If you’re bored of your usual vacation spots and want to get your adventure on, Earth has a lot of magnificently bizarre places to see. The destinations in this list are truly of the surreal variety. How many have I visited? Zero. But that’s only because I just found out about these recently (except for #4 and that’s because it freaks me out). Now get to it!
1. Fly Ranch Geyser, Nevada
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Not quite a natural phenomenon, the Fly Ranch Geyser was an “accident” that came as a result of well drilling. The wells were left unplugged and a bunch of minerals made their way out and accumulated to create this breathtaking scene.
Not quite a natural phenomenon, the Fly Ranch Geyser was an “accident” that came as a result of well drilling. The wells were left unplugged and a bunch of minerals made their way out and accumulated to create this breathtaking scene.
2. “Eye of the Sahara” Richat Structure, Mauritania
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WDRB
This mysterious natural wonder is massive. How massive? The second photo was taken from the International Space Station. At nearly 50km in diameter, nobody really noticed this highly symmetrical structure until it was seen from space. There have been numerous theories as to what caused the Richat Structure, including an impact crater and a volcanic eruption, but there are just too many unexplained features. Some researchers even believe that it could be the lost city of Atlantis!
3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed
A popular destination for tourists and photographers, this incredible canyon was sculpted over thousands of years by water and wind. The intricate formations cause the sun light to bounce around in such a way that you can expect a spectacle of light, shadow and colours.
4. “Door to Hell” Deweze, Turkmenistan
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The Daily Dot
Good grief! Geologists were drilling in the gas-rich area of Derweze when the ground collapsed, leaving a large hole in the ground. Poisonous gas was making its way out of the hole and so it was decided to burn it off. That was in 1971. The locals have named this raging crater the “Door to Hell” and it continues to burn to this day.
5. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
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Anspress
This eerily beautiful wonder is the largest salt flat on the planet. The vivid blue sky combined with the stark white salt makes for an absolutely breathtaking view and some truly awesome photos!
6. Lake Natron, Tanzania
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At less than 10 feet (three meters) in depth, Natron Lake has a high levels of evaporation. Water flows in from the Southern Waso Ng’iro River and mineral-rich hot springs, and once evaporated, salts and minerals called natron are left behind. Why is it red? The lake’s colour is due to the salt-loving organisms thrive in this environment.
7. “Dead Marsh” Deadvlei, Namibia
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This white clay pan once flourished with camel thorn trees. After being hit with drought, the trees died and what was left was this incredible composition of orange sand dunes, bleach-white clay, and sun-scorched black trees. The trees are said to be nearly a millennium in age and their lack of moisture allows them to avoid decomposition.
8. Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
The Chive
Believed to be over two million years old, the Waitomo Caves have impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. But what really makes it a tourist destination are the glowworms that provide the illumination.
9. Socotra, Yemen
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Brain Parking
If you’ve ever wanted to see some really weird plants, find your way to the isolated island of Socotra. And by isolated, I mean it is the most isolated landform on the planet of continental origin. With hundreds of rare plant species, I wouldn’t blame you if you thought that you landed on an alien planet.
9½. Ice Cave in Skaftafell, Iceland
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Gorgeous, isn’t it? Bad news: you’re too late for this one. Sadly, ice caves are known to collapse rather easily and such was the fate of this beauty. But all is not lost! There are other ice caves in Iceland but they too can be quite fleeting. If you check out one of these, stay safe and consult an experienced guide!
