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The Best Episodes of MegaStructures

Every episode of MegaStructures ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of MegaStructures!

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MegaStructures is a documentary television series appearing on the National Geographic Channel in the United States and the United Kingdom, Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, France 5 in France, and 7mate in Australia. Each episode

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 2 - Alcatraz
    8.0/10(14 votes)

    #1 - Alcatraz

    S2:E2

    In 1906, an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 rocked San Francisco. An earthquake of similar or greater proportions is expected to occur in San Francisco again, and soon. The episode takes a look at the efforts that are being made to retrofit and strengthen America’s most recognized bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, before the next big earthquake happens. It also gives a brief history about the construction of the suspension bridge, and the people who were involved in its construction.

    Director:Mike Slee
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. MegaStructures Season 3 Episode 7 - Impossible Bridges:China
    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #2 - Impossible Bridges:China

    S3:E7

    Lupu Bridge in Shanghai, Runyang Bridge in Jiangsu Province, and Sutong Bridge near Suzhou

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. MegaStructures Season 8 Episode 1 - Super Rigs
    8.0/10(37 votes)

    #3 - Super Rigs

    S8:E1

    As the World's insatiable need for oil and gas grows, companies are going deeper, into more hostile environments than ever before. Watch as we rip apart the largest oil rigs on the planet to reveal the secrets of these amazing technological achievements… and discover if they can survive Mother Nature's most violent forces.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. MegaStructures Season 8 Episode 4 - Korean Superlink (Deep Sea Highway)
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #4 - Korean Superlink (Deep Sea Highway)

    S8:E4

    South Korea never constructed a submerged tunnel, but now tackles the challenge of building one of the deepest immersed highways on Earth. Designed for the fickle conditions of the Pacific, the giant tunnel must be both earthquake and typhoon proof.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. MegaStructures Season 3 Episode 11 - Supertanker
    7.7/10(14 votes)

    #5 - Supertanker

    S3:E11

    No summary currently.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 1 - Super Carrier: USS Ronald Reagan
    7.6/10(18 votes)

    #6 - Super Carrier: USS Ronald Reagan

    S1:E1

    The USS Ronald Reagan is a 4.5 billion dollars Nimitz-class supercarrier. Powered by 2 nuclear reactors, the 1100ft. long vessel is equipped with all the necessary facilities to house 6000 personnel and over 80 aircraft. Viewers are given an exclusive look at how the crew of these ‘floating naval base’ is put through a series of test in order to obtain their flight deck certification. Take a glimpse at the various facilities on the ship that keep the 6000 strong crew fed, rested, and entertained.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Mike Kelly

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of MegaStructures

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  7. MegaStructures Season 5 Episode 1 - Beijing Water Cube
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #7 - Beijing Water Cube

    S5:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 7 - Itaipú Dam
    7.5/10(18 votes)

    #8 - Itaipú Dam

    S1:E7

    In the Paraná River of South America, lies the Itaipú Dam. Costing 20 billion dollars, the Itaipú Dam is the world's largest and most powerful hydroelectric power plant. It is a representation of the efforts and accomplishment of two countries, Brazil and Paraguay. The episode examines the efforts undertaken and the sacrifices made to construct the dam, including how the largest diversion channel was constructed to divert water from the world’s 7th largest river away from the main construction site.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 23 - Ultimate Oil Rigs
    7.5/10(13 votes)

    #9 - Ultimate Oil Rigs

    S2:E23

    The dwindling energy supplies have forced oil companies to set up their oil rigs in some of the harshest environments on the globe. Ultimate Oil Rigs introduces viewers to the Noble Piet, an oil rig built to withstand the fury of the natural elements of the North Sea. The episodes follows the roughnecks as they drill for natural gases deep under the ocean bed. As well as follow the crew of Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore in the designing and building of 23 rigs within 2 years.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 9 - Sea Launch
    7.4/10(10 votes)

    #10 - Sea Launch

    S2:E9

    Located near Lac De Gras, Canada’s Northwest Territories, lies Canada’s first diamond mine, the Ekati Diamond Mine. The episode examines 3 mega machines utilized in the extraction and transportation of diamonds deep in the frozen rock in the remote tundra: the D90 rotary blast drill, the DeMag 655 hydraulic shovel and the CAT 793C haul truck.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. MegaStructures Season 3 Episode 12 - Machines of War: Missiles
    7.4/10(12 votes)

    #11 - Machines of War: Missiles

    S3:E12

    Uncovering the secrets behind the engineering and designs of the supertankers in one of the largest shipyards in the world. And discovering the technology, power and science of these lords of the oceans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 21 - Berlin's Grand Central (Berlin Train Terminal)
    7.3/10(11 votes)

    #12 - Berlin's Grand Central (Berlin Train Terminal)

    S2:E21

    Berlin’s new train terminal is designed to be constructed almost entirely out of glass and is being rushed to completion before the World Cup 2006, when millions of soccer fans will be expected to visit Berlin. Megastructures documents the historical feat when two daring teams attempt a feat never before accomplished in construction history; the tipping of two bridges over the roof of the glass station. Already costing 4 billion dollars, almost 5 years in construction delays, over budget, and with the architect suing the developers for cutting corners, will the terminal be ready before the dateline?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. MegaStructures Season 3 Episode 3 - Impossible Bridges: Greece
    7.3/10(26 votes)

    #13 - Impossible Bridges: Greece

    S3:E3

    Megastructures chronicles the design and construction of Greece's Rion-Antirion Bridge. The bridges is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world and spans over the straits of Corinth.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 2 - Autobahn
    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #14 - Autobahn

    S1:E2

    What began as a racing track, and thanks to Adolf Hitler’s World War II propaganda efforts, the track grew into a sophisticated high-speed road system, linking to almost all the major cities in Germany. The Autobahn boasts of having super thick road beds, 4% or less grades, wide lanes, and build on layers of technology. The Autobahn allows vehicles to travel at speeds exceeding 160km/h for roughly 2/3 of its roads. The episode profiles the operations of the highway cops, and their reliance on technology in training, monitoring of roads and various methods of arrest. It also looks at the ADAC, an automobile club, which provides on the spot road assistance. Nicknamed ‘The Yellow Angels’, they also provide air medical rescue. The system of maintenance of the Autobahn is also examined. All this infrastructure makes this mega structure into one of the world’s most safest super highway.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 5 - Kansai International Airport
    7.2/10(21 votes)

    #15 - Kansai International Airport

    S1:E5

    Located 5 km off the coast of Osaka, Japan, is the Kansai International Airport. The airport is built entirely on a man-made island, 4 km long and 1 km wide. The only link between the island and Osaka is by the world’s longest 2-tiered bridge. Although the airport is built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, the artificial island itself is sinking faster than anticipated. The episode looks at the various measures that are taken to keep the airport ‘afloat’, and the various facilities and services available to keep the airport running.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 6 - Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    7.2/10(18 votes)

    #16 - Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

    S1:E6

    In 1955, two ferries sank along the Akashi Strait, Japan, killing 168 children. It led to a 30 year research on designing a bridge that would link the Awaji Island to Kobe; the bridge would also have to be able to withstand severe earthquakes and typhoons, a norm in that area. In 1988, Japan began construction of the world’s longest, highest and most expensive suspension bridge, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The episode presents a stage by stage look at the construction of the suspension bridge, and the obstacles faced in its construction, including the Kobe earthquake in 1995.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 11 - The World's Most Extreme Island (Impossible Islands)
    7.2/10(31 votes)

    #17 - The World's Most Extreme Island (Impossible Islands)

    S2:E11

    Megastructure looks at how one of Dubai's greatest engineering marvel came to be. Examining the Palm-Jumeira Island from it's design to it's method of construction, the documentary also lists the problems faced in it's construction. Like the effects from the September 11 fears to corrosions and weather.

    Director:Mike Slee
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 13 - Port of Rotterdam (Super Port)
    7.2/10(11 votes)

    #18 - Port of Rotterdam (Super Port)

    S2:E13

    Spanning 559 acres and host to over 250,000 permanent seats, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest seated sporting arena in the world. The Speedway opened its gates in 1909 during the horse-and-buggy era. Now, it is one of the most technologically advanced racetracks on the globe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 19 - Ultimate Roller Coaster
    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #19 - Ultimate Roller Coaster

    S2:E19

    The episode follows the construction process of the 25 million dollar Kingda Ka Roller Coaster being built by Six Flags. Constructed under secrecy, the 139m tall roller coaster will be the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the world when completed, breaking the Dragster’s record. The documentary includes brief comments from Project Engineer, Jeff Glinter, and Chief Corporate Engineer, Larry Chickola. And explains how the Kingda Ka utilises a hydraulic launch system to launch riders to a speed of 206km/h in 3 seconds.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 25 - Inside Grand Central
    7.2/10(16 votes)

    #20 - Inside Grand Central

    S2:E25

    Grand Central Terminal (GCT; also referred to as Grand Central Station or simply as Grand Central) is a commuter and intercity railroad terminal at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. The terminal serves commuters traveling on the Metro-North Railroad to Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties in New York, as well as to Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. The terminal also contains a connection to the New York City Subway at Grand Central–42nd Street. Grand Central Terminal has intricate designs both on its inside and outside, lending to its landmark designations, including as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The terminal is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, with 21.9 million visitors in 2013.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 26 - World's Tallest Bridge (Millau Bridge)
    7.1/10(19 votes)

    #21 - World's Tallest Bridge (Millau Bridge)

    S2:E26

    It is the world’s tallest bridge, at 343 m tall at its highest pillar, the Millau Viaduct in Southern France is almost a third taller than any other bridge in the world. A freeway in the sky, the bridge crosses the river Tarn in France and can save travelers almost an hour of travel between France and the Mediterranean. It also removes the traffic congestion once faced in the town of Millau. The episode documents the difficulties that the crew had to faced, and the challenging processes that were used in its construction. The documentary contains a few words from the mayor of Millau, Jacques Godfrain, the bridge architect, Norman Foster, and designer, Michel Virlogeux.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 14 - Mega Plane (Air Force Transport)
    7.0/10(10 votes)

    #22 - Mega Plane (Air Force Transport)

    S2:E14

    Megastructure looks at how one of Dubai's greatest engineering marvel came to be. Examining the Palm-Jumeira Island from it's design to it's method of construction, the documentary also lists the problems faced in it's construction. Like the effects from the September 11 fears to corrosions and weather.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 17 - USS Virginia
    7.0/10(21 votes)

    #23 - USS Virginia

    S2:E17

    It is the largest passenger plane ever built and it is a 12 billion dollar investment. The episode documents the history of the Airbus A380, from its design concept, its interior features, the precision manufacturing, the logistics, the final assembly and its final maiden flight.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. MegaStructures Season 3 Episode 8 - Garbage Mountain
    7.0/10(13 votes)

    #24 - Garbage Mountain

    S3:E8

    The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is the United States Department of the Navy's primary law enforcement agency. Let Megastructures give you a first hand tour!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. MegaStructures Season 5 Episode 4 - Shanghai Super Tower
    7.0/10(12 votes)

    #25 - Shanghai Super Tower

    S5:E4

    The design and construction of the Shanghai World Financial Centre which, at 101 floors high, will be China's tallest structure.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Alcatraz" is the best rated episode of "MegaStructures". It scored 8/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Mike Slee and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/16/2005. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Impossible Bridges:China".