The planet that we call home is full of some amazing geological landmarks that look almost too good to be true. Here are some of the most bizarre but also incredible landmarks that almost don’t even seem real, with even local wildlife adapting different around them.
Devils Tower, USA
In Wyoming there is a huge rock with a flat top that measures 867 feet high. The almost obelisk like object is made out of volcanic rock that cooled underground, creating amazing columns. Many have seen the rock as a sacred object through the ages. The formation was around far before the Elk, moose, and whitetail deer that now call the region home.
Cave of the Crystals, Mexico
Found in underground caves in Mexico, there are enormous selenite crystals. The cave itself cannot be explored as it’s 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The crystals took over 500,00 years to grow in the mineral-rich water. It’s still debated how they got so big. It’s likely that microbes live in the cave, but little else could survive the extreme conditions.
Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra is an Island in Yemen which has a reputation for having a rich biodiversity which even rivals that of the Galápagos Islands. The island have over 700 different species living on it. Since these plants and animals have been separated from the mainland for so long, they have evolved differently to many other sister species.
Mount Roraima, South America
After intense rainfall eroded the top of Mount Roriama in South America, it flattened out into a table-like shape. Life on top of the summit has evolved in a unique way, with cliffs surrounding them on all sides. The isolated wildlife has been thriving in an unlikely environment for ages.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
In Northern Island, over 40,000 basalt columns litter the coast. They were formed by volcanic activity that has since died out and look perfectly hexagonal. Local legends suggest that giants built it, but nature managed the feat all on its own. Buzzards and Peregrine falcons can be seen on the rocks.
The Wave, USA
Found on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes in Arizona, sandstone layers have been delicately carved away for nearly 200 million years. This has created a treat for the eyes as rich iron oxide is exposed, creating red and orange hues.
Mima Mounds, US
In Washington State, there are grassy mounds that litter the landscape. They vary in size, with the biggest examples over 150 feet wide. Their origin is still disputed, with theories pointing to earthquakes, glaciers, or even gophers.
Yamal Craters, Russia
Pressure changes due to climate change created the Yamal craters in Russia. The giant roles appeared in the Siberian permafrost and 17 are known about today. They formed rapidly and were perfectly round, which is still has disputed theories about exactly how they were formed.
Kjeragbolten, Norway
In Norway, there is a boulder that sits wedged at the top of a mountain around 3,000 feet high. It balances between two cliffs and is a popular tourist attraction. It’s believed that glaciers deposited the boulder there, but the fact that it hasn’t fallen yet is a marvel of compression, creating a sturdy structure.
Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan
Known as “Asia’s Grand Canyon,” its red rock spires mimic castles and animals. Erosion carved these shapes over 12 million years, yet the sheer density of intricate formations here surpasses similar sites worldwide.
Drangarnir Rocks, Faroe Islands
Twin sea stacks with a natural arch rise 230 feet from the Atlantic. Waves eroded ancient volcanic rock into these jagged pillars, but their survival against brutal storms feels miraculous.
Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, Portugal
Basalt columns jutting from Madeira’s coast resemble a giant staircase. Volcanic activity formed them 5 million years ago, but their precise hexagonal angles and cliffside location push geological norms.
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