ByForty meters, equivalent to over 130 feet, is considered a large measurement by most standards. Very few manmade structures or living organisms reach or exceed lengths of this magnitude. However, there are some exceptions that manage to hit the 40-meter mark.
Looking at both natural and human-designed items that meet this size requirement reveals just how substantial a length of 40 meters truly is.
Table of Contents
Olympic Swimming Pools
The longest type of swimming pool used for Olympic competitions is referred to as a 50-meter pool. As the name implies, these pools are constructed to be 50 meters in length, making them more than 40 meters from end to end. Olympic-size pools allow swimmers enough room to safely complete races at sprint speeds.
In addition to length, 50-meter pools are generally about 25 meters wide. Their immense size contains over 2 million litres of water when filled to a depth of 2 meters. These pools can accommodate 8 to 10 swimming lanes for competitive events.
While not all pools are built to these specifications, most public recreation centres feature Olympic-size pools for lap swimming and swim meet competitions.
Blue Whales
The blue whale is not only the largest living animal, but also the largest creature to ever exist on Earth. An adult blue whale can reach lengths of up to 33 meters from head to tail and weigh over 150 tons. That’s longer than a basketball court!
These gentle marine giants live throughout the world’s oceans and primarily feed on tiny shrimp-like krill. Their enormous size helps blue whales consume up to 8,000 pounds of krill per day.
Researchers believe blue whales reach these tremendous proportions thanks to abundant food sources, lack of natural predators, and their efficient physiology. Although an endangered species, blue whale populations are slowly rebounding.
Oil Tanker Ships
Massive oil tanker ships are responsible for transporting crude oil across oceans. Many of these cargo vessels stretch longer than 40 meters.
The largest oil tankers extend well over 300 meters in length, equivalent to 3 football fields. They can carry over 300,000 metric tons of oil in their hulls – enough to fill 20 Olympic swimming pools!
While huge, these ships are designed for efficiency. Their size allows them to take advantage of economies of scale and minimize transportation costs per barrel of oil. Specialized equipment like propellers and rudders help the vessels navigate despite their bulk.
Oil tankers are often over 40 meters wide too, dwarfing all but the largest structures on land. These colossal ships are a testament to modern engineering capabilities.
Basketball Courts
The playing area of a regulation basketball court measures 28 meters from endline to endline. NBA basketball courts are slightly longer at 29 meters.
With a total length of over 40 feet, basketball courts provide sufficient room for fast breaks and fluid end-to-end play. But their size also requires athletic players who can sprint up and down the floor.
Basketball courts accommodate 10 players at once. Special flooring like hardwood absorbs impact to protect players who are constantly running and jumping. Other court elements like hoops, free-throw lines, and boundaries fit within the confines of the 40-meter rectangle.
You can find basketball courts in most school gyms and recreational areas thanks to their standardized size.
Small Cruise Ships
The cruise ship industry builds vessels ranging from small riverboats to mega ocean liners. On the smaller end, many cruise ships still exceed 40 meters in length.
Luxury cruise ships meant for river journeys are typically 40 to 50 meters long. Small ocean vessels fall in the 50 to 90-meter range. For comparison, most US Navy destroyer warships are about 150 meters long.
Despite their relatively modest size compared to bigger cruise ships, small vessels still accommodate 100-400 passengers. They offer amenities like pools, restaurants, and entertainment lounges.
The more intimate atmosphere on small cruise ships appeals to certain travellers. However, these vessels naturally cannot provide all the facilities found on larger cruise liners.
Semi-Trailer Trucks
Semi-trailer trucks are the primary workhorses for transporting freight overland. The tractor unit alone on many of these trucks is longer than 15 meters.
With a trailer attached, the entire rig can extend over 25 meters. Larger semi-trucks and specialized carriers like car hauliers can be 35 meters long or more.
Semi-trailer trucks need this size to securely haul 20+ tons of cargo. Safety features like extra axles and rear-view mirrors help drivers manoeuvre the vehicles. Strict regulations also govern aspects like weight limits and drivetrain power.
Despite their imposing footprint, semi trucks are essential for supplying consumer goods. Their 40-meter length is pushed to the limits of practicality on public roadways.
Conclusion
This sampling of items over 40 meters long demonstrates just how big this measurement is in tangible terms. Everyday sights like swimming pools and trucks take on a new sense of scale when compared to the biggest creatures and structures on the planet.
