12 Must-See Natural Phenomena Around the World
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The force of nature is one to be reckoned with. While modern man can create all kinds of colorful or clever objects, natural phenomena can be far more impressive. From striped mountains, blood-stained ice, or a rainbow river to some of the planet’s most fascinating rock formations, here are some of the world’s must-see spectacles.
Rainbow Mountains, China
The multi-tonal stripes of the Rainbow Mountains in China must be seen to be believed. As a UNESCO-listed heritage site, visitors can only view the broad stripes of color from specially constructed platforms to prevent damage.
Seeing them from afar, or even from the air, gives you the full wide-angle view. Shades include terracotta, moss green, soft pink, duck egg blue, and ochre.
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Blood Falls, Antarctica
It might resemble a violent crime scene, but the appearance of Blood Falls in Antarctica is down to a simple chemical reaction. Iron oxide takes on a bright red tinge when it meets the air. The tinted saltwater looks like blood flowing over the surface of the rocks and ice, starkly contrasting the bright white environment.
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Aurora Australis, Tasmania
The beauty of the Northern Lights – or Aurora Borealis – is much celebrated, but you also have a good chance of spotting the lesser-known Aurora Australis in Tasmania. Visit Cockle Creek between May and August – the Australian winter – if you want to try your luck. Aurora Australis lights up the sky just as Aurora Borealis does, with colored lights in shades of green, pink, purple, and more.
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Spotted Lake, Canada
Lake Khiluk – or Spotted Lake – is unremarkable in winter. But visit in summer, and you’ll find multi-colored polka dots scattered across the water’s surface. The mineral-rich water is why you’ll see various shades, including yellow, green, blue, and white. The spots form when water evaporates, leaving behind circular mineral deposits.
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Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
According to legend, the pathway created at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was created by Finn McCool, an Irish giant who wanted to fight Benandonner, a Scottish giant. The distinctive black basalt columns result from volcanic activity dating back many millions of years. Similar basalt formations can also be seen across the water at Fingal’s Cave, on the Scottish island of Staffa.
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Forest of Knives, Madagascar
Comprising a series of sharp limestone spikes, the Forest of Knives in Madagascar comprises over 150,000 hectares of “knives.” They are in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in northwestern Madagascar. A bridge has been built for visitors to walk across, so there’s no need for protective footwear.
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Stromatolites, Western Australia
They may not look like much, but the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia have been around for about 3.5 billion years. Stroll along a specially constructed wooden platform to see them, and you’ll notice they’re breathing. This sparked life on Earth, as it increased oxygen levels on the planet, paving the way for new life forms.
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Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
More of the world’s most distinctive rock formations are at Koekohe Beach in New Zealand. The boulders vary in size, from around half a meter to over two meters across. They were formed around 65 million years ago, when calcite solidified to form the giant gobstoppers, aliens’ brains, or bowling balls of giants, as they’re also known.
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Caño Cristales, Colombia
The most beautiful river on the planet can be found in Colombia, where the water flows in a spectrum of rainbow hues. This phenomenon is also known as the River of Five Colors or the Liquid Rainbow and can include shades of red, green, orange, purple, yellow, and blue. A plant endemic to this river, macarenia clavigera, is responsible.
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Death Valley, USA
The mysterious sailing stones of Death Valley take the concept of rolling stones to a whole new level. Desiccated Death Valley National Park, straddling the California and Nevada border, is the place to see these moving rocks. It’s a combination of moving liquid around the stones and wind power that causes them to “sail” across the landscape.
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Lake Baikal, Russia
Visit in winter to witness the natural spectacle of Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. The extremely low temperatures in this part of the world result in blocks of transparent, azure ice, which glows like precious gems in the sunshine. The lake is remarkable at any time of year as it’s the deepest and oldest lake on the planet.
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Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
Thanks to small bioluminescent organisms, there are beaches across the world that glow by night. The best place to witness this natural phenomenon is Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives, also known as Mudhdhoo Island. Even gentle wave action stimulates the organisms to emit light, so the ocean resembles a starry sky. Visit during hours of darkness for the best experience.
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Tracy Chesterson is a freelance content writer specializing in travel. UK-based, she’s traveled widely, particularly in Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, and spent a year exploring Australia. Tracy has also worked in the travel trade. In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors and plan future trips.
