Patomskiy Crater

Patomskiy Crater, Russia

Unusual crater – up to 40 m tall and 160 m wide mound/ring of limestone blocks with a smaller mound inside. Most likely it was created by a gaseous eruption some centuries ago.

Ikaite tufa columns in Ikka Fjord

Ikaite columns in Ikka Fjord, Greenland

Almost unique phenomenon – submarine tufa columns created by cold seeps from submarine springs. Columns are formed of ikaite – an unstable mineral that disintegrates in temperatures above 6 – 7 ° C. In total there are more than 600 such columns up to 18 m tall.

Oklo Mines – the only natural nuclear reactor

Flooded mine in Mounana, Oklo in Gabon

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.

Daikoku Sulfur Cauldron

Daikoku Sulphur Cauldron at the moment of discovery, Northern Marianas

A unique pool of liquid sulfur at the summit of a submarine volcano, one of the few in the world.

Usterling Growing Rock (Johannisfelsen)

Usterling Growing Rock, Bavaria

Almost unique natural landmark – a naturally formed tufa wall with a stream flowing along its upper rim and depositing further extension to this cliff. Wall is some 40 – 50 m long and up to 5.4 m tall.

Lake Bonney – lake in Antarctica with laughing gas

Lake Bonney from satellite, Antarctica. Inscription "Lake Bonney" is on the eastern lobe.

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.

Giant Forest, California

Giant Forest with General Sherman tree - the largest tree in the world in the centre

Unique forest with stands of giant sequoia trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum) – the largest trees in the world. This is the easiest to access sequoia grove but also contains the largest trees – five of the ten largest trees on Earth are located in this grove. Area – 7.6 km2. In California are located several more notable groves of these giant trees.

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Very tall waterfall with three main drops, 194 m tall. A picturesque bridge between below the tallest drop.

Lakes and streams

Laguna Verde, Potosí in Bolivia

Wondermondo 🢖 Categories of wonders 🢖 Geological wonders 🢖 Lakes and streams Category Lakes and streams Described lakes and streams What is included in this category? This category includes unusual lakes, sea bays and streams of the world. One though should remember the principle of Wondermondo: here the landmarks, in general, are smaller than 500 km³, thus here are not included […]

Kawah Ijen

The blue fire of Kawah Ijen, Indonesia

Turquoise-colored, extremely acid lake with a diameter of 1 km. Acidity – 0.5 pH. Nearly pure deposits of sulfur are located in the caldera. The burning sulfuric gas creates a very impressive blue flame in the night.