1. Naica mine, Mexico
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Naica Mine, located in Naica, is an incredible working mine filled with enormous selenite crystals, formed by hydrothermal fluids that arise from the magma chambers underneath. The two most well known caverns are appropriately named, “The Cave of Crystals” and “The Cave of Swords.”
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Antelope Canyon is located near Page Arizona, on the Navajo land. The beautiful canyon was formed due to erosion caused by flash flooding and other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater picks up enough speed and sand to slowly form deeper and wider corridors. The ‘flowing’ shapes seen in the rocks result from the same process as water smoothes over the hard edges of the rock.
3. Starry beach, Maldives
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This glistening beach, believe it or not, is actually a natural occurrence. Located on an island nation in the Indian Ocean-Arabian Sea, the popular destination radiates a beautiful glowing effect, caused by microscophic organisms called bioluminescent phytoplankton, or Lingulodinium polyedrum.
4. Lake Retba, Senegal and Lake Hilier, Australia
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The pretty shade of pink seen in these lakes are due to the presence of algae that produces carotenoids, an organic pigment that is found in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants. Once the lake water reaches a high level of salinity, coupled with a high temperature and adequate light conditions, the algae begin to accumulate red beta-carotene.
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This spectacular structure, known as the Tsingy (or stone forest), is located in a remote part of Madagascar. Tsingy roughly translates to ‘where one cannot walk,” for good reason. The limestone, shaped overtime by tropical rain, takes on the shape of razor sharp points.
6. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
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The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat located in Southwest Bolivia. The giant reflective pool was formed as a result of transformation between prehistoric lakes.
7. Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan
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With a name like that, some people might shy away from visiting this destination in Derweze, Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. But don’t worry. The Door to Hell is simply a natural gas field, which has been burning since 1971, when it was lit by Soviet petroleum engineers.
8. Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
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The Zhangye Danxia Landform can be found through out southeast, southwest and northwest China. The unique landscapes are formed from red-colored sandstones and are relics of the Cretaceous age.
