A look into Earth’s natural wonders that will make you say WOW

All around us are a vast variety of extraordinary natural wonders that never fail to shock those who come across them. From animals to geological formations and natural wonders, they remind us of the beauty and diversity of the place we call home.

Let's explore some of the famous and unusual geographical formations around the world.

Unusual geological formations

Geographical formations are nature's way of telling you it can also be creative and diverse.

Whether you are a geology fanatic or simply a natural beauty lover, these formations will leave a lasting impression on all who witness them. You must experience some of the many unique natural wonders at least once in your lifetime.

In the next section, we look at some natural phenomena and prepare to be left in awe.

The Wave (Arizona, USA)

This amazing formation was formed over millions of years through geological processes, including erosion and deposition.

The sandstone layers of "The Wave" show the remains of the ancient dunes. All the swirled patterns are the characteristics of mineral compositions and the interaction of wind and water over the years. The Wave is composed primarily of Navajo Sandstone deposited when dinosaurs roamed the Earth approximately 190 million years ago.

• Where can you find it? This breathtaking beauty is located in the Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliff Wilderness in Arizona, USA.
• Can you access it freely? Due to its delicate nature, access to the The Wave is limited and regulated to preserve its untouched condition. There is only a limited number of permits daily, which you will find through a lottery system solely for the protection and conservation of this masterpiece.

If you look at this wavy place, it is almost impossible to think it is all nature's doing.

Moeraki Boulders (New Zealand)

The Moeraki Boulders are unique and amazing. The boulders, often called "dragon eggs", are usually large and spherical, creating a stunning sight with the ocean as its landscape.

The Moeraki Boulders are a hard solid mass formed by residue accumulation. The process began over a million years ago with the layered deposition of calcium carbonate and other minerals. As more layers form, the residue gradually hardens and solidifies into spherical shapes.

The Moeraki Boulders are slowly, evenly exposed and revealed as natural coastal erosion continues.

• Where can you find it? They are found along the Koekohe Beach in Otago, New Zealand.
• Can you access it freely? Visit the Moeraki Boulders is free, although if you want to reach the boulders by the boardwalk, there is a $2 fee, considering that the boardwalk is built, owned, and maintained by the onsite cafe.

This is a must-see destination for nature-loving travellers.

Unique and inspiring Natural Phenomena

Nature never ceases to amaze us with its unique, awe-inspiring phenomena that warm our hearts. Around the world, atmospheric and climatic conditions create "magical" natural phenomena that are more incredible than anything you might see on television. Moving on, we will look at some of the unique natural phenomena.

The following natural phenomena showcase our planet's incredible diversity and complexity, illuminating the forces that shape our environment.

The Sardine Run (South Africa)

Whether you are a keen diver or just an ocean fanatic, you surely want to visit South Africa between May and July each year, where you'll get the chance to witness the annual migration of billions of sardines, known as the sardine run.

If you observe this phenomenon from a boat or dive with them, seeing these glimmering shoals swirling beneath the waves is a one-in-a-lifetime experience. Don't think you will only see sardines, as they are followed by dozens of hungry sharks, dolphins, whales and seabirds, and this has also been featured in many nature documentaries. This experience will make you think that you are in another world.

The scientists generated genomic data for hundreds of sardines from South Africa, including data from regions of the gene pool that are associated with differences in water temperature. The results showed two sardine populations in South Africa, one in the cold Atlantic and the other in the warm Indian Ocean.

According to Professor Luciano Beheregaray from Flinders University Molecular Ecology Lab, they discovered sardines participating in the migration run are primarily of Atlantic origin and prefer colder water.

Prepare your calendar, and make sure you attend the next sardine run. It is truly a sight to behold.

Waitomo Glow Caves (New Zealand)

Few places on Earth are more beautiful than the North Island's Waitomo Caves.

Beneath all the rolling green hills, you will find a secret maze of caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. To make it even more impressive, this ancient terrain is lit up by thousands of glowworms that cling to the ceiling, making you feel like you are in a fairytale world.

Volcanic activity has created around 300 limestone caves over the last 30 million years. The limestone formation occurred in the Waitomo Glow Caves when the region was still underwater. It mainly comprises fossilised corals, seashells, fish skeletons, and many small organisms on the sea bed. The caves are home to thousands of insects, including the glowworm, which makes this an attraction.

Rainbow Mountain (Peru)

Discovered in 2013, the Rainbow Mountain is layered in seven different coloured rocks, making you think this mountain is painted. It was completely covered in ice before the beauty was revealed.

The extraordinary colours result from layers of mineral deposits, and the distinct shades are clear even when overcast. The vivid seven colours are due to their mineralogical composition.

Tourists travelling to Peru and locals suggest that the best time of the year to visit this inspiring, colourful site is in August. Tourists are advised to avoid the days following rainfall and after snow has fallen in December, January and February.

Discovery of Remarkable Species

New animal species are discovered daily by scientists and geological experts. You probably have encountered some new species without realising that they have not been "discovered" yet.

Here are some of the most awe-inspiring discoveries made worldwide in 2023.

Hipposideros Kingstonae

Let's say hello to the new member of the bat family. This bat belongs to a group of about 70 species known as roundleaf bats. Hipposideros Kingstonae can be distinguished from its relatives because of the structure of its noseleaf and the pitch of its screams.

Are you wondering where the name comes from? This species is named in honour of Tigga Kingston, who is a bat biologist at Texas Tech University and also the founder and chair of the Southeast Asian Bat Conservation Research Unit.

You will probably be afraid of the fury face; some will even find it cute. What do you think?

DiCaprio's snail-eating snake

What an extraordinary creature! The scientific name Sibon Irmelindicaprioae was founded in Panama and Colombia. This tree-dwelling snake is one of five new snail-eating snakes described by scientists. Although this snake species is newly discovered, it is already classified as near threatened because some of its habitat has been converted into fields and threatened by mining operations.

This snake species is named in honour of Irmelin DiCaprio, the mother of the actor and conservationist Leonardo DiCaprio.

Gekko Mizoramensis (Parachute Gecko)

Parachute geckos are nocturnal lizards characterised by the enlarged skin flaps that frame their head, trunk, legs and tail. The Flaps serve different purposes: eliminating shadows cast by their body.

There were 13 species of parachute geckos known to science before discovering this new gecko. The Gekko mMzoramensis is known only in northeast India and Bangladesh. It is named in honour of the northeast Indian state of Mizoram, where it was discovered.

To sum up

Exploring these unique geographical formations and natural phenomena or coming across one of the newly founded animals not only offers a glimpse into the Earth's fascinating history but also provides a humbling reminder of the wonders that Earth has to offer. They are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who witnesses them.

Next time you require a dose of inspiration, consider visiting these breathtaking sights that will truly make you go "WOW"!