Hidden Wonders Around the World
Hidden Wonders Around the World
Written by: Keya Gambhir
Have you ever heard of a place that looks too strange to be real? From glowing caves to underwater waterfalls, our world is full of hidden wonders that most people don’t know about. Some are mysterious, some are magical, and all of them are amazing to explore, at least with your imagination! In this article, we’ll take you on a journey to five incredible spots around the world that will make you say, “Wow, I didn’t know that existed!”
Turkmenistan’s Fiery Door to Hell
The Door to Hell is a huge, fiery crater in the desert of Turkmenistan that has been burning for decades. It formed when a natural gas field collapsed, and geologists set it on fire to get rid of the gas, but the flames never went out. Explorer George Kourounis was the first person to climb down into this 100-foot-deep pit. He wore a special heat-resistant suit and used breathing equipment to protect himself from the intense heat. The inside of the crater glows bright orange from the flames, making it look like another planet. Kourounis collected soil samples to see if any tiny organisms, called extremophiles, could survive in such a hot and harsh place. Scientists found some bacteria that thrive in this extreme environment, showing that life can exist even in the most unusual places on Earth.
The Magical Glow Worm Caves of Waitomo, New Zealand
The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand are a magical underground world filled with glowing creatures called glow worms. These tiny worms hang from the cave ceilings and shine green or blue, lighting up the dark caves like stars in the night sky. The caves are made of limestone and were formed over millions of years as water carved tunnels and rooms underground. Visitors can float down rivers on inner tubes, explore huge stalactites and stalagmites, and learn about Maori history. The Waitomo Caves are about two and a half hours south of Auckland on the North Island, making them a perfect adventure for anyone who loves exploring mysterious, glowing places.
Socotra, Yemen: An Island Forgotten by Men and Blessed by Gods
Socotra, part of Yemen and located in the Gulf of Aden, is an island that feels like a world apart. Known for its surreal landscapes, Socotra is home to more than 300 endemic plants, including the iconic Dragon Blood Tree, and over ten unique bird species. Life on the island is simple and untouched by modern tourism. Visitors often stay in basic hotels or tents on its pristine beaches, where the turquoise waters meet white sand and goats roam freely. The island’s isolation preserves its natural beauty, from rocky plateaus and natural hot pools to quiet lagoons like Qalansia and Shuab Bay. Socotra is a place where time slows down, offering an otherworldly experience for travelers willing to explore beyond the usual tourist paths.
Lake Natron: Tanzania’s Deadly Red Lake
Lake Natron, located in Tanzania near the Kenyan border, is a striking and extreme natural wonder. Fed by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River and mineral-rich hot springs from the nearby active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, the lake is highly alkaline, with pH levels sometimes exceeding 10. This caustic environment gives the lake its deep red and pink hues, caused by salt-loving microorganisms and haloarchaea. Despite its harshness, Lake Natron is the primary breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingos, which thrive in its predator-free waters. The lake is also famous for its “petrifying” effect on animals, whose carcasses can become calcified in the mineral-rich water. With daytime temperatures often surpassing 104°F and scorching sun reflecting off its surface, Lake Natron is both beautiful and dangerous, offering a surreal and unforgettable landscape for those who dare to explore it.
Mauritius’s Spectacular Underwater Waterfall
Off the southern coast of Mauritius lies a striking natural phenomenon that appears to be an underwater waterfall. This illusion is created not by flowing water, but by sand and silt being swept off the shallow coral shelves into the deep ocean by currents. The island, formed by volcanic activity on the Mascarene Plateau, features a steep drop-off where shallow, light-blue waters abruptly give way to dark, deep ocean. The contrast between the shallow reefs and the deeper waters, combined with the sinking sand, creates the mesmerizing visual effect of a cascading waterfall beneath the sea.
The world is full of amazing places that most people don’t get to see. From a flaming crater in the desert to glowing caves, magical islands, and lakes that look like they belong on another planet, these hidden wonders show just how incredible our planet can be. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll get to explore one of these places yourself, or discover a hidden wonder that no one else knows about yet!
References
Big Think. "How an 'Underwater Waterfall' Came to Exist on Mauritius." Last modified February 24, 2022. https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/underwater-waterfall-mauritius/.
Mauritius Attractions. "Spectacular Underwater Waterfall in Mauritius." Last modified January 15, 2024. https://mauritiusattractions.com/spectacular-underwater-waterfall-in-mauritius-i-431.html.
My Queenstown Diary. "Waitomo Caves New Zealand." Last modified August 12, 2022. https://myqueenstowndiary.com/waitomo-caves-new-zealand/.
National Geographic Education. "Entering the 'Door to Hell'." Last modified April 29, 2024. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/entering-door-hell/.
Penguin Travel. "Socotra – an Island Forgotten by Men and Blessed by Gods." Last modified March 5, 2023. https://www.penguintravel.com/Post/8/Socotra-anislandforgottenbymenandblessedbygods.html.
Ultimate Kilimanjaro. "Lake Natron – the Deadly Lake That Turns Animals into Stone." Last modified February 15, 2024. https://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/lake-natron-the-deadly-lake-that-turns-animals-into-stone/.