1. Spotted Lake, Canada
Spotted Lake is a saline lake located in British Columbia, Canada. It is famous for its colorful spots that appear on its surface during the summer, when most of the water evaporates. The spots are caused by the different minerals and salts that crystallize in the lake, creating a mosaic of colors ranging from green, yellow, blue, and red. The lake is considered sacred by the indigenous people of the area, who believe that it has healing powers.
2. The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway is a natural formation of about 40,000 basalt columns that jut out of the sea along the coast of Northern Ireland. The columns are hexagonal in shape and fit together like a puzzle. They were formed about 60 million years ago, when volcanic lava cooled and cracked. According to legend, the causeway was built by a giant named Finn MacCool, who wanted to cross the sea and fight another giant in Scotland.
3. Thor's Well, USA
Thor's Well is a natural sinkhole that looks like a giant drain that swallows the seawater. It is located on the coast of Oregon, USA, and is part of a larger rock formation called Cape Perpetua. The well is about 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide, and it is most spectacular during high tide, when the water gushes in and out of the hole with great force. The well is also known as the "gateway to hell" or the "drainpipe of the Pacific".
4. Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale, which means "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site that consists of white terraces of travertine, a type of limestone. The terraces are filled with hot springs that have been used for bathing and healing since ancient times. The water in the springs is rich in minerals, such as calcium and carbonate, that create the white deposits on the terraces. Pamukkale is also home to the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was a center of culture and religion in the Roman and Byzantine periods.
5. Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier is a pink lake located on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago in Western Australia. The lake is about 600 meters long and 250 meters wide, and is surrounded by a rim of sand and dense vegetation. The lake's pink color is due to the presence of a type of algae that produces a pigment called beta-carotene. The lake is safe to swim in, but it is only accessible by helicopter or boat.
6. Badab-e Surt, Iran
Badab-e Surt is a natural site that features two terraced hot springs with different colors and properties. The springs are located in the Mazandaran Province of Iran, and are the result of thousands of years of sedimentation and erosion. The first spring has very salty water that is used for therapeutic purposes, while the second spring has sour water that contains iron oxide and gives it a reddish hue. The springs are surrounded by mountains and offer a stunning view of the landscape.
7. The Tianzi Mountains, China
The Tianzi Mountains are a group of towering peaks that resemble pillars rising from the ground. They are located in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, China, and are part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountains have a height of about 1,200 meters and cover an area of 67 square kilometers. They are named after a local farmer who led a revolt against the Ming Dynasty and called himself Tianzi, meaning "son of heaven". The mountains are famous for their unique shapes, misty clouds, and rich biodiversity.
8. The Nazca Lines, Peru
The Nazca Lines are a series of geoglyphs that are etched on the surface of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. The geoglyphs depict various shapes and figures, such as animals, plants, humans, and geometric patterns. They range in size from a few meters to several kilometers, and can only be fully appreciated from the air. The lines were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD, but their purpose and meaning remain a mystery. Some theories suggest that they were used for astronomical, religious, or ceremonial purposes.
9. The Bermuda Triangle, North Atlantic Ocean
The Bermuda Triangle is a triangular area in the North Atlantic Ocean that is bounded by Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico. It is notorious for being the site of numerous disappearances and anomalies involving ships, planes, and people. Some of the most famous cases include the USS Cyclops, Flight 19, and the Mary Celeste. The causes of these incidents are unknown, and have been attributed to various factors, such as magnetic fields, human error, weather, or paranormal phenomena.
10. The Wave, USA
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation that features stunning curves and swirls of different colors. It is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in Arizona, USA. The Wave was formed by erosion and water runoff over millions of years, and has a smooth and undulating surface that resembles a wave. The Wave is a popular destination for hikers and photographers, but access is limited to 20 people per day, who have to obtain a permit through a lottery system.
11. Lake Retba, Senegal
Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose, is a salt lake that has a striking pink color. It is located in the Cap Vert peninsula of Senegal, near the Atlantic Ocean. The lake's color is due to the presence of a type of bacteria that produces a red pigment as a response to the high salinity of the water. The lake is also a source of salt for the local people, who harvest it using traditional methods. The lake is safe to swim in, and the salt helps to keep the body afloat.
12. The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
The Door to Hell, also known as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is a natural gas field that has been burning continuously since 1971. It is located in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, and has a diameter of about 70 meters and a depth of about 20 meters. The fire was started by Soviet engineers who were drilling for gas and encountered a cavern filled with natural gas. They decided to set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, but the fire never went out. The crater is now a tourist attraction and a hotspot for wildlife.
13. Richat Structure, Mauritania
The Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of the Sahara, is a circular geological feature that is visible from space. It is located in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania, and has a diameter of about 40 kilometers. The structure was formed by the erosion of a dome-shaped rock that was uplifted by volcanic activity. The structure has different layers of rock that create concentric rings of different colors and textures. The structure is a landmark for astronauts and a subject of scientific and artistic interest.
14. Eternal Flame Falls, USA
Eternal Flame Falls is a waterfall that features a natural gas seep that produces a small flame. It is located in the Shale Creek Preserve, a section of the Chestnut Ridge Park in New York, USA. The flame is located behind the waterfall, in a small grotto at the base of the shale cliff. The flame is fed by natural gas that escapes from cracks in the rock, and is ignited by visitors or by natural causes. The flame is not always visible, and can be extinguished by water or wind, but it can be easily relit.
15. The Nazca Lines, Peru
The Nazca Lines are a series of geoglyphs that are etched on the surface of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. The geoglyphs depict various shapes and figures, such as animals, plants, humans, and geometric patterns. They range in size from a few meters to several kilometers, and can only be fully appreciated from the air. The lines were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD, but their purpose and meaning remain a mystery. Some theories suggest that they were used for astronomical, religious, or ceremonial purposes⁸.
16. Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a remote island in the Pacific Ocean that belongs to Chile. It is famous for its monumental statues, called moai, that were carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries. The moai are scattered all over the island, and some of them are up to 10 meters tall and weigh over 80 tons. The purpose and meaning of the moai are still unknown, but they are believed to represent the ancestors or chiefs of the Rapa Nui people.
17. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometers in southwest Bolivia. It was formed by the evaporation of a prehistoric lake, and is now covered by a thick crust of salt that reflects the sky. The salt flat is also home to several islands, such as Incahuasi and Pescado, that are covered by giant cacti and other plants. The salt flat is a popular destination for tourists, who can enjoy the surreal scenery and take amazing photos.
18. Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra Island is an isolated island in the Indian Ocean that belongs to Yemen. It is considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, as it hosts over 800 species of plants and animals, many of which are endemic and unique to the island. Some of the most remarkable plants include the dragon's blood tree, which has a red sap and an umbrella-shaped crown, and the desert rose, which has a swollen trunk and pink flowers. The island is also rich in culture and history, as it has been inhabited by various civilizations since ancient times.
19. Fly Geyser, USA
Fly Geyser is a man-made geothermal geyser that spouts water up to 5 meters high. It is located in Nevada, USA, on the edge of the Black Rock Desert. The geyser was accidentally created in 1964, when a well was drilled for geothermal energy and was not properly capped. The water that flows from the geyser is rich in minerals, such as calcium carbonate and iron oxide, that create colorful deposits and terraces around the geyser. The geyser is also colonized by thermophilic algae, which add to the vibrant colors.
20. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole is a giant submarine sinkhole that is located off the coast of Belize. It is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hole is circular in shape and has a diameter of about 300 meters and a depth of about 125 meters. It was formed by the collapse of a limestone cave during the last ice age, when the sea level was lower. The hole is a popular spot for diving, as it offers a stunning view of the underwater stalactites, stalagmites, and marine life.
Conclusion
These are some of the strangest places on Earth that will amaze you with their beauty, mystery, and uniqueness. They are proof that our planet is full of wonders, both natural and man-made, that can inspire us and challenge our imagination. They are also reminders of the diversity and fragility of life, and the need to protect and preserve these places for future generations. If you are looking for some adventure and inspiration, you should definitely visit these places, or at least learn more about them. You will not regret it.