Flaming waterfalls, exploding lakes and endless lightning – these are but a few of the bizarre spectacles mother nature has created. All around the globe there are beautifully strange and mysterious wonders of nature that have to be seen to be believed. Just like a scene from a science-fiction film these bizarre yet strikingly beautiful destinations will have you slack jawed and reaching for your camera.
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5. Bloody Gateway to Another World
When we think about Antarctica, we usually picture ice, snow, and blinding white vistas, so a blood red waterfall is hardly something that comes to mind. For years scientists have tried to explain the phenomena called ‘Blood Falls’, a stream of rust coloured water spewing from the frozen ground. Many conspiracy theorists have speculated that Blood Falls is the opening to another world but in actual fact the water is tainted with iron-oxide which gives it a disconcerting rusty hue. Just how big the sub-glacial deposit of red seawater is is currently unknown.
4. Electric Light Show
Known as the Catatumbo Lightning, this electric light show occurs at the mouth of the Catatumber River and Lake Maracaibo. Locals and tourists alike are treated to a wild storm of lightning 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours a day and up to 280 flashes per hour!
It is likely that this phenomena occurs when winds sweep across the lake collecting heat and moisture before whipping up the side of three mountainous ridges which causes massive electrical charges.
These intense flashes of lightning are thought to be the world’s largest single generator of tropospheric ozone.
3. The Bloody Lake
Antarctica has the Blood Waterfall but in Africa there is a destination known as the Bloody Lake.
Natron Lake, located in Tanzania is what’s known as a soda lake. This means its waters are strongly alkaline with a pH level greater than 12.
High levels of evaporation have left behind a caustic mix of minerals in the lake that salt-loving microorganisms love to feast on. As they devour the salty crust the bacteria photosynthesise and turn red in colour. This gives the entire lake a deep, blood red appearance.
2. Eternal Flame Falls
Burning fire under a torrential waterfall? Yes, that’s right. This amazing natural attraction, located in Shale Creek Preserve in New York State’s, Chestnut Ridge National Park, is what’s known as a natural gas seep. This is when a deposit of natural gas deep under the earth leaks up to the surface. Geologists studying Eternal Flame Falls have discovered that this natural gas seep has higher concentrations of ethane and propane, some 35% more than other known gas seeps in the world.
Burning year round, this bizarre natural wonder has seen a recent spike in tourism as local government looks to preserve this unusual phenomena.
1. Bubble Lake
The frozen, white bubbles that dot Abraham Lake’s surface attract tourists from all over the world. However, curious travelers should be aware – this lake is bubbly for a reason.
Located in western Alberta, Canada this artificial lake was created in 1972 with the construction of Bighorn, Dam.
The ‘frozen bubbles’ under the ice are created by plants deep down on the lake bed that produce methane gas. As the gas rises to the colder waters near the surface they are snap frozen forming fascinating looking bubbles. This natural wonder has become increasingly popular with photographers.
It’s probably wise, however, not to light a cigarette anywhere near this lake!
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So there’s our top 5 list of bizarre natural wonders. Did this listicle get you excited to travel the world? Let us know on our Twitter and Facebook.
