Mother Nature is full of mysteries that are still inexplicable to human beings, or at least capture their amazement and immediate attention. And it is that we not only live with the most varied climates and the most amazing landscapes. Also with the occurrence of rare natural phenomena, in whose study scientists, researchers and curious, give hours of dedication. Nature chooses those moments to show us its most impressive face, and sometimes, also the most devastating. Already in Supercurioso we told you once about the rare case of the ground that suddenly sinks. In this opportunity we want to talk to you about the strange natural phenomena that you should know. Join us!
10 rare natural phenomena you should know about
1. The Catatumbo Lightning
We already told you about this impressive lightning in the article «The amazing Catatumbo Lightning«. To refresh your memory, we will tell you that it is a unique electro-atmospheric phenomenon that occurs in the basin of Lake Maracaibo, in Venezuela.
You don’t have to go there to see it, since it can be seen from a great distance, even from the Andes and neighboring Colombia (specifically from Cúcuta). What does this phenomenon consist of? Lightning flashes constantly appear, cracking the sky with their light, but in a very silent way. Its brilliance alters the sky, but not the calm of the night. This non-stop show is simply amazing.
2. Volcanic lightning
We also talk about this spectacular gift of nature on our page, in the article “The phenomenon of volcanic lightning”. Well, we tell you that it is one of the most amazing strange natural phenomena.
They are absolutely overwhelming, due to the mixture of the brutality of a volcanic eruption with the appearance of the always shocking lightning that illuminates a show of natural force as shocking as this one. And it is that these rays can not only be seen from the atmosphere, but also come from the depths of an erupting volcano. The phenomenal discharges are produced thanks to the friction that is generated between the elements that make up the plume.
3. The Maëlstrom
In science fiction books and movies, we are used to hearing about fantastic worlds and peculiar experiments. But sometimes rare natural phenomena far outweigh any wildness of the imagination. In fact, the Maelstrom is mind-boggling proof of that. The name tells us everything, since it means “shredding stream”
This is a whirlpool that forms in the cold waters of northern Norway around which terrible legends and nightmares are woven.completely legitimate.
In fact, such is its popularity as one of the worst weird natural phenomena, that it has been featured in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and in the novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Julio Verne.
However, in reality, his appearance is somewhat different. It is shown as a series of tidal-generated rotating currents and countercurrents and extends for around 18 kilometers between Sorland and Væroy Islands.. Many boats have succumbed to the currents of this dangerous whirlpool and many consider it a “door to hell”. Find out more in our article «Maëlstrom, the mighty sea whirlpool«.
4. The Pillars of Light
Another of the strange natural phenomena that most attracts our attention are the peculiar pillars of light. Its beauty is simply amazing. They manifest in the form of columns of light that go from the earth to the sky, starting from some indeterminate point on the ground. In slightly more technical words, light pillars are atmospheric optical phenomena in which a vertical halo of light extends above or below a light source.
The effect is created by the reflection of light from small ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that comprise high-altitude clouds. If the light comes from the sun (usually when it is near or even below the horizon), the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar.
In very cold climates, ice crystals can be suspended near the ground, in which case they are known as diamond dust. It is a natural spectacle that seems to be taken from a fantastic science fiction movie.
5. The blue lava
And we continue with the rare natural phenomena, now talking about blue lava, perhaps one of the most visually fascinating. Blue lava is found in a volcano east of Java (Indonesia), called Kawah Ijen.
Its peculiar color is due to the sulphurous gases that arise from the volcano without stopping. It is at night when you can see this curious picture. Apparently, when these gases rise from the cracks of the Kawah Ijen volcano and mix with the air, a inflammation that causes flames of almost five meters.
But although it looks like that, the blue lava is not exactly this shade in reality. In fact, this visual is due precisely to the presence of a chemical reaction by the sulfuric gases that come into contact with the air at a temperature above 500 °C. Sometimes, these gases condense, becoming liquid sulfur and falling down the slope, as if it were blue lava. Awesome!
6. Pororoca, the beast of the Amazon
Another of the strange natural phenomena is the powerful Pororoca, which means, in Tupi-Guarani; “great noise” It occurs in the Orinoco delta and consists of a tremendous wave, obviously very noisy, that reaches the Amazon River and crosses it for many kilometers.
By carrying salt water and mixing it with fresh water, it is practically considered a catastrophe, which worsens and intensifies in the narrowest areas of the river. So much so, that it is practically considered a monster that crosses the Amazon to spread chaos with its salty water, its “roar” and its intense waves.
7. The Supercell Storm
Adding to our list of rare natural phenomena is the mighty supercell storm, which is the scariest-looking giant in the sky imaginable. Is about an absolutely massive rotating storm, with a life expectancy of up to several hours.
It is quite common in the plains, both in the United States and in Argentina. Supercell storms tend to form in conditions of high instability, and strong winds at high altitudes. They have the peculiarity that their internal circulation system is more organized, which results in their becoming very long lasting storms.
Among its characteristics, it is also common for rotating currents to appear, which makes them much more dangerous. His arrival does not bode well, since It usually produces large tornadoes and hail of a size capable of killing a person. terrifying!
8. Bubbles of frozen methane
We travel to Canada to tell you about the next strange natural phenomenon. These are the very rare bubbles of frozen methane, whose appearance resembles that of flying saucers that fell into the water and froze. It is actually about peculiar gas bags that are trapped under the surface of the frozen water, generating a simply spectacular visual.
They form when dry leaves, grasses, and animals fall into the water, sink, and are consumed by methane-excreting bacteria. It is then that the gas is released in the form of bubbles, which end up transforming into thousands of white and icy discs. If you are interested in seeing them with your own eyes, you should travel to Banff National Park in Canada or to the Arctic Ocean in Siberia.
9. The Blood Falls
And when it comes to rare natural phenomena, few are as curious and impressive as the Blood Falls in Antarctica. Specifically, we find them in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica. The sight they give is just terrifying. It looks like scarlet red blood is being poured onto the snow on Taylor Glacier and Lake Bonney. Although at some point it was believed that the color of the falls was due to the dye of the local algae, today it is known that this is not the case.
The bright ocher tint comes from an extremely salty subglacial lake, a body of saline water that was trapped under the Taylor Glacier, cut off from light, oxygen and heat, about two million years ago.
10. The Rolling Stones
We close this trip through the most peculiar strange natural phenomena, with the rolling stones of the United States. It is about dozens of huge and very heavy stones, which appear to be moving across the bed of the dry Racetrack Beach lake in California’s Death Valley National Park.
The mystery of these “rocks that move” seems to have already been elucidated by science. Apparently, the phenomenon is due to the fact that in the winter, the area fills with water and the stones of the lake bed are covered with ice. So, thanks to the buoyancy of the ice, even a light breeze can cause these frozen rocks to slide along the bottom of the lake.
And you, Did you know these rare natural phenomena? Do you know of any others you want to add? If you have been interested in this topic, you may also want to read about the strangest beaches, those that seem from another world. See you in an upcoming supercurious article!