Jacob's Well - Wimberley, Texas

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More info..

Wikipedia page..

Google maps location..

Impressive Collection!

Source: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History / Via

What a Cool Little Natural Fort

Click to enlarge!                                                                                     Via - (NSFW)

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

(the largest cave in the world)


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Son Doong Cave Wiki

Interactive Map here..

Here is a nice article about a trip into the cave.

8 Breathtaking Natural Wonders

The Hole in the Rock, New Zealand - Image Source

Yuanyang Rice Terraces
The Hani people’s ancestors came to this steep mountain area 2,500 years ago. In their struggle against the difficult terrain they successfully established the terraces, where they grew rice in order to make a living. The technology of developing fertile land on rugged mountain slopes didn’t spread all over China and Southeast Asia until 14th century. The creativity of the Hani people turned this mountain area into one of artistic beauty. In recognition, the Ming Dynasty emperor granted the title of ‘Skillful Sculptor’ to Hani people and their good reputation was passed down from generation to generation. At present, known as ‘land sculpture’ the terraced fields have been being officially acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. More info..

Crescent Moon Lake Oasis
The Crescent Lake near Dunhuang in western China, is an amazing oasis in the Gobi desert. Yet this millennia old landmark may not be around much longer.The formation of the lake resulted from a geological peculiarity – the north and south slopes are higher than the east and west – and from the wind which blows from west to east. The wind initially blows in a southeasterly direction, and is then forced upwards where it rotates spirally before finally retreating in an easterly direction. As a result, the lake has never once become silted up with sand in 1000 years. More info..

Angel Falls
Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world, at 1,002 m, and is located in the Canaima National Park in Bolivar State, along Venezuela’s border with Brazil. It is more than 19 times higher than Niagara Falls. The uninterrupted descent of water falls 807m. More info..


The Tufa Towers of Mono Lake
In 1941, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power began diverting Mono Lake’s tributary streams 350 miles south to meet the growing water demands of Los Angeles. Deprived of its freshwater sources, the volume of Mono Lake halved, while its salinity doubled. Unable to adapt to these changing conditions within such a short period of time, the ecosystem began to collapse. The damage to the environment would be untold. Paradoxically it would leave the area eerily beautiful – like some alien backdrop from an episode of Star Trek. At some points in the year a soap-like layer forms on the top of the lake. More info..

Click all pics to enlarge!

Click here to see the rest of the list..

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The World's Newest Natural Wonders

The Northern Lights                                                                                                                   Source

Each year, the United Nations unveils a list of the world's most stunning natural attractions, called World Heritage sites, and chances are, you've never heard of them—Papahanaumokuakea, anyone? The designation shines the spotlight on a handful of hidden gems, while also protecting them from man.

Over the past 28 years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has identified more than 180 of these natural wonders across 77 countries. These "World Heritage Sites" are deemed "unique, irreplaceable, and authentic." The esteemed club includes the likes of the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and Victoria Falls among other iconic sites. (Manmade landmarks, such as Rome's Colosseum, are counted separately.)

This summer, the UN agency added some particularly picturesque landscapes to its list.

China - China Danxia
The region known as China Danxia spans six subtropical areas approximately 310 miles southwest of Xi'an, home of the terra-cotta warriors. Red sandstone pillars, ravines, and other fantastical shapes recall Mars more than they do southwestern China.


Hawaii - Papahanaumokuakea
Preposterously clear lagoons and extensive coral reefs protect rare marine life around this set of tiny islands and atolls in northwestern Hawaii (reachable only by chartered plane). Ghost alert! As native tradition has it, spirits return to this area after death.


Russia - Putoransky State Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is situated more than 62 miles north of the Arctic Circle in northern Central Siberia, and is a vital migration route for reindeer crossing its tundra and rivers. the Putoransky State Nature Reserve is technically a desert because it rains and snows so little here, though snowfall does tend to linger owing to the icy temperatures.

Continue to the rest of the list..

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Classic

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Pamukkale - Turkey's Cotton Castle

Image Source

Pamukkale, is a natural site in Denizli Province in south-western Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.

It is one of Turkey’s incomparable natural wonders with the calcium cascade terraces of snow-white stalactites, and is known as 8th wonder of the World by Turkish people. Pamukkale & Hierapolis together are both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1988. They have all the conditions required for an ideal touristic resort. Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” but had many different uncommon names in the past, and is not only very well known with the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formation, but also with its historical remains.


Image Source

Tourism is and has been a major industry. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. As recently as the mid 20th century, hotels were built over the ruins of Heropolis, causing considerable damage. An approach road was built from the valley over the terraces, and motor bikes were allowed to go up and down the slopes. When the area was declared a world heritage site, the hotels were demolished and the road removed and replaced with artificial pools. Wearing shoes in the water is prohibited to protect the deposits.

Geologically, the terraces of Pamukkale are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. The water that emerges from the 17 hot water springs in the area is transported over 1000 feet to the head of the travertine terraces, where calcium carbonate deposits onto a 200-230 feet-long section - covering an expansive area of 790 feet to 980 feet. When the water reaches the surface, carbon dioxide degases from it, and calcium carbonate is deposited. This continues until the carbon dioxide in the water balances the carbon dioxide in the air. Calcium carbonate is deposited as a soft jelly-like substance, but this eventually hardens into travertine.

The entire process is (of course) affected by weather conditions, ambient temperature, and the flow duration, as well as many other factors of rarer occurrence. The result is a beautiful, ever-changing serenity of warm pools surrounded by solid white, cotton-like castle formations.

Sources: 1, 2, and 3.

Here are a few more images:










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Here is an awesome Powerpoint presentation: (Please click on menu at the bottom left to view full-screen!)

Pamukkale - Turkey's Cotton Castle

Beer Racism

That's racist!

In other news the Dos Equis have got the Red Stripe hostage with a family of Sapporo as ransom.

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