Power is a funny thing. Depending on who or what wields it, it can be anything from terrifying to awe-inspiring.
This list has some examples of those and more, displaying different shows of power from across the globe!
RELATED STORIES
“Strong tree still standing after a flood.”
This shows both the strength of the tree for still standing after this, and the strength of the current to move and bend metal this severely!
“The last complete Elephant War Armour in known existence.”
This is in The Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK. I always forget that there were war elephants, but every time I’m reminded I’m instantly terrified at what beasts they must have been.
“Mount Roraima, one of the most fascinating and oldest geographical formations in the world.”
Not only is it beautiful and magnificent, but did you know that Mount Roraima was also the inspiration for “Paradise Falls” in the movie Up ?
“This is an Aztec/Mayan weapon called a Macuahuitl.”
This precise one is a replica of course, but they were deadly weapons back in their day. With the edges lined with sharp pieces of obsidian, this weapon was strong enough to decapitate humans and horses!
“5 million women in India create a 300-mile long human chain, stretching from the northern to southern tip of Kerala, to protest sexism and oppression.”
This protest happened in 2019, and was in response to the violence women faced when trying to enter Sabarimala temple. A rule had been passed the previous September saying the temple must allow women inside, as previously it was only open to men, and since that ruling, men would be aggressive and oppressive to any woman trying to enter.
“Testing a firefighter helmet, Germany 1900.”
I’m sure this has been the least comfortable firefighting uniform to date. I can see why this never caught on.
“The small dot is Mercury in front of the sun.”
Not only that, but Mercury is still 36 million miles away from the sun, so that’s even at a major perspective advantage for the planet!
“A record 4,855 people stood in the rain for hours to see if they are a stem cell match for this young boy that is battling a rare type of cancer, in hope to save his life.”
The boy is named Oscar Saxelby-Lee, and this event he inspired ended with over 6000 people registering for organ donation and finding 6 stem cell matches for both himself and other patients!
In a roller coaster of a story, his stem cell treatment didn’t work, but after being flown out to Singapore to receive cutting-edge treatment, he is officially back home and cancer free!!
“A spider disguised in a flower attacking a fly that is masquerading as a wasp.”
Even the smallest of creatures, bugs and the like, have their own brutal world. Not to mention that this close, spiders are even scarier.
“These trees permanently look this way because of strong winds!”
If you’re wondering, yes, they’re still alive, too! These trees are in New Zealand, and as this website explains it, “The airstreams loop the vast circumpolar Southern Ocean unobstructed for 2000 miles and then they smash into land. Here. They are so persistent and so violent that the trees are perpetually warped and twisted into these crooked, windswept shapes.”
“This is an harpy. It is considered as the largest eagle species in South America.”
Giant and strong and terrifying, yes, but he looks kinda goofy head-on. Cute even. He has little antennae.
“Zanjeer the dog saved thousands of lives during the Mumbai serial blasts in March of 1993.”
Zanjeer sniffed out explosives , and by the time he was done, he had detected more than 3,329 kilograms of the explosive RDX, 600 detonators, 249 hand grenades and 6,406 rounds of live ammunition. He passed away in 2000, and he was buried with full honors.
“This sinkhole opened in a Cornish backyard.”
If that looks like a harsh and scary drop, that’s because it is. The sinkhole goes 300 feet down into an 18th-century mineshaft from the Industrial Revolution.
“Bruce McCandless II who, in 1984, made the first ever untethered spacewalk using just his Manned Maneuvering Unit.”
He spoke about the journey in an interview, saying, “I was grossly over-trained. I was just anxious to get out there and fly. I felt very comfortable … It was a wonderful feeling, a mix of personal elation and professional pride: it had taken many years to get to that point.”
“Armor piercing shell from a 17-pdr gun embedded in a section of armor from a Tiger I tank.”
The thickness of the tank armor isn’t shocking, but the size of that bullet sure is. These must have wreaked some serious havoc.
“Girl posing in front of a tornado a mile away.”
The girl’s name is Audra, and her mother, Marilee Thomas, took the photo! It was taken in 1989 and she entered it into a Kodak contest, where it won second place!
“A moose who got hit by lightning.”
Well…maybe, anyway. No one actually knows what happened to this moose, with guesses ranging from lightning, to bear attacks, to a skin disease! Regardless of what caused it, this moose is metal as hell for pushing through it.
“An incredible macro shot of an ant by Russian photographer Andrey Pavlov.”
Strength is relative. What weighs nothing to us is a massive feat to lift for this little guy, so we ought to be impressed by him, too!
“Boyan Slatt, a Dutch inventor with a passion for ocean cleanup.”
This photo shows off his latest invention called The Interceptor , a solar-powered ship of sorts that can clean up to 55 tons of garbage from the water every day!
“Danny Hodge, former boxer and pro wrestler, crushing an apple with his bare hand at 80 years old.”
He claims that his strength is due to having double tendons in his hands, but regardless of what causes it, it’s still amazing. I have the grip strength of a stuffed animal over here.
“A driver ant soldier shows off her impressive mandible strength.”
This was an image I never really wanted or needed to see. Please leave my skin where it is, ant.
Facing every adversity!
This is a photo of the uploader’s uncle, who has an incredible story that the user explained in the caption: “This is my uncle, Michael W. Moyles. He is a 5-time brain cancer survivor, marathon runner, was the head of Cheyenne Mountain, and has most of his brain missing … His type of cancer has a survival rate of 9 months, he’s lived 20 years, longer than anyone in the world, ever.”
“Huge balancing boulder in Finland that has a very small footprint but lies so firmly that it cannot be rocked with human force.”
I get it, I trust it, I’m sure it’s not going anywhere, but you still could not pay me to get close to it.
“This power-washing treatment shows how dirty the city can get.”
If this was happening near me, I’d be pulling up a chair and watching aaall day. Power washing is my favorite genre of satisfying videos.
“This Stag Beetle’s incredible strength.”
Oh good, because what large bugs definitely need is a knife attachment.
“A lightning strike scar.”
Obviously none of us are strangers to the power of lightning, but seeing wicked scars like this is still a fun reminder of what we’re up against.
Like a speeding bullet, behold the Mantis Shrimp.
Do not let this guy’s size fool you, he’s got some wicked strength . Mantis shrimp can punch at the speed of 23 meters (75 feet) per second with the power of a .22 caliber bullet.
“The arctic 103 years ago compared to today.”
This photo presents a staggering display of the effects of global warming on our planet. I know it’s hard to think about what you on an individual level can do to prevent this, but…stop buying bottled water at least, please?
“The strength of Category 5 Hurricane winds.”
I already appreciated them, but now I have a deep respect for those news reporters who go stand outside in weather like this.
“Ballerina Kylie Shea showing off her foot strength.”
I don’t even think it’s possible for me to have my back that straight anymore with how much I slouch. I never should have quit my childhood dance classes.
