May 6, 2014 at 1:35 pm

10 Tiny Versions of Very Large Things

by twistedsifter

 

In this post we explore tiny versions of things we typically think of as quite large. From natural formations like volcanoes and waves to miniature versions of some the largest species on the planet like: coast redwoods, elephants and leatherback sea turtles.

If you any suggestions for other ‘little big things‘ let us know in the comments!

 

1. Baby Volcano

baby volcano in japan 10 Tiny Versions of Very Large Things

Photograph by AP via Daily Mail

 

 

This tiny volcanic island was spotted about 970 km (600 miles) south of Tokyo in late November 2013. Originally about 182 meters (600 ft) in diameter, continuous eruptions have now expanded the island to nearly eight times its original size as it has merged with a nearby island. You can read more about the baby that is now a giant at Daily Mail and National Geographic.

 

 

2. Bonsai Version of the World’s Tallest Tree

bonsai-redwood-tree-

Photograph by Shelli @ speacock.net

 

Seen here is a Bonsai version of the tallest trees on Earth, Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Coast Redwoods are evergreens that can live 1200–1800 years or more, reaching up to 379 feet (115.5 m) in height (without the roots) and up to 26 feet (7.9 m) in diameter at breast height. [source]

 

 

3. Close-up of a Miniature Wave

close ups of tiny waves make them look like mini tsunamis by pierre carreau 2 10 Tiny Versions of Very Large Things

Photograph by PIERRE CARREAU | Represented by CLIC Gallery

 

In his ongoing AquaViva series, French photographer Pierre Carreau seeks to find the hidden beauty of waves. Using a high-speed camera, Carreau is able to capture frozen moments in time that reveal shapes and forms not visible to the naked eye (as they often occur in fractions of second).

A subset of his AquaViva series are what he describes as macrowaves, close-ups of miniature waves that crest and crash like their larger counterparts, but show details and transparency that are not as visible in larger waves.

 

 

4. The Little Castle on the Hill

Broadway_tower_folly worcestershire england

 

Broadway Tower is a folly (i.e., a building that serves no purpose) located on Broadway Hill, near the village of Broadway, in the English county of Worcestershire. The miniature castle stands 65 feet (20 metres) tall and was built for Lady Coventry in 1799.

The tower was built on a “beacon” hill, where beacons were lit on special occasions. Lady Coventry wondered if a beacon on this hill could be seen from her house in Worcester — approximately 22 miles (35 km) away — and sponsored the construction of the folly to find out. You’ll be glad to know that indeed, the beacon could be seen clearly. [source]

 

 

5. This Baby’s Going to be Big

Baby_asian_elephant_with_its_mother

 

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the largest living land animal in Asia. On average, the shoulder height of males rarely exceeds 2.7 m (9 ft) and that of the females, 2.4 m (8 ft). Average height of females is 2.24 m (7.3 ft), and average weight 2.72 t (3.00 short tons) rarely exceeding 4.16 t (4.59 short tons).

Large bulls weigh up to 5.4 t (6.0 short tons) and are 3.2 m (10 ft) at the shoulder. Length of body and head including trunk is 5.5–6.5 m (18–21 ft) with the tail being 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long. The largest bull elephant ever recorded weighed 8 tonnes (8.8 short tons), stood 3.35 m (11 ft) tall at the shoulders and was 8.06 m (26.4 ft) long from head to tail. [source]

 

 

6. Adorable Baby Watermelon

baby watermelon

 

 

7. Dust Devils
Nature’s Tiny Tornado

miniature tornado dust devil

Photograph by NASA

 

 

A dust devil is a strong, well-formed, and relatively long-lived whirlwind. They are comparable to tornadoes in that both are a weather phenomenon of a vertically oriented rotating column of air. [source]

Dust devils form when hot air near the surface rises quickly through a small pocket of cooler, low-pressure air above it. If conditions are just right, the air may begin to rotate. As the air rapidly rises, the column of hot air is stretched vertically, thereby moving mass closer to the axis of rotation, which causes intensification of the spinning effect by conservation of angular momentum. [source]

 

 

8. The Real-Life Hogwart’s Castle
Used in Harry Potter Films

real life hogwarts castle scale model 10 Tiny Versions of Very Large Things

 

In 2012, the Warner Brothers Studio in Leavesden opened their doors to the public, revealing things the films didn’t show with never-seen-before exhibits, sets, costumes, visual effects and props. Leavesden studios has been the home of the Harry Potter films for over a decade and every single film was shot here.

The tour’s most popular exhibit is the Hogwarts Castle model which offers a total 360-degree view of the incredible, hand sculpted 1:24 scale construction. It is the crown jewel of the Harry Potter Art Department and was originally built for the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone.

 

 

9. The Biggest Little Turtle

baby leatherback sea turtle 10 Tiny Versions of Very Large Things

 

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. [source]

Scarcely larger than any other sea turtle upon hatching, adults average 1 – 1.75 meters (3.3 – 5.7 ft) in carapace length, 1.83 – 2.2 m (6.0 – 7.2 ft) in total length and weigh 250 to 700 kg (550 to 1,540 lb). Leatherback’s front flippers can grow up to 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) in large specimens. The largest leatherback ever found was over 3 metres (9.8 ft) from head to tail, including a carapace length of over 2.2 metres (7.2 ft), and weighed 916 kilograms (2,019 lb). [source]

Leatherback turtles are one of the deepest diving marine animals. Individuals have been recorded diving to depths as great as 1,280 metres (4,200 ft). They are also the fastest-moving reptiles. The 1992 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records lists the leatherback turtle moving at 35.28 kilometres per hour (21.92 mph) in the water. [source]

 

 

10. Smallest Rain Cloud Ever

tiniest raincloud ever

Photograph by Inertbert on reddit

 

 

*Bonus*
Baby Yao Ming

baby yao ming as a kid great wall of china

Photograph via The Hoop Doctors

 

 

 

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