Many of you have probably heard about the American Valley of Death, in which stones "crawl", or about the Irish "road of the giants", or about the amazing foggy cliffs of China, which inspired director James Cameron to transfer this amazing creation of nature in the form of soaring mountains to the film "Avatar ".
But there are natural wonders that are much less talked about and write about. Although they are also extremely amazing and many of them are not even fully understood.
Shilin, China
In the Yunnan province, the Shilin "stone forest" is spread over an area of 350 km2. Ancient rocks, caves, waterfalls and lakes create the atmosphere of a fairy-tale world. According to legend, one young man decided to save the people from drought and build a dam. The wizard gave him a whip and a rod to cut and move boulders.
But the tools had magical powers only until dawn. The young man did not finish his work, and the huge monoliths remained scattered across the valley. Scientists believe that 200 million years ago there was a sea in the place of the "stone forest". It dried up, but the rocks, striking in their grandeur and beauty, remained.
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Fly Geyser, USA
It is hard to believe, but this "fountain", as if descended from the pages of a science fiction book, is not on Jupiter, not on Mars, but on Earth, in the state of Nevada. The "flying" geyser spews out streams of hot water to a height of 15 meters, forming around itself a "mini-volcano" of mineral deposits.
Scientists claim that this is how the surface of our planet looked like millions of years ago. The geyser is located on the territory of a private ranch, and you need permission from the owner to admire it. But this does not stop tourists. People believe that if you wash your face with water from a geyser, life will become bright and happy.
Trolltunga, Norway
The Trolltunga, or Trolltunga, is an unusual rock ledge at an altitude of 350 meters on Mount Skjeggedal. Why language? And why a troll? According to an old Norwegian legend, a troll lived in those parts, who constantly tempered fate: he dived into deep pools, jumped over precipices.
One day he decided to check whether it was true that the rays of the sun are deadly for trolls. At dawn, he stuck out his tongue from his cave and … petrified forever. The rock attracts modern adventurers like a magnet: to sit on the edge, do somersaults, take pictures. The troll is gone, but his work lives on!
Thor's Well, USA
A natural sinkhole with a diameter of 5 meters in the strait of Cape Perpetua was named after the god Thor. But more often it is called "the gate to the underworld." The spectacle is really hellishly beautiful: at high tide, water quickly fills the well, and then abruptly "shoots" up a six-meter fountain, forming a whirlwind of spray.
As if a monster lives at the bottom, which is angry at the streams of water pouring on it and pushes them back. But it has not yet been possible to find out what is actually inside the funnel - diving there is too dangerous.
Balls of Champ Island, Russia
This place with mysterious stone balls - Champ Island, is located in the central part of Franz Josef Land (Arkhangelsk region). The entire coast is literally strewn with spherical stones ranging in size from a few centimeters to three meters.
Where did they come from on a deserted island? It is believed that due to the melting of glaciers, stones fell into natural pools and were grinded by water. But why only on this island? Among the supernatural versions - the intervention of aliens and the fact that the stones are artifacts of some lost civilization.
Horstail Falls, USA
In Yosemite National Park, on the eastern slope of Mount El Capitan, there is a 650-meter waterfall. Most of the year it is unremarkable, but in February the falling water flows turn into "lava flows".
An amazing natural phenomenon is associated with the fact that at sunset the sun's rays are reflected in the waterfall, creating the visual illusion that hot metal is flowing down from the rock.
According to legend, at the top of the mountain was the house of a blacksmith who made the best horseshoes for horses in the area. But because of the heavy rain, the forge was washed off the cliff. Since then, the waterfall once a year "reminds" of this tragic event.
Hvitserkur, Iceland
This is a 15-meter rock on the eastern coast of the Vatns-nes peninsula. In shape, it resembles a dragon drinking water. But, according to popular belief, this is a troll that came out to the sun and turned to stone.
Scientists believe that Khvitserkur is the remnants of an ancient volcano washed out by salty waters and destroyed by cold winds. To prevent the sea from completely destroying the figure, its base was reinforced with concrete. People from all over the world come to admire this rock. And sometimes the northern lights observed there give it additional mystery.