All nature in the world from kaku

World's incredible glaciers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:11:00 -0800

Global warming threatens glaciers. In the news time from time slips that one or another icy river is endangered. So the best way is to hurry in order to make sure that the photos do not lie, and the ice really is all shades of blue and pink colors, and not white, as it appears to those who saw it only in the form of icicles, hanging from the roofs of houses.

Here I have compiled some of the most beautiful glaciers around the globe. I hope you will like it.

Biafo Glacier, Pakistan

Biafo glacier takes us to a journey to the edge of the ice plains and to the Snow Lake. You will not stop appreciating its grandeur of the surrounding flora and fauna.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

In the national park of Lago Argentino, there are 13 entire glaciers, but the most beautiful of them is recognized as Perito Moreno.

Glacier Bay, Alaska

Glacier Bay is a huge national park on the south-eastern coast of Alaska. To observe the sparkling ice, you do not have to leave the hotel, which is located directly on the territory of the park.

Furtwangler Glacier, Tanzania

Furtwangler Glacier is almost on the equator and is gradually melting and according to the predictions of scientists, by 2020, will disappear altogether.

Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland

The largest glacier of Iceland, about 80% of the total area of the ice covers of the island. With the cold beauty of ice in the center competes the stiffened in fancy bends lava of the neighboring volcanic landscape.

Yulong Glacier, China

The air at this height is rarefied, and those who wish to enjoy securely the sparkling blocks of all shades of blue, must be equipped with oxygen masks.

Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

The glacier is flowing in frozen waterfalls from the western slope of the Southern Alps, come so close to the sub-tropical evergreen forests that their neighborhood seems completely unnatural.

Athabasca Glacier, Canada

Another fast-melting glacier, which is regarded as the most beautiful in North America, in recent years has lost almost half of its bulk.

Antarctica

And, of course, more snow and ice can be found in Antarctica and that apparently has been the cause of the increased popularity of the continent in light of global warming.

Pasterze Glacier, Austria

Resting at the foot of Austria’s tallest mountain, the Pasterze Glacier is today about five miles long. Visitors can take in a magnificent view of both glacier and mountain.

10 Most Extreme Places on Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:05:00 -0800

This is one extreme list. It has it all Hottest coldest even wettest. Imagine living in a place so remote the mail only comes once a year. Or reaching the summit of the highest place on earth…which isn’t Mt.Everest….. Surprised. Go Read on to learn about some of the most extreme places on the planet.

Here I have compiled some of the most extreme places on earth. I hope you will like it.

Lut Desert, Iran

A NASA satellite recorded surface temperatures as high as 71 °C in the Lut desert of Iran, supposedly the hottest temperature ever recorded on the surface of Earth. This region is called Gandom Beriyan (the toasted wheat).
Mt. Chimborazo, Ecuador

Mt Chimborazo in Ecuador with an altitude of 6,310 meters which is less than Mount Everest however has the distinction of being the highest mountain above Earth’s center. This is because Earth is not a sphere.

Tristan de Cunha, UK

The most remote inhabited island group in the world, Tristan de Cunha in the southern Atlantic Ocean, is so tiny its main island has no airstrip. It has a population of 272 people.

Angels Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. The falls are 3230 feet in height with an uninterrupted drop of 2647 feet.

Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon is a village in, Russia. The population is 800 people. On January 26, 1926, a temperature of −71.2 °C was recorded there. This is the lowest recorded temperature for any permanently inhabited location on Earth.

The Dry Valleys, Antarctica

One interior region of the Antarctic is known as The Dry Valleys. These valleys have not seen rainfall in over two million years. With the exception of one valley, whose lakes are briefly filled with water by inland flowing rivers during the summer, the Dry Valleys contain no moisture.

Marianas Trench

Mariana Trench is the deepest point in Earth’s oceans. The bottom there is 10,924 meters below sea level. If Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, were placed at this location it would be covered by over one mile of water.

Cherrapunji, India

Cherrapunji, North-Eastern India, gets an average of 10,820mm rain a year. The people who live there make money by cutting down the trees in the nearby forest where you can count on its raining every day.

Mount Thor, Canada

Mount Thor, Canada, presents a 4,100 foot pure vertical drop. Mt. Thor is Canada’s most famous peak, and it’s made of pure granite. It’s a favorite of thrill seekers and climbers.

Dead Sea, Jordan

The Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on Earth’s surface on dry land, its surface and shores are 422 meters below sea level. On the border of Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is said to be home of the first health retreat.

10 Most Beautiful Mountains of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:38:00 -0800

Perhaps Sir Edmund Hillary the New Zealand mountaineer and explorer said it best when he remarked, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” No matter how daunting the task, pure human ambition has overcome unconquerable odds to subdue the tallest peaks in the world. If mountains are the “stairway to god’s heart”, we have no doubt stood beside him as equals.

Here I have compiled some of the most beautiful mountain peaks of the world. I hope you will like it.

Ama Dablam, Eastern Nepal

Ama Dablam is a mountain in the Himalaya range of eastern Nepal. Literally meaning ‘Mother and Pearl Necklace’.

Shivling, Uttarakhand, India

The Shivling Mountain is considered one of the most stunning peaks of the Garhwal region, the mountain soars 21,329 feet high.

Machapuchare, North-Central Nepal

Machapuchare, or ‘fish tail’, is revered by locals as sacred to the god Shiva and therefore has been declared off limits to climbing.

K-2 Godwin Austin, Pakistan

K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth. K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent and the 2nd highest fatality rate among the ‘eight thousanders’ for those who climb it.

Matterhorn, Italy/Switzerland

Matterhorn has the distinction of being an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps even though it isn’t the tallest peak in the region. It is a huge tourist attraction and one of the best known mountains in the world.

Fitz Roy, Argentina/Chile

Named Fitz Roy by Francisco Moreno after the Beagle’s captain Robert FitzRoy, the mountain is isn’t the tallest peak in the region and is less than half the size of some of the Himalayan peaks but the scenery it provides makes it unique.

Sajama, Bolivia

Sajama is better known as a volcano but is technically a mountain of volcanic ash. The highest peak in Bolivia, it is 21,463 feet high and is known for some of the tallest trees in the world, at 5200m.

The Rockies, Canada/US

I opted to profile the Canadian Rockies because they’re older, heavily glaciated, and have a very distinct appearance sharp peaks separated by deep valleys.

Pumori, Nepal

Lining the Nepal-Tibet border, Pumori or ‘Unmarried Daughter’ and is a popular climbing route in spite of avalanche danger. The view of Everest from here is considered to be one of the best, given clear weather conditions.

Nanga Parbat, Pakistan

Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain on Earth. Known as the “Killer Mountain,” Nanga Parbat was one of the deadliest of the eight-thousanders for climbers. It is also an immense, dramatic peak that rises far above its surrounding terrain.

source

Hawaii Volcano Park Closes, Due To Toxic Fog

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:00:00 -0800

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the main attractions on America's outpost in the Pacific, was closed earlier this week due to an eruption of sulfur gas fumes from Mount Kilauea.
Photo:
Image from Cat Butler on Flickr
Some 2,000 people were evacuated from the scene on Tuesday, and the park remains closed.
Volcanic Fog (Vog, for short) forms when the sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen, sunlight, dust particles, and the like, to form a highly toxic mix that hangs suspended in the air. It also typically includes such dangerous substances as sulfuric acid. When it's not melting your face, it can cause severe breathing problems especially among those who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
The dangerous gas has so far forced 6 people into Red Cross shelters, and another 42 into hotels; the park officials are persisting in their hope that the trade winds will resume on Thursday and clear the islands, but are cautioning against any such hope in the citizenry, because, well, that's what officials do in times of natural crisis.

How Ecotourism is Destroying Antarctica

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:32:00 -0800

Photo:
Image: *christopher*
Written by new contributor, Andy Stone
Problems were inevitable for Antarctic tourism from the start. Seen by many as the last unspoiled landmass on earth, the unique and vulnerable ecosystem is what attracts people to our southernmost continent. How do we handle tourism to a place whose only appeal to most of us is its lack of large-scale human contact? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

Dutch researchers have thought the same thing, and believe they have a solution; limit and then auction off visiting rights to Antarctica.
Photo:
Image: goneforawander
In some ways, their logic is sound. Tourist limits are needed; not only for future tourism to work, but for the Antarctica's own sake. People pollute, disturb the animals and carry eggs, spores, rodents and other living matter that can spread. Even those few thousand trained scientists have unwittingly brought in numerous invasive species - what can we expect from tens or perhaps hundreds of thousands of possibly ignorant tourists? And as more and more tourists and companies line up to get in, they will only be harder to monitor.
Photo:
Image: jjunyent
At the same time, their plan does give an unfair advantage to the super-rich. While far from cheap today, at least now everyone theoretically has an equal chance of getting to Antarctica. But people with way too much money and no concept of its value are the bane of less fortunate auction goers everywhere - haven't these researchers ever used eBay or seen how much Picassos sell for? If the auctions were well publicized, which these would be, the final price tags could be well out of reach for all but the very well-to-do. Is that fair? No. But this is a tricky proposition as reducing supply inevitably means higher cost. Ticket prices will be high no matter what they do.
If scientists get their way, there will be limits placed on the number of people who can visit Antarctica and the days they can go. This particular solution is better than nothing, but hopefully the final plan will have everyone in mind.
Source: 1, 2

10 Most Amazing Lakes in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:22:00 -0800

When a body of water is inland, not part of an ocean, deeper than a pond and fed by a river, it is classified as a lake. It is often found in basins or along mature rivers. They’re some of the most beautiful nature-made landmarks on earth. Some are large lakes but some are simply amazing.

Whether dotted with mineral accumulations, cascading down mountains or home to a rare breed of flamingo, each of these 10 lakes are definitely worth veering off course for. Here I have compiled some of the amazing lakes in the world.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Sixteen cascading bodies of water called the Plitvice Lakes are divided into upper and lower basins by dams made of moss, algae and bacteria.

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Speckled with white borax isles, the Laguna Colorada is a shallow salt lake in southwest Bolivia. It is red in color due to sediments and pigmented algae.

Dead Sea, Jordan

This landlocked lake in Southwest Asia, which sits at the lowest dry-land elevation on the earth’s surface, is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean which makes it one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water.

Spotted Lake, Canada

In Osoyoos, British Columbia, there is a 38-acre natural phenomenon called Spotted Lake. It contains one of the world’s highest concentrations of minerals.

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru

Lake Titicaca boasts three major physical distinctions: It’s located on the border of Peru and Bolivia; it sits at the highest point above sea level of any lake in the world; and is, by volume, the largest lake in South America.

Pitch Lake, Trinidad

Pitch Lake, the biggest nature-made deposit of asphalt in the world, is located in La Brea, Trinidad. It attracts nearly 20,000 visitors a year,

Five-Flower Lake, China

Five-Flower Lake is the most awe-inspiring of all of its bodies of water in the region. Its vast color palette is caused by calcium carbonate as well as hydrophytes, which also leave the water crystal-clear.

Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Protected within the borders of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, Lake Nakuru boasts an abundance of blue-green algae, which attracts a myriad of pretty pink flamingos. Over 400 resident bird species, it still remains one of the greatest bird-watching spots on earth.

Kelimutu Crater Lakes, Indonesia

Atop a strato volcano in Flores it is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Typically green, red, black or blue, colors are most apparent in the morning, as the sun shines on them from above.

Boiling Lake, Dominica

Bubbling with grayish-blue water, the Boiling Lake is located in National Park on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It is the second largest hot spring in the world.

10 Most Famous Space Conspiracies of all Time

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:20:00 -0800

Space is said to be the final frontier. Even when we’ve managed to learn everything there is to know about Earth, there will still be mysteries to explore in space. Are there intelligent species living far beyond our solar system? What exactly is dark matter? Could wormholes hold the secret to faster-than-light travel?

I have compiled some of the most famous space conspiracy theories for my aviation blog astroaviator so its adapted from there. I may have missed out some so feel free to comment.

The Moon Landing was a Hoax

The granddaddy of all space conspiracy theories has to be that the moon. Those who believe the moon landings were hoaxes say that the United States lacked the technology necessary to transport humans to the moon and back.

The Face on Mars

In the 1970s, NASA spacecraft photographed the surface of Mars and sent images back to NASA. In one photo, a hill on Mars’ surface looked a little like a face. Conspiracy theorist theorized that an alien civilization colonized Mars and that the face was evidence of an alien.

Flat Earth Society

In 1956, Samuel Shelton founded a society that subscribed to a theory about the shape of the Earth namely, that it’s flat.

The USA 193 Spy Satellite

On Dec. 14, 2006, Van denberg Air Force Base launched a rocket carrying a satellite called USA 193. The satellite was part of the National Reconnaissance Office’s intelligence program. In other words, it was a spy satellite.

Planet X

Does our solar system contain a giant, unnamed planet? It does, according to the Planet X theory. This theory says that our solar system has a 10th planet if you count Pluto as a planet.

The Roswell Cover up

Many believe that the US military covered up the crash of an alien spacecraft in Roswell, New Mexico. It has been claimed that various parts of an alien spacecraft and even bodies of extra-terrestrials were retrieved from the scene.

Illuminati and Majestic-12

Secret governments are a staple in conspiracy theories. According to William L. Moore, an “UFOlogist,”Majestic-12 was a code name for a secret government department headed by U.S. President Harry Truman. The purpose of this department: to deal with extraterrestrial beings

2012 and the End of the World

We can blame it all on the Mayans. They created the Long Count Calendar, a time measurement system that had spiritual significance to their culture. They organized their calendar into several cycles, the last of which will end in December 2012.

Shifting Poles

Some people believe that the Earth’s North and South poles weren’t always located where they are now. They believe the Earth once rotated on a different axis. Others say that the Earth always rotated about its polar axis, but that the Earth’s crust shifts so that the land located at each pole changes.

The Dead Cosmonaut

It is said that Gagarin wasn’t the first. Two Italian brothers say that they intercepted transmissions between ground operations and spacecraft for both American and Soviet missions. Supporters of the theory believe the Soviet government hid the cosmonaut’s death to preserve the country’s reputation as a leader in space exploration.

8 Incredible Martian Landscapes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 23:33:00 -0800

Photo:
Image: Mars Society Image
It was Stephen Hawking who once said:

I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.

And as 40,000 fans say goodbye to the now-retired Mars Phoenix Lander on Twitter and Facebook, its discovery of water on the Red Planet during its 150 day mission may strengthen scientists' position that the fourth planet from the sun is the ideal location for future human colonization. But with the first manned space mission nearly 20 years away, a visit, let alone colonization, seems like a pipe dream. So in lieu of the real deal, we found these eight Blue Planet locales that can give you an idea of what a view from your Martian home might look like, and what scientists are finding out here on Earth that will help in future missions to Mars.

1. The Mars Desert Research Station in Utah is the home of volunteers who live in a simulated Mars habitat. Although it's much warmer than the Red Planet, the terrain and appearance of the area is very Mars-like. Working in full-on spacesuits, crews gather information about the terrain and analyze the geology and biology of the region.
Photo:
Image: Mars Society Image
2. The Atacama Desert in Chile is 50 times drier than Death Valley and holds the title of the second driest place on Earth (number one is another Mars-like place, the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica). This desert is very nearly lifeless and experiences intense solar radiation, just like Mars.
Photo:
Image: WikiMedia Commons
3. Scientific expeditions in the Arkaroola region of the Australian outback have been conducted to develop strategies and technologies to be used in a human mission to Mars. In the future, a new Mars Analog Research Station is to be built in this area.
Photo:
Image: liam.jon_d
4. Just next door to the Atacama Desert is Licancabur Volcano on the Chilean/Bolivian border. Licancabur is home to one of the highest lakes on Earth. The lake's low-oxygen, low atmospheric pressure and high UV radiation combine to make it very similar to Martian lakes of old. Studying Licancabur enables scientists to investigate whether ancient Mars was livable and whether there's potential for future life on the planet.
Photo:
Image: Tati@
5. Spain's Rio Tinto River is an ideal place to study organisms that can survive in extreme conditions of high acidity and iron. Experiments here provide scientists with valuable information about how to survey the iron-rich Red Planet.
Photo:
Image: Carol Stoker (NASA), via WikiMedia Commons
6. Expeditions to Svalbard, Norway, provide scientists with a chance to explore the geology, geophysical features, biosignatures, and life forms that might have lived in volcanic centres, warm springs, and perennial rivers that are thought to be similar to ancient Mars sites. The information will help scientists to conduct experiments in missions to Mars in the future.
Photo:
Image: Carnegie Institution of Washington
7. The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica provides scientists with an idea of what the weather is like on Mars: freezing temperatures, powerful winds, super-low rain and snowfall, daily freezing and thawing, low humidity and extreme solar radiation. How cozy.
Photo:
Image: ASOC Pictures
8. At the other end of the planet, Devon Island in northern Canada features a snow and ice-free summer and daytime temperatures similar to a Martian summer day. Not exactly heaven on Earth, the Haughton Crater site on Devon Island is dubbed 'Mars on Earth' because it is said to be the closest to Mars in geology and climate as Earth can get.
Photo:
Image: anthonares
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Valhalla's Gateway: Iceland's Picturesque Inferno

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 23:27:00 -0800

Photo:
Image by: hkvam via Hottnez
It’s incredible to think that snaps like this are real – not the work of a special effects artist or a genius with acrylics. Yes, the simultaneously serene and geologically seething landscape of Iceland is a reminder that there’s no more sparkling a creative maestro than Mother Nature herself. And nowhere epitomises this more than the geothermal lagoons of the country’s Námaskarð pass.

Photo:
Image by: bishop72 via Hottnez
Námaskarð is renowned for its volcanic clusters of bubbling mudpots, or solfataras, as well as its fizzing jets of volcanic gasses and steam, called fumaroles.
Solfataras
Photo:
Image by: **ANNE via Hottnez
Where water is in short supply in a geothermal hotspot like Iceland, what little aqua vita there is rises to the surface in places where the ground is rich in volcanic ash and clay. Solfataras are born. The sheer size of the boiling mud pools – metres across – is awe-inspiring in itself. Mix in the beauty of the colourful mineral deposits they produce, and the fact that they’re also known as paint pots seems even more appropriate.
Photo:
Image by: sweden otsi
While you absorb the colours on display here, it’s worth remembering you should also keep some distance. Better to avoid letting the sulphurous fumes get up your nose. Better too to watch your step. Get too close to the mud springs, and the ground around may be liable to crumble. And while the absence of security guards adds to the freedom of the place, it also means there’s no one to fish you out if you land in a simmering spot of bother.
Photo:
Image by: little frank
The lack of vegetation, hot, turbulent activity, and pervasively sulphurous fog of this magnificent location gave wanderlust-fuelled blog Hotnez the feeling of having arrived at a gateway to hell. But with the flood of incredible hues vying for your attention, an artistic heaven seems just as conceivable.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Anak Krakatau: The Resurrecting Island

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 23:26:00 -0800

Photo: Image by NASA
What's worse than an island that experiences the most violent volcanic explosion on record? Perhaps the same island rising again in the same place that may have the same reaction. Anak Krakatau, one of 130 active volcanoes in the Phillipines, is an island that lies between Java and Sumatra. The island's name means the "son of Krakatoa." In 1883, it's parent experienced a volcanic eruption that remains registered as the
loudest explosion on record (heard from as far as Australia). Other casualties resulting from this episode included tsunamis that reached as far a South Africa and estimated death tolls of over 120,000 people.
Photo: Image by flydime
Although Krakatoa submerged after several eruptions, Anak Krakatau resurfaced in 1927. New volcanic activity caused the island to sink again only a few months later. Emerging again in 1930, it has remained above sea level ever since. Despite these incidents, the fertile volcanic ash and soil has resulted in Anak Krakatau being the home to over 500 species of plants and animal life. These animals include butterflies, birds, land mollusks, bats and reptiles. The ability for wildlife to thrive under such volatile circumstances has drawn the attention of much scientific research. Scientists, who have studied how species develop on island ecosystems, have witnessed buried seed banks and periodic extinctions.
Image via Mongabay
Most scientists have deemed another disaster inevitable. While the high numbers of tourists that visit yearly are continuously threatened, scientists try to collect as much information as possible before the island submerges. Due to a plan by the Indonesian government to mine the island of it's soil and sand, Anak Krakatau may not resurface for some time. So if you're feeling brave and desire to witness the death of an island, hurry and book your plane tickets. Don't forget to bring a friend; or better yet an enemy.
Source 1, 2

5 Picturesque Infernos: Fumaroles From Around The Globe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 23:23:00 -0800

Photo:
Photo: BruceMcAdam
Facetious folk might say fumaroles are sure-fire proof that the lords of the underworld are from the bong-smoking school of thought. Yet these volcanic vents have more serious associations, often lying on active volcanoes in times of comparative quiet between eruptions. Such smouldering fissures in the earth are visible emitting hot steam and volcanic gasses in places as far and wide as Italy, Indonesia, Hawaii, Yellowstone and Iceland. With their fizzing, more than faintly menacing behaviour, it’s easy to see why fumaroles are shrouded in myth and legend.

1. Iceland
Photo:
Photo: hkvam
Iceland’s landscape is riddled with volcanic features like boiling mud volcanoes, lava flows and gushing geysers – not to mention their close cousins the fumaroles in hotspots such as Námaskarð. Magma close to the surface releasing gasses and heating groundwater is the scientific explanation for fumaroles, but accounts from mythology would almost certainly have held sway in their day.
Norse land of elves and trolls: Námaskarð
Photo:
Photo: Peter Nijenhuis
In days gone by, magical creatures like elves and trolls were blamed for people vanishing at what were likely the hands of Iceland’s extraordinary volcanic phenomena. Amidst all the astonishing geological activity, would the country’s fumarole fields have been mixed up with the wrath of the Norse god Odin, or been seen as gateways to his kingly stronghold in Valhalla? Mystery cloaks this magical land.
2. Hawaii
Photo:
Photo: Mila Zinkova
The massive fumarole pictured is streaming from the Halemaumau Crater in Hawaii, itself part of the much greater summit caldera of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Halemaumau remains one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Its serious lava eruptions as well as hazardous sulphur dioxide levels and volcanic smog of 2008 were signalled by gas venting from its east wall fumarole.
Fumarole of the fire goddess: Halemaumau
Photo:
Photo: Mila Zinkova
According to the traditions of the indigenous people, the Halemaumau pit crater is the home of Pele, the fiery Hawaiian volcano goddess. The Hawaiian oral tradition tells implicitly of many eruptions stirred up by an angry Pele prior to the arrival of the Europeans, so logic would have it that the fumarole is a sign of the fuming goddess preparing to explode on the unwary.
3. Indonesia
Photo:
Photo: Tom Pfeiffer / www.volcanodiscovery.com
Indonesia is a vast volcanic hotbed, and Mount Papandayan on West Java, which last erupted in 2002, stands as one of its most volatile peaks. Papandayan’s “Golden Crater” is known for its dazzling sulphur crystals and hissing fumarole fields – the picture here showing one steaming in violent fashion and churning out a plume hundreds of metres high.
Crying over spilt boat: Tangkuban Parahu
Photo:
While mythology about Papandayan is hazy, that surrounding its neighbour Tangkuban Parahu is less so. Tangkuban Parahu roughly translates as “upturned boat” owing to the legend of its creation. The story goes that a queen exiled her son, only for the pair to later mistakenly fall in love. Since marriage was forbidden, they were doomed to drown when a dam was burst, and fumaroles are said to represent the mother’s sobbing.
4. Italy
Photo:
Photo: Mr Topf
Fumaroles full of sulphur gasses, like the ones found at Pozzuoli near Naples, are known as solfataras – though the volcanic crater in southern Italy also assumes the same name, which comes from sulpha terra, meaning “land of sulphur”. Pozzuoli’s Solfatara was formed around four millennia ago, with its last major eruption, fuelled by steam interacting with hot magma, taking place in 1198.
Gateway to Hades: Solfatara
Photo:
Photo: Donar Reiskoffer
In Classical times, this far less dormant smoking opening in the earth’s crust – even more replete with jets of steam and sulphurous fumes – must surely have been viewed as some sign or emissary of Pluto, Roman god of the underworld. Indeed, in Virgil’s the Aeneid, Aeneas is depicted venturing into Hades, Pluto's dark domain, through an eerie solfatara.
5. Yellowstone
Photo:
Photo: Lance and Erin
There are an estimated 4,000 fumaroles in Yellowstone National Park, which is also home to mud pots and geysers a-plenty. Fumaroles commonly emit concoctions of steam, hydrogen sulphide and other gasses from beneath the earth’s surface, though a fumarole that is also rich in carbon dioxide is called a mofette. It's slightly sinister that the gasses issuing from this last family of fumaroles, found around Yellowstone, are known to settle in hollows, causing animals and birds to suffocate.
Native American wonders: extinct Yellowstone fumarole
Photo:
There are various myths concerning Yellowstone, among them the idea that Native Americans rarely set foot in the area for fear of its geysers and other hot spring features like fumaroles. However, evidence shows that this is not the case. Early people not only visited but camped near such phenomena, suggesting a measure of reverence that the Native Americans held for so many of nature’s marvels.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

5 Picturesque Infernos: Fumaroles From Around The Globe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 03:56:00 -0800

The Swirls and Waves of Antelope Canyon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 03:53:00 -0800

Photo:
Photo: X Ceccaldi
Gaze for too long at these rock formations, and you begin to drift off and forget whether you're looking at a geological phenomenon or a vast, abstract oil painting. The swirls seem to envelop you, and in Antelope Canyon they actually do. Let's take a ramble down this most gorgeous of gorges and lose ourselves in the wonderful play of light and patterns that captivate its many visitors each year. Here lies one of the planet's greatest natural art galleries.

Upper Antelope Canyon
Photo:
Photo: Lucas Löffler
Antelope Canyon lies on Navajo land in the American southwest, nestled hidden in the Arizona landscape. One of the world's true natural wonders, it is a place of splendid serenity, the sort of spot where people find themselves talking in hushed whispers without quite knowing why. As a slot canyon, it has been formed over thousands of years by the gradual wear of water rushing through rock.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Photo:
Photo: X Ceccaldi
Slot canyons are exceptionally narrow, far deeper than they are wide, and Antelope Canyon's fantastic whorls and contours can be up to 150 feet tall, while being observable only by very small groups shuffling along the sandy floor. The canyon was formed by the erosion of Navajo sandstone, chiefly due to flash floods that still occur here, making this very much artwork still in progress.
Photo:
Photo: Luca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it
Rainwater, particularly in the monsoon season, runs into a large basin overlooking the slot canyon, picking up speed and sand as it runs into the narrow passageways. Grain by grain, the corridors are deepened and the edges smoothed to form the exquisite shapes and graceful curves in the rock. Wind too has played a part in eroding and sanding this majestic canyon.
Photo:
Photo: X Ceccaldi
The geological rock sculpting here is split into two distinct areas. The Navajo people fittingly call Upper Antelope Canyon Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks". Lower Antelope Canyon, known to the Navajo as Hasdestwazi, or "spiral rock arches", is less visited, as it is a longer and tougher hike and must be climbed into via metal stairways.
Photo:
Photo by Moondigger
Here we see the view from inside Lower Antelope Canyon, looking out with a chink of the sky visible at the top of the frame. The characteristic layering of sandstone is clearly discernible, the layers of sand having built up as a result of sedimentation from water, or from air as in deserts. Scientific explanation assuredly has its place here, and yet these visual delights fit easily into the domain of art.
Photo:
Photo: Moondigger
The magical gateway into Upper Antelope Canyon – indeed its entire length – is at ground level, which is one reason why it is the more visited of the two carved geological marvels. The other features that explain its greater popularity are the occasional shafts of sunlight that shine down through openings in the top of the canyon; these are more common in the Upper Canyon.
Photo:
Photo: Raimund Marx
The beams of light are typically seen in the summer months because the sun has to be high in the sky for the angle of its rays to be just right. The phenomenon does not happen so often in the winter, and during this season the colours are slightly more muted, though no less magnificent, as in the photo shown below.
Photo:
Photo: gerocoT
The summer months themselves offer two different types of lighting, according to the time at which they are witnessed. The play of light is a dazzling phenomenon, seen below catching and reflecting off the edges of the canyon. The way the light constantly changes seems to emulate the continual evolution of the rock faces.
Photo:
Photo: Rob Inh00d
Sometimes the pillars of light from overhead appear to evoke some kind of spiritual episode, like the stereotypical scene of a god speaking from on high. It comes as little surprise that to the Navajo people, the canyon has always been a place of reverence.
Photo:
Photo: mandj98
There is a strong sense that this is some kind of sacred space, a womb-like sanctum perhaps, and to the older Navajos entering such a place would surely have been like entering a cathedral. They would likely have left feeling enlightened by nature and in harmony with something greater than themselves. Being inside Antelope Canyon will always be something of a spiritual or transformative experience.
Photo:
Photo: meckimac
At times the rock forms seem to bear a resemblance to human or animal bodies in their shape and appearance, making the canyon all the more like a living, breathing entity. Here faces seem to come out of the wall, looking down quietly yet imposingly on those below.
Photo:
Photo: StephanB
Antelope Canyon really is a photographer's dream; however it also presents difficult challenges due to the way the light enters the area, the large differences in light levels, and the wide exposure range caused by light reflecting off the steep canyon walls.
Photo:
Photo: yep yep
As mentioned, it is not just the light but the stratification of sandstone that makes Antelope Canyon such an enchanting experience for spectators. It really does call to mind the idea of an immense painter, working with light and rock instead of with oils. Each rock surface is a canvas for nature's very own swirling compositions.
Photo:
Photo: Luca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it
Yet despite the beauty and light of Antelope Canyon, this place also has darker, more dangerous aspect. This was all too apparent in 1997 when eleven tourists were killed in Lower Antelope Canyon by a flash flood that also washed away the then wooden ladders that may have provided a means of escape.
Photo:
Photo: Leto A.
In the fatal 1997 event, the rain did not need to fall close to the canyon itself for the floods to come rushing down through its corridors. To trigger a flash flood here, all it needs is for a storm to deposit large quantities of water in the canyon basin, miles upstream.
Photo:
Photo: Gerd Müller
The risk of sudden flooding is one reason why Antelope Canyon can only be visited through guided tours led by authorised guides. The canyon is also only accessible with a permit, and is a source of tourism trade for the Navajo on whose homeland it stands.
Photo:
Photo: bass nroll
In the shot below, we see just how narrow the passages can get, particularly in the V-shaped Lower Canyon, which can be tricky underfoot at times. Sightseers can stretch out their arms and touch both sides in places. However amazing it may be, Antelope Canyon is not for the claustrophobic.
Photo:
Photo: Moondigger
So we reach the end of our own tour through this wondrous temple of Mother Nature's. Part natural phenomenon, part tranquil art gallery, part giant artwork in itself, Antelope Canyon will undoubtedly continue to leave visitors both speechless and restored, as it has done for thousands of years.
Photo:
Photo: rickz
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

10 Longest Rivers of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:22:00 -0800

There has long been disagreement as to whether the Amazon or the Nile is the world’s longest river. The length of a river is hard to calculate. It depends on the identification of the source, the identification of the mouth, and the precise measurement of the river length between source and mouth.As a result, the length measurements of many rivers are only approximations.

Here I have compiled some of the longest river in the world. I hope you will like it.

Nile

The longest river in the world, the river Nile, starts at the Tributaries of Lake Victoria, Africa and runs into the Mediterranean Sea. It is 4180 miles long.

Amazon

The Amazon River starts in Glacier-fed lakes, Peru and ends in the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3912 miles long.

Mississippi

The Mississippi river’s source begins at the Source of Red Rock, Montana and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. It is 3710 miles long.

Yangtze

The Chang Jiang or Yangtze River begins at the Tibetan plateau, China and leads to the China Sea. It is 3602 miles long.

Ob

The river Ob starts at the Altai Mountains, Russia and ends at the Gulf of Ob. It is 3459 miles long.

Huang He

The Huang He or Yellow river, one of the longest rivers in the world, begins its journey in the Eastern part of the Kunlan Mountains, West China and ends in the Gulf of Chihli. It is about 2900 miles long.

Yenisei

The Yenisei River begins in the Tannu-Ola Mountains, western Tuva, Russia eventually running to the Arctic Ocean. It is about 2800 miles long.

Parana

The Parana River in Argentina starts its journey from the Confluence of Paranaiba and Grande rivers and terminates at the Río de la Plata. It is 2795 miles long.

Irtish

The Irtish River’s source lies in the Altai Mountains, Russia and joins the Ob River over 2,700 miles away. Irtish River is about 2758 miles long.

Zaire

The last entry on our list of the top ten longest rivers in the world is the Zaire or Congo River, which starts at the Confluence of Lualab and Luapula rivers, Congo and runs into the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 2716 miles long.

10 Brightest Stars Visible to Naked Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:21:00 -0800

Watching stars is fun, especially when there is total darkness and the whole sky is full of bright stars, even other strangest objects such as galaxies are also visible. People like going to places like deserts and mountain areas for sky watching where light pollution is nearly negligible. Astronomers always prefer these types of conditions so that they can easily spot objects which they need to analysis using their telescopes.

Here is the list of brightest stars visible to the naked eye.

SIRIUS

Sirius is also knows as Dog Star and is the brightest star in the night sky and is 8.5 light-years away. It is also the fifth closest star to the Sun

CANOPUS

Canopus is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina, and the second brightest star in the night-time sky, after Sirius. It is known as the Star of the Old Man in Chinese.

ALPHA CENTAURI

Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus and an established binary star system. This prominent southern star commonly bears the proper name Rigil Kentaurus

ARCTURUS

Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes. Arcturus is 36.7 light years from Earth, relatively close in astronomical terms. It is 25.7 times that of the sun and 2/3 the radius of of Mercury’s orbit!

VEGA

Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the fifth brightest star in the night sky and the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere.

FOMALHAUT

Fomalhaut is the brightest star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus and one of the brightest stars in the sky and can be seen low in the southern sky in the northern hemisphere in fall and early winter evenings.

RIGEL

It is the brightest star in the constellation Orion. The star’s name comes from its location at the “left foot” of Orion.

PROCYON

Procyon is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor. To the naked eye, it appears to be a single star.

ACHERNAR

Achernar is the brightest star in the constellation Eridanus and the ninth-brightest star in the night time sky.

BETELGEUSE

Betelgeuse is a semi regular variable star located approximately 640 light-years from the Earth and one of the largest and most luminous stars known.

source

The Unstoppable Coal Fire Blazing Beneath Pennsylvania

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 02:08:00 -0800

Photo:
Image: jessegimbel
In 1962, firemen in the Pennsylvanian mining town of Centralia successfully extinguished a minor blaze at a landfill dump – but little did they know a layer of coal just below the surface had ignited, creating a hidden and deadly inferno that raged undetected beneath the town for almost twenty years.

Photo:
Image: mattcoz
The flames above the surface were eventually extinguished, but the inferno below continued to rage for several years, fanned by the flow of oxygen through disused mine shafts.
Locating a waste incineration site in an abandoned coal mine is never a good idea – especially if you also fail to install the fire-resistant clay barrier that prevents underlying layers of flammable anthracite coal from setting alight. Five volunteer firemen in Centralia overlooked this when they set fire to a landfill site in a mine pit, before dumping more hot coal and ash on top.
Photo:
Image: jessegimbel
The subterranean fire gradually spread, enveloping the surrounding coal fields, and locals were only alerted in 1979 when a gas-station owner discovered the fuel in his underground tanks was an incredible 77.8° C (172° F). Shortly afterwards a 12 year old boy almost died when the extreme heat forced open a 46m (150 ft) subsidence crack beneath him.
Photo:
Image: sim
Today Centralia is a ghost town – its population evacuated in 1984 and its memory long since erased from the map. The state claimed eminent domain over the town’s buildings in 1992, demolishing the majority of them, and those that remain sit silently among the desolate open spaces and smouldering vents that now dominate the area.
Photo:
Image: Joyey Jojo
And the fire still burns, engulfing an area of over 1.6km² (400 acres), with scientists estimating the presence of enough coal to feed its flames for the next 250 years. The large amount of carbon monoxide in the air and ground riven by extreme heat ensures residents won’t return to Centralia for some time.
Photo:
Image: Lyndi & Jason
The lonely cemetery that sits atop the hilltop, gently smouldering, marks not only the final resting place of those who long ago brought mining to the area, but also the demise of a town that is destined to remain silent for many decades to come. There will, however, always remain hope that Centralia might some day return to its former glory – that it might rise from the ashes.
Photo:
Image: mattzcoz
Sources: 1, 2

San Francisco's Incredible Stained Glass Salt Ponds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:01:00 -0800

Photo:
Image by Jerry Ting
‘Art imitates life’ – or so the old saying goes – but when the reverse appears true, as Oscar Wilde noted, the effect can be all the more striking. The vivid hues of the San Francisco Bay salt ponds remind us more of a crafted stained glass window than the sea’s naturally muted colour palette, and they produce some of the world’s most magnificent natural colourways…

Photo:
Image by apdonovan
The San Francisco Bay is a shallow bay surrounded by the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, through which almost half the water of California is drained into the Pacific ocean. Home to the notorious Alcatraz prison, which housed among others Al Capone, the bay also contains a large number of salt evaporation ponds responsible for producing much of America’s industrial salt.
Photo:
Image by webmink
The dramatic colours are produced by varying concentrations of algae, brine shrimp and other pond life, making the ponds appear as if they have been dyed. These micro-organisms change colour according to the salinity of their environment, thus the tint of each pond is an indication of its salinity. Low salinity ponds proliferate with green algae, but in high salinity ponds red algae are predominant. Millions of tiny brine shrimp can also cast an orange shade over ponds.
Photo:
Image by KAP Cris
Unfortunately the salt ponds have recently been purchased by the state of California and will shortly be converted by the South Bay Restoration Project into a mixture of tidal marsh, mudflat and other wetland habitats. So, no longer will you be able to see these wonderful colours from the air on your way into San Francisco International – but at least the new project will provide a habitat for thousands of animals, right on the doorstep of one of the world's most famous cities.
Sources: 1, 2, 3

Hobgoblin's Playground, Nevada

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 02:31:00 -0800

Photo:
Image: Cecil P. Whitt
All images used with explicit permission by the photographers
Far off the beaten path in southern Nevada’s Clark County lies an ancient treasure surprisingly few know about: Little Finland, also called the Hobgoblin’s Playground. Dragons and other mythic beasts of yore seem to have turned to stone here, reminding us of times long gone by. Witness these beautiful sandstone formations turn red, orange and golden in the fading sunlight.
Enraptured by the prehistoric beast:

Photo:
Image: Isabel Synnatschke
The little ancient elephant:
Photo:
Image: Isabel Synnatschke
A hobgoblin portrait:
Photo:
Image: Isabel Synnatschke
Having a giant discussion:
Photo:
Image: Ian Parker
Shadow play of devilish beasts:
Photo:
Image: Philippe Schuler
Like the Valley of Fire, only 30 km away as the crow flies, Little Finland features red sandstone formations that were formed by shifting sand dunes millions of years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. So comparing these formations with prehistoric beasts is actually not that far-fetched.
The dunes were formed by a process known as Aeolian erosion, named after the Greek god of wind, Aeolus. Wind, though less powerful than water, unleashes its full force in vast, arid regions and can erode, transport and deposit materials. Over time, the sand cements into rock and is further shaped by the wind, leaving us with the incredible formations at Little Finland that we see today.
Though most visitors try to reach Little Finland an hour before sunset to play with the hobgoblins while basked in the red light of the fading sun, those who can stomach the soaring temperatures and sun will get some beautiful shots as well.
Red sandstone silhouettes:
Photo:
Image: Philippe Schuler
Dragon or prehistoric dachshund?
Photo:
Image: Fritz Zehrer
Double portrait with fist in the mouth?
Photo:
Image: Fritz Zehrer
A peculiar extinct beast of yore:
Photo:
Image: Fritz Zehrer
Pros arrive at sunset to witness the way the sun’s rays turn the sandstone formations into a sea of red, orange and yellow and then camp out in their cars or a tent to sleep under the vast sky and stars. Getting up at the crack of dawn will pay off for watching the sun rise behind the fairytale giants.
The little dinosaur - don't miss Big Nose in the background:
Photo:
Image: Philippe Schuler
A heart of gold:
Photo:
Image: Ian Parker
Look into my eye...
Photo:
Image: Isabel Synnatschke
Like a giant mud vase – or an elephant in quick sand?
Photo:
Image: Ian Parker
Getting to this magical place is unfortunately a little more difficult than using fairy dust. Visitors really need an all-terrain vehicle and a tendency for roughing it if they want to enjoy this natural miracle. Unlike the Valley of Fire, Little Finland is not a state park and therefore the facilities usually associated with one are not available.
Here’s how you’d get to Little Finland: About five miles from Mesquite, take I-15 exit 112 towards Riverside/Bunkerville (about 1 hr from Las Vegas). Follow directions for Gold Butte Backcountry Byway and take a right onto it. This paved road turns into a dirt road after a few miles.
Follow signs for “Devil’s Throat” – a sinkhole. Where the road forks, take the right branch and follow it until it turns into Mud Wash, the river bed you will drive on. Follow it for a few miles and take the right branch again where it forks. This should lead you to Little Finland.
Since recently, white sediment covering the area has given it the look of a waterscape...
Photo:
Image: Cecil P. Whitt
... and suddenly "Little Finland" makes sense:
Photo:
Image: Cecil P. Whitt
A word of caution to those planning a first visit: The sandstone formations at Little Finland are very fragile, so tread carefully or they may be lost forever. Little Finland’s inaccessibility is what’s saved it so far and it’s probably just as well that it is missing from most maps and travel guides.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

10 Most Beautiful Natural Wonders in North America

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 06:22:00 -0800

There are hundreds of beautiful, naturally created sites around the globe. If you’re a United States citizen you should definitely consider checking out some of America’s most incredible natural wonders.

Here I have compiled some of the most beautiful natural wonders in North America. I hope you will like it. I may have missed out some so please feel free to comment

City of Rocks

Located in Idaho, the City of Rocks is probably the only “city” in existence without any living inhabitants. It is believed to be over 2.5 billion years old. Now it’s the ultimate destination for rock climbers.

Barringer Crater

Scientists believe that this 4,000 foot wide, 600 foot deep crater may have been created by the impact of a meteor striking the earth more than 50,000 years ago. Barringer, for whom the crater is currently named, was the first person to suggest that the crater may have been caused by a meteorite.

Fisher Towers

The beautifully sculpted Fisher Towers in Utah are the result of many years of rain and wind. Today, standing proudly along the horizon, the towers are a favorite destination for climbers.

The Lost Sea

The Lost Sea is considered part of the Craighead Cavern system which is actually underground. The Lost Sea is the second largest underground lake in the entire world.

Grand Canyon

Massive and expansive, the Grand Canyon is the byproduct of millions of years of evolution. The canyon is more than 300 miles long and can, in places, plunge as far as 1 mile deep.

Niagara Falls

The falls make the perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding, generate tons of hydroelectric power, and apparently draw dozens of daredevils for jumps each year.

Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake, located in Utah, spans over more than 2,500 square miles. Once incorrectly believed to be an extension of the Pacific Ocean, the Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater body of water in the Western Hemisphere.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave National Park, located in central Kentucky, spans across more than 50,000 acres – underground, that is. Its 365 miles of passageways make it the longest cave system in the world.

Death Valley

Despite its chilling name, Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada attracts thousands of curious visitors each year. During the summer months the temperatures here can skyrocket to well over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is one of the most visited sites in Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful spouts boiling water as high as 185 feet into the air every 90 minutes. No matter what amount of time she takes, you are guaranteed to see at least one eruption during your visit.
source

10 Most Beautiful Flowers in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 01:46:00 -0800

The most beautiful flowers, in conjunction with their design and color schemes, create feelings that enhance our mood. They are a simple and sincere way to lift our spirits. The most beautiful flowers can bring a smile to someone faces who has been sick or having a rough day. The presence of flowers has a profound impact on ones state of mind and emotions.

Flowers trigger feelings of happiness and help us cope with anger and pain. They help us stay calm and relaxed. They can also help relieve stress.

Here I have compiled some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. It was a very tight list. I may have missed out a lot so please if you know other beautiful flower that I missed share with us in comment section. Thanks

Cherry Blossom

The unofficial flowers of Japan, the spectacular display of blossoms that arrive in the spring are celebrated by festivals both in Japan and the U.S. The most popular colors are white and pink. They are beautiful while on the trees and remain a stunning sight even after carpeting the ground.

Canna

Cannas not only feature pretty blossoms, but also beautiful leaves (often likened to that of the banana plant) that come in a variety of stunning colors. Popularized in Victorian times, Cannas are popular garden plants.

Bird of paradise

Strelitzia is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower, because of a supposed resemblance of its flowers to the bird of paradise. In South Africa it is commonly known as a crane flower.

Hydrangea

Magical snowball puffs in fall: gorgeous. The clusters of star-shaped blossoms, often found in delicate pastel hues, embody innocence. They are popular in wedding bouquets and as garden flowers.

Calla Lily

While visually stunning and elegant, this beautiful flower is actually a member the poisonous species, Zantedeschia. All parts of the plant are highly toxic, with the capability to kill livestock and children if ingested.

Black Eyed Susan

The black eyed susan, a cheerful wildflower, is a perennial that serves as a beautiful back drop in any garden. The contrast of the bright gold yellow petals and dark middle makes it any easy one to spot and recognize.

Bleeding Heart

These whimsical, almost fairy-like blossoms are a traditional favorite in shady gardens. The flowers are red, pink or white and appear in April-June.

Blue Bells

In spring, many European woods are covered by dense carpets of this flower; these are commonly referred to as “bluebell woods”. It is thought that they were named by the romantic poets of the 19th century, who felt they symbolized solitude and regret.

Lantana

These delicate flowers, with their pink and yellow petals, are butterfly magnets. The bush can grow to be quite large and the color of the petals changes as the plant ages. Beware – Lantana is considered a weed by many that are quite difficult to get rid of.

Rose

Roses are one of the most romantic and wonderfully scented of flowers. The giving of roses is steeped in tradition and cultural meaning, from the yellow rose of friendship to the deep red rose of true love.

Dendrobium

Dendrobium is a large genus of tropical orchids that include over a thousand species. The sprays of flowers are so delicate and yet so perfectly formed, they appear magical.

source

The Most Incredible Geysers on Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:42:00 -0800

Photo:
Textbook case with rainbow – Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park:
Image: Mila Zinkova
Regardless of whether cone-shaped or more like fountains, geysers are a remarkable natural phenomenon. They are rare too as they need an almost perfect balance of heat and water conditions and the right rock and channeling. We’ve picked out the best spots for geyser spotting around the world…
Iceland is a good place to start:

Photo:
Image: John Freeman
According to the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, a geyser is “a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, sending a tall column of water and steam into the air.” The term is usually pronounced gizah as in Eliza; in Britain occasionally geezah with gey- as in key.
Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone NP, at night:
Photo:
Image: Sylwester Tadla
And there’s good news for geyser fans: Though there are about 1,000 geysers in the world, they are concentrated in the few places on earth that provide the right hydrogeological conditions, making them fairly rare phenomena. Not coincidentally, all geyser sites are located near active volcanic areas as the geyser effect is produced by its proximity to magma.
Geyser in the Whakarewarewa, NZ thermal valley meaning “uprising of the warriors”:
Photo:
Image: Bruno Menetrier
A good place to start geyser hunting is Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, as the park unites around 500 or half of all of the world’s geysers. Other larger geyser clusters are the Valley of Geysers in Russia, El Tatio in Chile, the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand, and Iceland. We’ll portrait each geyser field in turn.
The map showing world geyser distribution below clearly highlights the hotbeds of geyser activity mentioned and others like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, eastern Africa, China and Japan.
World geyser distribution:
Photo:
Image: Worldtraveller
Here’s how a geyser works: Surface water makes its way through pressurized fissures in the earth's crust, reaching depths of about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). There, it comes in contact with magma. Not unlike in a pressure cooker, the pressurized water starts boiling and its pressure valve is what we observe as the geyser effect: hot water and steam spraying out of the geyser's surface vent.

1. Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone is the largest geyser location in the world with more than 500 geysers in nine basins and thousands of hot springs. Most of the geysers are located in Wyoming, but smaller clusters also in Montana and Idaho.
The image below shows the Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park with the Midway Geyser basin in the background. The amazing colour spectrum is caused by heat-loving bacteria like thermophiles and hyperthermophiles.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone NP:
Photo:
Image via pixdaus
This spectacular looking geyser is Fly Geyser in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. But before you get too excited – it’s private property of the Fly Ranch, which currently does not allow visitors. As a consolation, this is not a naturally formed geyser per se but was accidentally formed when a water well drill hit a geothermal source. Since then, it’s been spewing water continuously…
Artificial yet spectacular - Fly Geyser in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada:
Photo:
Image via pixdaus
Sadly, two large geyser fields – Beowawe and Steamboat Springs in Nevada – were destroyed during the installation of nearby geothermal power plants: Geothermal drilling reduced the available heat and lowered the local water table so that geyser activity could no longer take place.
Yellowstone’s most famous geyser – Old Faithful:
Photo:
Image: Marco Soave

2. Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

The Valley of Geysers - the only geyser field in Eurasia – is a 6-km-long basin with around 90 geysers and many hot springs. It is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. The volcanoes of Kamchatka have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Valley of Geysers:
Photo:
Image: Robert Nunn
Maybe because of the area’s remoteness, little exploration of the geysers was done prior to 1972, despite a local scientist having already published her findings by the 1950s. Most of the geysers haven’t even been named yet but since the 1980s, the area has been heavily promoted as a national tourist destination. International tourists have been allowed to visit since 1991 and the area attracts about 3,000 visitors per year.
In June 2007, a massive mudslide submerged about two thirds of the valley and though the water receded fairly quickly, the long-term effects are not yet clear.

3. El Tatio, Andes, Chile

At 4,200 m above sea level, El Tatio (“the grandfather”) in the Chilean Andes is one of the highest-elevation geyser fields in the world. Its more than 80 active geysers make it the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere. Located next to the Atacama Desert, it is a popular tourist destination that allows bathing in the hot geyser water in certain small pools. Walking around is advised only with a guide as in certain areas only a thin crust of soil covers almost boiling mud – not a spot one wants to accidentally tread on.
Geysers at El Tatio, close to the Atacama Desert in northern Chile:
Photo:
Image: Phil Whitehouse
El Tatio at sunset:
Photo:
Image via pixdaus

4. Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand

The Taupo Volcanic Zone is a highly active volcanic area on New Zealand’s North Island that is home to New Zealand’s geysers as well. It is named after Lake Taupo, the flooded caldera of the area’s largest volcano. Part of it is Wai-O-Tapu, an active geothermal area north of the Reporoa caldera. Meaning “Sacred Waters” in Maori, the area is famous for its colourful hot springs and geysers.
Wai-O-Tapu geyser with Artist’s Palette (front) and Champagne Pool (back):
Photo:
Image: Tokyoahead
The Lady Knox Geyser in the Wai-O-Tapu area of the Taupo Volcanic Zone has an interesting history: It was discovered by prisoners in the early 20th century who triggered its eruption by adding soap to its water. How did they come up with that idea? They were trying to wash their clothes in the geyser. The expression on their faces must have been priceless when the geyser erupted, spewing half-washed clothes all around!
Lady Knox Geyser, named after the 15th governor’s daughter:
Photo:
Image: Remember
However funny the initial discovery, it has led to today’s tourist attraction: Every day at 10:15 am sharp, soap is dropped into the vent’s opening, producing a spray of water up to 20 m high and lasting for over an hour.
Geyser in the city of Rotorua:
Photo:
Image via pixdaus

5. Iceland

Iceland is not only the land of folk tales of nebulous beings but also that of geysers and hot springs. The earliest geyser, the “Great Geysir” was discovered here in the 14th century. It coined the term for all others, with geyser going back to the Icelandic geysir, which is based on the verb gjósa, to gush.
Strokkur Geyser:
Photo:
Image: Andreas Tille
As temporary geological features, the lifespan of geysers is “only” a few 1,000 years. Great Geyser erupted dutifully every hour until the early 19th century before it became dormant. Today, Iceland has around 25 active geysers distributed all over the island, with a cluster at Haukadalur.
The Pearl Geyser in Reykjavik:
Photo:
Image: Thorlakur Ludviksson

6. Rest of the World

Often hot springs or artificial geysers are also called true geysers, making their occurrence seem more widespread than it is. Wells for example have been drilled in places where geothermal activity exists, therefore causing geyser eruption artificially. Natural hot springs can be distinguished from geysers by the fact that they spout water continuously. In cold water geysers, CO2 bubbles drive the eruption instead of steam.
Here’s a video of people frolicking in a river hot spring, not a geyser, in Indonesia:

According to the World Geyser Count (WGC) website, there are about 38 active geysers in Papua New Guinea and 17 in Indonesia, mainly on the island of Sumatra. In China, the count of active geysers is 10, and 6 in Africa, all in either Ethiopia or Kenya.
Japan has four active geysers, among them the famous Shikabe Geyser in Shikabe Kanketusen Park. Also well-known is the Jigoku Geyser in Beppu.
Jigoku Geyser at Jigokudani Monkey Park:
Photo:
Image: Craig Anderson
That leaves us to end with the world’s largest geyser, Suwa Geyser spouting 40-50 metres high, close to Suwako Lake in the Nagano prefecture.
Suwa Geyser:
Photo:
Image: Yosemite
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Hawaii’s Beautiful Yet Strangely Coloured Beaches

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:31:00 -0800

Photo:
Image via jaqwencoast
Black, green, yellow, red – not the colours of a traffic signal but the amazing variety of Hawaiian beaches. Yes, in certain areas of the islands, you will find beaches with sand in all these colours... and we got incredible pictures to prove it.
Sand is nothing but fine granules of divided rock and mineral particles. Depending on the geological characteristics of a region, its sand can contain more of minerals like quartz, shell or coral fragments, iron, small gemstones and other contents.

The Hawaiian islands, all being formed through volcanic eruptions from a magma source at the sea floor, show an amazing geological variety, including the beaches. Green, red, yellow and black beaches are extremely rare, yet they can all be found in Hawaii.
Green beaches at South Point:
Photo:
Image: Phil Hollman

Green Beaches

Sands derived from basaltic lava with high olivine content are usually green in colour. Olivine, a magnesium iron silicate, is one of the most common minerals on earth and has also been found on the Moon, Mars, in comet Wild 2 and in meteorites.
Green sand is nothing but olivine crystals eroded from lava rocks:
Photo:
Image: Mila Zinkova
Eroded and finely ground olivine crystals:
Photo:
Image: Cyrus Bulsara
Like little gemstones - olivine crystals from Hawaii’s Mahana Beach up close:
Photo:
Image: Tom Trower
If you see the type of green as in the image below, it’s because of phytoplankton, not olivine. Still looks pretty though.
Green beach in Kouro, French Guiana:
Photo:
Image: Arria Belli
Now, on to more colourful wonders…
Photo:
Image via jaqwencoast

Red Beaches

Red sand beaches are so rare that the one on Maui’s eastern end is simply called the Red Sand Beach, a.k.a. Kaihalulu Beach. It is located at the foot of Ka'uiki Hill, a cindercone hill just south of Hana Bay that is rich in iron and eroding constantly – therefore giving the beach its distinct dark red colour.
Kaihalulu is a lovely composition of red, blue and green:
Photo:
Image: Michael Wifall
Kailhalulu Beach is partially shielded from the open sea through an offshore reef that, like a natural sea wall, protects the beach from rough waters.
Red Sand Beach is picturesque, yet secluded and quite hard to get to:
Photo:
Image: Dan
Another red beach, also at the foot of a hill – near Choroni, Venezuela:
Photo:
Image: Juan Tello

Yellow Beaches

Yellow beaches are quite common around the world as the yellow colour is caused by iron impurities within the sand’s quartz crystals.
Yellow sand granules:
Photo:
Image: EPA
A famous yellow beach – Waikiki Beach in the island state’s capital Honolulu on O'ahu:
Photo:
Image: CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr.
Waianapanapa Beach, Maui:
Photo:
Image: Forest & Kim Starr

Black Beaches

Black beaches are quite common in Hawaii, for example all along the southeastern coast of the Big Island but also all throughout the archipelago. This is no coincidence as black sands are derived from volcanic rock and obsidian (volcanic glass). The islands’ black beaches are therefore all located around their most volcanically active areas.
Punaluu Beach with a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas):
Photo:
Image: Mila Zinkova
Honokalani Black Sand Beach is one among many in Wainapanapa State Park:
Photo:
Image: Michael

White Beaches

Last but not least, white beaches, favorites with travel marketers and the epitome of a good vacation as they are mainly found in tropical and subtropical coastal settings. On Hawaii’s Big Island, for example, they are mainly located on the northern end.
Needs no comment – Kailua Beach on Oahu Island:
Photo:
Image: skyseeker
White sand is made up of eroded limestone particles that may contain coral and shell fragments plus other organic or organically derived material. Want to know why the sand granules of white beaches in coral reef settings tend to be very fine? Because the ground-up coral (limestone) has passed through the digestive system of certain fish species, the parrot fish for example. So what you’re walking on is actually fish excrement... We’ll leave you with this thought.
No, just kidding. Here’s a great comparison of sand granules from around the world and we’ve got a chirpy beach video for you, ending our beach excursion from where we started it – Green Sand Beach on the Big Island.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

10 Most Incredible Natural Arches On Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:02:00 -0800

Photo:
Photo: howardignatius
We humans sometimes seem to think we’ve got it all sown up as the premiere architects on this planet, but Nature is actually well ahead when it comes to constructing wonders of design emerging from the landscape. Take the arch, for example. While it was only a few millennia ago that humankind began to build these impressive structures, Mother Earth has been moulding them for millions of years.
Get your hiking boots on; we’re taking a trip to find the most amazing of these natural formations the earth has to offer, with points awarded for both size and splendour.

10. Grosvenor Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: Doug Dolde
Found in southern Utah, Grosvenor Arch is a unique sandstone double arch that while not the biggest in this list is still hugely striking in appearance. Teetering atop stony stilts, this splendid natural formation is accessible by road, though unlike some such landforms offers no natural passageway below that visitors can walk through. As a natural arch, Grosvenor is a product of erosion, the elements having found weaknesses in the softer rock of a cliff and gradually worn them away.
9. Kolob Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: agmk
Located in Utah’s Zion National Park, Kolob Arch is considered the second longest natural arch in the world, its span having been measured at 287 feet – just three shy of the span of the more famous Landscape Arch, of which more later. Set just 44 feet from the cliff side it frames, this imposing landmark is reachable by various hiking trails, though trekking in the summer is discouraged, as it can get hot as hickory throughout the Colorado Plateau region.
8. Shipton’s Arch, China
Photo:
Photo: thechinatravelcompany
Shipton's Arch, aka Tushuk Tash, meaning Hole in Heaven, is the tallest natural arch on earth. Located northwest of Kashgar, in China's Xinjiang Province, this soaring structure, while familiar to locals, was not known to the West until its discovery in 1947 by English mountaineer Eric Shipton. The span of the arch is around 212 feet, but seen from the floor of the west side canyon, its height is estimated at a jaw-dropping 1,200 feet – about the height of the Empire State Building.
7. Sipapu Natural Bridge, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: Christian Mehlführer
Not technically speaking a natural arch but a colossal natural bridge, Sipapu Bridge nevertheless makes the cut here as it does a good enough impersonation of an arch. This beautiful structure boasts a span of 225 feet, making it the second longest natural bridge after the more renowned Rainbow Bridge. Sipapu is also now the longest natural arch in the world with an active trail beneath it that visitors may pass through, affording spectacular views of its underbelly.
6. Steven’s Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: fourninefour
A spectacular shelter arch found it Utah’s Escalente Canyon, at its junction with Stevens Canyon, Steven’s Arch is another giant on the world stage of arches, with a span believed to measure 220 feet. Forbidding at first glance, Steven’s Arch gives the illusion that there is no way to make the climb up to it, though in actual fact the hike is neither difficult not hair-raising – just downright breathtaking. Over the Escalente River, Steven’s Arch looms like a cryptic sign from Nature.
5. Double Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: Flicka
Another of Utah's finest, Double Arch is a famous close-set pair of natural arches, and despite the competition is one of the more impressive sights in Arches National Park. This spot hit the big screen when it was used as a backdrop for the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in which the arches are briefly glimpsed. They were formed differently than most of the arches in the Park, the result of water erosion from above rather than the more typical erosion form the side.
4. Aloba Arch, Chad
Photo:
Photo: Fouderg
With a height of 394 feet, Aloba Arch in Chad is the second tallest natural arch on earth, and at about 250 feet in length it is also one of the world’s longest. Yet despite its size, this magnificent landform is seldom seen due to its remote location. Aloba Arch appears to have been shaped in two stages, its upper half a buttress-type natural arch formed at the end of a slab of sandstone while its lower section is a softer sandstone layer that was subsequently eroded by a stream.
3. Rainbow Bridge, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: Kate Nay
Another natural bridge that snuck into our list of arches, the resplendent Rainbow Bridge, is a majestic structure that looks arch-like enough for us. A National Monument and a sacred place for Native Americans, it stands 245 feet tall, has a 234-foot span, and is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide at its apex. This natural wonder was carved out during the last Ice Age: river waters formed a wide hairpin bend flowing around the solid fin of sandstone that would become the bridge.
2. Delicate Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: U.S. federal government
The most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park, Delicate Arch is depicted on Utah’s license plates and is something of an international icon too. Known to early cowboys as ‘the Schoolmarm's Bloomers’ due to its distinctive shape, the 52 feet tall freestanding arch was the site of controversy in 2006 when climber Dean Potter made the first recorded free solo ascent of the formation – an event the led to the banning of climbs on any named arch within the park year-round.
1. Landscape Arch, Utah, USA
Photo:
Photo: rickz
The longest of the numerous natural arches in Utah’s Arches National Park – indeed the longest true arch on earth – Landscape Arch is a phenomenal 290 feet in length. Just as phenomenal is the fact that at its thinnest point this slender arc of rock is only 6 feet thick. Since 1991, three large slabs of sandstone measuring 30, 47 and 70 feet long have fallen from Landscape Arch's narrowest section, prompting the Park Service to close the trail that led beneath it. It could collapse at any time.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

The Turquoise Waters of the Middle East's Largest Salt Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:54:00 -0800

Photo:
Image: Ehsan Mahdiyan
Lake Urmia is a salt lake in northwestern Iran – the largest in the Middle East – known for its glittering turquoise waters and dozens of small, rocky islands. The lake is cherished by man and beast alike: People ascribe healing properties to the lake’s many minerals; and birds like flamingos, pelicans, storks, ibises and many others appreciate it as a food stop on their migration routes.

Sunset at Lake Urmia and its salt ponds:
Photo:
Image: Behzad Rahmati
The lake serves as a natural divider between the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan and their main cities, Tabriz and Urmia, respectively. The latter was named “city of water”, referring to the lake that was named after it. Lake Urmia is 1,275 m (4,183 ft) above sea level, at the bottom of Azerbaijan’s large central depression.
Osman Fist, the smallest of Lake Urmia’s 102 islands:
Photo:
Image: M. Karzarj
At 140 km (87 miles) and 55 km (34 miles) at its longest and widest and with a surface area of around 5,200 km² (2,000 mile²), Lake Urmia is the world’s third largest salt lake. Fed by mountain streams, it has no other outlet than evaporation. Salts and minerals can therefore build in the lake whose high salinity allows only one fish species to survive.
Lake Urmia and the Kurdistan region from Space:
Photo:
Image: NASA
Yet, Lake Urmia is one of the largest natural habitats of brine shrimp or Artemia, which is an important food source for migratory birds. Most of the lake’s area is considered a national park and the whole lake is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Flamingos, spoonbills, ibises, storks, shelducks and gulls are known to stop by:
Photo:
Image: Andrew Turner
In the 1970s, a project was initiated to build a highway across the lake. 15 km were completed and then abandoned because of the Iranian Revolution. Only in November 2008 was a 1.5 km long bridge completed to close the gap. The whole construction now divides the lake into an upper and lower portion. Despite anti-corrosion treatment of all steel parts, the bridge has started rusting in this high saline environment.
The bridge across, visible from Space:
Photo:
Image: NASA
That Lake Urmia has been a major landmark admired for its beauty can be seen in the many names it had throughout the ages. The lake’s ancient Persian name was Chichast, meaning glittering, referring to its many mineral particles glistening in the sun. In medieval times, it was known as Lake Kabuda in Persian or Lake Gabod in Armenian, both meaning azure, referring to the lake’s deep blue waters. The Romans called it Lake Matianus, after the Matiani, an Iranic people. Only in the early 1930s was the lake named after a person: Lake Rezaiyeh after Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shah of the Imperial State of Iran from 1925 to 1941. The lake received its current name in the late 1970s.
Lake Urmia is shrinking at an annual evaporation rate of 0.6–1 m (24–39 in); here is a comparison of lake levels in 1984 and 2003.
Photo:
Image: Alexander Stohr
Those wondering why Ghengis Khan’s grandson, Hulagu Khan, would be buried on the second largest island, Kaboudi, might like to know that the region around Lake Urmia was once the center of the Mongolian Khannate Dynasty, established by Hulagu Khan, until the 14th century. We’re hoping that Lake Urmia will be around for many more dynasties to come but given its current evaporation rate, this seems doubtful.
Sources: 1, 2, 3

A Short Rough Guide to the Big Lonely Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:01:00 -0800

Photo: Phil Williams
If you have some spare cash and no commitments tying you down or holding you up, enjoy the luxury of that unfettered freedom and just simply travel for the sheer joy of it. You don’t need to be on a mission to save the world – just to see it and be a part of it. Save up your pennies for unforgettable peripatetic experiences that will enrich your life immeasurably more than if you had spent those pennies on fast food, booze and impulse purchases (or whatever else your disposable income might be frittered away on). Allow yourself to break away from the humdrum routine of the everyday grind once in a while, and open your eyes and your mind to a whole host of new environments, new cultures and new experiences, many of which you could never have imagined or anticipated – and all of which will provide you with priceless memories for the rest of your life.
Aim to visit all seven continents in your lifetime, using every possible mode of transport – walking, cycling, aeroplane, helicopter, boat, hovercraft, train, tram, car, bus, campervan, husky-sledge, skis, surfboard, horse-drawn carriage, tuk-tuk, gondola, rickshaw, scooter, horse, camel, elephant… you are limited only by your imagination (and, much more boringly, your budget). Don’t allow yourself to become stuck in a rut or caught up in your own tiny microcosmic bubble: talk to other travellers and get inspired by travel blogs and books. Be ambitious, intrepid and spontaneous. Pole to pole this awesome planet is almost 25,000 miles in circumference, with almost seven billion inhabitants, millions of species of wildlife, 57.5 million square miles of land mass and trillions of gallons of ocean. What are you waiting for?
To quote Mark Twain: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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