10th March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
● Wonder Factor: ● Over 1200 symmetrical hills spread across Bohol Island. ● Their origin remains somewhat mysterious, with theories involving limestone erosion and ancient volcanoes.
● Wonder Factor: ● Around 40,000 interlocking columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption. ● Legend claims they were built by a giant, Finn McCool, as a path to Scotland.
● Wonder Factor: ● Holds the world's largest known natural crystals. ● Discovered by accident while mining, specialized suits are required to explore safely.
● Wonder Factor: ● Navajo sandstone is eroded by wind and water into spectacular formations. ● Getting access requires a competitive lottery system due to its popularity.
● Wonder Factor: ● "Cotton Castle" formed by mineral-rich hot springs cascading over the edge. ● Natural terraces create a stunning series of pools. ● It is an ancient spa destination, with the ruins of the Roman city Hierapolis nearby.
● Wonder Factor: ● The "Rainbow Mountains" are sandstone layered with mineral deposits in various colors. ● Millions of years of geological processes created this stunning landscape.
● Wonder Factor: ● It is not entirely natural; it formed accidentally during well-drilling. ● Geothermal activity fuels geyser activity and mineral deposits that look out-of-this-world.
● Wonder Factor: ● It was carved by water erosion, creating smooth, undulating rock formations. ● Beams of sunlight filtering into the canyon create magical light shows. ● A sacred site for the Navajo people.
● Wonder Factor: ● "Tsingy" means "where one cannot walk barefoot" – this maze of rocks is sharp! ● Unique erosion patterns formed a labyrinthine wonderland. ● Home to unique wildlife adapted to this harsh environment.
● Wonder Factor: ● A collapsed natural gas cavern, intentionally lit in 1971, is still burning decades later. ● The eerie glow is especially striking at night, earning its ominous nickname.
● Wonder Factor: ● High mineral concentrations create colorful pools during the hot, dry season. ● Each pool has a unique chemical makeup, resulting in varied hues. ● It is considered a sacred site by indigenous peoples.
● Wonder Factor: ● These giant, smooth boulders formed over millions of years through mineral build-up. ● Their unique shape and coastal setting add to their mystique.
● Wonder Factor: ● Resembles a giant bullseye, with concentric rings of rock. ● Its origins are debated – possibly an eroded geologic dome or an ancient impact crater.
● Wonder Factor: ● It is an isolated island with a unique ecosystem, earning comparisons to an alien planet. ● Dragon Blood Trees, with their umbrella-shaped canopies, are iconic.
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● Wonder Factor: ● It is the world's largest salt flat, creating a mesmerizing, otherworldly expanse. ● In the wet season, the reflective water creates amazing optical illusions.
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