{"id":506,"date":"2018-07-09T15:38:35","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T15:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/?p=506"},"modified":"2021-11-29T19:45:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T19:45:39","slug":"25-surreal-natural-wonders-on-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/25-surreal-natural-wonders-on-earth\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Most Bizarre, Surreal Natural Wonders on Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are some truly bizarre, surreal and stunning natural wonders in this world we live in. Some of them we may be lucky enough to live nearby or travel to once or twice in our lifetime. Others, we may only ever get to enjoy through other people’s camera lenses.<\/p>\n

Here are 25 places on earth that are visually intriguing – what a wonderful world!<\/p>\n

25. Great Barrier Reef\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Australia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: newscientist.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia is the biggest coral reef in the world. There are just under 3,000 reefs covering an area of 344,000 square kilometres. It\u2019s not only spectacular to fly over and visit for snorkelling or scuba diving, it also visible from outer space. Aside from the coral life, you’ll find whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles, and crocodiles. The Reef is also home to mollusks, sea snakes, and over 1500 different species of tropical fish.<\/p>\n

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24. Giant\u2019s Causeway \u2013\u00a0Northern Ireland<\/h2>\n
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Image source: eventbrite.ie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Giant\u2019s Causeway, on the northern coast of Ireland, is the stuff of legends. The story goes that in ancient times an Irish giant built the causeway to cross the Irish Sea to reach enemies in Scotland. Similar formations are on the Isle of Staffa off Scotland’s coast. The scientific explanation is that 50-60 million years ago the 40,000 or so basalt columns formed as a result of volcanic activity.<\/p>\n

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23. Marble Caves \u2013 Patagonia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: thetimes.co.uk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The beautiful and serene Marble Caves are in a lake bordered by both Chile and Argentina. If you’re on the Chilean side, the shores of which are the closest to the caves, the name of the lake\u00a0is General Carrera. If you’re on the Argentinian side the lake’s name is Lake Buenos Aires. You can only get to these caves by water via boat, kayak or ferry. The iridescent colors of the marble mostly reflect the shades of blue and turquoise of the lake. But colors will vary depending on the level of light, the weather and the seasons.<\/p>\n


\n22. Cano Cristales \u2013 Colombia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: geologypage.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For about six months of the year, the colorful Cano Cristales near the center of Columbia is like a multicolored rainbow river of water. Known as the “river of five colors”, the shades of red, pink, yellow, green, blue and black come from the aquatic plants. The 100-kilometer long river is also known for its rapids and waterfalls. Along with the distinct circular holes or pits, which are caused by pebbles or rocks swirling and rotating in the water.<\/p>\n

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21. Namib Dunes \u2013 Namibia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: namibiatourism.com.na<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The stunning red sand dunes near Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert of Namibia in south-west Africa. They form in star shapes because the way the wind blows the sand from all directions. The sand itself is over five million years old with the red color coming from the iron oxide in the particles. Many of the dunes can be, and are, climbed by tourists. Do it early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day, it is well worth the experience as the sun rises, and the fun of the descent!
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20. Aurora Borealis and Australis\u00a0\u2013 North and South Hemispheres<\/h2>\n
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Image source: irishmirror.ie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The closer you get to the north or south poles, the more likely you may be lucky enough to see the beautiful ethereal glows of an aurora lit sky. The phenomenon is the aurora borealis or Northern Lights in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, it is the aurora australis or Southern Lights. How does it happen? Particles electrically charged by the sun enter the atmosphere. The result is a multi-colored magical night sky!<\/p>\n


\n19. The Dead Sea \u2013\u00a0Israel\/Jordan\/Palestine<\/h2>\n
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Image source: deadsea.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Dead Sea is the biggest landlocked salt lake in the world, and saltier than the ocean to boot. The name of the Dead Sea is because the salts and minerals cannot sustain marine life. Nonetheless, The Dead Sea has been a source of salts, minerals and a site of therapeutic bathing for centuries. The shores of the Dead Sea encompass Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, and it is about 50 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide.<\/p>\n

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18. Wave Rock \u2013\u00a0Australia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pixabay.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Australia is often associated with the sun and surf of its coastal areas. It’s also well known for a unique inland sandstone rock, Uluru. But … if you head a little inland from Perth in Western Australia, you’ll find Wave Rock. This is a 15-meter high and 110-meter long grey and red granite rock curved like a wave about to break. The solid formation is around 27 million years old.<\/p>\n


\n17. Jeita Grotto \u2013\u00a0Lebanon<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pinterest.co.uk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Jeita Grotto in Lebanon is actually a few interlinked limestone caves. It is also the longest in the Middle East. Between them, the caves cover a distance of about nine kilometers and reach heights of over 60 meters. You can explore parts of them on foot, or take a boat trip down into the serenity of the lower grotto.<\/p>\n


\n16. Waitomo Caves \u2013\u00a0New Zealand<\/h2>\n
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Image source: hamiltonwaikato.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Waitomo Caves, in the North Island of New Zealand, are remarkable for their resident glow worms that line the walls. A trip down into these caves leaves you feeling like you\u2019re looking at stars suspended and falling in a night sky. But no, you are actually deep underground! There are awesome scenes both above and below ground in this part of the world.<\/p>\n


\n15. Salar de Uyuni \u2013\u00a0Bolivia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pinterest.fr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once a South American lake, tens of thousands of years ago, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is now the world’s largest salt flat. It is also a source of minerals, salts, and lithium. Salar de Uyuni covers an area of around 10,500 square kilometers and is another stunning natural wonder that visible from outer-space. In the dry season, geometric salt patterns form. In the wet season, rainwater creates a mirror-like surface stretching as far as your eyes can see.<\/p>\n


\n14. Pamukkale \u2013\u00a0Turkey<\/h2>\n
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Image source: turkeyhomes.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The thermal terraces of Pamukkale in the south west of Turkey. These travertine, white limestone, and stalactites are pools filled with warm water which flows from hot springs. Pamukkale translates to “Cotton Castle”. The area is also known as Hierapolis – the location of an ancient Roman city and castle which once stood on the top of the terraces.<\/p>\n


\n13. Cave of Crystals \u2013 Mexico<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Mexico.mx<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These huge beams of selenite or gypsum crystals are around 500,000 years old. Located 300 meters below the earth’s surface they are underneath a working mine that extracts, copper, silver gold and zinc. Unfortunately, there is limited access to these crystals in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico due to the depth and heat.<\/p>\n


\n12. Chocolate Hills\u00a0\u2013\u00a0The Philippines<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Dailymail.co.uk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These surreal looking conical hills are in the Bohol province, or island, in the Philippines. They cover an area of 50 square kilometers, with estimates of between a total of 1200-1700 hills. During the wet season, they are covered in lush green grass. During the dry season the grass turns brown – hence the English name of the Chocolate Hills.<\/p>\n


\n11. Badab-e-Surt \u2013\u00a0Iran<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pinterest.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Badab-e Surt or Badab Soort is another travertine and limestone terraced formation. Located in the Mazandaran Province in the northern region of Iran, these are also fed by warm water from mineral hot springs. The colorful orange, red and yellow shades of these terraces are caused by the iron carbonate content.<\/p>\n

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10. Lake Hillier\u00a0\u2013 Western Australia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Image source: Pinterest.nz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Separated by a strip of sand and the shoreline of the blue Pacific Ocean is the bubblegum pink Lake Hillier. The pinkness of the water is thought to be caused by a reaction between the salt, minerals, and carotenoid producing algae in the water. The lake is on Middle Island, which is just off the south-west coast of Australia.<\/p>\n


\n9. Socotra Island \u2013\u00a0Yemen<\/h2>\n
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Pinterest.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lying next to the Arabian sea, the island of Socotra is a dramatic landscape. You will also find many unique types of vegetation you won’t find elsewhere. One of the island’s native trees is the dracaena cinnabara as pictured. This umbrella-shaped tree has red colored sap, hence the common name of the Dragon’s Blood Tree.<\/p>\n


\n8. Moon Landscape \u2013\u00a0Namibia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: namres.blogspot.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take a drive between Windhoek and Swakopmund in Namibia and you may well blink and think you’ve landed on the moon. The area is barren, and the air very cool. That is until an ostrich quite literally comes speeding out of nowhere in front of your vehicle. Yes, you are back down to earth! This is one out of this world kind of landscape that leaves you an appreciation that we live on a planet that is millions of years old.<\/p>\n


\n7. Victoria Falls \u2013\u00a0Zimbabwe and Zambia<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Victoria Falls, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia in Africa, may be well known, but they are not to be missed. The Zambia name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means the smoke that thunders. With the volume of water that drops into the gorges, it does indeed sound like thunder. If you’re brave, there is a pool you can swim in at the top on the Zambian side. Or, you can take a boat trip and glide past hippos and get relatively close to the edge.<\/p>\n


\n6. Aoraki Reserve\u00a0\u2013\u00a0New Zealand<\/h2>\n
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mackenzienz.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This may well be the ultimate in gazing at zillions of stars without the light pollution from major cities and towns. A visit to the Aoraki Reserve and “McKenzie Country” in New Zealand’s South Island is a must. This is a 4300 square kilometer area with crystal clear lakes, mountains, and possibly the odd hobbit or two.<\/p>\n


\n5. Perito Moreno Glacier \u2013\u00a0Argentina<\/h2>\n
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Image source: fanrto.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many glaciers around the world are shrinking and retreating. This one is not! The Perito Moreno Glacier in the south of Argentina is one that is advancing or growing each year. This mighty big chunk of ice has an average height of over 70 meters above the water, and a total ice depth of 170 meters. It covers an area of around 250 square meters.<\/p>\n


\n4. Structure de Richat \u2013\u00a0Mauritania<\/h2>\n
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Image source: Pixabay.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forty kilometers in diameter, The Richat Structure or Eye of the Sahara is in Mauritania, in north-west Africa. Scientific findings indicate the dome formation is a result of the hydrothermal activity in the area. Other theories on its formation have included the impact of an asteroid or another type of extraterrestrial life!<\/p>\n

3. Shilin Karst \u2013\u00a0 China<\/h2>\n
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imgur.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shilin Karst or the Stone Forest in China’s Yunnan Forest covers an area of around 350 square kilometers. You can walk in among these Pinnacle formations. Dating back over 270 million years, they form the illusion of a forest or labyrinth of trees made from stone.<\/p>\n

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2. Goblin Valley State Park \u2013\u00a0USA<\/h2>\n
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Image source: geologyin.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The goblin-like sandstone rocks in the State of Utah in the US, are technically known as hoodoos. Hoodoos are tall shapes formed when the natural elements wear and erode at the outer layers of rock. The area was once called Mushroom Valley, because of the rocks in the area that are mushroom shapes. It is now called the Goblin Valley State Park due to the numbers of hoodoo rocks with a goblin-like appearance.<\/p>\n

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1. Grand Canyon, Arizona \u2013\u00a0USA<\/h2>\n
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Image source: savingplaces.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can armchair travel all the photos in the world of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, in the United States. But, the true appreciation of its vastness really doesn\u2019t hit you until you see it right in front of your eyes. The Canyon is 446 km long, 1.8 km deep and 29 km wide and millions of years old. The Canyon has its own ecosystems within it. There are different forms of life and vegetation depending on their location and elevation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are some truly bizarre, surreal and stunning natural wonders in this world we live in. Some of them we may be lucky enough to live nearby or travel to once or twice in our lifetime. Others, we may only ever get to enjoy through other people’s camera lenses. Here are 25 places on earth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,18,19],"tags":[39,40,38,37],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":821,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506\/revisions\/821"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/triponmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}