Of course many of these are easy to see without any special equipment, so for many years scientists on Earth wondered if we can see them all so easy up there, why can’t we see them down here on our planet? Then along came aerial photography…

GSS visited some of the most recognizable impact craters on Earth already, including Barringer Meteor Crater in the United States and Manicouagan Impact Crater in Canada, but updated and enhanced imagery makes these sites worth a second visit.

We start our tour with the largest verified impact crater on Earth, Vredefort Crater in South Africa. Measuring a staggering 250 – 300 km (155 – 186 miles) across, this crater was formed over 2 billion years ago by an asteroid estimated 10 km (6 miles) in size.

Today, the most recognizable feature of the crater is the northwest rim that created the mountains near the town of Parys. Vredefort was also added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.

Our next stop is a crater in southern Ontario, Canada near the city of Sudbury. The Sudbury Basin was formed by a meteorite impact 1.85 billion years ago, creating a round 250-km (155 miles) crater.

Subsequent geological processes like tectonic plate movement then stretched into its current oval shape, which is hard to see on the satellite image. However, the crater shape is strikingly obvious when using Google’s terrain mapping. It is the second largest verified impact site on the planet.

Perhaps the most famous meteorite impact of them all is the one that slammed the Earth in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, and also is the one that scientists believed killed 75% of the species on Earth including the dinosaurs¹.

About 65 million years ago, a 10 km (6 mi) wide meteorite slammed into the Earth and created a 180 km (110 mi) wide crater centered just off the coast of present day Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the south to southeast rim can still seen with Google’s satellite maps if you know where to look. The Chicxulub crater is the third largest verified impact crater on the planet.

Be sure to check out the other GSS articles on impact craters and other natural landmarks, including the Kebira Crater. Check Wikipedia for more information about the Vredefort Crater, Sudbury Basin, or the Chicxulub Crater. Since there are so many sites around the Earth, we’ll be sure to have more crater articles soon!

Locations: Arizona, Mexico, Ontario, Quebec, South Africa / Categories: Natural Landmarks, World Heritage Sites

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The Republic of San Marino

The unique thing about visiting an enclave is that no matter where you’re coming from, you must travel through another country first, in this case Italy. San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world, only 60 sq km (23.5 sq mi) in total area, ranking it number 221 out of 233 countries (and outlying territories) in total size.

The Kingdom of Lesotho

An enclave within the country of South Africa, Lesotho’s other most interesting geographical feature is that its lowest point is the highest of any country in the world! Lesotho also produces one of the most striking visual borders we’ve seen on Google’s satellite images, due to the change in vegetation as you pass from Lesotho’s west side to South Africa.

Vatican City

The smallest sovereign state in the world, Vatican City is an enclave not just inside Italy, but also inside the city of Rome. This is also the world’s only walled enclave, since its small border is marked almost entirely with a city wall.

Of course it’s also home to the Pope and the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, and although not commonly known as its own country, Vatican City offers clergy, guard members and other workers optional citizenship; they generate their own income from tourist sales; and they even issue their own Euro coins.

Be sure to check out other enclave/exclave GSS articles like Point Roberts, USA, Complicated borders featuring the split personality town of Baarle-Hertog/Baarle-Nassau, and Interesting Exclaves of the United States.

Also check out Wikipedia for more information about landlocked countries, San Marino, Lesotho, and Vatican City!

Locations: Italy, South Africa / Categories: Weirdness, World Heritage Sites

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While some are making objections to the passing car in their own special way, others aren’t really understanding the nature of the technology.

This woman was inside when she spotted the Google car, and leapt up to expose her bra through a window at the passing car.

However she probably failed to realise that – while the existence an anonymised picture of you flashing your underwear isn’t a particularly risky thing in itself – having a picture of you posted on Google Maps while flashing your underwear at work is probably another matter.

Update: We’ve been contacted by the business owner, and it turns out this is indeed a farm nursery after all. In fact, they think it’s as funny as we do, and the woman involved will not be disciplined in any way.

For all the very latest funny and shocking Street View sightings, you should follow us on Twitter!

Locations: England / Categories: Street Views

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The images cover roads from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, and actually extend all the way beyond, right up into Shetland.

Google have recorded images of a further 210,000 miles of roads, bringing the total to approximately 246,985 miles of coverage.

We expect lots of new fascinating and probably scandalous sights to be discovered in the next couple of days, so be sure to leave a comment with a link to anything you find!

Update: This update also provided imagery for Hong Kong and Macau.

For all the very latest funny and shocking Street View sightings, you should follow us on Twitter!

Locations: England, Scotland / Categories: Site News, Street Views

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The Monuments can generally be grouped into three sections; the Sacred Centre, the Riverside Ruins and the Royal Centre.

The Sacred Centre

The focal point of the Sacred Centre is the Virupaksha Temple. Hampi’s history as a Hindu holy site dates to about the 7th century – long before the empire took hold – though it has been expanded by different rulers through the ages. The most identifiable structure – a nine-tiered tower – is actually a gatehouse leading to the inner courtyards which house the main temple and various shrines.

The ceremonial road running east from the temple is known as Hampi Bazaar. Originally lined with market stalls and the homes of wealthy citizens, parts of this street have now been taken over by poor local residents and those running businesses aimed at tourists.

The Vijayanagara Empire thrived from the 14th century, dominating this part of India. With up to a quarter of a million habitants, Hampi was possibly the largest city in the world at the time. This all came to an end when the king was killed in 1565 – following which the capital was plundered and ruined.

Beyond one of the rocky hills for which the region is known, we find the Courtesan’s Street – also a market – and the Achyuta Raya Temple which was one of the final construction projects before the destruction of the empire.

Another large shrine in this area is the Sri Krishna Temple which is noted for detailed carvings depicting religious stories.

There are numerous other small temples and shrines in the Sacred Centre, though most are hidden amongst the rocks, or in smaller buildings not visible on Google’s images.

The Riverside Ruins

The Riverside Ruins lie along the banks of the Tungabhadra River which formed a protective barrier to the north of the city. This area is dominated by the Vittala Temple, one of the most elaborate complexes.

A large stone chariot – the centrepiece of the courtyard – is carved from several granite blocks. Two stone elephants have replaced the monumental horses which were originally positioned in front of the chariot.

The Royal Centre

The Royal Centre encompasses a much larger area to the south of the present village and includes a huge number of historically and architecturally significant ruins. The royal palaces were mostly built of wood so were burned in the destruction of the city, leaving only foundations and basements visible.

Nearby are four tanks or bathing areas – a pair of octagonal structures, the Queen’s Bath (lower right in the thumbnail image; probably actually used by the King) and a large elaborately-stepped tank (upper left).

Visible near this tank and many other structures are the remains of a widespread system of aqueducts and canals which carried water throughout the complex.

Just to the north-west is a large enclosure which may have served a number of uses – possibly military or administrative. The royal mint and granaries (circles in the first image) are generally agreed upon by historians, along with the beautiful domed elephant stables.

Sections of fortified walls can still be seen around the complex. Experts believe that there were up to seven concentric walls protecting the capital, up to about 32km from the centre.

There are literally dozens more structures, temples and other archeological discoveries visible on the satellite images. These maps – from the excellent Hampi website – can be useful when trying to identify them.

Locations: India / Categories: Abandoned, Monuments, Structures, World Heritage Sites

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Now more than 11,000 votes have been counted, and the three Best Streets in Britain have been named. Not all the winners are yet visible on Street View, but rumour has it that Google will be putting that right soon, so watch this space…

Most picturesque street: Shambles, York

It might seem odd that the name of the winner in this category normally describes something that’s a total mess – but “shambles” originally referred to a meat market. This narrow medieval street in York is lined with timber-framed buildings, some of them more than 600 years old, which used to house at least two dozen butchers’ shops. Raw meat would be displayed on shelves outside the shops, and the gutter down the middle of the street would run with blood and offal.

Today, there are no butchers on the Shambles itself (although there is still one on the adjacent Little Shambles) and things are somewhat less gory – chocolate shops and tea rooms are the order of the day.

At number 35, you can see the former home of Margaret Clitherow, who was arrested in 1586 for harbouring Catholic priests, and sentenced to death by “pressing” (being crushed beneath a heavy weight). She was made a saint in 1970 and the house is now a shrine.

Most picturesque street runner-up: Royal Crescent, Bath

This grand curve of Georgian houses was designed by John Wood the Younger and completed in 1774. There’s no Street View yet, but Wikipedia has a good panorama of the whole street.

A couple of interesting bits of trivia about the Royal Crescent: firstly, although the facades of the houses are all uniform, you can see from the aerial view that the design of the houses behind varies widely, as each was built to a different specification for the original buyers. Second, it has been suggested that the crescent, together with the Circus (the circular road just to the east) and streets just to the south were laid out to represent Masonic symbols.

Most picturesque street runner-up: Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

Another curving Georgian street, this one was built in the 1830s. Although pipped to the top spot in Google’s awards, it headed a list of Britain’s favourite streets as voted by BBC Radio 4 listeners in 2002. (If you’re wondering about the rather drab name, it commemorates Earl Grey – yes, the same man who gave us funny-tasting tea.)

Best fashion street: Milsom Street, Bath

Another award for the city of Bath, which is not yet covered by Street View. The buildings here were originally grand town houses, but over time it has become a renowned shopping street, with small boutiques as well as Jolly’s department store, which dates back to the 1830s and is now part of the House of Fraser chain. Find more photos of the area at Geograph.

Best foodie street: High Street, Stockbridge

The market town of Stockbridge lies in the valley of the River Test, one of Hampshire’s famous trout streams. Its broad high street won the award for its range of pubs, inns, restaurants and specialist food shops¹. Again there’s no Street View yet, but you can find plenty more photos on Geograph.

You can see the full list of nominees here, with links to Street Views of those that are covered. But do you know better? Have you found a more picturesque, stylish or downright tasty street, in the UK or abroad? If it’s on Street View, let’s have a look at it…

Locations: England / Categories: Buildings, Street Views

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50 years later a bizarre series of suicides began to take place on the bridge, whereby dogs would regularly throw themselves to their deaths from the parapets.

Since the suicides began, it is claimed that at least 50 dogs have killed themselves here; all at virtually the same spot, and all of them long-nosed breeds.

Why they jumped is still a mystery.

Many theories have been put forward; hypnotic water sounds, some sort of interference from a nearby nuclear base, electrical impulses, and even ghosts – but it took a canine psychologist (and a Channel 5 documentary) to provide a vaguely plausible explanation.

Bing maps view of Overtoun bridge and one of the estate’s buildings.

Dr David Sands found that Mink were breeding under the bridge, and posits that their strong scent is simply irresistible to inquisitive dogs. Combine this with a dog’s low viewpoint, and perhaps one can see why a dog would leap over the edge to their death.

However, with around 20,000 mink in Scotland, it seems a little strange that dogs aren’t chucking themselves off more bridges all over the country.

So, why do you think all these dogs decided to end it all from the Overtoun Bridge?

More info: Overtoun Bridge at Wikipedia.

Locations: Scotland / Categories: Bridges, Weirdness

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Let’s take a look at some of the more unique street circuits around the world…

1. Monte Carlo, Monaco – Since 1929, the streets of Monte Carlo have been home to a motor race each year, and today the principality is home to Formula One’s Monaco Grand Prix. A lap around the 3.34 km (2.075 mi) circuit goes directly underneath the Grand Hotel via a tunnel and ricochets around a swimming pool next to the city’s harbour. The track continues to hold events each year in late May.

2. Norisring, Nuremberg, Germany – Built on top of former Nazi party rally grounds in Nuremberg, this track is 2.3 km (1.4 mi) in length and uses the grandstand from Zeppelin Field as it’s centrepiece. The track is host to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series and the Formula 3 Euro Series each year.

3. Cleveland, Ohio, USA – The Grand Prix of Cleveland was held from 1982 to 2007 on the fully functioning Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio. The airport had to be shut down once a year for a week to get converted into a 10-turn racetrack. Traces of the track are hard to see these days on Google Maps, but if you look closely you can see some tires stacked up near turn 8, various asphalt patches along the racing line on the taxiways (used to try and smooth out the bumpy track for the lightweight race cars), and some tire tracks from the pit stalls. Races are rumoured to return in 2010 but nothing has been announced yet.

Keep an eye out for follow-up posts on more street circuits around the world, including some that you can lap with the Street View car! Stay tuned!

Locations: Germany, Monaco, Ohio / Categories: Stadiums and Sport

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After contracting tuberculosis as as a young man, Don Justo promised to build a cathedral dedicated to “Our Lady of the Pillar” if he recovered from his illness.

A man of his word, Don Justo hasn’t let his lack of architectural knowledge impede this mission – there are no architectural plans for the cathedral; the design has simply been inspired by other churches and Don Justo’s own vision. However, this has led to concerns about the building’s structural integrity.

Don Justo has done the majority of work by himself, but has had occasional assistance from family members or volunteers. He uses income from his farm to purchase some construction materials but the bulk are recycled, donated, or leftovers from nearby building projects.

It’s probably going to take another 15-20 years of work to complete the cathedral, but as Don Justo is now in his mid-80s, he may not be around to finish it himself.

Given the uncertain construction quality, and the fact that technically, permission for the construction was never granted in the first place, it’s clear that the town authorities will face a dilemma about whether to leave it standing after Don Justo’s eventual death.

Thanks to Nicolas.

Locations: Spain / Categories: Buildings, Street Views, Structures, Weirdness

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Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten (SXM)

Passengers arriving into Princess Juliana often fly just a few metres over the head of sunbathers below on Maho Beach. The combination of screaming jet aircraft and beautiful tropical scenery in such close proximity make this airport a mecca for the world’s plane spotters. In fact, check out this video showing the arrival of a 747, shot by yours truly on a 2004 trip.

Arrival isn’t the only exciting part of this airport either; departing aircraft must make an immediate right hand turn to avoid flying directly into the 317 m St. Peter Hill. At the same time, the departing planes blow a massive amount of jet blast back onto Maho Beach – so strong is the blast that it can cause you and your belongings to be blown right into the water if you’re not careful.

Gustaf III Airport, Saint Barthélemy (SBH)

This small airstrip is aligned east/west between the beach at St. Jean and a steep hill west of the airfield. Arriving aircraft have to fly very low to the ground and then descend rapidly down the side of an extremely steep hill to make the field. To make matters worse, the top of the hill has a traffic circle and the airfield itself is very short! Take a look at this picture to see how tight the approach really is.

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba (SAB)

Built on the side of a potentially active volcano, Saba is home to the smallest commercial runway in the world. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport’s single runway is only 396 m (1,300 ft) long, making the field totally inaccessible to anything but small aircraft flown by specially trained pilots, and helicopters.

To make matters worse, the ends of the runway drop 18 m (60 ft) off a vertical cliff into the ocean, while the side of the strip is covered in high hills.

To book a trip to any of these airports, use the three letter airport code next to the name. The weather’s great all year round!

Locations: France, Netherlands, North America / Categories: Aircraft, Volcanoes

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