The rafflesia flower is the world's largest bloom — up to 1 meter across and smelling of rotting flesh.

The deepest living tree roots ever recorded extended 68 meters — found in Echo Caves in South Africa.

Thunder is a sonic boom caused by superheated air expanding faster than sound.

Tahini, made from sesame seeds, contains more calcium per tablespoon than a glass of milk.

Microbursts are intense downdrafts from thunderstorms — they have caused numerous plane crashes during takeoff and landing.

The flying frog of Southeast Asia glides between trees using webbed feet as parachutes.

A microburst is a sudden downdraft from a thunderstorm — it can bring a plane down on approach.

Lightning can strike the same place more than once.

The Year Without a Summer in 1816 followed a massive volcanic eruption.