Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
Source: independent.co.ukIt may look normal during daylight, but at night, this beach comes to life. The sparkle in the water comes from marine microbes called phytoplankton. The galaxy they paint across the shore is nothing short of breathtaking.
Source: independent.co.ukGrand Prismatic Hot Spring, Wyoming
Source: mostbeautifulplacesintheworld.orgGrand Prismatic Hot Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented microbes, which grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water.
Source: wikipedia.orgDeadvlei, Namibia
Source: nationalgeographic.comNo, the above images are not surrealist paintings. They’re photographs of “dead valley,” where trees stand against a background of the highest sand dunes in the world. Once a thriving forest, the approaching desert has killed all life.
Source: wikipedia.orgTurquoise Ice, Lake Baikal, Russia
Source: reddit.comLake Baikal is the largest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. In the winter, the lake freezes, but the water is so clear that you can see 130 feet below the ice. In March, frost and sun cause cracks in the ice crust, which results in the turquoise ice shards we see at the surface.
Source: mymodernmet.comSocotra, Yemen
Source: images.boomsbeat.comOne third of the plant life on Socotra Island is found nowhere else on planet Earth. One of the most bizarre forms of life is the dragon blood tree, which resembles an umbrella.
Source: abduzeedo.comZhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
Source: laboiteverte.frThese colourful rock formations are the result of red sandstone and mineral deposits laid down over 24 million years. Wind and rain then carved amazing shapes into the rock, forming natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls.
Source: telegraph.co.ukTunnel of Love, Klevan, Ukraine
Source: 500px.orgThis tunnel was shaped over many years, as trains traveled the line three times time a day, molding the surrounding trees. Now abandoned, the track is a romantic spot for an afternoon stroll.
Source: inhabitat.comGlowworm Caves, Waitomo, New Zealand
Source: sites.psu.eduThousands of tiny glowworms hang to the ceiling of this grotto and radiate a luminescent light, creating a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Source: waitomo.comYuanyang County, China
Source: wikimedia.orgThe farming techniques in Yuanyang County have created a landscape which is truly amazing from the air. These rice fields are located on the slopes of Ailao Mountain, where the terraced levels help create flat surfaces along an uneven landscape.
Source: travelchinaguide.comLake Hillier, Australia
Source: wallpaperdownloader.comThe pink color of this lake is thought to be the result of a dye created by algae and bacteria in the water. Despite the odd hue, the lake doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on humans or local wildlife.
Source: wikipedia.orgPamukkale Hot Springs, Turkey
Source: wondrouspics.comOver millions of years, the hotsprings in Pamukkale have transformed the landscape. Although it may look like these terraces are made of ice and snow, Turkey has bikini weather all year round. The ground is just coated in white limestone.
Source: wikipedia.orgCaño Cristales River, Colombia
Source: wikimedia.orgDue to it’s extensive habitat of fauna and flora, this flowing river appears in yellow, green, blue, black and red as you travel along it. The rocks here are around 1.2 billion years old, and those who visit call it the most beautiful river in the world.
Source: wikipedia.orgPatagonia Marble Caves, Chile
Source: whenonearth.netFormed by thousands of years of waves crashing against calcium carbonate, these caves have smooth, swirling walls, which reflect the lake’s azure waters.
Source: atlasobscura.comGiant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Source: earthporm.comAround 50 to 60 million years ago, intense volcanic activity in the area formed a lava plateau. Over time, the lava cooled and fractures created columns that are so perfect, they almost look artificial.
Source: wikipedia.orgFly Geyser, Nevada
Source: ppcdn.500px.orgFly Geyser was accidentally created when a well was drilled and left uncapped. Minerals and algae started to rise from the geyser and accumulated to form an alien-like mound.
Source: allaroundnevada.comUnderwater Waterfall, Mauritius Island
Source: whenonearth.netStrong ocean currents continually drive sand from the shores of Mauritius into the abyss below, creating this one-of-a-kind underwater waterfall.
Source: gearthblog.comMount Roraima, South America
Source: whenonearth.netThis tabletop mountain is one of the oldest mountains on Earth, dating back two billion years when the land was lifted high above the ground by tectonic activity. The sides of the mountain are sheer vertical cliffs, with several waterfalls, making it nearly impossible to climb.
Source: wikipedia.orgAogashima, Japan
Source: earthporm.comAogashima is a volcanic island located 200 miles off the coast of Tokyo. Even more amazing than the view is the geography - there’s a smaller volcano within the volcano island.
Source: earthporm.comFingal’s cave, Scotland
Source: potd.pdnonline.comLike the Giant’s Causeway, this cave was formed by lava cooling and fracturing over millions of years. The jagged formations on the outside are entirely nature’s doing.
Source: wikipedia.orgUnderwater River, Cenote Angelita, Mexico
Source: anatoly.proUnderneath the water of Cenote Angelita is another flowing body of water. The river is full of hydrogen sulfate, which is much heavier than normal salt water. When it sinks to the bottom, it forms a flow of its own.
Source: huffingtonpost.comNaica Mine, Mexico
Source: boredpanda.comThis silver mine is coated in crystals as big as 50 feet long and 4 feet wide. They Were formed by hydrothermal fluids rising from the magma chambers below. This is a must see on any cave lover’s bucket list.
Source: wikipedia.orgHidden Beach, Mexico
Source: ppcdn.500px.orgThis magnificent hidden beach was created by a military explosion test in early 1900s. The surrounding islands were deemed a nature park, with the hidden beach only accessible by swimming through a fifty foot tunnel.
Source: huffingtonpost.comLake Natron, Tanzania
Source: amazingstuff.co.uk/This lake has a uniquely high salt content. Salt-loving microorganisms thrive and produce red pigment, colorizing the water. For other animals, the salt is deadly and many calcify (effectively turning into stone) after taking a dip in the water.
Source: abduzeedo.comThe Eye of Africa, Mauritania
Source: abduzeedo.comFound in the middle of the Sahara Desert is a deeply eroded bowl, over 24 miles in diameter. The natural formation is so impressive that for a long time, scientists believed it was the site of an asteroid impact.
Source: abduzeedo.comHighlands, Iceland
Source: earthporm.comThe isolated highlands of Iceland have some of the most superb natural sights in the Northern Hemisphere. The mindblowing glaciers, craters, lakes and geysers are breathtaking by day, but when night falls, the area becomes one of the best places to witness the aurora borealis.
Source: earthporm.comPlitvice Lakes, Croatia
Source: therichestimages.comPlitvice National Park is the largest of it’s kind in Croatia and the oldest in Southeast Europe. Over thousands of years, water flowing over limestone and chalk created natural dams and eventually, beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls.
Source: whc.unesco.orgAs I compiled these beautiful destinations, I felt an urge to sell everything I own and travel the world. I hope you did to - share this with the people you'd love to travel with!
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