Digging to China? StarTalk Reveals Where You'd Actually End Up

Jaxon Wildwood

Updated Monday, July 1, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In a fascinating TikTok video by StarTalk, a common childhood curiosity is debunked with scientific precision. The video delves into the age-old question many kids ponder: If you dug a hole from the United States, where would you emerge on the other side of the Earth?

Contrary to popular belief, digging a hole straight through the Earth from the United States would not land you in China. StarTalk explains the geometric reasons behind this. Since the Earth is a sphere, digging from the Northern Hemisphere means you must end up in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, starting from the Western Hemisphere requires ending up in the Eastern Hemisphere.

So, where exactly would you end up if you started digging from the United States? The surprising answer is the Indian Ocean. Imagine the chaos: instead of finding yourself in a bustling Chinese city, you'd emerge in the middle of a vast ocean, effectively flooding the United States in the process.

This engaging video by StarTalk not only corrects a common misconception but also highlights the importance of understanding Earth’s geometry. For a deeper dive into this intriguing topic, don't miss the full video by StarTalk.

Noticed an error or an aspect of this article that requires correction? Please provide the article link and reach out to us. We appreciate your feedback and will address the issue promptly.

View source: TikTok

Check out our latest stories