Oklo Mines – the only natural nuclear reactor

The only known site on Earth, where natural nuclear fission has taken place approximately 1.7 billion years ago in some 16 closely located sites. The evidence of this has been testified through an unusual composition of uranium, neodymium, ruthenium, and other materials.

Lake Bonney – lake in Antarctica with laughing gas

Frozen lake with unique geochemistry. The east lobe of the lake is saturated with nitrous oxide – "laughing gas" and dimethylsulfoxide. Another part of lake is rich with dimethylsulfide – possibly produced by microorganisms.

Naica Cave of the Crystals

Cave with giant selenite crystals up to 12 meters long and 55 tons heavy. The air temperature in the cave is up to 58 °C high. Now flooded.

Mingora emerald mines (Swat emeralds)

Mines of small high-quality emeralds, some of the best in the world. Emeralds are mined here since antiquity.

Palo Quemado blue amber mine

The richest finds of the fluorescent Dominican blue amber- a stone that changes its color according to lighting conditions. Dominican amber (but not the blue one) is found also in many other mines in three regions – La Cordillera Septentrional, Bayaguana and Sabana de la Mer.

Rare natural materials

Wondermondo 🢖 Categories of wonders 🢖 Geological wonders 🢖 Rare natural materials Category Rare natural materials Described finds of rare natural materials What is included in this category? There are places in the world, where one can find such materials which are not present anywhere else on Earth – or can be found just in a few places. Such landmarks are […]

Kagem Emerald Mines

Here and in the other Kafubu Emerald mines are mined some of the best emeralds in the world, in some aspects surpassing the famous Colombian emeralds. Zambian emeralds have a rich, deep green color, crystals have very high quality.

Gemstone mines and other finds

Wondermondo 🢖 Categories of wonders 🢖 Geological wonders 🢖 Rare natural materials 🢖 Gemstone finds Category Gemstone mines and other finds Described gemstone mines and other finds What is included in this category? Gemstones are decorative stones of high value, used in adornments, mostly – in jewelry. Kinds of gemstones None can say the exact number of kinds of gemstones. Creative lapidaries can […]

Yungay – the driest place in the world

The driest place in the world without any signs of life. Only a few specific microorganisms – extremophiles – are present here. Some areas are rich with nitrates – easily soluble minerals that in other circumstances are consumed by organisms. Here rich nitrate deposits have been formed from atmospheric nitrogen, possibly by lightning.