MegaStructures backdrop
Documentary

The Best Episodes of MegaStructures

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

Binge this in 5d 20h•Peaking at 8.0/10

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

Airs on
National Geographic
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons9

All123456789

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 2 - Alcatraz
    8.0/10(13 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    S3:E7

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. MegaStructures Season 8 Episode 1 - Super Rigs
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    S3:E11

    No summary currently.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of MegaStructures

    READ
  7. MegaStructures Season 1 Episode 7 - Itaipú Dam
    7.6/10(19 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. MegaStructures Season 4 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    7.6/10(12 votes)

    S4:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    S5:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. MegaStructures Season 2 Episode 23 - Ultimate Oil Rigs
    7.4/10(14 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. MegaStructures Season 4 Episode 2 - Dubai's Dream Palace (Worlds Tallest Hotel)
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    S4:E2

    Megastructures heads to the tiny desert kingdom of Dubai to explore the remarkable engineering behind the seven-star Burj Al-Arab Hotel. Five years in the making, this striking building stands like a gigantic white sail off the shore of Dubai. As this programme reveals, a refusal to compromise on the part of the hotel’s young designers ensured that the project pushed the boundaries of design. The Burj Al-Arab was envisaged by Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a means of diversifying the country’s economy away from oil into tourism. The Sheikh dreamt of a luxury hotel that would put Dubai on the world map, and surprised many by choosing a relatively inexperienced British firm to supply the design.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. MegaStructures Season 4 Episode 19 - Atom Smasher
    7.4/10(11 votes)

    S4:E19

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. MegaStructures Season 4 Episode 5 - Hawaii Superferry
    7.2/10(9 votes)

    S4:E5

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. MegaStructures Season 4 Episode 6 - South Pole Station
    7.2/10(9 votes)

    S4:E6

    Welcome to the South Pole, one of the most isolated places on the planet. For decades, the South Pole has been a haven for astronomy, climatology, and other science fields. Now, nearly 50 years after the first research station was built, a team of mega-builders is daring to construct a 21st century science research facility: the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Alcatraz" is the best rated episode of "MegaStructures". It scored 8/10 based on 13 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".