Nature can be astonishingly beautiful but it can also be incredibly dangerous. At any moment, natural disaster can strike, seemingly without warning. At least, that’s what most people think.

In truth, the trained eye can spot warning signs well before a rip current or a tornado actually strikes, meaning safety can be reached beforehand. It doesn’t take a natural scientist to spot most of these signs and a little attention to detail plus a good memory can help you get out of a risky situation before it’s too late.

Image by @spriilaht / Instagram

Read on to find out some of these warning signs so that you can enjoy the beauty of nature with the sure confidence that no danger is ahead.

Red Berries

If you have made it this far, you know by now that we advise against eating random things in the wild. Even the most appealing of fruits can actually be poisonous. Red holly berries, for example, can cause vomiting and cotoneaster berries can cause seizures.

Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

If you have made the mistake of eating berries and start to feel unwell, get to the hospital immediately. If you are going on a long camping trip, bring a guide book so you can distinguish between what is safe to eat and what will make you severely ill.

Green Skies

If the sky turns green, a thunderstorm is certainly approaching. When the sun sets, the light shines red and when a storm is approaching, a blue light emerges. The green shade means that the thundercloud is bigger and more dangerous than usual, with a possibility of tornados and hail.

Photo by Layne Lawson on Unsplash

Fortunately, if you see the skies turn green you can head to the safety of indoors. There is nothing else that this ominous green could mean so it’s best to not take any chances and get to safety as soon as you can.

Beware Bright Colors

Another thing to avoid in the wild is brightly colored animals. If you are on a survival trip and are attempting to live off natural resources, beware of warning colorations on animals, which have evolved to warn predators.

Monarch butterflies, for example, can make birds sick if they are eaten.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Coral snakes are bright red and yellow and warn predators of their venom. The coral snake has evolved to have red and yellow stripes but there have been no reported deaths from it since the 1960s.

Choppy Waters

It’s always best to avoid choppy waters, especially if you are not a confident swimmer. If the water is particularly choppy and you can see debris being dragged away from the shore or a gap in the line of the waves, it is best to avoid the waters altogether. The choppy water is a sign that a rip current lies beneath the surface and these are extremely powerful.

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash

Every year, over one hundred people are killed in the U.S. alone as a result of riptides, which present a great challenge to lifeguards. If you are unlucky enough to get caught in one, swim parallel to the shore to make a getaway then head at an angle to safety.

The Ocean Roar

Usually, the ocean waves make a beautifully calming sound that plenty of people like to sleep to. But on occasion, the ocean roars like a train.

If you hear this unusual sound, chances are that a tsunami is coming toward you. The ocean is dangerous enough without a tsunami rushing to the coast, so get away immediately.

Image by Roland Mey from Pixabay

While most tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes, a meteorite crashing into the ocean can launch a wave around the world. It is said that 3.5 billion years ago, a huge asteroid hit Earth, causing giant tsunamis to roam the oceans. Hopefully, we’ll be able to shoot down any asteroids trying to do the same today.

Snakelike Clouds

If you enjoy cloud watching, you might be the first to catch sight of an incoming tornado. When the clouds split into long shapes that resemble snakes, it’s definitely time to get to the safety of your basement.

Image by @pktornado / Instagram

These snakelike cloud formations are called “inflow bands” and are a sign that low-level air is being drawn in from the storm. They appear relatively low in the sky and usually stretch south. Professional storm spotters use these formations to learn that a tornado is forming, but any regular cloud watcher can spot these signs too.

Hair Standing On End

People often say that the chances of getting struck by a lightning are about as low as winning the lottery. Unfortunately, more people die from lightning each year than they do from unprovoked shark attacks. The good news is that the annual death rate has been declining since the 1940s but it is still important to keep an eye out for this sign.

Image by frantic00 / Depositphotos

If your hair stands on end and you feel your jewelry buzzing, lightning is very close and is about to strike. Get to shelter immediately or crouch low and make yourself a small target, touching as little of the ground as possible.

Square Waves

The idea of a square wave seems like a geometric absurdity. When two wave systems run into each other, however, a “cross sea” is created. As you can see in the picture below, the phenomenon is aptly named because of the patchwork pattern formed in the waves.

Although the cross sea makes for a good picture, it can be extremely dangerous for swimmers, surfers, and even passing ships. Beneath these waves is an insanely strong current which can pull you out to sea.

Image by Michel Griffon / Wikipedia

The Isle of Rhe in France is known for this phenomenon but it can also occur in other places, such as New Zealand.

Follow the Animals

If birds and mammals start running towards you, you should probably follow their lead. While amphibians burrow underground, other animals run as fast as they can if they sense a wildfire approaching. Wildfires are deadly and spread incredibly quickly, burning down anything and everything in their path.

Photo by Gene Devine on Unsplash

Smoke is obviously another pretty good indicator of a wildfire but generally speaking, if you see animals sprinting from something you cannot see, trust that something is not right and get out of there fast.

Glossy Pavements

Ironically, black ice is not black at all. It’s actually very clear ice that can hardly be seen, which makes the pavement exceptionally slippery and dangerous to step on. This type of ice occurs when it rains at especially cold temperatures, causing the water to turn to ice as it hits the sidewalk.

Image by Markus Sch. from Pixabay

It is crucial to check for this kind of ice before driving as sudden acceleration or breaking can cause a slippery accident. To check for black ice, look out for glossy spots on the sidewalk.

Croaking Frogs

Frogs tend to croak but if they are croaking even more than usual, it could be because it’s about to rain. They croak to call out to potential mates to let them know that they have to lay their eggs in water.

Image by cocoparisienne from Pixabay

The rain causes small ponds to fill up with water, making them an ideal place for their offspring. But this also lets picnickers know that they ought to vacate the park soon, or they will most definitely get wet.

Rushing Water

When it rains heavily, flash floods are a real risk. If you’re near a river and hear a roar of rushing water, that’s your cue to get up on high ground as quickly as possible.

Image by WDGPhoto / Depositphtos

In the U.S., flash floods are the second most deadly form of severe weather. They are very powerful and can uproot trees, roll boulders, and level buildings. Flooding is a risk that is not to be taken lightly and precautions should be taken if you suspect rushing water.

The Knowledge of Sharks

It may seem like an unlikely scenario but if you ever see a group of sharks swimming deeper in the ocean, it could mean that a tropical storm is on its way. The sharks sense a drop in the barometric pressure and try to escape the storm.

Photo by Laura College on Unsplash

Sharks have evolved to recognize the signs of a storm, so the ridiculous events taking place in the Sharknado movie will likely never occur. Sharks get to safety beforehand so they are not washed up in cities, where they would anyhow die before they could attack anyone.

Dead Fish

If you see whole load of fish washed up on the beach, the water may be toxic. “Red tides” happen all over the world, especially in the Gulf of Mexico where the algae species of Karenia brevis congregate in the water.

Image by engin akyurt from Pixabay

They can make the water a reddish color but often the water remains clear. The algae can cause an itchy throat and coughing. If this occurs, rinse off in fresh water and you should instantly feel better.

Your Dog Might Be Trying to Tell You Something

Dogs are man’s best friend for good reason. Not only are they extremely lovable, they also look out for us and help us in our time of need. They often know things we don’t and if they start sniffing or licking one part of your body in particular, it could be a sign of a cancerous growth.

Image by Humphrey Muleba from Pixabay

Scientists have speculated that dogs can smell organic compounds from cancer and can alert their owners so it can be caught early. Basically, listen to your dog!

White-Topped Mushrooms

If you see a mushroom in the forest, you probably know not to eat it without examining it very, very closely and following a guide. The most deadly mushrooms of all belong to the Amanita genus and include the sinister “death caps” and “destroying angels”.

Photo by Nancy Newton on Unsplash

The destroying angel is pure white and the death cap is yellow or brown with a white top and bottom. They can be tough to identify so generally it’s best to avoid all mushrooms near trees. It is actually best to avoid eating mushrooms altogether unless you are an expert, as an innocent mistake can be fatal.

Cracked Snow

Avalanches are a terrifying ordeal and it can be impossible to escape snow that moves at impressive speeds of 80 mph.

Luckily, nature gives fair warning signs right before an avalanche occurs. If the snow beneath you feels hollow and makes a different clunking sound, check for cracks in the ground. These cracks could be a sign that an avalanche is on its way.

Image by Observer / Depositphotos

This is all the more likely if the temperatures have changed drastically, as this is one of the main triggers of this natural disaster.

Rising Water

Heavy rains are usually harmless if you have an umbrella, but sometimes, they can lead to flooding. If the water levels in streams or rivers are seen to rise, it means a flood is probably on its way.

Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash

This is especially a cause for concern if you are driving, as even if the water is only a couple of feet deep, the flood could lift your car and put you in a whole lot of danger as well as damage your vehicle.

Pretty Colored Pools

The Yellowstone National Park is a must-see attraction for any living human. The beautiful, colorful hot springs attract visitors from all around the world. You are not allowed to swim in the pools anyway, but if a manmade warning sign won’t stop you, perhaps our warning will.

Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

The pools are heated to scorching temperatures of 200 degrees, double the temperature of a hot tub. The bacteria in the pool causes the pretty colors but while the bacteria thrives in the hot springs, humans will burn.

Water Level Drop

Right before a tsunami occurs, the ocean level recedes significantly.

A tsunami is usually the result of an earthquake underwater. The shift displaces the ocean above it causing the waves to move at a rate of 500 mph – the same speed as an airplane.

Image by Roman Grac from Pixabay

Tsunamis are most common on the coasts along the Pacific Ocean, but they are not unheard of in other parts of the world. If you ever see the water level suddenly drop, get to high ground as quickly as you can.

Animal Behavior

Animals tend to know before we do that an earthquake is coming. Since 373 BC, animals such as rodents, snakes, and even insects were documented fleeing their territories days before a deadly earthquake broke.

Image by Gerhard Gellinger from Pixabay

Not all of these stories have been backed up by science, but the animals seem to be sensing something that we cannot detect. It is said that a few seconds before the quake, animals sense waves that humans cannot detect. By this point, it’s usually going to be too late anyhow.

Lakes Near Volcanoes

Lakes located near volcanoes are extremely hot, as the magma beneath is constantly trying to escape. Luckily, the hot temperature means the lake never mixes with the carbon dioxide that is being pushed to the bottom of the lake, where pressure is high.

Image by TravelCoffeeBook from Pixabay

When there is heavy rainfall, however, a limnic eruption can occur. Water bursts out and the carbon dioxide erupts, causing an explosion. This kills almost everything for miles around and should be avoided at all costs. There are a few of these lakes in Africa and people have been trying to degas them to save the surrounding areas from destruction.

Wall Clouds

Wall clouds can be up to five miles long and sit lower than a thunderstorm. They are easy to spot and are a definite sign of danger. The clouds are formed by air quickly rising, causing the pressure to drop below the storm. If the cloud begins rotating, a tornado is likely to follow.

Image by @markokorosecnet / Instagram

If you see anything like this photo then get to safety as quickly as possible, because you’re more likely to end up in a whirlwind of destruction than the colorful land of Oz.

Green Smelly Water

While the turquoise waters of the Maldives look impossibly enticing, if the water elsewhere are green with an off smell, resist going in for a swim. The green color means that algae is thriving near the surface, which is never a good sign.

Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash

Fortunately, algae is not proven to be harmful but the toxins can make animals and humans sick. Algae blooms where there is too much fertilizer polluting the water and it is a gunky and smelly plant, which is the stark opposite of the sea in the Maldives.

Watch Out for the Tide

Exploring caves can be a great way to spend the afternoon. When the tide is low, it’s tempting to poke your head inside an intriguing cave, and perhaps snap some photos. The trouble is, when the tide comes in, you may risk being trapped.

Image by Alexander Fradellafra from Pixabay

It is important to always keep an eye for the tides before entering a cave. Still, during a full moon or a new moon, tides can come in more suddenly and fiercely than usual. If you become trapped and the cave floods, there will be no escape – so be vigilant.

Red Sky At Night, Sailor’s Delight

You may have heard the common expression: “red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.” The saying is a little dated but there is, in fact, some truth to it.

The red color in the sky appears when sunlight bounces off water vapor and dust particles in the air. Weather generally moves from the west to the east so the timing of the red sky can be handy when it comes to predicting the weather.

Photo by Sean Semone on Unsplash

At night, red skies usually mean there’s a high-pressure system which is a sign of good weather. The opposite is the case for morning and low-pressure meaning there is potential for an oncoming storm.

Gas Before Eruption

Visiting a volcano may be an exciting trip but it can also potentially be dangerous. Of course, volcanoes seldom erupt and it usually takes a scientist to read the signs that a small earthquake is about to occur beneath the lava mountain.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Volcanologists monitor signals via radar satellites and other detectors. Sometimes though, it is difficult to monitor the gas that is released prior to an eruption because there is already so much water vapor in the air. Generally though, they are looking out for a rise in gas levels.

Cloud Funnels

Another cloud formation to look out for is funnel clouds. These are made of water droplets condensed together in the shape of a funnel. Shortly after they form, they will start rotating and a tornado will break out.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Fortunately, funnel clouds are only a risk if they are made out of warm air. If the air funnels are cold, the chances of a tornado are extremely unlikely and there is no threat. Still, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

The Skunk’s Warning

While skunk spray is not lethal it is pretty unpleasant and a nightmare to get off. During Valentine’s Day, the mating season for skunks in Northern California, skunks seemingly appear out of nowhere. Luckily though, they have limited spray to warn you before they let loose.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

If a skunk raises its tail and gives it a shake, back away. If you miss the warning, the skunk will start stamping its feet and raise its behind towards you. This is your last chance to leave the skunk alone before getting sprayed with something foul.

Approaching Dust

In the Southwestern United States, an approaching cloud of dust is worrying news. Dust storms are a major cause of car accidents and spotting this early sign means you must get off the road as quickly as possible.

Image by @betbettbette / Instagram

Turn your lights off so other drivers do not head towards you, hit your breaks and pullover as soon as you possibly can. If you cannot get off the road, keep your lights on and drive very, very slowly, honking your horn to let other cars know you are nearby.

Angry Bulls

Amazingly, more people die each year from cows than they do from shark attacks. Bulls are dangerous creatures, especially if they are protecting their offspring. When a bull charges, it can be life threatening.

Luckily, there are signs to look out for that a bull is about to charge. If they show their side with an arched back or their head down, trouble may be on its way. They also start pawing the ground and snorting, shaking their head from side to side to give warning they are about to attack.

Photo by Matt Thornhill on Unsplash

Immediately before the attack, a bull will lower its head and point towards the target. Backing away slowly usually makes the bull lose interest. Alternatively, get behind a tree so there is something between the two of you.

Toppling Trees

A fallen tree can be a danger to both your life and your property. If you have trees near your home, there are few signs you can keep an eye out. Deep cracks in the bark, for example, are an indication that a tree may topple.

Image by renamarie / Depositphotos

Dead or falling branches and a leaning trunk also suggest there is something wrong with a tree. If you spot any of these signs, it could be a good idea to call in a tree surgeon as it may be at risk of falling over in strong winds.

The Honey Bee’s Revenge

Getting stung by a bee is a pain in the backside but getting stung by multiple bees is an all-round horrible experience. If a bee is close, do not thrash around and swat them. If you kill a honey bee, it releases pheromones, calling nearby bees to avenge it.

Image by Ronald Plett from Pixabay

If you get stung near a hive, you better get out of there quick because more of the stinging little critters are sure to be on their way, avenging their friend’s premature death.

Trees Curved Into a “J” Shape

When a landslide is about to occur, the ground moves very slowly which causes trees to bend into a curved “J” shape. If you ever see a patch of trees in the shape above, then it’s best to avoid going any further into the woods.

Image by vitalfoto / Depositphotos

Another sign of a landslide is cracks forming in the ground below your feet. These can be seen in the dirt or even the sidewalk. Landslides occur in sloped areas so make sure to find your way to flat grounds immediately.

We Can See Your Halo

It’s not a myth that you can tell the future by looking up at the sky. A halo around the moon or a glow around the sun is a sign that a storm is on its way. These rings form when very thin clouds form and reflect the light to create a ring.

Image by Patty Jansen from Pixabay

More often than not, these cirrus clouds come before a storm and are fair warning that rain is on the way. On the bright side, the rings formed can be quite beautiful to observe.

White Ice

“You’re on thin ice” is a nice way to warn someone they’re starting to get on your nerves. In real life though, thin ice is no laughing matter.

Image by Matthias Gabriel from Pixabay

Before stepping onto a frozen lake, you must check it is safe first. One way to check is by examining the color of the ice. If it is clear and blue, it is going to be thicker than if it is white or gray. Falling through thin ice is a dangerous and extremely unpleasant experience – so make sure to check first!

The Rattlesnake’s Warning

If you hear a rattle in the grass, alarm bells should automatically start ringing in your head. A rattlesnake’s rattle is made of keratin segments which vibrate and create that ominous buzzing sound.

A new segment is added to their rattle each time their skin is shed and the sound warns potential predators that the venomous snake is nearby.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

If a rattlesnake bites you, the venom can be very dangerous. It’s usually fatal only for small mammals but if the bite is not treated within 48 hours, human deaths can occur.

The Truth About Quicksand

Quicksand strikes with no warning. But despite Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, you cannot actually drown in quicksand and shouldn’t try and grab for a rope to pull yourself out.

Image by @northwoodess / Instagram

The best thing to do is just stay calm. You will only sink halfway down as a result of the quicksand being denser than your body. Danger occurs when the tide comes in. All you have to do is wiggle your leg around and get horizontal. You’ll float back up without much trouble.

Bear Trails

When you are hiking through Canada, you should really keep an eye out for signs of approaching bears. A footprint in the mud with five toes and claws is a dead giveaway and scratch marks on nearby trees also mean danger. Other signs of bears include tuff of fur dotted around.

Photo by Dušan Smetana on Unsplash

But if you do happen to see a bear, don’t run away. Avoid eye contact, talk in low tones and slowly wave your arms, making yourself look as big as you possibly can. Then move slowly sideways and the bear will hopefully back off.

Spying On Canaries

Once upon a time, coal miners used canaries to test for poisonous gasses underground. Nowadays, scientists are looking to “ecosystem canaries” to investigate the general health of the ecosystem.

Image by Chris Allen from Pixabay

Canaries reproduce slowly and have a hard time competing with other birds for resources. They may not be a crucial part of the ecosystem but they can be used to monitor ecosystems before the damage is severe. If they start dying out, it is a bad sign for the rest of us.

Shifting Ranges

A species range is the area where a particular species can be found during its lifetime. Climate change can alter these rangers as variations in temperature, rainfall, and humidity can cause the animals and plants to move or die out.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Grizzly bears, for instance, have been seen moving north and have even been located in polar bear territory. Moose and snowshoe hares have also been doing the same, searching for a bush that grows taller in warm temperatures. Worryingly, scientists estimate that half of all living species are shifting their range.

Watch for the Golden-Winged Warblers

A rather peculiar sign that a tornado is on its way is if all the golden-winged warblers suddenly flee the area. In April 2014, a group of researchers were tracking the birds in Tennessee when they abruptly disappeared. The birds had fled to Florida only to return a few days later, after 900 miles of flight. The researches suspected that the birds could hear infrasound from the storms that humans could not hear because they were too low in frequency.

Image by William H. Majoros / Wikipedia

Divers Reach the Bottom of ‘The Great Blue Hole’ For The First Time and Discover a Dark Secret

By -2020-09-18

From above, the Blue Hole of Belize is breathtaking. It’s a huge, almost perfectly round formation in the middle of the reef. Its deep azure color contrasts with the surrounding turquoise Caribbean waters.

But its deep color hides a deep secret. The hole plunges down almost 420 feet below the surface and has remained unexplored and untouched at those depths… until now.

A team of explorers have set out to discover what lurks at the bottom of the tantalizing ocean formation.

Images by agiampiccolo / Depositphotos, via Wikipedia

But what they would discover when they finally reach the ocean floor would leave them surprised, horrified… and deeply troubled.

The Cousteau Family

Diving into the depts of the ocean is not a task for any diver. It’s very risky, meaning that only someone with certain experience is suitable for the task, and no one has more experience than the Cousteau family.

The Cousteau family has a long history with the sea.

Fabien Cousteau’s grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, was a diving pioneer and helped design the SCUBA gear still used by divers today. Fabien, on his part, has dedicated his life to exploring the deep ocean. He’s searched for and discovered ancient shipwrecks, documented sharks and plunged into the dark, murky waters of the deep sea on countless occasions.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But his dive in Belize’s Blue Hole left him utterly speechless…

The Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef, just east of Belize’s coast, is a big part of the ecosystem known at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Starting in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in the north and ending south of Honduras, it is the second largest reef network in the world, following Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef.

Image by @Axelspace Corporation / Wikimedia Commons

The Blue Hole is situated in the reef’s center, a dark spot, beckoning explorers to it with its mystifying, unexplored depths.

Under the Water

The Blue Hole is located in the easternmost part of the Belize Barrier Reef, in a smaller formation known as Lighthouse Reef.

An irresistible draw for SCUBA divers, the Blue Hole is truly a marvel of the natural world.

With a radius large enough to comfortably fit two Boeing 747 planes side by side in its gaping maw, the Hole is enormous – but still makes for some pretty tricky diving, requiring divers to have at least 24 previous dives under their belt before attempting to explore its depths.

Image by tamifreed / Depositphotos

But while the parts closer to the surface are quite a popular diving destination, its depths have remained unexplored, and may yet hold unimaginable secrets.

Legacy

Fabien Cousteau had more than just a professional interest in this mission.

His grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, had visited the Blue Hole back in 1971 – and declared it one of the top five diving spots on the planet.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But back in the ’70s, the diving equipment available to the world-famous ocean explorer wasn’t nearly as sophisticated at the equipment available to his grandson – and while the older Cousteau only got a peek at the hidden depths of the Hole, it seemed his grandson would be in a position to expand on his work.

Virgin Oceanic

Fabien Cousteau wasn’t the only big name in ocean exploration to join the Blue Hole expedition.

Joining him was none other than the legendary billionaire, conservationist and adventurer, Sir Richard Branson.

Branson, through his ownership of the Virgin Group, is also an owner of the company Virgin Oceanic, which owns a fleet of submersible vehicles. Passionate about ocean exploration and conservation, Branson was keen on joining Cousteau in the Caribbean.

Descending to the bottom of the Hole, along with the two explorers, was oceanographer Erika Bergman, who would also pilot their submarine, Aquatica.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But while they were all excited about being the first humans to ever visit the bottom of the pit, their cheery faces would sport far grimmer expressions upon their return.

Man on a Mission

Sir Richard Branson had been very fortunate in his business ventures, and today, he is interested in giving back to society. One of the subjects he is most passionate about is raising awareness of climate change, and finding ways to combat it by promoting and educating about ecological sustainability.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

Following Jacques Cousteau doctrine of “people protect what they love,” he finds great value in making the oceans more accessible to people – and had even hosted a summit on global warming at his private residence on the British Virgin Islands.

Planetary Inner Space

While the Blue Hole of Belize is far from being the deepest sinkhole in the ocean, its unique shape and geological composition have made the mission to penetrate its depths unique in the history of deep-sea exploration.

Sir Richard Branson called it a mission into “planetary inner space,” and media coverage of the event was unprecedented.

Branson, Cousteau and Bergman’s descent would be live streamed as they delved deeper underwater, with the Discovery Channel broadcasting their camera feeds all over the world in real time.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

Finally, preparations were over, the checklists checked off and the cameras were rolling. The intrepid trio were ready to make history.

The Aquatica

The last time there was so much excitement and public interest around a deep-sea mission was when acclaimed Hollywood director and ocean explorer James Cameron had descended to the bottom of the Mariana Trench – the deepest known point in the world’s oceans.

Because the depth Cousteau, Branson and Bergman would be descending into far shallower waters, they could afford a much larger viewing dome. The Aquatica submarine boasted excelled views all around its passengers.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

Soon, the sub was broadcasting images many SCUBA divers who had dived in the Blue Hole had seen – the blue waters swirled around a sheer cliff face, and the mission was underway.

Stalactites

At first, the submarine kicked up some sediment, harming the crew’s visibility – but soon, the floating underwater sediment gave way to a fascinating geological formation: caves upon caves of hanging stalactites.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

While stalactites are common in caves on dry ground, it is impossible for them to form underwater – so how could there be stalactites more than 20 meters under the water?

Silent Testimony

For the crew, seeing cave stalactites underwater could only mean one thing. This was, in the words of Sir Richard Branson, “One of the starkest reminders of the danger of climate change” they had ever seen.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

At the end of the last major Ice Age, sea levels in the Caribbean had risen at a rapid pace, submerging vast stretches of once-dry land. At 200 feet underwater, the coloring of the rock formations changed, denoting the previous levels of sea water, before the oceans rose and drowned the cave systems above.

Samples

Years before Branson, Bergman and Cousteau had taken the Aquatica into the Blue Hole, a team of researchers from Rice University and Louisiana State University had descended into it in order to collect samples from its sheer walls, at different depths.

Image via Wikipedia

They hoped that the samples they took would help them solve a historical mystery that took place miles and miles away, deep in the jungles of Central America.

The Passing of a Civilization

Belize, as well as the rest of Central America, had once been home to a sprawling, advanced civilization – the Maya Kingdom.

One of history’s greatest mysteries was the apparent mass abandonment of Mayan cities, and the subsequent collapse of the ancient culture.

Could the Blue Hole hold the answers to the age-old question of the Mayan Civilization?

The scientists from the previous expedition to the Hole had found abnormally low levels of titanium and aluminum in its walls – elements which are usually worn out of rock and into the ocean waters by tropical storms. This could mean that the Maya’s decline may have been linked to a terrible, long lasting drought.

Image by Arhnue Tan from Pixabay

But the Hole had more secrets to reveal yet.

A Toxic Layer

As the team continued to descend, they began to notice a floating barrier beneath them. It was a deadly layer of water rich with hydrogen sulfide, 20 feet thick, floating nearly 30 meters below the surface.

Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely toxic substance which can corrode metal – and easily suffocate and kill any form of marine life that happens to wander into it. In the surrounding caves, the team found countless crabs, conches and other invertebrates that had become stuck in the noxious waters and died.

Usually, this unpleasant layer of water marks the very limit to which Blue Hole divers can travel – but the Aquatica was equipped to handle the harmful environment, and continued its descent.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

What they would find beneath the layer of sulfide would prove to be far scarier than poisonous waters and crab carcasses.

Hitting Bottom

After battling through the thick layer of hydrogen sulfide, the team managed to reach the bottom of the pit – a feat never before accomplished by a manned vessel.

Fabien was especially excited: he would be able to pick up his grandfather’s work where he had left off, and expand our knowledge of the oceans.

The team planned to map the geological anomaly’s lowest reaches, and hopefully bring back some scientifically important findings.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

But what they ended up finding beneath the heavy blanket of hydrogen sulfide would leave them terrified.

Submerged Wasteland

As Cousteau and his team mapped out the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole, their feeling of dread and worry grew from minute to minute.

From the surface, the Blue Hole seemed like a pristine, untouched natural wonder, removed from any human influence. But as the submersible crawled across the bottom of the pit, a very different reality was revealed.

Countless empty plastic bottles, bags and garbage lined the Hole’s floor. The Hole, like many other parts of the ocean, was found to be an underwater landfill. The team were horrified, saddened and revolted. How could we have let this natural wonder turn into a garbage dump?

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

As Cousteau and Bergman voiced their concern, it became clear to Sir Richard Branson that something had to be done.

Horrors of the Deep

What started as a mission to map out an unexplored part of the planet had turned into a mission of mapping the frontiers human pollution had already conquered.

The hole didn’t contain any underwater beasts other than the oceanic monster of humanity’s own making: pollution.

Image by @aquaticasubs / Instagram

Branson wasn’t going to let this pass quietly. Together with Ocean Unite, a conservationist conglomerate, he decided to take action – not just to save the Blue Hole, but the rest of the ocean as well.

Saving the World’s Oceans

Ocean Unite’s stated goal is, by 2030, to set aside a minimum of 30 percent of the world’s oceans as protected areas, which would carry real legal ramifications should they be damaged.

As a member of Ocean Unite, Branson attempts to combat ocean pollution wherever and however he can. Even before he had embarked on his deep-sea mission, Branson had met up with the prime minister of Belize, and his wife.

The billionaire explorer had hoped to convince the nation’s leader to put aside %10 of his country’s territorial waters as protected areas meant for conservation, as well as to ban various commercial and industrial products proven to be highly damaging to oceanic ecosystems.

Image via @richardbranson / Instagram

The Aquatic’s findings would serve as more evidence for the importance of this move.

Leading By Example

Sir Richard Branson couldn’t shake what he had seen at the bottom of the seemingly pristine Blue Hole. He realized that change was needed, and he intended to start it with the way he ran his companies.

Branson said that his grandchildren would be in their thirties by 2050, and that he couldn’t bear imagining them living in a future without natural wonders like coral reefs, and he pledged to do everything he could to help save the planet.

Upon his return home, he declared that his airlines would stop using single use plastics on board their flights, following Belize’s pledge to stop using the harmful material during 2019.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

But this isn’t the only action Branson has taken.

Ocean Elders

Sir Richard Branson is a volunteer, contributing member and founder of several substantial charities and NGOs dedicated to the preservation of the environment.

He’s bought and dedicated an entire Caribbean island to the boosting and conservation of Madagascar’s ring-tailed lemur, founded the Special Award for the Environment and, perhaps most notably, a key member in the OceanElders organization.

The group, made up of influential individuals in business, entertainment and art, is devoted to raising awareness for environmental issues. Other members include people like Neil Young, Jackson Browne… and Jean Michel Cousteau, Fabien’s father.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

But what would become of the Blue Hole?

The Problem with Plastic

Our planet is facing many environmental catastrophes in recent years – and one of the biggest ones is that of plastic waste.

Many influential people have decided to pool their resources together to fight the threat of plastic pollution, and join the likes of Branson in fighting the good fight.

Hopefully, with the financial help and influence of big names like Branson, James Cameron and others, as well as grassroots organizations made up of volunteers, the oceans will get cleaner over the next few decades.

Image by microgen / Depositphotos

But Belize’s Blue Hole isn’t the only Blue Hole out there. In Egypt, a different Blue hole also faces the threat of pollution – as well as a different sort of danger to divers.

The Red Sea’s Blue Hole

The Red Sea is the northernmost tropical sea on the planet, stretching from Israel in the north all the way down to Yemen in the south.

A biodiversity hotspot, its pristine waters and seemingly endless expanses of coral reefs, especially surrounding the Sinai Peninsula, make it one of the best diving destinations on earth.

In Egypt, along the Sinai coast, just north of Dahab, the Red Sea boasts its own Blue Hole.

Image by AlexTrybrat from Pixabay

Smaller than Belize’s, Sinai’s Blue Hole has a far grimmer reputation than its Mesoamerican counterpart’s.

Just Off the Beach

Unlike Belize’s Blue Hole, the one in Sinai doesn’t require a boat to reach. It’s actually right off the beach – but accessing it isn’t as easy as simply jumping in the water, and its proximity to land does not assure its safety.

Image by mohamedraheem / Depositphotos

The Dangers of the Arch

Sinai’s Blue Hole is notoriously dangerous, and only experienced divers are permitted to access it – and even then, only when accompanied by a local guide.

The reason for the Hole’s notorious reputation is in an underwater structure known as “The Arch.”

Image by Tommi Salminen / Wikipedia

The Arch is a tunnel which runs beneath the reef and connects the Blue Hole to the open sea – but due to its depth and confusing shape, many divers can become disoriented when they attempt to traverse it, often succumbing to nitrogen narcosis – a physical phenomenon that takes hold of divers at large depths – losing their way, and sometimes their lives.

World’s Most Dangerous Diving Site

Due to the confusing shape of the arch, as well as the hallucinations and disorientation caused by nitrogen narcosis, only very experienced divers are allowed to explore the Blue Hole in Sinai.

The site is considered one of the most dangerous diving locations in the world, and it is estimated that over 200 people have lost their lives while SCUBA diving in its hidden depths.

Image by @hyang_su__ / Instagram

But no matter how dangerous the site may be to divers, the dangers humanity poses to it, in the form of pollution, far outweigh it.

No Place Untouched

Cousteau, Branson and Bergman were surprised that Belize’s remote Blue Hole had been littered to the extent that it had – but even more remote underwater locales have not managed to escape the ravages of pollution.

Image by Kmusser / Wikipedia

The Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the earth’s oceans, and when ocean explorers reached its bottom, alongside fascinating marine life and geological formations, the were able to spot quite a few plastic bags and other man-made garbage.

The Deep-Sea Debris Database

The Deep-Sea Debris Database is a project in which thousands of divers document the trash and garbage they find in their underwater excursions.

Out of all of the waste recorded in the database, plastic is, by far, the most common.

Other materials include processed woods, metal, rubber and cloth. Most of plastic detected – 89% – originates in single used plastics like disposable water bottles and utensils.

Image by tkremmel from Pixabay

But the news gets even worse.

Where is it All Coming From?

The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA – has sent multiple exploration vessels to the bottom of the Mariana Trench – and in 17% of the images their submersibles have taken, organisms can be seen entangled or otherwise engaging with plastic debris.

Image by cegli.o2.pl / Depositphotos

But the Mariana Trench is one of the most remote locations on earth! Deep under the ocean, it is far removed from any human habitation… so where is all this plastic coming from?

All Rivers Flow to the Sea

A recent study conducted in the Mariana Trench indicates that the trench has a higher overall level of pollution than some of China’s most polluted rivers. This is due to the fact that as plastics break down into ever smaller particles, they find it “easier” to float downward, eventually reaching the lowest spot they can: The Trench.

Ocean pollution isn’t just due to waste being dumped directly in the sea, but also from rivers that flow into it, sometimes even originating in landlocked countries.

Image by ead72 / Depositphotos

Is there a way to stop this kind of pollution?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large swath of ocean, stretching from California to Hawai’i.

Image by Andrea Bohl from Pixabay

Roughly the size of Texas, it isn’t, like many people often imagine, a huge island made of plastic bottles. Rather, it is comprised of countless plastic particles that have largely broken down to small flakes. While this may sound like it’s a better situation, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The smaller the toxic plastic particles are, the easier they are for marine life to consume… and the harder they are to extract from the water.

Plastic Fibers

The plastic fibers found in high concentrations in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as well as in other parts of the ocean, can enter the digestive systems and even bloodstreams of marine animals. Indeed, plastic fibers have been found in organisms in nearly every oceanic ecosystem, slowly poisoning and entire populations.

Image by anokato / Depositphotos

But while this may sound tragic, some of you may be wondering how this affects humans.

Circle of Life

While the ocean may seem distant, the life of every human being is intimately linked with it.

Many of the natural products we consume, from fish that we eat all the way to the trees and forests we rely on for oxygen, have an ecological connection to the sea.

Image by Quang Nguyen vinh from Pixabay

When our plastic waste hurts and poisons ocean wildlife, it ultimately ends up hurting us as well.

A Global Phenomenon

Because the deep sea is the lowest point plastic waste can reach, it ends up accumulating there in staggering amounts.

“This is a very worrying find. Isolating plastic fibers from inside animals from nearly 11km deep just shows the extent of the problem,” said Dr. Jamieson, a researcher studying plastic waste in the ocean. “This is global,” he went on, explaining this isn’t a problem that’s localized to just one country or area.

Image by Monica Volpin from Pixabay

Plastic fibers have reached tap water, table salt and other products man consumes – and they’re not showing any signs of disappearing.

Numbers

Scientists say that around eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans ever year. With over 300 million tons of plastic currently littering the seas, researchers estimate that by 2050, plastic will outnumber fish in the oceans by mass.

Elena Polisaon, an Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace UK, says that the oceans currently contain around 51 trillion microplastic particles – 500 times more than the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Image by H. Hach from Pixabay

If we don’t act fast, the ecological ramifications of this will be dire indeed.

Fighting for the Future

While the numbers and research paint a depressing picture of the world’s oceans, we can still take action to change the situation around.

In addition to stopping ocean dumpage, it is important to drastically reduce our use of single use plastics like plastic bags, cups, straws and packaging.

If you want to be more proactive, you can actively stop supporting companies which use single use plastics, and support instead industries that have turned to biodegradable, sustainable alternatives.

Image by monkeybusiness / Depositphotos

With more and more people becoming aware of the dangers of pollution, there’s still hope for our planet – and for future generations.

Divers Reach the Bottom of ‘The Great Blue Hole’ For The First Time and Discover a Dark Secret

By -2020-09-18

From above, the Blue Hole of Belize is breathtaking. It’s a huge, almost perfectly round formation in the middle of the reef. Its deep azure color contrasts with the surrounding turquoise Caribbean waters.

But its deep color hides a deep secret. The hole plunges down almost 420 feet below the surface and has remained unexplored and untouched at those depths… until now.

A team of explorers have set out to discover what lurks at the bottom of the tantalizing ocean formation.

Images by agiampiccolo / Depositphotos, via Wikipedia

But what they would discover when they finally reach the ocean floor would leave them surprised, horrified… and deeply troubled.

The Cousteau Family

Diving into the depts of the ocean is not a task for any diver. It’s very risky, meaning that only someone with certain experience is suitable for the task, and no one has more experience than the Cousteau family.

The Cousteau family has a long history with the sea.

Fabien Cousteau’s grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, was a diving pioneer and helped design the SCUBA gear still used by divers today. Fabien, on his part, has dedicated his life to exploring the deep ocean. He’s searched for and discovered ancient shipwrecks, documented sharks and plunged into the dark, murky waters of the deep sea on countless occasions.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But his dive in Belize’s Blue Hole left him utterly speechless…

The Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef, just east of Belize’s coast, is a big part of the ecosystem known at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Starting in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in the north and ending south of Honduras, it is the second largest reef network in the world, following Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef.

Image by @Axelspace Corporation / Wikimedia Commons

The Blue Hole is situated in the reef’s center, a dark spot, beckoning explorers to it with its mystifying, unexplored depths.

Under the Water

The Blue Hole is located in the easternmost part of the Belize Barrier Reef, in a smaller formation known as Lighthouse Reef.

An irresistible draw for SCUBA divers, the Blue Hole is truly a marvel of the natural world.

With a radius large enough to comfortably fit two Boeing 747 planes side by side in its gaping maw, the Hole is enormous – but still makes for some pretty tricky diving, requiring divers to have at least 24 previous dives under their belt before attempting to explore its depths.

Image by tamifreed / Depositphotos

But while the parts closer to the surface are quite a popular diving destination, its depths have remained unexplored, and may yet hold unimaginable secrets.

Legacy

Fabien Cousteau had more than just a professional interest in this mission.

His grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, had visited the Blue Hole back in 1971 – and declared it one of the top five diving spots on the planet.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But back in the ’70s, the diving equipment available to the world-famous ocean explorer wasn’t nearly as sophisticated at the equipment available to his grandson – and while the older Cousteau only got a peek at the hidden depths of the Hole, it seemed his grandson would be in a position to expand on his work.

Virgin Oceanic

Fabien Cousteau wasn’t the only big name in ocean exploration to join the Blue Hole expedition.

Joining him was none other than the legendary billionaire, conservationist and adventurer, Sir Richard Branson.

Branson, through his ownership of the Virgin Group, is also an owner of the company Virgin Oceanic, which owns a fleet of submersible vehicles. Passionate about ocean exploration and conservation, Branson was keen on joining Cousteau in the Caribbean.

Descending to the bottom of the Hole, along with the two explorers, was oceanographer Erika Bergman, who would also pilot their submarine, Aquatica.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

But while they were all excited about being the first humans to ever visit the bottom of the pit, their cheery faces would sport far grimmer expressions upon their return.

Man on a Mission

Sir Richard Branson had been very fortunate in his business ventures, and today, he is interested in giving back to society. One of the subjects he is most passionate about is raising awareness of climate change, and finding ways to combat it by promoting and educating about ecological sustainability.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

Following Jacques Cousteau doctrine of “people protect what they love,” he finds great value in making the oceans more accessible to people – and had even hosted a summit on global warming at his private residence on the British Virgin Islands.

Planetary Inner Space

While the Blue Hole of Belize is far from being the deepest sinkhole in the ocean, its unique shape and geological composition have made the mission to penetrate its depths unique in the history of deep-sea exploration.

Sir Richard Branson called it a mission into “planetary inner space,” and media coverage of the event was unprecedented.

Branson, Cousteau and Bergman’s descent would be live streamed as they delved deeper underwater, with the Discovery Channel broadcasting their camera feeds all over the world in real time.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

Finally, preparations were over, the checklists checked off and the cameras were rolling. The intrepid trio were ready to make history.

The Aquatica

The last time there was so much excitement and public interest around a deep-sea mission was when acclaimed Hollywood director and ocean explorer James Cameron had descended to the bottom of the Mariana Trench – the deepest known point in the world’s oceans.

Because the depth Cousteau, Branson and Bergman would be descending into far shallower waters, they could afford a much larger viewing dome. The Aquatica submarine boasted excelled views all around its passengers.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

Soon, the sub was broadcasting images many SCUBA divers who had dived in the Blue Hole had seen – the blue waters swirled around a sheer cliff face, and the mission was underway.

Stalactites

At first, the submarine kicked up some sediment, harming the crew’s visibility – but soon, the floating underwater sediment gave way to a fascinating geological formation: caves upon caves of hanging stalactites.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

While stalactites are common in caves on dry ground, it is impossible for them to form underwater – so how could there be stalactites more than 20 meters under the water?

Silent Testimony

For the crew, seeing cave stalactites underwater could only mean one thing. This was, in the words of Sir Richard Branson, “One of the starkest reminders of the danger of climate change” they had ever seen.

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

At the end of the last major Ice Age, sea levels in the Caribbean had risen at a rapid pace, submerging vast stretches of once-dry land. At 200 feet underwater, the coloring of the rock formations changed, denoting the previous levels of sea water, before the oceans rose and drowned the cave systems above.

Samples

Years before Branson, Bergman and Cousteau had taken the Aquatica into the Blue Hole, a team of researchers from Rice University and Louisiana State University had descended into it in order to collect samples from its sheer walls, at different depths.

Image via Wikipedia

They hoped that the samples they took would help them solve a historical mystery that took place miles and miles away, deep in the jungles of Central America.

The Passing of a Civilization

Belize, as well as the rest of Central America, had once been home to a sprawling, advanced civilization – the Maya Kingdom.

One of history’s greatest mysteries was the apparent mass abandonment of Mayan cities, and the subsequent collapse of the ancient culture.

Could the Blue Hole hold the answers to the age-old question of the Mayan Civilization?

The scientists from the previous expedition to the Hole had found abnormally low levels of titanium and aluminum in its walls – elements which are usually worn out of rock and into the ocean waters by tropical storms. This could mean that the Maya’s decline may have been linked to a terrible, long lasting drought.

Image by Arhnue Tan from Pixabay

But the Hole had more secrets to reveal yet.

A Toxic Layer

As the team continued to descend, they began to notice a floating barrier beneath them. It was a deadly layer of water rich with hydrogen sulfide, 20 feet thick, floating nearly 30 meters below the surface.

Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely toxic substance which can corrode metal – and easily suffocate and kill any form of marine life that happens to wander into it. In the surrounding caves, the team found countless crabs, conches and other invertebrates that had become stuck in the noxious waters and died.

Usually, this unpleasant layer of water marks the very limit to which Blue Hole divers can travel – but the Aquatica was equipped to handle the harmful environment, and continued its descent.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

What they would find beneath the layer of sulfide would prove to be far scarier than poisonous waters and crab carcasses.

Hitting Bottom

After battling through the thick layer of hydrogen sulfide, the team managed to reach the bottom of the pit – a feat never before accomplished by a manned vessel.

Fabien was especially excited: he would be able to pick up his grandfather’s work where he had left off, and expand our knowledge of the oceans.

The team planned to map the geological anomaly’s lowest reaches, and hopefully bring back some scientifically important findings.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

But what they ended up finding beneath the heavy blanket of hydrogen sulfide would leave them terrified.

Submerged Wasteland

As Cousteau and his team mapped out the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole, their feeling of dread and worry grew from minute to minute.

From the surface, the Blue Hole seemed like a pristine, untouched natural wonder, removed from any human influence. But as the submersible crawled across the bottom of the pit, a very different reality was revealed.

Countless empty plastic bottles, bags and garbage lined the Hole’s floor. The Hole, like many other parts of the ocean, was found to be an underwater landfill. The team were horrified, saddened and revolted. How could we have let this natural wonder turn into a garbage dump?

Image by @fcousteau / Instagram

As Cousteau and Bergman voiced their concern, it became clear to Sir Richard Branson that something had to be done.

Horrors of the Deep

What started as a mission to map out an unexplored part of the planet had turned into a mission of mapping the frontiers human pollution had already conquered.

The hole didn’t contain any underwater beasts other than the oceanic monster of humanity’s own making: pollution.

Image by @aquaticasubs / Instagram

Branson wasn’t going to let this pass quietly. Together with Ocean Unite, a conservationist conglomerate, he decided to take action – not just to save the Blue Hole, but the rest of the ocean as well.

Saving the World’s Oceans

Ocean Unite’s stated goal is, by 2030, to set aside a minimum of 30 percent of the world’s oceans as protected areas, which would carry real legal ramifications should they be damaged.

As a member of Ocean Unite, Branson attempts to combat ocean pollution wherever and however he can. Even before he had embarked on his deep-sea mission, Branson had met up with the prime minister of Belize, and his wife.

The billionaire explorer had hoped to convince the nation’s leader to put aside %10 of his country’s territorial waters as protected areas meant for conservation, as well as to ban various commercial and industrial products proven to be highly damaging to oceanic ecosystems.

Image via @richardbranson / Instagram

The Aquatic’s findings would serve as more evidence for the importance of this move.

Leading By Example

Sir Richard Branson couldn’t shake what he had seen at the bottom of the seemingly pristine Blue Hole. He realized that change was needed, and he intended to start it with the way he ran his companies.

Branson said that his grandchildren would be in their thirties by 2050, and that he couldn’t bear imagining them living in a future without natural wonders like coral reefs, and he pledged to do everything he could to help save the planet.

Upon his return home, he declared that his airlines would stop using single use plastics on board their flights, following Belize’s pledge to stop using the harmful material during 2019.

Screenshot from “Into the Blue Hole”

But this isn’t the only action Branson has taken.

Ocean Elders

Sir Richard Branson is a volunteer, contributing member and founder of several substantial charities and NGOs dedicated to the preservation of the environment.

He’s bought and dedicated an entire Caribbean island to the boosting and conservation of Madagascar’s ring-tailed lemur, founded the Special Award for the Environment and, perhaps most notably, a key member in the OceanElders organization.

The group, made up of influential individuals in business, entertainment and art, is devoted to raising awareness for environmental issues. Other members include people like Neil Young, Jackson Browne… and Jean Michel Cousteau, Fabien’s father.

Image by @richardbranson / Instagram

But what would become of the Blue Hole?

The Problem with Plastic

Our planet is facing many environmental catastrophes in recent years – and one of the biggest ones is that of plastic waste.

Many influential people have decided to pool their resources together to fight the threat of plastic pollution, and join the likes of Branson in fighting the good fight.

Hopefully, with the financial help and influence of big names like Branson, James Cameron and others, as well as grassroots organizations made up of volunteers, the oceans will get cleaner over the next few decades.

Image by microgen / Depositphotos

But Belize’s Blue Hole isn’t the only Blue Hole out there. In Egypt, a different Blue hole also faces the threat of pollution – as well as a different sort of danger to divers.

The Red Sea’s Blue Hole

The Red Sea is the northernmost tropical sea on the planet, stretching from Israel in the north all the way down to Yemen in the south.

A biodiversity hotspot, its pristine waters and seemingly endless expanses of coral reefs, especially surrounding the Sinai Peninsula, make it one of the best diving destinations on earth.

In Egypt, along the Sinai coast, just north of Dahab, the Red Sea boasts its own Blue Hole.

Image by AlexTrybrat from Pixabay

Smaller than Belize’s, Sinai’s Blue Hole has a far grimmer reputation than its Mesoamerican counterpart’s.

Just Off the Beach

Unlike Belize’s Blue Hole, the one in Sinai doesn’t require a boat to reach. It’s actually right off the beach – but accessing it isn’t as easy as simply jumping in the water, and its proximity to land does not assure its safety.

Image by mohamedraheem / Depositphotos

The Dangers of the Arch

Sinai’s Blue Hole is notoriously dangerous, and only experienced divers are permitted to access it – and even then, only when accompanied by a local guide.

The reason for the Hole’s notorious reputation is in an underwater structure known as “The Arch.”

Image by Tommi Salminen / Wikipedia

The Arch is a tunnel which runs beneath the reef and connects the Blue Hole to the open sea – but due to its depth and confusing shape, many divers can become disoriented when they attempt to traverse it, often succumbing to nitrogen narcosis – a physical phenomenon that takes hold of divers at large depths – losing their way, and sometimes their lives.

World’s Most Dangerous Diving Site

Due to the confusing shape of the arch, as well as the hallucinations and disorientation caused by nitrogen narcosis, only very experienced divers are allowed to explore the Blue Hole in Sinai.

The site is considered one of the most dangerous diving locations in the world, and it is estimated that over 200 people have lost their lives while SCUBA diving in its hidden depths.

Image by @hyang_su__ / Instagram

But no matter how dangerous the site may be to divers, the dangers humanity poses to it, in the form of pollution, far outweigh it.

No Place Untouched

Cousteau, Branson and Bergman were surprised that Belize’s remote Blue Hole had been littered to the extent that it had – but even more remote underwater locales have not managed to escape the ravages of pollution.

Image by Kmusser / Wikipedia

The Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the earth’s oceans, and when ocean explorers reached its bottom, alongside fascinating marine life and geological formations, the were able to spot quite a few plastic bags and other man-made garbage.

The Deep-Sea Debris Database

The Deep-Sea Debris Database is a project in which thousands of divers document the trash and garbage they find in their underwater excursions.

Out of all of the waste recorded in the database, plastic is, by far, the most common.

Other materials include processed woods, metal, rubber and cloth. Most of plastic detected – 89% – originates in single used plastics like disposable water bottles and utensils.

Image by tkremmel from Pixabay

But the news gets even worse.

Where is it All Coming From?

The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA – has sent multiple exploration vessels to the bottom of the Mariana Trench – and in 17% of the images their submersibles have taken, organisms can be seen entangled or otherwise engaging with plastic debris.

Image by cegli.o2.pl / Depositphotos

But the Mariana Trench is one of the most remote locations on earth! Deep under the ocean, it is far removed from any human habitation… so where is all this plastic coming from?

All Rivers Flow to the Sea

A recent study conducted in the Mariana Trench indicates that the trench has a higher overall level of pollution than some of China’s most polluted rivers. This is due to the fact that as plastics break down into ever smaller particles, they find it “easier” to float downward, eventually reaching the lowest spot they can: The Trench.

Ocean pollution isn’t just due to waste being dumped directly in the sea, but also from rivers that flow into it, sometimes even originating in landlocked countries.

Image by ead72 / Depositphotos

Is there a way to stop this kind of pollution?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large swath of ocean, stretching from California to Hawai’i.

Image by Andrea Bohl from Pixabay

Roughly the size of Texas, it isn’t, like many people often imagine, a huge island made of plastic bottles. Rather, it is comprised of countless plastic particles that have largely broken down to small flakes. While this may sound like it’s a better situation, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The smaller the toxic plastic particles are, the easier they are for marine life to consume… and the harder they are to extract from the water.

Plastic Fibers

The plastic fibers found in high concentrations in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as well as in other parts of the ocean, can enter the digestive systems and even bloodstreams of marine animals. Indeed, plastic fibers have been found in organisms in nearly every oceanic ecosystem, slowly poisoning and entire populations.

Image by anokato / Depositphotos

But while this may sound tragic, some of you may be wondering how this affects humans.

Circle of Life

While the ocean may seem distant, the life of every human being is intimately linked with it.

Many of the natural products we consume, from fish that we eat all the way to the trees and forests we rely on for oxygen, have an ecological connection to the sea.

Image by Quang Nguyen vinh from Pixabay

When our plastic waste hurts and poisons ocean wildlife, it ultimately ends up hurting us as well.

A Global Phenomenon

Because the deep sea is the lowest point plastic waste can reach, it ends up accumulating there in staggering amounts.

“This is a very worrying find. Isolating plastic fibers from inside animals from nearly 11km deep just shows the extent of the problem,” said Dr. Jamieson, a researcher studying plastic waste in the ocean. “This is global,” he went on, explaining this isn’t a problem that’s localized to just one country or area.

Image by Monica Volpin from Pixabay

Plastic fibers have reached tap water, table salt and other products man consumes – and they’re not showing any signs of disappearing.

Numbers

Scientists say that around eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans ever year. With over 300 million tons of plastic currently littering the seas, researchers estimate that by 2050, plastic will outnumber fish in the oceans by mass.

Elena Polisaon, an Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace UK, says that the oceans currently contain around 51 trillion microplastic particles – 500 times more than the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Image by H. Hach from Pixabay

If we don’t act fast, the ecological ramifications of this will be dire indeed.

Fighting for the Future

While the numbers and research paint a depressing picture of the world’s oceans, we can still take action to change the situation around.

In addition to stopping ocean dumpage, it is important to drastically reduce our use of single use plastics like plastic bags, cups, straws and packaging.

If you want to be more proactive, you can actively stop supporting companies which use single use plastics, and support instead industries that have turned to biodegradable, sustainable alternatives.

Image by monkeybusiness / Depositphotos

With more and more people becoming aware of the dangers of pollution, there’s still hope for our planet – and for future generations.

Take a Look at the Most Surreal Places in the World

By -2020-09-18

Our planet is an amazing place full of jaw-dropping sites and surreal landscapes – some are very famous, while others remain undiscovered by tourists. That is why we created a list that contains only the greatest and most amazing places on our planet – places that will surely take your breath away.

From men-made stunning architectural works to natural phenomenon – the places on this list should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit in the future.

Images by @agirlwhoblooms / Instagram

Take a look and enjoy our guide to some of the most surreal places on Earth. How many of them have you visited already?

The Taos Hum

Taos is a small town in Taos County, New Mexico.

An ancient place, inhabited by people for thousands of years, the name “Taos” means “Place of Red Willows” in the Taos language.

But while Taos has plenty of history, the one thing that it is, perhaps, most famous for, is a phenomena known as the Taos Hum.

An ongoing, low-frequency noise, the Taos Hum can only be heard by some people – but it has been consistently reported for years now, and its source remains unknown.

Image by jose1983 / Depositphotos

The phenomena remains so baffling, it was even mentioned in the X-Files!

Fairy Circles

Walk through the grasslands of Namibia, and you might come across a strange and unsettling sight.

Throughout the dry fields, clusters of the arid grass form in circles around patches of ground in which nothing seems to grow.

Image via Wikipedia

Various explanations have been offered, some supernatural – others, scientific, and while most likely explanation involves the grass creating this formation naturally as a means of managing its water economy, no conclusive explanation has yet been put forward.

Movile Cave

In south-eastern Romania, researchers discovered a very special cave near the black sea. In addition to its unique underground atmosphere, which is rich in hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, but low in oxygen, there was something quite exceptional about the geological formation known as Movile Cave. Until 1986, Movile Cave lay unopened and undisturbed – for over 5.5 million years.

In order to explore the cave, the scientists mapping it had to do more than just enter a dark, unknown environment: the low oxygen, highly Sulphurous atmosphere inside meant that they couldn’t traverse the cave without a breathing apparatus. Without it, they would become hypoxic – and could even die.

Interestingly enough, however, the cave was far from barren. Inside its stony walls, scientists found life – unlike any anyone has ever seen before.

inside a closed-off cave, there’s no sunlight to sustain the ecosystem… so what is the food chain based on?

In the Movile Cave, the ecosystem is based on a process called “chemosynthesis,” rather than “photosynthesis.”

Images by Alexas_Fotos, Graham Lowe from Pixabay

All sorts of microbial creatures utilize the Sulphur in the environment to produce energy, and they, in turn, are fed on by increasingly larger animals.

Grüner See, Austria

In a valley in the Austrian Hochscwab Mountains, there is a lake known as the Grüner See.

The lake – a pastoral picturesque destination – is surrounded by a beautiful park, full of bridges, benches and other amenities. But at winter, snowfall can get so heavy that, come spring, the lake somtimes doubles in size, and floods the entire area.

Marc Henauer/Solent News/Shutterstock (3010613i)

It is then that SCUBA diving enthusiasts descend upon the flooded park and the lake’s crystal clear waters, where they can dive in an area that is usually dry land.

The Ringing Rocks of Pennsylvania

If you travel to the village of Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, you’ll probably find yourself visiting the nearby Ringing Rocks Park.

There, at the top of a hill, there’s a large stretch of land full of very strange rocks.

If you strike them with your hands, you’ll notice they produce a strange, resonant sound, not unlike cymbals in a drum kit.

The scientific term for this type of stones is sonorous or lithophonic rocks, and the phenomenon remains only partially explained by science.

Image via Wikipedia

The stones proce the strange sound thanks to their porous nature, but how they’ve been created, from a geological standpoint, remains a mystery.

Shanay-Timpishka, Peru

In the Peruvian section of the Amazon river, deep in the Huánuco high forest, there is a tributary river known as Shanay-Timpishka. The river, 6.4 km long, is known as the “only boiling river in the world,” and its waters are, indeed, scalding hot.

Ranging in temperature from 45 decgrees celsius to nearly 100 degrees celsius – which happens to be water’s boiling point – it’s dangerous to enter its waters due to their extreme heat.

Image by @universoulchild / Instagram

The river’s name means “boiled by the heat of the sun” – but the actual source heating the water is apparently geothermal.

Grana and Casorzo’s Double Tree

Piedmont, Italy, is a popular tourist destination. Its gorgeous countryside and amazing history make it an amazing area to travel through – but if you’ve had enough of castles, wine and rolling hills, you might want to chck out the Bialbero di Casorzo – which, in Italian, means “Double tree of Casorzo.”

This strange botanical formation is made up of a fully formed, healthy cherry tree growing directly on top of a fully formed, healthy mulberry tree.

Image by alfio cioffi via Wikipedia

This phenomenon is known as epiphytical growing trees, and is not uncommon – but usually results in one of the trees being small and stunted.

The Petrifying Well, England

In the forest surrounding Yorkshire, England, you can find a strange geological formation known as the Petrifying Well.

The formation, which is essentially a small cliff with an upwelling of water at its top, is covered in a smooth stone, slick with water. This water, which is rich in minerals, has the unique ability to completely encase in stone anything that is tied to it for periods as short as three to five months.

Image by chris / Wikipedia

People use the stone’s property to petrify all sorts of objects – from bowls and hats to creepy teddy bears and toys.

The Lighthouse of Maracaibo, Venezuela

They say lightning never strikes twice – but deep in Venezuela, over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, where it empties into Lake Maracaibo, that is patently not true.

Image by Thechemicalengineer / Wikipedia

In that spot above Lake Maracaibo, thanks to consistent winds from the Andes Mountains and the sea, a lightning storm has been raging continuusly for centuries – 140 to 160 nights a year, ten hours each day. Lighting strikes up to 280 times per hour, and has been so consistent and reliable, that travelers have used it as way to orient themselves, much like a lighthouse.

Indonesia’s Blue Fire

In the East Java province of Indonesia, the Ijen volcano remains active throughout the year.

Throughout the mountain’s geologically active sites, perhaps the most famous – and beautiful – areas is the volcano’s crater.

Due to sulfuric gas that emerges between the crater’s cracks, at night the whole area is covered in magical, blue flames – some of which can reach 5 meters (16 feet) in height.

Image by Thomas Fuhrmann / Wikipedia

The local people of the area refer to this phenomenon as “Blue Fire.”

Lake Hillier, Australia

This bright bubble-gum pink lake is located on the edge of Middle Island, off the south coast of Western Australia. Its color is the result of algae and microorganisms that live in the water.

Image by @_johnson_maria_ / Instagram

Although it doesn’t look like you common swimming pool, it is actually perfectly safe for humans and local wildlife. Lake Hillier is a saline lake, which means that it contains a higher concentration of salt than other lakes.

Glow Worm Caves of Waitomo , New Zealand

The glow worm is a species of insects that are unique to New Zealand. This little worm hangs on to the ceilings of these caves, radiating a tiny blob of luminescence, providing a unique experience for visitors.

Image by @tomarcherphoto / Instagram

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza Gas Crater, better known as The Door to Hell, is located in the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert. It is basically a hole the size of a football field that was created when a natural gas field collapsed into the underground. Geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning since 1971.

Image by @mikes_flights / Instagram

Devil’s Kettle Falls

Near Lake Superior, in the Judge C. R. Magney State Park, runs the Brule River.

The river runs swiftly and without any hinderance, until it reaches a waterfall and rock formation known as Devil’s Kettle. There, it splits into two waterfalls. One divergence continues in the river’s path, while the other – disappears into the ground, and seemingly vanishes.

For years, due to the treacherous nature of the hole at Devil’s Kettle, the question of where half of the Brule River disappears to had remained unanswered.

Image by Chris857 / Wikipedia

In 2017, however, researchers measured water flow in the river at different points, and came to the conclusion that the missing water bubbles back up a little distance away downstream.

The Blue Pond of Hokkaido

In the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan, a manmade formation known as the Blue Pond near the town of Biei, is known for its startling, electrical blue color.

Image by @nellielim / Instagram

The pond was created in order to protect Biei from volcanic mudflows from the nearby Mount Tokachi volcano, and due to an exceptionally high concentration of aluminum hydroxide in the water, has taken on its stunning, unreal coloration.

The Hessdalen Lights

There’s something strange going on in the skies of a rural Norwegian valley.

Since at least the 1930s, every once in a while, strange lights appear above Hessdalen valley – sometimes hovering in place, sometimes moving at great speed – their color, shape and duration always changing, sometimes lasting a few short minutes and sometimes staying in the sky for over an hour.

Image via Imgur

Unlike other celestial phenomena like the aurora borealis, this phenomenon continues to befuddle scientists and amateur researchers, who’ve set up a science station in the valley in the hopes of finding out the lights’ cause.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle, notorious for the staggering amount of ships and aircraft that have disappeared within its borders, is located between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Florida.

The area used to be a hotspot for disappearances of all sorts of vessles – but in recent years, the danger of getting lost in the Triangle has greatly diminished.

Image by yusukeliu from Pixabay

People have given various reasons for the large amount of disappearances in the area, with explanations ranging from it being a cyclone-rich zone, to it being the home of the lost city of Atlantis.

Lake Karachay

Lake Karachay is the most polluted place on the entire planet, and it is located in Russia. Being a country that is known for its petrochemical companies and nuclear facilities, Russia has a big problem with pollution. Despite its idyllic location and calm blue waters, the levels of pollution in this lake are so toxic, that they can literally kill a person within an hour, if they were to be so foolish as to decide to take a swim.

Image via Wikipedia

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Located nearly 12,000 feet (3.65 km) above sea level, up in the Andes, Salar de Uyuni is covered in a thick layer of salt. This dried up prehistoric lake, is now the world’s biggest salt flat, consisting of around 10 billion tons of salt. It is also known as the world’s largest natural mirror during the wet season.

Image by @gemmathetravel / Instagram

Tianzi Mountains, China

Known as the Monarch of the Peak Forest, Tianzi Mountains are considered one of the most amazing places on Earth. Since they actually look like they’re from out of this world, James Cameron decided to use them in the movie Avatar.

Image by efired / Depositphotos

These pillars were formed underwater 380 million years ago, as a result of volcanic activity, and rose above the surface to create this beautiful peak forest.

Zhangye Danxia Landform, China

This 80-million-year-old landform, known as Rainbow mountain, is a colorful rock formation created by red sandstone and mineral deposits, shaped by the wind and rain into natural pillars, towers, valley and waterfalls.

Image by eltonjohn1973 from Pixabay

It is located in Southwest China and it’s a must-see natural phenomenon and the best time to visit is between June and September.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, Madagascar

Tsingy de Bemaraha is an amazing ‘forest’ of impressive peaks made of limestone-needles and it is one of the most surreal places on Earth. This reserve of undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps, is the natural habitat for rare and endangered lemurs – as well as many bird species.

Image by Alvarez-Riziky / Depositphotos

Slope Point, New Zealand

One of the furthest south spots on New Zealand’s South Island is battered with cold winds and fierce weather. The wind here is so strong that the trees grow weirdly warped, stretch sideways rather than upwards. It is very strange to see the trees bent at this odd angle with their branches permanently coiffed to the side and close to the ground.

Image by @brute_photography / Instagram

These trees are actually planted by local farmers in order to shelter their flocks from the wild weather.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA

Located in America’s greatest natural reserve, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, is the largest hot spring in the United States.

Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

The vivid colors of the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. Although the spring is hot, visitors can still walk around the edges and admire its beauty.

Sa Pa, Vietnam

Sa Pa is actually a very quiet mountain town located on the far north of Vietnam. The town is populated by a diversity of ethnic minorities, almost all of which are farmers, working on their land on sloping terraces.

The climate is Sa Pa isn’t great for agriculture, considering the fact that they have sub-tropical summers, temperate winters and around 160 misty days every year. That is why they only have one harvest per year.

Image by @i.ve.li / Instagram

This region also has many endemic species of animals, insects and plants.

Hidden city of Petra, Jordan

The Hidden City of Petra was well hidden from the Western world for hundreds of years until, in the 1800s, a European traveler, disguised as a Bedouin man, discovered this magnificent site. Petra was the capital of the Nabatean empire between 400 B.C. and 106 A.D. and was a very busy trading center at the time.

Image by @joyliuss / Instagram

Petra is one of the most breathtaking, must-see, spots on Earth – mainly thanks to the fact that the city is carved directly into the vibrant red, white and sandstone cliff.

Semuc Champey, Guatemala

Located in Alta Verapaz, a thickly forested mountain in Guatemala, these six stunning turquoise pools, surrounded by extensive cave network and underground waterfalls, make Semuc Champey an idyllic paradise.

Image by Christopher Crouzet / Wikipedia

The blue pools rest on top of a natural limestone bridge which covers a good portion of the Cahabón River.

Canola Flower Fields, China

The bright yellow flower fields in China are actually canola fields. Canola is a type of plant which is used to produce canola oil, and when the plant is fully grown it gets an amazing bright yellow color. That is why canola fields resemble a thick colorful blanket.

Image by @jacob / Instagram

Over the years, the fields have become a major tourist attraction and a very popular destination for professional and amateur photographers.

Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China

The Leshan Giant Buddha, located to the east of Leshan City in Sichuan Province, China, is a statue depicting Maitreya, the World Teacher, in a sitting position. It took almost 90 years to carve this 71-meter-high monument, in the 8th century, and it’s the world’s biggest carved stone Buddha.

This statue is located at the confluence of three rivers – Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River – providing this monument some astonishing views.

Image by @jacob / Instagram

Leshan Giant Buddha is included in the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO since 1996.

Pamukkale in Denizli Province, Southwestern Turkey

Once the home to the ancient Greco-Roman city known as Hierapolis, these mineral-rich terraced baths – that has the perfect temperature for bathing – are a favorite tourist attraction in Turkey and are known to be therapeutic.

Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

The baths are made of travertine, a type of rock, that gives it a unique shape and color.

Great Blue Hole

One of the best scuba diving destinations in the world is also one of the scariest. This surreal sight in the Caribbean Sea is a sinkhole with a diameter of 318 meters and it’s 124 meters deep. The Great Blue Hole is a part of the Belize Barrier Reef and a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

Image via Wikipedia

Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

Water and wind carved this unusual forest of red rock pillars called hoodoos for over millions of years. Rainwater was dripping into cracks in the rocks where it froze and eventually expanded and broke the rock apart. The deep walls, called “fins”, were created when the rain was running down the slopes, forming holes called windows. When these windows grow large, they tend to collapse and create hoodoos.

Photo by Ellis Dieperink on Unsplash

The Dead Sea: Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank

Torn between Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, the Dead Sea is one of the deepest hypersaline lakes in the world. With a salinity of 34.2%, it is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean. As a result of this extreme salinity, there are no living creatures in this lake. The Dead Sea receives nearly all its water from the Jordan River and it is the lowest point on dry land.

Image by RuslanKal / Depositphotos

Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey

Home of chapels, tombs, temples and houses Derinkuyu is an ancient multi-level underground city in Turkey. Approximately 200 feet (60 meters), it is large enough to have sheltered about 20,000 people, together with their livestock and food stores. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia.

Image by @oklentravel / Instagram

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

According to the legend, the columns of Giant’s Causeway was built by an Irish Giant Fionn in order to create a path across the North Channel, when he was challenged to a fight by Scottish giant, Benandonner.

Image by H. Hach from Pixabay

Science, on the other hand, says that around 50 to 60 million years ago, volcanic activity formed lava plateau which cooled over time and created these columns in the process.

Ancient city of Bagan, Myanmar

There are more than 4,000 temples in the 20-square-kilometre area that is the ancient city of Bagan. Today, the city of Bagan is one of the most important sites in Myanmar but it was a best-kept secret for centuries.

Image by @myspacetom / Instagram

All the temples and pagodas were made of stone and therefore survived until today, in surprisingly good conditions. It is believed, however, that the monasteries, grand palaces and official buildings in the city were made of wood and have been destroyed through time.

Da Nang Bridge, Vietnam

Suspended at almost 4,600 feet (1.4 kilometers) above sea level, the Da Nang bridge is divided into eight sections and it’s 500 feet (150 meters) long.

The bridge’s unique structure – a pair of giant, old looking, stone hands emerging from the hills of Vietnam appear to be lifting the bridge toward the sky – made its grand opening a major news event.

Image by @smashpop / Instagram

The bridge, also known as Cau Vang, which means the ‘gold bridge’, offers uninterrupted views of the Truong Son Mountains.

Artificial Islands, Dubai

In 2001, Dubai started creating a giant architectural project of artificial islands. By 2011, Palm Jumeirah, the palm tree shape island, was completed. Once the whole project is finished, it will add 520 kilometers of non-public beaches to the city of Dubai.

Image via Wikipedia

The downside of this grand project is the significant changes in the maritime environment. The Persian Gulf waters are now clouded with silt, and all the construction work is damaging coral reefs and oyster beds.

Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan

With the blooming of 4.5 million translucent-petaled blue flowers in the spring, covering around 190 hectares, Hitachi Seaside Park in Japan is drawing tourists from all around the world. With over a million daffodils and 170 types of tulips, this park is a must-see for every flower lover out there. The park is so big, it even has a big Ferris wheel and numerous cycling trails.

Image by @kupibilet_ru / Instagram

Crooked Forest

Just outside the town of Gryfino in north-western Poland, there is a curious woodland known as “Krzywy Las” – the Crooked Forest.

About 400 trees here have a strange curve to their trunks. They grow sideways for a few feet, before all shooting straight upright.

No one has ever been able to explain what caused these trees to grow like that – some say that it was done deliberately, for using curved wood in a ship or something similar. Other people say it might have been a natural phenomenon like a storm.

Whatever the reason, these remarkable trees are really a wonder to behold.

by Rzuwig / Wikipedia

In other areas of the world, when trees are seen crooked like this, it’s a warning that a landslide is about to occur.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Designed by famous Thai visual artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, this still unfinished temple is a breathtaking white color monument to Buddha. To white color is achieved by the use of glass in the plaster that represents the purity of Buddha and his wisdom and glorify the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings.

Image by @losingmymindfromjoy / Instagram

In 2014, a strong earthquake hit Chiang Rai, and parts of the temple were damaged. Kositpipat then decided to restore and to further expand the Wat Rong Khun.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India

Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. At the time, women weren’t allowed to be seen in public and so this five-story building, known as ‘Palace of winds’ with its 953 windows, was meant for royal ladies who wanted to observe everyday life, and festivals celebrated in the street below, without being seen.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Alberobello, Italy

One of the most impressive examples of Italian folk architecture, the Apulian town of Alberobello is a famous tourist attraction.

Image by @teocracy / Instagram

Most of the houses feature a grey cone-shaped roof and white walls, with interior made of one single chamber with a fireplace, bed and other furniture.

Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

This magnificent picturesque place in Ukraine was actually shaped by trains. Over the years, many trains travelled the line for three times a day, molding the surrounding trees in this lovely shape of a green tunnel.

Image by Ivantsov / Depositphotos

Today, the train line is abandoned but the tunnel remains one of the most romantic spots on the planet.

Batu Caves Hindu Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Batu Caves are a complex of three major caves and numerous smaller ones in limestone hill, located around 11 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. Incorporated with interior limestone formations, the temple features idols and statues that were erected inside the main caves and around it. The biggest one is Cathedral Cave which houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100-meter-high ceiling. Two other caves are called the Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave.

Image by Squirrel_photos from Pixabay

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

Habitat 67 id certainly one of the architectural wonders of our time. Located in Montreal, it was designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie as the Canadian Pavilion for the World Exposition of 1967.

Image by @janecknet / Instagram

This architectural wonder was supposed to be an experimental solution of high-quality housing for dense urban environments, which would reduce housing costs as well as integrate the qualities of the suburbs into an urban area.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

This ‘ship-like’ architectural treasure, located in Bilbao, Spain, represents one of the rare admired works of contemporary architecture. Critics, academics and the general public were united in admiring this magnificent piece of art.

Image by PA / Wikipedia

This museum is one of several which belongs to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation where you can find artwork by Spanish and international artists. It is also one of the biggest museums in Spain.

The Interlace, Singapore

Voted as The World Building of the Year at the 2015 World Architecture Festival, The Interlace is a 1000-unit apartment complex designed by OMA and Ole Scheeren. The design of this complex of buildings resembles Jenga blocks. 31 brick-look buildings irregularly stacked upon each other represents an interesting solution for overpopulated areas.

Image by @seathebreezee / Instagram

Lotus Palace, China

Built in 2013, this wonder of modern architecture shows the three phases of a lotus flower’s life cycle. It was designed by Studio 505 as a sculptural piece, with an interior that resembles a cathedral with vivid colors and lots of light.

Image by @lidiiapovorozniuk / Instagram

The use of a lighting system which uses combinations of colors makes this building – which has certainly raised the standards of the architectural culture – Especially attractive at night.

Rakotzbrücke, Germany

The famous “devil’s bridge” got its name from a German myth that tells the story of a builder that crossed the bridge with the help of the devil, and sacrificed himself. The bridge was commissioned by Friedrich Hermann Rötschke in 1860, and today it’s one of the most photographed, ‘romantic-looking’, bridges in the world.

Image by Herbert Aust from Pixabay

Cubic Houses of Rotterdam, Netherlands

Located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, this strange, but magnificent architectural wonder, was built in the hopes of optimizing space. Constructed by Piet Blom in 1970, the houses are shaped as cubes and were design to represent an abstract forest. These cubes did not succeed in mass production due to the claustrophobic feeling their interior causes.

Image by @jackyaka / Instagram

Kizhi Pogost , Russia

This island in Lake Onega is home to remarkable 18th-century wooden constructions that were a bold visionary architecture at the time. Skilled carpenters built the astonishing wooden churches and an octagonal clock tower back in 1862. These churches are built on the very spot where older churches were standing, churches that were burned down in 1693 after they were struck by the lightning.

Image by @dbeppu1 / Instagram

Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Myanmar

Set on top of a small hill in downtown Yangon, this massive 99-meter high gold-plated pagoda with its diamond-studded spire is visible from the everywhere in the city. And thanks to the reflection of the sun, the pagoda is even more impressive in the evening.

Image by @aburmeseabroad / Instagram

It is Myanmar’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage site and it is believed that it holds the sacred relics of the Gautama Buddha.

The Dancing House, Prague

Inspired by the most famous dancing duo of all time, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, The Nationale Nederlanden building, better known as The Dancing House, is one of the most significant landmarks in Prague today. Almost 3000 meters square, the Dancing House is home to a restaurant, a gallery, a conference center and lots of offices.

Image by Lenka Sevcikova from Pixabay

Take a Look at the Most Surreal Places in the World

By -2020-09-18

Our planet is an amazing place full of jaw-dropping sites and surreal landscapes – some are very famous, while others remain undiscovered by tourists. That is why we created a list that contains only the greatest and most amazing places on our planet – places that will surely take your breath away.

From men-made stunning architectural works to natural phenomenon – the places on this list should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit in the future.

Images by @agirlwhoblooms / Instagram

Take a look and enjoy our guide to some of the most surreal places on Earth. How many of them have you visited already?

The Taos Hum

Taos is a small town in Taos County, New Mexico.

An ancient place, inhabited by people for thousands of years, the name “Taos” means “Place of Red Willows” in the Taos language.

But while Taos has plenty of history, the one thing that it is, perhaps, most famous for, is a phenomena known as the Taos Hum.

An ongoing, low-frequency noise, the Taos Hum can only be heard by some people – but it has been consistently reported for years now, and its source remains unknown.

Image by jose1983 / Depositphotos

The phenomena remains so baffling, it was even mentioned in the X-Files!

Fairy Circles

Walk through the grasslands of Namibia, and you might come across a strange and unsettling sight.

Throughout the dry fields, clusters of the arid grass form in circles around patches of ground in which nothing seems to grow.

Image via Wikipedia

Various explanations have been offered, some supernatural – others, scientific, and while most likely explanation involves the grass creating this formation naturally as a means of managing its water economy, no conclusive explanation has yet been put forward.

Movile Cave

In south-eastern Romania, researchers discovered a very special cave near the black sea. In addition to its unique underground atmosphere, which is rich in hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, but low in oxygen, there was something quite exceptional about the geological formation known as Movile Cave. Until 1986, Movile Cave lay unopened and undisturbed – for over 5.5 million years.

In order to explore the cave, the scientists mapping it had to do more than just enter a dark, unknown environment: the low oxygen, highly Sulphurous atmosphere inside meant that they couldn’t traverse the cave without a breathing apparatus. Without it, they would become hypoxic – and could even die.

Interestingly enough, however, the cave was far from barren. Inside its stony walls, scientists found life – unlike any anyone has ever seen before.

inside a closed-off cave, there’s no sunlight to sustain the ecosystem… so what is the food chain based on?

In the Movile Cave, the ecosystem is based on a process called “chemosynthesis,” rather than “photosynthesis.”

Images by Alexas_Fotos, Graham Lowe from Pixabay

All sorts of microbial creatures utilize the Sulphur in the environment to produce energy, and they, in turn, are fed on by increasingly larger animals.

Grüner See, Austria

In a valley in the Austrian Hochscwab Mountains, there is a lake known as the Grüner See.

The lake – a pastoral picturesque destination – is surrounded by a beautiful park, full of bridges, benches and other amenities. But at winter, snowfall can get so heavy that, come spring, the lake somtimes doubles in size, and floods the entire area.

Marc Henauer/Solent News/Shutterstock (3010613i)

It is then that SCUBA diving enthusiasts descend upon the flooded park and the lake’s crystal clear waters, where they can dive in an area that is usually dry land.

The Ringing Rocks of Pennsylvania

If you travel to the village of Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, you’ll probably find yourself visiting the nearby Ringing Rocks Park.

There, at the top of a hill, there’s a large stretch of land full of very strange rocks.

If you strike them with your hands, you’ll notice they produce a strange, resonant sound, not unlike cymbals in a drum kit.

The scientific term for this type of stones is sonorous or lithophonic rocks, and the phenomenon remains only partially explained by science.

Image via Wikipedia

The stones proce the strange sound thanks to their porous nature, but how they’ve been created, from a geological standpoint, remains a mystery.

Shanay-Timpishka, Peru

In the Peruvian section of the Amazon river, deep in the Huánuco high forest, there is a tributary river known as Shanay-Timpishka. The river, 6.4 km long, is known as the “only boiling river in the world,” and its waters are, indeed, scalding hot.

Ranging in temperature from 45 decgrees celsius to nearly 100 degrees celsius – which happens to be water’s boiling point – it’s dangerous to enter its waters due to their extreme heat.

Image by @universoulchild / Instagram

The river’s name means “boiled by the heat of the sun” – but the actual source heating the water is apparently geothermal.

Grana and Casorzo’s Double Tree

Piedmont, Italy, is a popular tourist destination. Its gorgeous countryside and amazing history make it an amazing area to travel through – but if you’ve had enough of castles, wine and rolling hills, you might want to chck out the Bialbero di Casorzo – which, in Italian, means “Double tree of Casorzo.”

This strange botanical formation is made up of a fully formed, healthy cherry tree growing directly on top of a fully formed, healthy mulberry tree.

Image by alfio cioffi via Wikipedia

This phenomenon is known as epiphytical growing trees, and is not uncommon – but usually results in one of the trees being small and stunted.

The Petrifying Well, England

In the forest surrounding Yorkshire, England, you can find a strange geological formation known as the Petrifying Well.

The formation, which is essentially a small cliff with an upwelling of water at its top, is covered in a smooth stone, slick with water. This water, which is rich in minerals, has the unique ability to completely encase in stone anything that is tied to it for periods as short as three to five months.

Image by chris / Wikipedia

People use the stone’s property to petrify all sorts of objects – from bowls and hats to creepy teddy bears and toys.

The Lighthouse of Maracaibo, Venezuela

They say lightning never strikes twice – but deep in Venezuela, over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, where it empties into Lake Maracaibo, that is patently not true.

Image by Thechemicalengineer / Wikipedia

In that spot above Lake Maracaibo, thanks to consistent winds from the Andes Mountains and the sea, a lightning storm has been raging continuusly for centuries – 140 to 160 nights a year, ten hours each day. Lighting strikes up to 280 times per hour, and has been so consistent and reliable, that travelers have used it as way to orient themselves, much like a lighthouse.

Indonesia’s Blue Fire

In the East Java province of Indonesia, the Ijen volcano remains active throughout the year.

Throughout the mountain’s geologically active sites, perhaps the most famous – and beautiful – areas is the volcano’s crater.

Due to sulfuric gas that emerges between the crater’s cracks, at night the whole area is covered in magical, blue flames – some of which can reach 5 meters (16 feet) in height.

Image by Thomas Fuhrmann / Wikipedia

The local people of the area refer to this phenomenon as “Blue Fire.”

Lake Hillier, Australia

This bright bubble-gum pink lake is located on the edge of Middle Island, off the south coast of Western Australia. Its color is the result of algae and microorganisms that live in the water.

Image by @_johnson_maria_ / Instagram

Although it doesn’t look like you common swimming pool, it is actually perfectly safe for humans and local wildlife. Lake Hillier is a saline lake, which means that it contains a higher concentration of salt than other lakes.

Glow Worm Caves of Waitomo , New Zealand

The glow worm is a species of insects that are unique to New Zealand. This little worm hangs on to the ceilings of these caves, radiating a tiny blob of luminescence, providing a unique experience for visitors.

Image by @tomarcherphoto / Instagram

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza Gas Crater, better known as The Door to Hell, is located in the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert. It is basically a hole the size of a football field that was created when a natural gas field collapsed into the underground. Geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning since 1971.

Image by @mikes_flights / Instagram

Devil’s Kettle Falls

Near Lake Superior, in the Judge C. R. Magney State Park, runs the Brule River.

The river runs swiftly and without any hinderance, until it reaches a waterfall and rock formation known as Devil’s Kettle. There, it splits into two waterfalls. One divergence continues in the river’s path, while the other – disappears into the ground, and seemingly vanishes.

For years, due to the treacherous nature of the hole at Devil’s Kettle, the question of where half of the Brule River disappears to had remained unanswered.

Image by Chris857 / Wikipedia

In 2017, however, researchers measured water flow in the river at different points, and came to the conclusion that the missing water bubbles back up a little distance away downstream.

The Blue Pond of Hokkaido

In the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan, a manmade formation known as the Blue Pond near the town of Biei, is known for its startling, electrical blue color.

Image by @nellielim / Instagram

The pond was created in order to protect Biei from volcanic mudflows from the nearby Mount Tokachi volcano, and due to an exceptionally high concentration of aluminum hydroxide in the water, has taken on its stunning, unreal coloration.

The Hessdalen Lights

There’s something strange going on in the skies of a rural Norwegian valley.

Since at least the 1930s, every once in a while, strange lights appear above Hessdalen valley – sometimes hovering in place, sometimes moving at great speed – their color, shape and duration always changing, sometimes lasting a few short minutes and sometimes staying in the sky for over an hour.

Image via Imgur

Unlike other celestial phenomena like the aurora borealis, this phenomenon continues to befuddle scientists and amateur researchers, who’ve set up a science station in the valley in the hopes of finding out the lights’ cause.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle, notorious for the staggering amount of ships and aircraft that have disappeared within its borders, is located between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Florida.

The area used to be a hotspot for disappearances of all sorts of vessles – but in recent years, the danger of getting lost in the Triangle has greatly diminished.

Image by yusukeliu from Pixabay

People have given various reasons for the large amount of disappearances in the area, with explanations ranging from it being a cyclone-rich zone, to it being the home of the lost city of Atlantis.

Lake Karachay

Lake Karachay is the most polluted place on the entire planet, and it is located in Russia. Being a country that is known for its petrochemical companies and nuclear facilities, Russia has a big problem with pollution. Despite its idyllic location and calm blue waters, the levels of pollution in this lake are so toxic, that they can literally kill a person within an hour, if they were to be so foolish as to decide to take a swim.

Image via Wikipedia

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Located nearly 12,000 feet (3.65 km) above sea level, up in the Andes, Salar de Uyuni is covered in a thick layer of salt. This dried up prehistoric lake, is now the world’s biggest salt flat, consisting of around 10 billion tons of salt. It is also known as the world’s largest natural mirror during the wet season.

Image by @gemmathetravel / Instagram

Tianzi Mountains, China

Known as the Monarch of the Peak Forest, Tianzi Mountains are considered one of the most amazing places on Earth. Since they actually look like they’re from out of this world, James Cameron decided to use them in the movie Avatar.

Image by efired / Depositphotos

These pillars were formed underwater 380 million years ago, as a result of volcanic activity, and rose above the surface to create this beautiful peak forest.

Zhangye Danxia Landform, China

This 80-million-year-old landform, known as Rainbow mountain, is a colorful rock formation created by red sandstone and mineral deposits, shaped by the wind and rain into natural pillars, towers, valley and waterfalls.

Image by eltonjohn1973 from Pixabay

It is located in Southwest China and it’s a must-see natural phenomenon and the best time to visit is between June and September.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, Madagascar

Tsingy de Bemaraha is an amazing ‘forest’ of impressive peaks made of limestone-needles and it is one of the most surreal places on Earth. This reserve of undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps, is the natural habitat for rare and endangered lemurs – as well as many bird species.

Image by Alvarez-Riziky / Depositphotos

Slope Point, New Zealand

One of the furthest south spots on New Zealand’s South Island is battered with cold winds and fierce weather. The wind here is so strong that the trees grow weirdly warped, stretch sideways rather than upwards. It is very strange to see the trees bent at this odd angle with their branches permanently coiffed to the side and close to the ground.

Image by @brute_photography / Instagram

These trees are actually planted by local farmers in order to shelter their flocks from the wild weather.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA

Located in America’s greatest natural reserve, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, is the largest hot spring in the United States.

Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

The vivid colors of the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. Although the spring is hot, visitors can still walk around the edges and admire its beauty.

Sa Pa, Vietnam

Sa Pa is actually a very quiet mountain town located on the far north of Vietnam. The town is populated by a diversity of ethnic minorities, almost all of which are farmers, working on their land on sloping terraces.

The climate is Sa Pa isn’t great for agriculture, considering the fact that they have sub-tropical summers, temperate winters and around 160 misty days every year. That is why they only have one harvest per year.

Image by @i.ve.li / Instagram

This region also has many endemic species of animals, insects and plants.

Hidden city of Petra, Jordan

The Hidden City of Petra was well hidden from the Western world for hundreds of years until, in the 1800s, a European traveler, disguised as a Bedouin man, discovered this magnificent site. Petra was the capital of the Nabatean empire between 400 B.C. and 106 A.D. and was a very busy trading center at the time.

Image by @joyliuss / Instagram

Petra is one of the most breathtaking, must-see, spots on Earth – mainly thanks to the fact that the city is carved directly into the vibrant red, white and sandstone cliff.

Semuc Champey, Guatemala

Located in Alta Verapaz, a thickly forested mountain in Guatemala, these six stunning turquoise pools, surrounded by extensive cave network and underground waterfalls, make Semuc Champey an idyllic paradise.

Image by Christopher Crouzet / Wikipedia

The blue pools rest on top of a natural limestone bridge which covers a good portion of the Cahabón River.

Canola Flower Fields, China

The bright yellow flower fields in China are actually canola fields. Canola is a type of plant which is used to produce canola oil, and when the plant is fully grown it gets an amazing bright yellow color. That is why canola fields resemble a thick colorful blanket.

Image by @jacob / Instagram

Over the years, the fields have become a major tourist attraction and a very popular destination for professional and amateur photographers.

Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China

The Leshan Giant Buddha, located to the east of Leshan City in Sichuan Province, China, is a statue depicting Maitreya, the World Teacher, in a sitting position. It took almost 90 years to carve this 71-meter-high monument, in the 8th century, and it’s the world’s biggest carved stone Buddha.

This statue is located at the confluence of three rivers – Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River – providing this monument some astonishing views.

Image by @jacob / Instagram

Leshan Giant Buddha is included in the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO since 1996.

Pamukkale in Denizli Province, Southwestern Turkey

Once the home to the ancient Greco-Roman city known as Hierapolis, these mineral-rich terraced baths – that has the perfect temperature for bathing – are a favorite tourist attraction in Turkey and are known to be therapeutic.

Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

The baths are made of travertine, a type of rock, that gives it a unique shape and color.

Great Blue Hole

One of the best scuba diving destinations in the world is also one of the scariest. This surreal sight in the Caribbean Sea is a sinkhole with a diameter of 318 meters and it’s 124 meters deep. The Great Blue Hole is a part of the Belize Barrier Reef and a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

Image via Wikipedia

Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

Water and wind carved this unusual forest of red rock pillars called hoodoos for over millions of years. Rainwater was dripping into cracks in the rocks where it froze and eventually expanded and broke the rock apart. The deep walls, called “fins”, were created when the rain was running down the slopes, forming holes called windows. When these windows grow large, they tend to collapse and create hoodoos.

Photo by Ellis Dieperink on Unsplash

The Dead Sea: Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank

Torn between Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, the Dead Sea is one of the deepest hypersaline lakes in the world. With a salinity of 34.2%, it is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean. As a result of this extreme salinity, there are no living creatures in this lake. The Dead Sea receives nearly all its water from the Jordan River and it is the lowest point on dry land.

Image by RuslanKal / Depositphotos

Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey

Home of chapels, tombs, temples and houses Derinkuyu is an ancient multi-level underground city in Turkey. Approximately 200 feet (60 meters), it is large enough to have sheltered about 20,000 people, together with their livestock and food stores. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia.

Image by @oklentravel / Instagram

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

According to the legend, the columns of Giant’s Causeway was built by an Irish Giant Fionn in order to create a path across the North Channel, when he was challenged to a fight by Scottish giant, Benandonner.

Image by H. Hach from Pixabay

Science, on the other hand, says that around 50 to 60 million years ago, volcanic activity formed lava plateau which cooled over time and created these columns in the process.

Ancient city of Bagan, Myanmar

There are more than 4,000 temples in the 20-square-kilometre area that is the ancient city of Bagan. Today, the city of Bagan is one of the most important sites in Myanmar but it was a best-kept secret for centuries.

Image by @myspacetom / Instagram

All the temples and pagodas were made of stone and therefore survived until today, in surprisingly good conditions. It is believed, however, that the monasteries, grand palaces and official buildings in the city were made of wood and have been destroyed through time.

Da Nang Bridge, Vietnam

Suspended at almost 4,600 feet (1.4 kilometers) above sea level, the Da Nang bridge is divided into eight sections and it’s 500 feet (150 meters) long.

The bridge’s unique structure – a pair of giant, old looking, stone hands emerging from the hills of Vietnam appear to be lifting the bridge toward the sky – made its grand opening a major news event.

Image by @smashpop / Instagram

The bridge, also known as Cau Vang, which means the ‘gold bridge’, offers uninterrupted views of the Truong Son Mountains.

Artificial Islands, Dubai

In 2001, Dubai started creating a giant architectural project of artificial islands. By 2011, Palm Jumeirah, the palm tree shape island, was completed. Once the whole project is finished, it will add 520 kilometers of non-public beaches to the city of Dubai.

Image via Wikipedia

The downside of this grand project is the significant changes in the maritime environment. The Persian Gulf waters are now clouded with silt, and all the construction work is damaging coral reefs and oyster beds.

Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan

With the blooming of 4.5 million translucent-petaled blue flowers in the spring, covering around 190 hectares, Hitachi Seaside Park in Japan is drawing tourists from all around the world. With over a million daffodils and 170 types of tulips, this park is a must-see for every flower lover out there. The park is so big, it even has a big Ferris wheel and numerous cycling trails.

Image by @kupibilet_ru / Instagram

Crooked Forest

Just outside the town of Gryfino in north-western Poland, there is a curious woodland known as “Krzywy Las” – the Crooked Forest.

About 400 trees here have a strange curve to their trunks. They grow sideways for a few feet, before all shooting straight upright.

No one has ever been able to explain what caused these trees to grow like that – some say that it was done deliberately, for using curved wood in a ship or something similar. Other people say it might have been a natural phenomenon like a storm.

Whatever the reason, these remarkable trees are really a wonder to behold.

by Rzuwig / Wikipedia

In other areas of the world, when trees are seen crooked like this, it’s a warning that a landslide is about to occur.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Designed by famous Thai visual artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, this still unfinished temple is a breathtaking white color monument to Buddha. To white color is achieved by the use of glass in the plaster that represents the purity of Buddha and his wisdom and glorify the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings.

Image by @losingmymindfromjoy / Instagram

In 2014, a strong earthquake hit Chiang Rai, and parts of the temple were damaged. Kositpipat then decided to restore and to further expand the Wat Rong Khun.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India

Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. At the time, women weren’t allowed to be seen in public and so this five-story building, known as ‘Palace of winds’ with its 953 windows, was meant for royal ladies who wanted to observe everyday life, and festivals celebrated in the street below, without being seen.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Alberobello, Italy

One of the most impressive examples of Italian folk architecture, the Apulian town of Alberobello is a famous tourist attraction.

Image by @teocracy / Instagram

Most of the houses feature a grey cone-shaped roof and white walls, with interior made of one single chamber with a fireplace, bed and other furniture.

Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

This magnificent picturesque place in Ukraine was actually shaped by trains. Over the years, many trains travelled the line for three times a day, molding the surrounding trees in this lovely shape of a green tunnel.

Image by Ivantsov / Depositphotos

Today, the train line is abandoned but the tunnel remains one of the most romantic spots on the planet.

Batu Caves Hindu Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Batu Caves are a complex of three major caves and numerous smaller ones in limestone hill, located around 11 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. Incorporated with interior limestone formations, the temple features idols and statues that were erected inside the main caves and around it. The biggest one is Cathedral Cave which houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100-meter-high ceiling. Two other caves are called the Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave.

Image by Squirrel_photos from Pixabay

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

Habitat 67 id certainly one of the architectural wonders of our time. Located in Montreal, it was designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie as the Canadian Pavilion for the World Exposition of 1967.

Image by @janecknet / Instagram

This architectural wonder was supposed to be an experimental solution of high-quality housing for dense urban environments, which would reduce housing costs as well as integrate the qualities of the suburbs into an urban area.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

This ‘ship-like’ architectural treasure, located in Bilbao, Spain, represents one of the rare admired works of contemporary architecture. Critics, academics and the general public were united in admiring this magnificent piece of art.

Image by PA / Wikipedia

This museum is one of several which belongs to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation where you can find artwork by Spanish and international artists. It is also one of the biggest museums in Spain.

The Interlace, Singapore

Voted as The World Building of the Year at the 2015 World Architecture Festival, The Interlace is a 1000-unit apartment complex designed by OMA and Ole Scheeren. The design of this complex of buildings resembles Jenga blocks. 31 brick-look buildings irregularly stacked upon each other represents an interesting solution for overpopulated areas.

Image by @seathebreezee / Instagram

Lotus Palace, China

Built in 2013, this wonder of modern architecture shows the three phases of a lotus flower’s life cycle. It was designed by Studio 505 as a sculptural piece, with an interior that resembles a cathedral with vivid colors and lots of light.

Image by @lidiiapovorozniuk / Instagram

The use of a lighting system which uses combinations of colors makes this building – which has certainly raised the standards of the architectural culture – Especially attractive at night.

Rakotzbrücke, Germany

The famous “devil’s bridge” got its name from a German myth that tells the story of a builder that crossed the bridge with the help of the devil, and sacrificed himself. The bridge was commissioned by Friedrich Hermann Rötschke in 1860, and today it’s one of the most photographed, ‘romantic-looking’, bridges in the world.

Image by Herbert Aust from Pixabay

Cubic Houses of Rotterdam, Netherlands

Located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, this strange, but magnificent architectural wonder, was built in the hopes of optimizing space. Constructed by Piet Blom in 1970, the houses are shaped as cubes and were design to represent an abstract forest. These cubes did not succeed in mass production due to the claustrophobic feeling their interior causes.

Image by @jackyaka / Instagram

Kizhi Pogost , Russia

This island in Lake Onega is home to remarkable 18th-century wooden constructions that were a bold visionary architecture at the time. Skilled carpenters built the astonishing wooden churches and an octagonal clock tower back in 1862. These churches are built on the very spot where older churches were standing, churches that were burned down in 1693 after they were struck by the lightning.

Image by @dbeppu1 / Instagram

Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Myanmar

Set on top of a small hill in downtown Yangon, this massive 99-meter high gold-plated pagoda with its diamond-studded spire is visible from the everywhere in the city. And thanks to the reflection of the sun, the pagoda is even more impressive in the evening.

Image by @aburmeseabroad / Instagram

It is Myanmar’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage site and it is believed that it holds the sacred relics of the Gautama Buddha.

The Dancing House, Prague

Inspired by the most famous dancing duo of all time, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, The Nationale Nederlanden building, better known as The Dancing House, is one of the most significant landmarks in Prague today. Almost 3000 meters square, the Dancing House is home to a restaurant, a gallery, a conference center and lots of offices.