Buzz
It's undeniable that humans have the ability to create breathtaking masterpieces. From the Eiffel Tower to the Great Pyramid of Giza, these creations stand tall. Yet, if you've witnessed the Taj Mahal at dawn or Petra during sunset, you’ll realize how nature itself contributes to human-made marvels. And when nature graces even the less beautiful works of humankind, the outcome is often mesmerizing.
10. Fly Geyser, USA
Fly Geyser, also known as Fly Ranch Geyser in Washoe County, Nevada, is already featured in a list on Mytour. This constantly evolving formation deserves a closer look. In 1916, locals attempted to drill a well for irrigation, accidentally triggering a small geyser. However, the water was too hot for their needs, and they abandoned the project. Several decades later, a geothermal company drilled a test well at the same location. Unfortunately, a weak spot in the well's structure allowed scalding water to erupt five feet into the air. Reports from the time suggest the geyser was either left uncapped or sealed improperly.
Now, over fifty years later, the hot spring water has created three travertine cones, each over six feet tall, with geysers emerging from them. The vibrant colors of the geysers come from thermophilic algae that thrive in these hot, moist environments. These geysers continue to grow several inches annually. Interestingly, Fly Geyser has surprised geologists by forming quartz inside its cones, a phenomenon that typically doesn’t occur until a geyser has been active for over 10,000 years.
9. Ussuri Bay, Russia
Much like Glass Beach in California, Ussuri Bay's shoreline is adorned with sparkling glass gems and pebbles, attracting visitors from across the globe. Located in Primorsky Krai, the southeasternmost region of Russia, this bay is the largest in Peter the Great Gulf, which leads into the Sea of Japan. The beach features dark volcanic sand and is frequently bordered by snow, creating a dramatic contrast to the shimmering, colorful glass pieces.
During the Soviet era, a porcelain factory nearby regularly discarded unwanted glass into the bay. Trucks filled with bottles of wine, beer, and vodka would unload their contents onto the beach, letting the ocean carry the shards into the water. Over time, the waves have smoothed the glass into vibrant pebbles. However, these beautiful gems won't last much longer—experts predict the glass will be gone in 20 years due to erosion and souvenir hunting.
8. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
Up until a decade ago, Klevan, a small Ukrainian town, was hardly a tourist destination. It had limited attractions, hotels, and restaurants. In 2011, however, a section of railway track connecting Klevan to the village of Orzhiv began to gain attention online after images of a natural tree tunnel circulated. The locals dubbed it the “Tunnel of Love” because couples often walked through it. The tunnel's popularity soared after it appeared in the 2014 Japanese film by Akiyoshi Imazeki, bringing it worldwide fame.
The Odek plywood factory in Orzhiv utilizes the rail line, and during the Cold War, it was also shared with a military base. It’s said that the military planted numerous trees along the tracks to obscure their movements. Over time, the dense foliage grew, and the frequent passage of trains carrying plywood naturally trimmed the plants, forming a tunnel. Today, couples from around the world visit the location to plant flowers or even propose marriage. There's a popular legend that couples who walk the entire length of the track hand-in-hand will experience good fortune in their relationship.
7. Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China
The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, which are over 1,300 years old, hold the title of being the most ancient man-made structure on this list. Located on the Ailao Mountains, these terraces extend from the forested peaks down to the Hong River below, with some steps stacked up to 3,000 layers high. Each terrace forms a wide, shallow basin that follows the mountain's natural curvature, capturing rainwater that flows down from the mountaintop. The Hani people cultivate red rice in these pools, and the unique shapes of the pools create stunning reflections of the sky.
The Hani villages, which are situated just above the terraces on the mountains, have faced the same challenges as other farming regions globally – a decline in the younger generation's interest in agriculture. This has led to some terraces being abandoned and deteriorating. In 2001, the site was added to the 'In Danger' list. However, increased attention and renewed effort in farming rejuvenated the area, and in 2013, the terraces earned a spot on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
6. Post-bushfire Australia
Although we can't say with absolute certainty that the catastrophic bushfires in Australia from 2019 to 2020 were intentionally caused, it's highly probable. Even if you don't believe in man-made climate change, a factor that experts claim contributed, recent studies reveal that 50% of the country's annual bushfires are believed to be deliberately set or suspected as such. This doesn't even include fires accidentally sparked by human activities like campfires, discarded cigarettes, or children playing with matches. Only 15% of bushfires globally are naturally caused, typically by lightning strikes. Regardless of the cause, the Australian bushfire crisis was devastating. Thirty-three lives were lost, including nine firefighters, more than 3,000 homes were destroyed, and an area of 42 million acres (17 million hectares) was scorched. More than a billion animals were likely killed, and when considering insects, crucial to the ecosystem, the death toll could reach into the hundreds of billions.
However, there is a silver lining. After the fires and especially following the rains of 2020, vibrant flowers and plants began to rejuvenate the charred land. Many plant species stay dormant until exposed to heat or smoke. For example, the Banksia tree produces a fruit pod so tough it can be used for woodworking, and it only opens after a fire to release its seeds. Other species, such as the Christmas Bell wildflower, thrive when their competition is wiped out by fire.
5. Abraham Lake, Canada
Abraham Lake is a man-made reservoir created in 1972 when the Bighorn Dam was completed on the Saskatchewan River in the Canadian Rockies. Named after Silas Abraham, a 19th-century guide who led travelers through the Saskatchewan River Valley, the lake's striking turquoise color comes from glacial flour—tiny particles of silt and clay suspended in the water. These particles absorb purple and indigo light, while the water absorbs reds, oranges, and yellows, leaving blues and greens visible to the human eye.
What makes Abraham Lake particularly unique are the methane bubbles that appear when the surface freezes. These bubbles are a byproduct of decaying plants and animals at the lake's bottom. Since the lake is artificial and only 50 years old, it still has more plant and animal matter decomposing, producing more methane than a natural lake. This methane accumulates until the surface thaws. Experts are concerned because methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and may accelerate the greenhouse effect. There are videos of scientists drilling into the ice of artificial lakes and igniting the methane that emerges.
4. Sreebari Shiva Temple, Bangladesh
In the village of Sreebari, a Hindu temple stands, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Once thriving, it now lies in ruins, overtaken by a massive sacred fig tree (Ficus Religiosi), often referred to as a Bodhi Tree. This tree holds great significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus consider the act of circling it seven times each morning as a form of meditation. In Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment under a Ficus Religiosi, and for a tree to be recognized as a Bodhi Tree, its lineage must trace back to the original tree that shaded Buddha.
The Sreebari temple was constructed approximately 175 years ago by a local landowner, or zamindar. The villagers believe the temple to be haunted, likely due to its eerie isolation in the jungle, a solitude that persisted until recently when the area was cleared for human settlement.
3. Cold Water Geysers of Analavory, Madagascar
Unlike the Fly Geyser mentioned earlier, the Cold Water Geysers of Analavory are distinct. Situated about 7.5 miles (12 km) from Analavory town, there are not one, but four – some say five – of these unique geysers. However, they are not true geysers in the traditional sense. They don't erupt because of heat from volcanic activity. Instead, the water spurts forth due to its high carbon dioxide content. This carbonated water originates from nearby argonite mines, where groundwater flows through iron pipes to the Mazy River. The water, enriched with carbonic acid, dissolves lime from the earth and iron from the pipes, causing the water to fizz. The result is more of a gentle spray than an eruption. The spray may reach higher distances when the vent is unblocked, but it is generally subdued unless lime deposits obstruct it.
These spouts have created impressive travertine mounds, standing about 13 feet (4 meters) tall, and they continue to grow. The striking coloration of these formations comes from the dissolved metals within the water pipes. While commonly referred to as 'cold' geysers, the water is pleasantly warm, inviting visitors to enjoy it – that is, until they realize it contains carbonic acid.
2. St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouses, USA
The enchanting sight of these lighthouses on Lake Michigan is not as everlasting as some other natural wonders, but they appear more frequently than one might expect. Numerous photos of these lighthouses taken over the years by different photographers can be found online, showcasing the ever-changing beauty of these ice sculptures.
Situated in southwestern Michigan, where the St. Joseph River meets Lake Michigan, winter temperatures can be harsh in this region. The outer lighthouse, constructed in 1906, stands 35 feet (10.6 meters) tall and its light can be seen over 180 degrees. A year later, the inner lighthouse was completed, rising to 57 feet (17.4 meters) and casting its light over 270 degrees. A 300-yard catwalk connects the two lighthouses.
1. Chuuk Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia
Up until recent years, Chuuk Lagoon was known as Truk Atoll or Lagoon, gaining notoriety as the Japanese 'Gibraltar' of the Pacific during World War II. Like many atolls, Chuuk is encircled by a ring-shaped coral reef that forms a lagoon. This lagoon is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Japanese recognized the atoll’s strategic defense potential and fortified it with 45,000 naval and army personnel, pillboxes, bunkers, coastal defense guns, radar, and five airfields. Confident in its defenses, Japan made Truk its main base in the South Pacific, with a submarine and seaplane base. The Americans, realizing that landing troops on the atoll would be virtually impossible, opted for a different strategy. They launched a massive air assault with over 500 warplanes, destroying 350 Japanese aircraft, several airfields, and more than 40 ships in the lagoon. Continued attacks from aircraft and submarines throughout the war led to the sinking of 61 Japanese ships, creating a wreck diver’s paradise at the bottom of the lagoon.
Protected by the coral ring, the lagoon experiences little to no current. The warm waters, ranging from 84 to 86 degrees year-round, and the shallow depths of the wrecks (from 49 to 213 feet or 15 to 65 meters) support a vibrant ecosystem. The sunken ships are home to diverse marine life, including dolphins, reef sharks, eagle rays, anemones, batfish, and schools of jacks. Colorful corals and sponges grow on the wrecks, adding to the scene. But it’s not just ships lying at the bottom – tanks, aircraft, and even a submarine can also be found, abandoned there for decades.
+ Morning Glory Pool, USA
The Morning Glory Pool, located in Yellowstone National Park, is often cited as an example of how humans have altered a natural wonder for the more beautiful. However, this is not the case. Originally, the pool was a deep blue, earning it the name 'Morning Glory' after the blue flower. The first photo, taken in the 1940s, shows the pool in its original form. The deep blue hue was a result of thermophilic bacteria. Starting in the 1960s, the pool began to show concentric rings of yellow, green, and red. This change was found to be due to trash, including coins, being thrown into the pool, which blocked the thermal outlets that kept the water hot. As the temperature dropped, various photosynthetic microorganisms, each preferring specific temperature ranges, began to invade. The result is a well-defined color gradient from the hot center to the cooler edges of the pool. The second photo shows the pool as it appears today.
In 1950, the park attempted to remove the trash from the pool, retrieving items such as socks, towels, handkerchiefs, and nearly $100 in coins. A total of 112 human-made objects were taken out. The pool was cleaned again in 1975, but despite these efforts, the pool has never returned to its original blue color. It may never regain its previous hue, and while the current colors are striking, they do not improve upon the natural beauty the pool once had.
