Episode Information

Alaska covers more square miles than Texas, California and Colorado combined, and is home to some of Earth's most amazing natural features. Alaska hosts North America's highest peak; the biggest oil field on the continent; a volcano with the record for the 20th century's biggest eruption; a glacier so huge it would nearly cover the entire state of Rhode Island; and the most powerful earthquake ever to be recorded in North America. Built from volcanic and continental rock and seafloor pushed into place by seismic movement, Alaska's landscape is continually changing. Much of Alaska continues to grow: Mount McKinley has a rate of uplift of about 1mm per year. Building Extreme Alaska is a tour of a construction zone that features Alaska's natural engineering marvels. Alaska is a land of extreme natural architecture and forces: active volcanoes, frequent earthquakes, harsh weather and climate, and glaciers in never ending motion. Still under construction, Alaska keeps growing and grinding, melting and shaking.