort is part of a network of broader outposts that are essential for maintaining national security and sovereignty in those high-altitude
02:53regions. In a sign of how tough the conditions are up there, even the journey to the border fort is a tricky one.
03:00The approach to Manipas begins from the small village of Manna, often known as the last village of India due to its closeness to
03:06the border, and the road to the pass is treacherous, winding through steep mountains often covered with snow.
03:12This route is accessible for only a few months of the year,
03:15typically from May to October, due to the heavy snowfall that makes the pass almost impossible to reach from the Indian side during winter.
03:22Although in modern times, this is a place that's mostly thought of because of its military significance.
03:27The area around Manipas, though, and the fort also holds cultural and spiritual importance.
03:32The village is home to Beampul, a natural rock bridge
03:36that's said to have been built by the Pandava brothers during their journey to the heavens.
03:40And it's this, along with the stunning landscape, that's led to the region being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
03:47Number 13. The Church of St. George, Ethiopia.
03:51So, the Church of St. George, which is in Ethiopia, it's one of the most unusual religious sites in the world.
03:57It's been carved entirely from a single block of volcanic tuff in the shape of a cross, and shows the huge devotion of
04:04Ethiopian Christians. It is part of a larger complex of 11 raccoon churches in Lalibela, each of which has its own unique
04:11architectural style and historical significance.
04:14Lalibela, which is a small town in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, was established in the 12th century by King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty.
04:21He wanted it to become a New Jerusalem
04:23in response to the conquest of the Holy Land, which had made pilgrimages to Jerusalem increasingly difficult for the Ethiopian Christians.
04:31As a result, the churches of this place were meant to become a pilgrimage site within Ethiopia,
04:36allowing the faithful to undertake a sacred journey without leaving their homeland.
04:41The Church of St. George is the most famous of these churches, and it's considered a masterpiece of rock-cut architecture.
04:47It's carved in the form of a Greek cross, and it's around 40 feet or 12 meters high.
04:52Seemingly, in the middle of nowhere, the church is accessed through a series of narrow passages and tunnels, and inside
04:58it's got a simple, stunning design with a cross-shaped windows and intricate carvings.
05:02Now, legend has it that the king was inspired to build the Church of St. George after a vision of St. George himself,
05:08who was the patron saint of Ethiopia. According to the story, St.
05:12George appeared to the king and instructed him to construct a church in his honor.
05:15No one knows how he actually went about building the church, though,
05:19although it's believed that thousands of laborers under the direction of skilled craftsmen and architects were the ones who worked
05:25tirelessly to carve these churches out of this volcanic rock.
05:30Number 12. The Aquarius Reef Base in Florida, the United States.
05:35Despite our fascination with the oceans around the world, there are very few structures that humans use that permanently remain underwater.
05:42There are a few, though, and the largest and deepest of them all is the Aquarius Reef Base,
05:48which is in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
05:51It is the world's only operational underwater research laboratory, and it's operated by Florida International University.
05:58It provides scientists with a platform to live and work beneath the sea for extended periods of time to conduct research in marine biology,
06:07oceanography, and coral reef ecology.
06:09The Aquarius Reef Base is located approximately 5.4 miles, or about eight and a half kilometers, off the coast of Key Largo at a depth of
06:17about 62 feet, or 18.9 meters, below the surface.
06:20It's positioned near Conch Reef, which is a thriving coral reef that offers a diverse and rich environment for scientific study.
06:27The habitat itself is a cylindrical structure that's around 43 feet, or 13 meters, long,
06:329 feet, or 2.7 meters, in diameter, and it's equipped with living quarters, a kitchen, and
06:37workspaces, and allows researchers to conduct their studies while living underwater for up to 10 days at a time.
06:43The design allows aquanauts, the scientists who live and work at Aquarius, to dive directly from the base without undergoing any
06:50decompression stops, and they can spend up to nine hours per day conducting research on the reef.
06:55Since its deployment in 1986, Aquarius has played a critical role in numerous studies and environmental monitoring projects.
07:03Researchers have used it to study the health and resilience of coral reefs, the behavior of marine organisms, and the impacts of climate change
07:09and human activities on these systems.
07:12The data collected from these studies are invaluable for understanding and preserving the delicate balance of the ocean's ecosystems.
07:19And, by the way, the site is also used by NASA to simulate the conditions of space missions,
07:24training astronauts and testing equipment in an environment that mimics the isolation and challenges of space.
07:29This collaboration shows the versatility of the Aquarius reef base and makes it not just useful for marine science, but also for space exploration.
07:38Number 11. The Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
07:44The Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum is a bold building that was designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer,
07:52completed in 1996.
07:54It's known for its futuristic structure and its prominent role in Brazil's art scene.
07:58It sits in a precarious position on a cliffside overlooking Guanabara Bay.
08:04But this location is integral to it. From the museum, visitors are treated to some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro,
08:10including the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and the city skyline.
08:13The building itself looks kind of like a UFO or a large white flower floating above its reflecting pool,
08:19which is a form that was chosen by Niemeyer because of his love of harmonizing architecture with nature.
08:25The structure of the museum stands three stories high and has a diameter of 164 feet or 50 meters.
08:31To keep itself sturdy on the cliffside, its exterior is supported by a central cylinder and slender columns that give it a floating appearance.
08:39Visitors access the museum via a winding red ramp, which Niemeyer designed to create a sense of anticipation and spectacle.
08:46Probably the thing that stands out the most about the building's design is the reflecting pool at the base,
08:51which plays with reflections and makes the museum appear as if it's levitating.
08:56The interplay of light and shadow here, along with the surrounding landscape, creates an environment
09:00that's always changing through the time of day and the seasons.
09:03Since opening, the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum has become a cultural center of the city, and it now hosts a variety of temporary and
09:10permanent exhibitions. The museum aims to promote contemporary art and stimulate cultural exchange,
09:16making it one of the most important institutions in Brazil's art scene, despite being in such an unusual location.
09:24Number 10. The Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana.
09:28The Atchafalaya Basin in central Louisiana is by far the largest area of wetland and swamp in the United States,
09:34and it's where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico meet.
09:38Made up of around 70% forest and 30% marsh and open water,
09:43it is a huge floodplain, and not exactly the kind of place you would normally think of being ideal to build permanent structures.
09:50It is, though, home to a number of communities and thousands of people, most of whom live in swamp houses.
09:56Known by locals as camps, the structures are usually built on stilts or elevated platforms to protect against flooding,
10:03which is the biggest challenge in the basin.
10:05The stilts are normally made from cypress wood, which is specifically chosen for its durability and resistance to water.
10:11Constructed with practicality in mind, these homes feature simple yet sturdy designs.
10:16The exterior walls are made from wood with tin roofs to help shed the heavy rainfall.
10:21Many swamp houses have large screened-in porches that provide a comfortable space to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the insects at bay.
10:29These porches serve as crucial living spaces, offering a place to relax, socialize, and watch the surrounding wildlife.
10:35Life in the Atchafalaya Basin is closely tied to the rhythms of nature, and the swamp houses are no different.
10:41The residents, many of whom descended from Acadian settlers, have a deep cultural heritage.
10:46They engage in activities such as fishing, hunting, and trapping, which are how they get their food, and also integral part of their lifestyle and traditions.
10:53The swamp houses are often surrounded by towering cypress and tupelo trees draped in Spanish moss,
10:59creating a very serene environment.
11:02The waterways here are teeming with fish, crawfish, and other aquatic life, while the skies are filled with a variety of bird species,
11:08from egrets and herons to the occasional bald eagle.
11:12Despite these adaptations, though,
11:14it's the remote location of many swamp houses that can make access to services and supplies pretty difficult.
11:20With the added threat of hurricanes and flooding, these are some of the most prepared and resilient residents in the whole country.
11:28Number 9. The Green Magic Treehouse, India.
11:31The Green Magic Treehouse in Kerala in India
11:34is a great example of sustainable tourism that can be found in the Western Ghats, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
11:40that's known for its rich biodiversity.
11:43Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere,
11:45it's part of a larger eco-resort that aims to promote sustainable living and eco-tourism.
11:50The region's dense forests provide a perfect backdrop for the structure accommodation, which caters to travelers looking for an eco-friendly escape.
11:58The treehouses are cleverly built using locally sourced materials, and they're suspended high above the ground.
12:03They're built on sturdy trees without causing harm to the tree or its surroundings.
12:07You could quite easily walk past without even realizing they're there, and they provide a truly unique way of experiencing nature.
12:14Inside, the treehouse is furnished with handcrafted wooden furniture,
12:18coir mats, and simple decor that reflects the local culture. Large windows and balconies provides breathtaking views of the forest,
12:25allowing guests to feel completely immersed, and the gentle sway of the tree and sounds of the forest create a tranquil atmosphere
12:31that's perfect for relaxation.
12:33The resort prioritizes sustainability in every aspect of what it does, with solar panels that provide electricity,
12:40rainwater harvesting systems to ensure reliable water, and waste management practices including composting and recycling to minimize its impact.
12:48Organic farming happens here too on site, providing fresh locally grown produce for the resort's restaurant.
12:54Guests here can also partake in a range of activities that highlight the natural and cultural richness of this region.
13:00Guided nature walks and treks allow visitors to explore the western ghats, observe wildlife, and learn about the local plants and animals.
13:07Bird watching is especially popular here.
13:09There's the areas home to a wide range of species. For those interested in local culture,
13:13the resort offers opportunities to interact with the indigenous communities, learn about their traditional practices, and even participate in cultural performances.
13:23Number eight, the Carrot House in Warsaw, Poland.
13:26With the way that cities are often built, especially the ones that are old,
13:30there's often gaps between structures that are too small to be of any use.
13:34Increasing populations, however, have forced planners to look at every bit of free space as a site for potential development.
13:41And the most extreme and surprising example of this in the world can be seen in Warsaw.
13:46Known as the narrowest house in the world, the Carrot House was built in a gap between two larger buildings in the Wola district of the city,
13:54and is, amazingly, just 36 inches wide, or 92 centimeters at its narrowest point, and 60 inches, or 152 centimeters wide at its widest.
14:03It was designed by architect Jacob Szczesny of the architectural collective
14:07Centralim, who came up with the idea in 2009 when he saw an unused piece of land between a pre-war building and a modern
14:13apartment block. The project was named after Israeli writer-filmmaker Edgar Carrot, who was the first tenant and remains closely associated with the house.
14:22Construction began in 2012 and encountered a few unexpected challenges due to the confined space and unconventional design.
14:29It is, for example, elevated above ground on stilts to give it a stable foundation, with a steel frame structure covered by a semi-transparent polycarbonate shell.
14:37Inside is designed to maximize every inch of space. It's divided into two levels that are connected by a retractable ladder.
14:44The lower level contains a living area, a comfort kitchenette with essential appliances, and a bathroom with a shower and a toilet.
14:51The upper level has a bedroom with a single bed and a small workspace.
14:55Despite its tiny size, though, the house does have modern features, too, including heating, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi.
15:01Living in this house is said to be a bizarre experience with a focus on simplicity and minimalism.
15:06The limited space means you can't have many personal belongings or do many daily activities there,
15:11which forces you to think about material possessions and how you use every inch of space.
15:17Moving on to number seven, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora, Greece.
15:23The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is one of the most important historic monastic sites in the world.
15:29It's on the top of a towering sandstone pillar, and it's part of the Meteora Complex,
15:33which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was recognized for its incredible landscape and spiritual significance.
15:39The name Meteora translates to mean suspended in the air,
15:43and it's clear to see why that is, as these buildings seem to float above the Thessalian plains.
15:49This monastery was founded in the late 14th century by a monk named Domitius,
15:53and the only way to reach it at the top of the 1,300-foot or 400-meter-high rock formation
15:58is by climbing a series of ropes and ladders, which provided both seclusion and protection from invasions.
16:04Today, visitors can reach this monastery via a steep and winding footpath with 140 steps carved into the rock.
16:11The design of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity is both simple and functional,
16:15reflecting the lifestyle of the monks who lived there and how difficult it would have been to get materials to the site.
16:21The main church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was constructed in the 15th century.
16:25It features a cruciform design with a central dome, which was typical of Byzantine architecture,
16:30and the interior of the church features frescoes that depict various religious scenes, saints, and biblical events.
16:36One of the most important features of the monastery is its iconostasis,
16:39which is a screen that's decorated with icons and separates the sanctuary from the nave.
16:44This intricately carved wooden structure is one of the best examples of its kind and religious art that you'll ever see,
16:51and it shows the skills of the artists who created it.
16:54The monastery also has a small museum that shows religious artifacts,
16:57manuscripts, and other historical items to give you a better idea of the monastic life and heritage of this place.
17:04Number six, the Manta Resort in Tanzania.
17:08The Manta Resort, which is on the extreme remote Pemba Islands in Tanzania, is a luxurious retreat that's popular for its breathtaking surroundings.
17:18Found in the Zanzibar archipelago, Pemba Island is often called the Green Island due to its lush landscapes and pristine beaches,
17:25and the Manta Resort makes the most of this natural beauty.
17:28But it's the underwater room that everyone wants to stay in though,
17:32which allows guests to sleep surrounded by the marine life of the Indian Ocean.
17:36The room is anchored about 820 feet or 250 meters offshore, and it's part of a three-level floating structure.
17:43The underwater bedroom is 13 feet or 4 meters below the surface and features large windows on all sides,
17:49providing a panoramic view of life underwater.
17:52At night, underwater spotlights attract and illuminate the local sea life.
17:56The structure includes a comfortable landing deck at sea level with a lounge area and a bathroom facility and the rooftop deck
18:02that's perfect for sunbathing.
18:04The main resort on the island has other options too, from seafront villas to garden rooms, each designed to blend in with the environment.
18:11Something that supports local communities and makes sure that the resort has minimal ecological footprint.
18:17As you'd expect from somewhere that's in such a special place,
18:20activities here are designed to highlight the natural beauty and culture of Pemba Island.
18:25For those seeking adventure on land, the resort offers guided tours on the island's spice farms, lush forests, and villages.
18:31Kayaking, dhow sailing, and nature walks are also popular here, allowing guests to fully appreciate the diverse ecosystem.
18:39Number 5. The Glacier Hotel, Greywind, Italy.
18:43The Glacier Hotel, which is in the picture-perfect South Tyrol of Italy, holds the record for being the highest hotel in Europe.
18:50Set at an elevation of over 10,500 feet, or just over 3,200 meters above sea level,
18:56the hotel offers guests views of the surrounding Alps, creating an unforgettable experience that combines adventure, luxury, and natural beauty.
19:05The journey to the hotel itself is an unusual one, showing just how difficult this place is,
19:10requiring a cable car ride from the valley floor to the ridge, where the hotel is sat amidst snow-capped peaks.
19:17This elevated setting offers a sense of remoteness and tranquility, and it's far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
19:24From an architectural standpoint, the hotel is designed to blend in seamlessly with its environment.
19:29The use of natural materials like wood and stone enhances this inviting atmosphere.
19:34The interior design focuses more on comfort and relaxation, with large rooms, plush furnishings, and features that cater to the needs of the adventurous travelers.
19:42During the winter months, guests can step out of the hotel and onto the slopes of a glacier,
19:47which offers excellent skiing and snowboarding, with an extensive network that caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers.
19:54For those people who prefer a slower pace,
19:57you know, like me, the hotel offers guided snowshoeing and hiking tours, allowing for guests to explore the winter landscapes on foot.
20:04Those trips provide a closer look at the alpine forests and animals, as well as the chance to experience peacefulness and isolation.
20:11Beyond the outdoor activities, though, the hotel's wellness facility includes a sauna, steam bath, and relaxation area.
20:18The on-site restaurant serves a variety of delicious dishes that highlight the flavors of South Tyrol, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.
20:26The dining experience here is enhanced by the windows that allow diners to gaze out at the dramatic alpine scenery.
20:32The Glacier Hotel here holds a significant place in the history of the region.
20:36The valley is famous for being the discovery site of Utsi the Iceman, a well-preserved natural mummy dating back more than 5,300 years.
20:44Guests at the hotel can learn about this fascinating archaeological find and its implications for our understanding of prehistoric human life in the Alps.
20:53Number four, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland in China.
20:58The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland, which is also known as the Shimao Wonderland Intercontinental, is a great example of clever architecture.
21:06It's located in the Chongjiang District, which is about 30 miles or about 48 kilometers to the southwest of downtown Shanghai.
21:13This unique hotel has been built into the side of a repurposed abandoned quarry, and in the process,
21:18it's transformed industrial wastelands into a luxurious retreat.
21:23This deep quarry was once a source of raw materials for industrial use, and after these works was left with steep rock walls and a dramatic vertical drop,
21:31both were a challenge and an opportunity for the designers of the hotel.
21:35The decision to build the structure here was driven by a desire to create something that works with the natural landscape while showcasing human inventiveness.
21:44Construction began in 2006, and it took more than a decade to finish, with completion in 2018.
21:49The building process involved innovative techniques, such as the way that the stabilized quarry walls prevent landslides, and they ensure the building's foundation was secure.
21:59It also required significant logistics, with materials having to be transported to the site with precision, and workers faced challenging conditions, too.
22:07The construction team used newly developed techniques for this to be possible, such as modular construction for certain sections to streamline the building process.
22:15The hotel descends 290 feet or 88 meters into the quarry, making it the world's first underground hotel.
22:22It features 18 floors, 16 of which are below ground, and two of which are submerged underwater, creating a unique underwater suite experience.
22:31The architects incorporated various eco-friendly features here, such as geothermal and solar energy systems to minimize the hotel's environmental footprint, and the quarry's natural ecosystem was carefully preserved and enhanced, too.
22:43The hotel's design is futuristic, with a façade that features large glass windows that allow natural light to flood in, creating a sense of openness and connection with the surroundings.
22:53The underwater levels, though, are the highlight, with rooms that offer panoramic views of the aquatic life in the quarry's lake, enhanced by underwater lighting that creates a stunning display at night.
23:05Number 3. Jal Mahal Palace, India
23:09The Jal Mahal, or the Water Palace, is one of the most intriguing landmarks in Jaipur in India.
23:15It's set in the middle of the Mansagar Lake, it blends Mughal and Rajput styles, and attracts visitors with its location and scenery.
23:22It was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Madho Singh I, mainly as a hunting lodge and a summer retreat for the royal family.
23:29Over time, Jal Mahal has also been linked with various legends and historical events, which have added to its appeal.
23:36The palace is a five-story structure, but what makes it truly unique is that four of these floors remain submerged when the lake is full, giving the illusion of a floating palace.
23:45The design is a fine example of the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, with elegant shaktis, or domed pavilions, arched doorways, and delicate jharkas, which are the overhanging enclosed balconies.
23:58Access here is currently restricted, and visitors can only view the palace from the banks of the Mansagar Lake, or from boats that offer a closer view.
24:06However, the area around the lake has been developed into a scenic promenade, where tourists and locals can enjoy leisurely walks, bird-watching, and panoramic views.
24:14The lake and the palace have faced various environmental challenges over the centuries, including siltation and pollution.
24:21In recent years, significant restoration efforts have been undertaken to revive the lake and preserve the building, including the dredging of the lake, treating the water, and restoring the palace's structural integrity.
24:31One of the most popular reasons to visit here is to see the reflection of the palace in the calm waters of the lake, particularly during sunrise and sunset.
24:40The interplay of light and shadows, along with the surroundings, create a simply stunning sight that's further enhanced by the way the palace is also illuminated at night.
24:49Number 2. Coober Pedy, Australia
24:53Coober Pedy, a town that's located in the outback of South Australia, and it's become really famous in recent years because of the unusual homes that the residents live in.
25:02Known as dugouts, they're mostly underground and were developed in response to the region's extreme climate.
25:09This can all be traced back to the early 20th century, when opal was first discovered in the area in 1915.
25:15The harsh, desert-like conditions, with scorching temperatures of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius in the summer, meant that living above ground was unbearable.
25:25To escape the heat and freezing winter nights, the early settlers, many of whom were miners, took inspiration from the local indigenous people and began excavating homes into the hillsides and underground.
25:36The main material for these constructions is a type of sandstone or clay called bulldust, which is in plentiful supply in the region and provides excellent insulation, maintaining a consistent temperature inside the dugout, regardless of the weather.
25:49The excavation process then involves digging into the rock to create a series of rooms and passageways.
25:54Now, traditional mining tools such as picks, shovels, and jackhammers are used, although modern dugouts may use more advanced machines to speed up the process.
26:01Ventilation shafts are placed to ensure a steady flow of fresh air and to prevent the buildup of moisture, and this allows each designer to make something that's truly unique.
26:10Homeowners can create their own layouts and designs that suit their personal preferences and needs.
26:16The benefits of living in a dugout go beyond climate control. These underground homes are highly energy efficient, reducing the need for heating and cooling.
26:24They also provide a high level of protection from natural disasters such as bushfires and severe storms, making them a pretty safe and secure housing option.
26:32Since the income from mobile mining has fallen in recent times, Coober Pedy's underground homes have now become a significant tourist attraction, which has allowed the town to continue to survive.
26:42Visitors to the town can explore these unique homes through guided tours, with some of them still being lived in, with others having been converted into museums or accommodations for tourists.
26:53The Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota
26:58The Sanford Underground Research Facility, or SURF for short, is in Leeds, South Dakota, and it's become a world-renowned center for scientific research.
27:07It is a state-of-the-art facility that's dedicated to a wide range of experiments in physics, biology, and geology, and it uses its unique position, deep underground, to explore fundamental questions.
27:18Instead of digging deep into the ground just to build a lab, SURF was actually built inside the Homestake Gold Mine, which was once the largest and deepest gold mine in North America.
27:27It ended operations in 2002 after more than 125 years of continuous mining, and rather than closing it for good, scientists and policy makers saw it as a great potential, with a vast network of underground tunnels and caverns to turn it into a research facility.
27:42The concept was born, and in 2006, philanthropist T. Denny Sanford contributed $70 million to the project.
27:49The SURF facility uses the mine's deep shafts and expansive caverns to provide a unique environment for cutting-edge scientific experiments.
27:57The facility can reach depths of up to 4,800 feet, or over 1,400 meters, where the Earth's crust provides a natural shield against cosmic rays and other background radiation.
28:06This low-radiation environment is critical for experiments that require highly sensitive measurements.
28:11One of the flagship experiments here is the Large Underground Xenon Detector, which is designed to search for dark matter particles.
28:19Dark matter is believed to make up about 85% of the universe's mass, but it hasn't yet been directly detected.
28:25The LUX experiment uses a tank filled with liquid xenon to detect the rare interactions between dark matter particles and ordinary matter.
28:33As well as the dark matter research, it's home to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, in collaboration with hundreds of scientists worldwide.
28:40DUNE aims to study neutrinos, which are subatomic particles that are fundamental to our understanding of the universe.
28:47Since opening, SURF has already helped in a number of discoveries, from the most complicated ideas in physics to those in biology and even geology.
28:55The extreme conditions and unique environment here provide a natural lab for studying organisms that thrive in harsh conditions,
29:02and it has implications for understanding life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets.
29:08Thanks for watching everybody. I'll see you out there.
29:12Thank you to our channel members.