April 5, 2024 | Allison Robertson

15 of the Most Unique Natural Wonders on Earth


A Unique Perspective

The world is a very interesting place with countless places of unique natural features commonly referred to as natural phenomena.

Here are 15 of the strangest and most unique natural phenomena in the world.

bridge and underwater park split image

Salar De Uyuni

Located in Bolivia, the Salar De Uyuni is the largest salt pan in the world. And when a thin film of water gathers on the surface it is also the world’s largest natural mirror.

Landscape Photo of Salar de Uyuni with mountains and clear sky in the backgroundAnouchka Unel, Wikimedia Commons

How It Formed

Salar De Uyuni is the remains of a prehistoric lake that dried up and left behind void space of bright-white salt, rock formations, and cacti-islands.

The best time to visit is during the months of July and October

Landscape Photo of Salar de Uyuni during the rainy season it becomes a giant mirrorMarquex bol, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is located in Tanzania and it is known as one of the scariest lakes in the world because it turns birds and animals into stone.

Landscape Photo of Lake Natron with Flamingos in front and mountains in the backgroundRichard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

What It Is

Lake Naton is a high salt and high alkaline lake. The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH level of greater than 12. When animals come into contact with the water, calcium starts to accumulate in their body tissue—which is called calcification—essentially turning them into stone.

Landscape Photo of Lake Natron with Flamingos in front and blurred backgroundChristoph Strässler, Flickr

Die Rakotzbrück

The Die Rakotzbrück bridge is another strange place in the world. Located in Germany, this bridge was is famous for its unique construction accuracy. The reflection of the bridge in the water below helps make a perfect circle.

Landscape Photo of Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge at the Rakotz lake in Saxony GermanyWilliWonka121, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Restricted Access

While the bridge is still very popular with tourists, no one is actually allowed to walk on it. Even so, its fairy tale look draws in tons of visitors each year.

Landscape Photo of Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge at the Rakotz lake in Saxony GermanyKhrystyna Mogyliuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Spotted Lake Khiluk

Spotted Lake Khiluk is located in British Columbia and is the most mineralized lake in the world. The lake is spotted with 365 separate pools arranged in a strange mosaic-like pattern.

Landscape Photo of the Spotted Lake also known as Lake Khiluk with cloudy sky in the backgroundanthropodermic, Flickr

Healing Powers

Each of the spots holds a concentrated chemical content and is said to actually cure different diseases. In fact, it is a sacred site known to First Nations People for its miraculous healing powers.

Landscape Photo of the Spotted Lake also known as Lake Khiluk with cloudy sky in the backgroundBryan Hughes, Flickr

Slope Point

Slope Point is in New Zealand is another one of the world’s strangest places. The forest here is home to trees that are permanently twisted.

Landscape Photo of Slope Point, the Southernmost Point of the South Island of New ZealandTonia Kraakman, Pexels

Extreme Winds

The trees are said to be permanently windblown, as this location is known to be one of the windiest places on Earth thanks to intense Antarctic gusts.

Landscape Photo of Slope Point, the Southernmost Point of the South Island of New ZealandTatters, Flickr

Deadvlei

Located in Namibia, the name Deadvlei means “dead marsh”, and it is a forest of sun-blackened unalive trees that sit in a white clay pan which is basically a dried oasis.

Aerial view of Deadvlei a white clay pan in the Namib-Naukluft Park in NamibiaOlga Ernst & Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

A Desert Oasis

The lack of water in the extreme heat forces the roots of trees to come outside looking for moisture. Not only is the area surrounded by rust-orange giant sand dunes, but they’re also the highest sand dunes in the world.

Landscape Photo of Deadvlei a white clay pan located inside the Namib-Naukluft ParkMark Fischer, Flickr

The Underwater Park

Another one of the world’s weirdest places is this underwater park. Located in Austria, this park goes completely underwater during the spring.

Landscape Photo of Grüner See (Green Lake) is a lake in Styria, AustriaHerzi Pinki, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

A Scuba Diver’s Dream

During the winter, everything is normal and the lake is surrounded by a county park. But the park is also surrounded by mountains, so in the spring, the valley below fills with clear blue water sending the entire park deep underwater—making it a popular scuba diving spot.

Scuba Diver in the Grüner See (Green Lake) is a lake in Styria, AustriaTauchSport_Steininger, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Eternal Flame Falls

Another spectacular wonder is Eternal Flame Falls, located in New York. This stunning waterfall boasts a small flame at its base that is visible all year.

A close-up of the gas-lit flame below Eternal Flame FallsMpmajewski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

What Causes the Flame

The flame is fueled by natural gases that emit from the base of the waterfall. The flame can sometimes be extinguished, but can be relit. It will continue to burn for very long periods of time.

A close-up of the gas-lit flame below Eternal Flame FallsKim Carpenter, Flickr

The Tunnel of Love

In a section of industrial railway in Urkraine is this green leafy tunnel that looks like something out of a fairy tale. It is known as being a favorite place for couples to go for romantic walks.

The Tunnel of Love, near Klevan, Rivnenskyi raionMyroslava Rakovets, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

How It Grew

The Tunnel of Love was originally built for military purposes. It was disguised by planting trees all around it, which in time grew so much that they took over a 4.9km stretch.

The Tunnel of Love, near Klevan, Rivnenskyi raionDmytroChapman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Christ of the Abyss

In Italy, a 2.5-meter-tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ sits completely submerged underwater, making it a top tourist attraction for scuba divers.

Overhead Photo of the Christ of the Abyss submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ in the Mediterranean SeaWilfred Hdez, Flickr

How It Got There

The statue of Jesus Christ was made by Guido Galletti. It was placed upon the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea as an honor to Dario Gonzatt, the first Italian to use scuba diving gear. It was installed 17 meters underwater in 1954, and remains there today.

Photo of the Christ of the Abyss submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ in the Mediterranean Seavgm8383, Flickr

The Silfra Rift

The Silfra Rift, one of the most obscure places in the world separates two continents and two tectonic plates, namely the North American and Eurasian plates.

Landscape Photo of Silfra a rift formed in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the North American and Eurasian platesDiego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Snorkeling the Rift

It occupies an area of approximately 600 by 200 meters, and is known as one of the most unique phenomena on Earth. Snorkeling in Silfra Rift is one of Iceland’s most awesome experiences.

People Snorkeling at Silfra rift with cloudy sky in the backgroundDiego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Caño Cristales

Caño Cristales, located in Colombia, is known as the river of five colors. It is famous for its multi-colored waters that change in color and vibrance throughout the year.

Landscape Photo of Caño Cristales with cloudy sky in the backgroundMario Carvajal, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

What Makes It Colorful

The waters change colors by the presence of different types of algae and minerals. The water temperatures and sunlight activate vibrancy levels, so on a good day the water is extra colorful.

p Photo of Caño Cristales a Colombian river in the Serranía de la Macarena mountain rangePedro Szekely, Flickr

Jellyfish Lake

Jellyfish Lake is located in Palau, and it is one of the South Pacific’s most unique underwater attractions. Visitors here can actually swim among millions of jellyfish.

Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk Island a marine lake located on Eil Malk island in PalauLukas from Munich, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Millions of Jellyfish

In 2005, there were an estimated 30 million jellyfish living in the lake. The majority of the jellyfish in the lake do not sting, as there are no natural predators in the lake so they have lost their ability to sting.

Migration Of Golden Jellyfish In Jellyfish LakeRichard Schneider, Flickr

Blood Falls

In the Antarctica, among stark white snowy mountains is a small waterfall that pours out deep-red water, making it a creepy natural phenomenon.

Blood Falls seeps from the end of the Taylor Glacier into Lake BonneyNational Science Foundation/Peter Rejcek, Wikimedia Commons

What Makes It Red

The red coloring is due to oxidized iron in brine saltwater, the same process that gives the iron a dark red color when it rusts.

"Crime Scene" at Blood Falls: A rusty, reddish-brown stream flows from the Antarctic Taylor GlacierJill Mikucki/University of Tennessee Knoxville, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Painted Hills

The Painted Hills are located in Oregon, and they are best known for their natural painted design that shows up in vibrant yellows, reds, golds, and blacks.

Landscape Photo of The Painted Hills a geologic site in Wheeler County, OregonGreg Harness, Flickr

What Makes Them Colorful

It’s the presence of minerals that stain the hills in myriad hues. The ever-changing light and moisture levels produce different colored affects.

Landscape Photo of The Painted Hills a geologic site in Wheeler County, OregonBonnie Moreland, Flickr

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