A termite mound takes one slow breath each day — ChillScroll

A tall fluted red termite mound glowing in a golden savanna at sunrise

A termite mound takes one slow breath each day

As the outer channels warm by day and cool at night, air inside the mound reverses direction. This daily flow carries stale air outward through the porous walls and brings fresh air through the nest.

The sun warms it, the night cools it, and the whole clay tower breathes.

Source · Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences ↗