Johann Hunt
The Earth consists of breathtaking terrains, and for centuries, some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders were a mystery to all. But thanks to groundbreaking research and new equipment, scientists are now unraveling the mysteries behind them. Here are 15 formations that have finally had their secrets unlocked.
Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland
Beneath this massive glacier lies striking blue ice caves and volcanic activity. Scientists now know that Iceland’s glaciers are some of the fastest-changing landscapes due to volcanic heat below. Studies show that melting and refreezing within the glacier create stunning ice caves, which also offer an extraordinary view of the interaction between fire and ice.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
This Irish coastal landmark consists of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The mystery behind these perfectly geometric formations baffled observers until scientists linked them to volcanic activity. Basaltic lava flows slowly cooled and contracted, creating a hexagonal pattern. Recent research has even suggested that the speed of the lava’s cooling influenced the size and shape of the columns.
Rainbow Mountains, China
How did China’s Zhangye Danxia mountains get their rainbow-like layers? Scientists discovered that these vivid stripes result from mineral deposits over 24 million years ago. The colors come from iron and other trace minerals in sandstone, later exposed by tectonic forces and erosion. This striking natural wonder is now a stunning geological timeline for those who can decode it.
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
These perfectly round boulders on New Zealand’s Otago coast have intrigued scientists for ages. Formed through concretion, minerals gradually crystallized around a core over millions of years. Recent studies reveal their unique spherical shape results from gradual, symmetrical growth in seabeds, creating giant marbles sculpted by nature’s patient hand.
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, Utah
Bryce Canyon in Utah is home to towering rock spires called hoodoos, which have been eroded into bizarre, almost alien shapes. Scientists uncovered that a combination of frost-wedging and rainwater erosion shaped these formations. The freezing and thawing of water in cracks gradually chipped away at the softer rock while rain further sculpted the pillars.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Geologists have long debated how this colossal gorge carved through Arizona’s topography. Recent studies indicate that it resulted from tectonic shifts and erosion lasting millions of years. Ancient rivers significantly shaped its current form, making it a geological masterpiece. This process underscores the immense power of water and time in sculpting Earth’s surface.
Mount Pinatubo, Philippines
When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, it left behind a massive caldera. But how exactly does a volcano collapse to form such a significant depression? Geologists explained that the caldera formed when the magma chamber beneath the volcano emptied rapidly during the eruption, causing the ground above to collapse.
Stone Forest, Madagascar
Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha is a stunning “stone forest” of jagged limestone needles that dominate the topology. Formed over millions of years through erosion, water has carved deep crevices into the limestone plateau. Researchers have found that slightly acidic rainwater dissolves the limestone, creating these impressive, sharp pinnacles that rise dramatically from the terrain.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Here is the world’s largest salt flat (over 4,000 square miles) that has long intrigued visitors with its mirror-like surface after it rains. Scientists now believe that the Salar de Uyuni was once a vast prehistoric lake that evaporated over millennia. As the waters dried up, they left a thick salt crust, creating otherworldly terrain.
Antelope Canyon, USA
Science has discovered that flash floods carved this slot canyon over thousands of years. The rushing water, combined with wind erosion, sculpted the sandstone into the stunning formations we see today. With its swirling, wave-like walls and narrow passageways, Antelope Canyon in Arizona looks like abstract art.
Mount Etna, Italy
As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mount Etna has shaped the environment of Sicily for thousands of years. Recent research has shown that the volcano’s eruptions are due to the tectonic plates and magma reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surface. Each eruption reshapes the mountain and creates new craters.
Yamal Peninsula, Siberia
Enormous craters in Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula initially sparked theories of meteor impacts or explosions. However, geologists now explain these massive formations, some reaching 100 feet wide, due to trapped methane gas. As permafrost thaws due to rising temperatures, the gas escapes explosively, creating these striking and mysterious depressions in the environment.
The Pinnacles Desert, Australia
Australia’s Pinnacles Desert features thousands of limestone spires that rise eerily from the yellow sand. Geologists initially struggled to explain their origin, but now they believe that the Pinnacles formed from the remains of ancient seashells compacted over time. As the wind blew away the surrounding sand, these fossilized remnants remained.
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is amongst the driest places on Earth, and features stunning scenery of Valle de la Luna. Scientists have linked these valleys to intense volcanic activity, coupled with millions of years of erosion by wind and rare water flows. The sharp ridges and salt formations result from the rapid evaporation of water in this hyper-arid climate.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
One of the hottest and most inhospitable locations on Earth, the Danakil Depression is a surreal topography of bubbling lava lakes, salt flats, and colorful mineral deposits. Researchers explain that this extreme scenery came to be as three tectonic plates collided. By the way, the region is still geologically active, with volcanic eruptions and hydrothermal vents.