Category: bizarre

“Earth Pyramids” – cone-shaped pillars in South Tyrol

By Uwelino – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

The earth pyramids are a natural monument located in South Tyrol. The original name for these earth pyramids is Lahntürme (landslide towers). They are rather unusual formations of their kind which originate from morainic rocks of glacial origin. The columns of the pyramids may be more or less elongated, and the higher they are the thinner they get, ending usually with a stone cover. These earth pyramids are not static, they are constantly evolving, because their life cycle foresees a continuous erosion, or even a final collapse leaving room for new formations.

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Shrimp fishing on horseback

By Michel VR [CC BY 4.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

Oostduinkerke, on the western end of Belgium’s short coastline, is known for its shrimpers on horseback, For nearly 700 years, the shrimpers of Oostduinkerke have been training draft horses to help them pursue the local catch through the cold waters of the North Sea.  Oostduinkerke is the last place on Earth to use this traditional form of fishing. Currently, just 19 fishermen continue the practice.
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Abandoned flour mills reclaimed by nature

By Mentnafunangann – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Vallone dei Mulini (in English  Valley of the Mills) is a historic valley in Sorrento, Italy. Nestled in a deep ravine between two towering cliffs, the  mills, built from stone as far back as the 10th century,  ground wheat for a thousand years until they were abandoned sometime in the 19th and 20th century due to a rise in humidity in the area. The nearly complete lack of ventilation, sun exposure, and the presence of tuff resulted to the mills be taken over by fern that thrives in the humid crevasse rawls across the roof of the mills.
It is considered one of the most enchanting views of the Sorrento Peninsula. It is known for its variety and unique plants.

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Gems of the ocean: Glass fishing floats

By User:Jgrimmer – Photo taken by original uploader, Public Domain, Link

Glass fishing floats were once used by fishermen in many parts of the world to keep the nets from sinking. Though the floats are often associated with Japan, they were invented in Norway in 1842. Christopher Faye, a Norwegian merchant from Bergen, is credited with their invention and many of them can still be found in local boathouses. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, floats were made of colorful blown glass. These glass floats are no longer used by fishermen, but many of them are still afloat in the world’s oceans, primarily the Pacific.
Although the number of glass floats is decreasing steadily, occasional storms or certain tidal conditions can bring them ashore. They most often end up on the beaches of Alaska, Washington or Oregon in the United States, Taiwan or Canada.
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The Petrifying Well of Knaresborough

By chris 論 [GFDL or CC BY 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

A petrifying well  gives objects a stone-like appearance. If an object is left into such a well  for a period of weeks or months the object acquires a stony exterior. Notable example of petrifying well in England is the spring at Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough where objects left suspended in the calcium-rich water are gradually turned to stone. For many centuries, locals believed that this petrifying well was cursed by the devil . The fact that the side of the well looked like a giant’s skull fueled their fears that they too would be turned to stone.The Knaresborough petrifying well was first opened to the public in 1630 and still amazes visitors to this day.
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The odd looking stones of Vottovaara

Vottovaara is a mountain in Karelia, Eastern Europe. It is over 400 meters high. The mystery surrounding the Vottovaara mountain area are the odd looking boulders found there. Due to their specific looks old Saami people of this area started to see them as magical stones and believed that spirits lived in these stones. The most unusual structures are the balancing stones and another one that looks like a precisely cut pool. The stones are known as seids.

By Maximaximax [CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

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The Cross Sea – When Two Waves Meet

Photo taken from Phares des Baleines (Lighthouse of the Whales) on Île de Ré off the west coast of France.
By Michel Griffon – Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link

Cross sea is a marine state with two wave systems traveling at oblique angles.
Waves generated by the new wind run at an angle to the old, creating a shifting, dangerous pattern.  Two weather systems that are far from each other may create a cross sea when the waves from the systems meet, usually at a place far from either weather system. Until the older waves have dissipated, they create a sea hazard.

Although these waves are mesmerizing to look at, a larger percentage of ship accidents were found to have occurred in this state.