Cave of the Crystals / Alexander Van Driessche, Wikimedia Commons / free for use
There are places on Earth which are unique – the absolute natural wonders of the world.
Wondermondo also has made a unique thing: it is this article, which lists 40 such places – unusual locations with natural phenomena which are not found anywhere else. Places come simply in alphabetic order. Enjoy!
The only place in the world with a permanent population of cave crocodiles. These dwarf crocodiles Osteolaemus tetraspis are turning into a new species, are almost blind and eat bats.
The only ecosystem in the world which is ruled by tortoises. Here live more than 1000 thousand giant tortoises who are at the top of food chain. Besides, on the island live some 400 species of animals and plants, which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Cross section of South Andros Black Hole in south – north direction, compared with Boeing 747-400 / Gatis Pāvils, basing on S.Schwabe, R.A.Herbert, 2005, CC-BY-SA-3.0
Where?
North America, Bahamas
Why unique?
Round holes with unusually black water, found only on South Andros and Grand Bahama islands. Their water is crystal clear but at the depth of some 17 m there is a layer of hot, pink jelly – colony of microorganisms. Most unique aspect – microorganisms have heated the water to temperatures up to 40°C – possibly the only place on Earth where microorganisms have heated the water. Below the layer of bacteria water is clear and colder again.
Blood Falls from above / Peter Rejcek, National Science Foundation (United States Antarctic Program), public domain
Where?
Antarctica, Victoria Land
Why unique?
This red-colored, approximately 14 m tall “icefall” is opening into unusual ecosystem which for more than one million years has developed in saline lake below the Taylor Glacier. Microorganisms have adapted here to life without light, feeding on sulfates and “breathing” ions of iron.
The only known place on planet where in larger amounts are found blue garnets. In fact – until 1997 it was considered that there are no blue garnets in the world. These unique stones in artificial light change to bright purple. It is possible that the find has been exhausted.
Vrtiglavica waterfall in Slovenia is very, very tall! The water here falls freely through the air for some 400 – 440 meters! But only a handful of people have seen it with their eyes because… this waterfall is inside a cave!
Too few know about Khone Falls in Laos. But… this could be the widest waterfall in the world, with a total width of 10.8 kilometers! Waterfall has formed on Mekong River and is interrupted by numerous islands.
Horsetail Fall in Yosemite Valley, United States has its own “trick” – for a few days in February it shines in the light of the setting Sun and then it looks like the waterfall itself is emitting an eerie light!
The most impressive icefall in the world could be Airdevronsix icefalls in Antarctica. It is some 5 kilometers wide and 400 m tall. Want to see it all? Just walk “a bit” – it can be well observed from a distance of 17 kilometers!
The fantastic Airdevronsix icefall from 17.5 km distance! Warren icefall is seen in the left side / P.Wright, US Geological Survey, public domain
…Apple is known to make filmsy ends of their cables, which has a tendency to tear after heavy usage. Anker, on the other hand, understands their consumers and built this with the highest quality and re-enforced materials!
