Lonar crater

Lonar crater lake, India

A meteorite crater filled with a saltwater lake. The bolide hit the basaltic rock approximately 570,000 years ago. The diameter of the crater is 1.8 km, with a 1.2 km wide lake in it, depth of the crater – around 150 m. Lonar Lake contains rare and unusual microorganisms.

Pozzo del Merro

Pozzo del Merro, Italy

Extremely deep water-filled sinkhole – a cave with at least 392 m deep waterbody, total measured depth – 472 m.

Daallo Frankincense Forest

Cal Madow forest, Somalia

Lush forest of frankincense trees (Boswellia frereana) at the base of Cal Madow mountains. Thanks to the trees in the air is a constant, intense fragrance. Other rare plants, including Gabel Elba dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena ombet). Here live also numerous rare animals.

Palm Valley, Northern Territory

Palm Valley - the only place in the central deserts of Australia where grow palms

Oasis in the middle of the enormous desert, the only place in the central part of Australia where grow palms: the rare Livistona mariae as well as other rare plants. The ecosystem is fed by spring water. It is likely that palms were brought here by people some 15 – 30 thousand years ago.

Mount Bosavi Crater

Waterfalls in Bosavi crater, Papua New Guinea

Forested volcano (some 4 km wide and 1 km deep) that is isolated from other highlands of Papua New Guinea. Here in the montane forest live numerous species of plants and animals that are not met anywhere else in the world, including the 82 cm long Bosavi Wooly Rat and fish that emits grunting noise.