Looking to discover how heavy 500 tons is?
Maybe you want to use the knowledge to help you comprehend the scale or magnitude of an object or event.
Or maybe you’re fascinated by measurements, or are curious about the weight of large objects weighing 500 tons.
No matter what context you need to comprehend the weight of 500 tons, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we will explore examples of things that weigh about 500 tons to provide you with valuable insights into the heaviness of 500 tons.
Let’s dive right into it!
Examples of Things That Weigh About 500 Tons
Five hundred tons is equivalent to 1,000,000 pounds or approximately 453,592 kilograms. Such massive weight often applies to large cranes, monumental sculptures and statues, and machineries, such as tunnel boring machines and giant drilling rigs.
However, such items are rare and so can’t be ideal references for 500 tons.
Instead, you can use the following familiar items to get a practical understanding of how heavy it is.
Read: 9 Common Things That Weigh About 1000 Tons
1. Two Statues of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, is a colossal neoclassical sculpture serving as a symbol of freedom and democracy in the United States.
The iconic structure remains a must-see for tourists coming to New York City. And if you have visited the landmark, it can be a solid reference for heavy weight measurements, including 500 tons.
The statue is precisely 225 tons, so 500 tons would be equivalent to the weight of approximately two.
2. About Two Blue Whales
Blue whales are majestic creatures that inhabit different regions, including the northeastern Pacific Ocean, particularly along the coasts of California (United States) and Baja California (Mexico).
According to National Geographic, they’re the largest animals on earth and can weigh upwards of 200 tons!
Therefore, 500 tons would be more than double the weight of two fully-grown blue whales.
If you are interested in watching blue whales in their natural habitat, check with local tour operators or marine wildlife organizations in the specific region you plan to visit for up-to-date information on the best times and locations for whale watching.
3. 71 Male African Elephants
African elephants are enormous animals that roam the savannas and grasslands of most African countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While blue whales are the undisputed kings of the animal kingdom, African elephants are crowned the largest land animals on earth, with males weighing approximately seven tons. And hence are perfect references for small-ton measurements such as seven tons.
But still, if you’re familiar with them, you can rely on them for heavy weights such as 500 tons, despite being just a fraction of that weight. Just visualize the weight of 71 males.
4. 25 Loaded Coaches
Coaches are daily sights on highways, towns, and especially urban areas, where they form the backbone of public transportation systems.
The weight of coaches depends on the model and manufacturer, but usually, the difference is minimal, with most weighing about 20 tons when at capacity.
So, comparatively, 500 tons would be equivalent to the combined weight of 25 loaded coaches.
5. 25 Small Garbage Trucks
Garbage trucks, also known as waste collection vehicles, are often seen collecting and transporting waste materials from residential, commercial, and industrial areas to disposal facilities.
Garbage trucks come in various types, including front, rear, and side loaders. Small side loaders, popular in residential areas, are the lightest, weighing approximately 20 tons.
Using these small garbage trucks as reference points, you would need about 25 to get approximately 500 tons.
6. Seven M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a powerful and heavily armored ground warfare battle tank that has been the backbone of the United States Army’s armored forces since its introduction in 1980.
It has been used in various conflicts and military operations around the world. Its combat record includes engagements in the Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War.
At about 55 tons, the M1 Abrams is one of the heaviest tanks in the service. About nine such tanks would have a combined weight of 500 tons.
7. About Two Average-sized Locomotives
Also known as railway engines or trains, locomotives are mighty vehicles designed to pull or push railroad cars along railway tracks. They’re commonly seen in various parts of the country, especially in areas with active rail transportation hauling passengers and goods over long distances.
Due to the rise of the automobile and the development of air travel, the construction of massive locos has dwindled. The most common nowadays are only average-sized, weighing approximately 220 tons, almost like the Statue of Liberty.
Therefore, 500 tons is slightly heavier than the weight of two average-sized locomotives.
Read: 8 Common Things That Weigh About 100 Tons (+Pics)
8. Five Cloud Gates
The Cloud Gate is a renowned public sculpture located in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. It’s also known as “The Bean” due to its distinctive shape that resembles a bean.
The sculpture is a must-visit landmark for art enthusiasts, tourists, and locals alike, as it is a wonder; as you interact and touch it, you create a myriad of distorted reflections and optical illusions.
It’s one of the largest permanent outdoor art installations worldwide, standing 66 feet long, 33 feet high, and weighing about 110 tons.
Therefore, 500 tons is approximately equivalent to the weight of five Cloud Gates.
To Wrap Up…
Five hundred tons is a heavy weight that can be difficult to comprehend without reference points.
By comparing it to familiar objects and animals, we can better grasp the magnitude of this weight measurement.
From the weight of two Statue of Liberty statues to the combined weight of blue whales, African elephants, loaded coaches, small garbage trucks, M1 Abrams tanks, average-sized locomotives, and Cloud Gate sculptures, we can visualize the immense scale of 500 tons.
