The planet is full of natural and artificial wonders that remind us of science fiction movies and series about space and aliens. These sights look like they belong to other planets but don’t. In this article, we have introduced 19 examples of the strangest and most spectacular places on Earth that you might not believe are on the planet.
1. Fly Geyser in Nevada
Fly Geyser is a colorful geyser in the heart of the Nevada desert. It was created due to human error and the pressure of geothermal energy. In 1964, a company dug a well in this area to extract hot water from underground, but they blocked the well because the water was not hot enough. However, the well was not closed properly, and over time, a geyser was formed due to the pressure of the hot water.
2. The Great Prism Fountain in Yellowstone
Prism Spring, with a diameter of 60 to 90 meters, is the largest spa spring in Yellowstone. This spring is almost 36 meters deep, and its beautiful colors are due to the presence of thermophiles. Thermophiles are organisms that live in hot environments. Thermophiles in the hottest part of the lake are colorless or yellow, and orange, brown, and green thermophiles are found in less hot water. This problem explains the color composition of the sizeable, colorful fountain well.
3. Rainbow Mountain in Peru
Rainbow Mountain, also called Winnikonka and Seven-Colored Mountain, was hidden under a pile of snow for a long time until it was discovered in 2015. This mountain’s red, gold, green, and purple colors are due to the deposition of minerals, giving it an eye-catching effect.
4. Danakil depression in Ethiopia
The Danakil Depression is one of the most incredible places on Earth. It looks like something out of a fantasy movie and a lot like the planet Venus. The temperature of this area reaches 45 degrees Celsius, also called the Gate of Hell. Sulfuric acid and chlorine gas surround the air in Danakil, and acid pools and geysers can be seen throughout the area.
5. Lake Hillier in Australia
The combination of the pink Hillier lake with the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the green areas around it has created an extraordinary view. The leading cause of the pink color of this lake is still unknown. Despite this, scientists believe that the symbiosis of a type of salt-loving bacteria and Donalilla salina microalgae that produce red pigment is responsible for this color. Also, the reaction between salt and sodium bicarbonate may have affected the color of Lake Hillier.
6. Crystal Cave in Mexico
The giant salt crystals formed in Mexico’s Crystal Cave have given it a spatial effect. These crystals are over hundreds of thousands of years old and are still growing.
7. Habitat 67 residential complex in Canada
In 1967, Moshe Safadi started a project that aimed to innovate in apartment buildings. He built the Habitat 67 residential complex on an artificial peninsula in Montreal, Canada, with strange and fantastic architecture. Today, this complex is considered one of the unique structures in architecture.
8. The Garden of Eden in England
The Garden of Eden is another artificial creation that inspires viewers to feel extraterrestrial. This garden is a greenhouse and a scientific center whose goal is environmental balance and social equality.
9. Underwater waterfall on the island of Mauritius
The waterfall under the sea is located on the island of Mauritius in the east of Madagascar. It reminds the viewer of the Pirates of the Caribbean series of adventure films. It is interesting to know that this waterfall is just a type of vision error caused by the sudden decrease in the height of the continental plateau in this area.
10. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
Singapore Bay Garden is like a space island we have seen in movies and fantasy series. This garden, opened in 2011, has displayed the art of scientific gardening well.
11. Salar de Uni in Bolivia
Salar de Uni, with an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers, is the largest salt desert in the world. Interestingly, 70% of the world’s lithium reserves are in this desert. Today, Salar de Uni is one of the popular tourist destinations that creates a different memory for the visitors.
12. Socotra in Yemen
Blood-black or dragon’s blood trees have a unique appearance and vein-like branches. The trees of this beautiful forest, which belong only to Socotra, have given this island a strange and atmospheric effect.
13. Wave Rock in Arizona
Wave rock was formed by the erosion of sandstone over a long period and has become one of the wonders of the planet. With its unique appearance, this rock is located on the border of Arizona and Utah.
14. Waitomo Firefly Caves in Iceland
Despite the glowworms, Waitomo Caves are one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. You can visit these caves by boat on foot and enjoy watching thousands of fireflies and their luminous scenery. These tiny creatures that lit up the cave environment like stars remind us of science fiction movies.
15. Sassuolo in the Namib desert
If you have seen the famous movie Dune, you will remember Sasosuli at first sight. This area is very similar to the planet Mars and is one of the most popular attractions in Namibia. The blowing of the wind over millions of years has created the red dunes of Sassouli, which have made the landscape of this region.
16. Pamukkale in Türkiye
Pamukkale, also called the Cotton Castle, is one of the most dreamlike sights on the planet. In this area, mineral pools are surrounded by cotton-like ridges.
17. Han Son Dong Cave in Vietnam
Han Son Dong Cave is the largest cave in the world, with an average height of 200 meters. The size of this cave is such that a part of New York City with its 40-story skyscrapers fits in it. Han Son Dong cave contains the world’s most enormous stalagmites, some 80 meters long.
18. Wadi Rum in Jordan
Another place on Earth that is very similar to Mars is Wadi Rum. This desert has an area of approximately 717 square kilometers and is located south of Jordan. The rocky cliffs and red dunes have given the Wadi Rum desert a unique view.
19. Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland
Vatnajökull glacier, with an area of more than 8 thousand square kilometers, constitutes about 8% of the area of Iceland. Under this natural glacier, several active volcanoes are hidden, which, according to geologists, will erupt in the next 50 years. What makes Vatnayokull appear on the list of extraterrestrial places is its ice caves, which have a magical view.
you say
We don’t need to look for strange and beautiful places in space and other planets. The planet contains extraordinary attractions that seem to belong to aliens. In this article, we introduce some of these beautiful and, of course, extraterrestrial places.
Which planets do the introduced places remind you of? Do you know similar places in Iran?
