TREATS FROM MOTHER NATURE

Ever Heard About Blood Falls? Read About 10 Unusual Natural Phenomena!

Image: Kalen Emsley

Mother nature is a constant and endless surprise. Around the world, one can find the most extraordinary spots or the most unusual natural wonders. If you had the chance to travel, you probably came across some breathtaking views, amazing waterfalls, pristine waters, or the snowiest mountains. Beautiful as these places might be, some spots are a whole new level of gorgeous.

From blood waterfalls (You read that right!) to pink waters, we’ve gathered ten places that will make you gasp in awe!

Image: Matt Palmer

Antarctica is both the biggest desert in the world and one of the most mysterious places. Considering the harsh weather and the slippery ice covering the area, it is only logical that a small part of it has been investigated. Imagine how surprising it must have been for explorers who, in 1911, saw a stream of blood coming down a glacier into a river.

That’s when they discovered the Blood Falls and the mystery behind its origin was only solved in 2017: This bloodstream is only oxidized iron in brine saltwater.Creepy, yet fascinating, isn’t it?

Image: Tom Keldenich

Extreme weather conditions usually lead to extreme yet beautiful views and Canada is not the exception here. During the winter, in Abrahan Lake in Alberta, a curious thing happens: Underwater, methane gas bubbles get trapped forming frozen bubbles.

The view is otherworldly yet highly dangerous and another consequence of the greenhouse effect. Because of the risk of inflammation, only a match near the bubbles could cause a massive explosion.

Other than that, one can only enjoy the view and wait for the onset of spring to see the bubbles burst naturally.

Image: Urlaubstracker

If you enjoy sitting by the water with a good book by your side and fresh juice poured into your cup, this place might make it to your bucket list. But you won’t find blue water here. No, blue water is just too normal.

In Lake Hiller, Australia, the water is pink, simple as that! Due to the presence of some unique microalgae, which produce a pink pigment, the water in this lake is this pretty color.

Contrary to what one may think, you can swim and everything in this lake. Although we don’t recommend you drink it since it is quite salty!

Image: Alexey Marchenko

We all enjoy pristine waters, right? There is a certain magic to dipping your toes in the water and seeing them perfectly. But the waters of Sasaran Beach take this experience to the next level.

Specifically during the new moon and the full moon periods, the water in the beach turns into a mirror, and the sky and water become one.

This phenomenon takes place because, during that time, the tides are at their lowest and the sand is as smooth as it can be. It is known as "Mirror of the Sky" and it is a true wonder.

Image: Jasper van der Meij

Don’t worry, we won’t be painting anything black here. True enough, Rolling Stones is an iconic band, but what you probably didn’t know is that it is a natural phenomenon in the U.S. to visit too.

Both visible in the Death Valley National Park and at Little Bonnie Claire Playa, this geological phenomenon involves rocks rolling down a valley as they leave distinct trails. They can be quite heavy and their movement is the result of ice breaking in winter pods triggered by sunny days. When the ice melts, the rocks are driven by the wind and roll down.

Image: Keith Hardy

Deserts are intimidating and intriguing, but they can also raise feelings of calmness and peace. Now, the Namib Desert is different than the rest. How? Well, all scattered around the desert**, you can find** circular patches called fairy circles.

This phenomenon is the result of two things: a lack of water and vegetation in the desert and the action of termites. The few plants that try to make it fight for water and eventually disappear leaving this eerie trail behind. That is when the termites come into play, as they take over the patches. If you think this is unique, wait and see what’s ahead in this list!

Image: Adithya Holehonnur

You probably heard and even saw the aurora borealis in the north, right? Well, these are not auroras, but the process by which this phenomenon takes place is similar and the result is even creepier.

Similar to those spaceship abductions sci-fi movies have shown us, light pillars are beams of light that extend from the sky to the ground in places where temperatures drop way below zero degrees.

This phenomenon is actually an illusion, the result of cold air turning the moisture in the air into crystals. Magic does happen, doesn’t it?

Image: Roberto Carlos Román Don

If this wasn’t real and easy to witness, no one would ever believe it. As it turns out, back in the 1900s the Mexican military used the Marieta Islands for target practice. Little did they know blasting bombs over and over again in the area would create Hidden Beach.

Even if it is not so hidden nowadays, the beach is only a few miles away from the west coast of Mexico and it is accessible by boat. It is almost invisible to the unaware eye, but, from the air, one can see a crater with bright blue waters within. A perfect spot for a romantic escapade, don’t you think?

Image: Ekaterina Sazonova

This spot in Russia is a true marvel of nature. Lake Baikal holds the collective titles of the oldest, deepest, clearest, and largest freshwater lake in the world.

Now, aside from its titles, what makes it so unique? During the harsh winters, when the temperatures plummet well below freezing, the pristine waters of the lake become stunning ice formations. The turquoise color in them sparkles under the sunlight and creates the illusion of diamonds or gems.

Image: NOAA

It’s very common to be afraid of thunderstorms. It is also pretty common to be scared of volcanos. Now, put those things together, and "fear" takes on a new meaning.

Volcanic thunderstorms, or dirty thunderstorms, take place in the clouds formed by volcanic and plinian eruptions. By this crazy occurrence, volcanos can actually produce lightning and they usually appear between 5 and 10 seconds after the explosion.

We don’t recommend being near an erupting volcano, but to witness the phenom from afar can be quite striking! No pun intended there!

Which name is better?

These 10 famous American streets had different names

Few things are more beloved by politicians than naming things—even when those things already have names. Streets, in particular, often become prime candidates for renaming. The following 10 examples showcase streets that have undergone such changes. Have you ever been to any of them?

Pershing Avenue in Indianapolis was formerly known as Bismarck Avenue. The name was changed during World War I because Bismarck was closely associated with Imperial Germany, which drew unwanted attention to the street. The new name honored the most renowned U.S. general of the war, General John J. Pershing.

There was no marker or other indication of Pershing Avenue’s former name until the 1990s, when two city councilors pushed for recognition of the original name.

In 1984, 125th Street in New York City was co-named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to honor the civil rights leader. 125th Street is one of the most famous streets in Harlem, known for its deep ties to political activism and cultural life, featuring landmarks such as the Apollo Theater.

Until the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Grant Avenue was known as Du Pont Street. After the city was rebuilt, the street was widened and renamed in honor of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. Grant Avenue is now one of the most iconic streets in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Today, the intersection of Grant Avenue and Bush Street marks the southern entrance to Chinatown. Grant Avenue is still written and said in Chinese as "Du Pon Gai" (Du Pont Street).

The second San Francisco entry on our list dates back to 1988, when city officials chose to honor the writer Dashiell Hammett on a street where he had actually lived. The former Monroe Street is a short, one-block road that begins at Pine Street and slopes steeply downhill to Bush Street. Today, the street signs read "Dashiell Hammett Place."

Atlanta’s former Boulevard was renamed Monroe Drive in honor of the Monroe Landscaping Company, which enhanced the area with extensive plantings that contributed to its beauty. Apparently, if you do a good job, you might just get a street named after you.

Another New York street on our list is the famous Broadway Avenue, which was originally called Heeren Wegh by the Dutch until the early 1700s. It was renamed Broadway due to its great width compared to other streets in early New York.

New York City has a habit of renaming its streets. In Harlem, Lenox Avenue—originally named after philanthropist James Lenox—was co-named Malcolm X Boulevard in 1987 to honor the prominent civil rights activist.

Philadelphia’s Market Street was originally called High Street but was renamed in 1754 because of the many shops and markets located there. This is one example of a common reason for street name changes.

Brooklyn Avenue was a major street in East Los Angeles, historically home to Jewish, Japanese, and later Mexican American communities. Over time, the area became a center for Latino culture and activism.

In 1994, the street was renamed Cesar E. Chavez Avenue to honor the civil rights leader and farmworker advocate. The change reflected Chavez’s deep connection to the Latino community in East L.A.

In New Orleans, St. Charles Avenue wasn’t always known by that name. In the early 1800s, parts of it were called Nyades Street, a name that reflected the city’s blend of French and Spanish influences.

As the city expanded and urban planning took shape, Nyades was renamed St. Charles Avenue, honoring Charles Borromeo, a Catholic saint.