Category: places

“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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The Subway in Zion National Park

By God of War – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

The Subway is a colloquial name for a uniquely shaped slot canyon in Zion National Park in Utah. It is located between two peaks called the North and South Guardian Angels, deep within the Left Fork of North Creek. It is part of the larger Great West Canyon system, which includes both the Left and Right Forks of North Creek.
There are two routes that lead to the Subway. Both are not easy, but one does not require special equipment, while the other can be completed only by experienced hikers. The demanding hike is rewarded with the spectacular sites and an opportunity to freshen up in the Subway’s pools.

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The Eye Of The Sahara

By NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Richat Structure,also known as  the “Eye of Africa”, is a prominent circular feature in the Sahara’s Adrar Plateau, in west–central Mauritania. The structure is a deeply eroded  dome with a total diameter of almost 50 km, while the center of concentric rings is 30 km width.  These concentric rings are actually alternating layers of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks that were pushed upward in a symmetrical anticline, geologic dome, from below due to a small incursion of magma.
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Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

By Joseph Yates josephyates_ (https://unsplash.com/photos/KQNBuD9YGdo) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, in the United States. It is accessible via hiking a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) round trip from U.S. Route 89 and can be viewed from the steep cliff above.
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Gljúfrabúi waterfall | a beauty hidden away below steep cliffs

By Luís Ascenso – Imported from 500px (archived version) by the Archive Team. (detail page), CC BY 3.0, Link

Gljúfrafoss or Gljúfrabúi (“one who lives in the canyon”) is a 40 meter (131 feet) high waterfall partially  hidden behind a huge cliff which faces out towards Iceland’s South. Hikers can follow a trail to enter the narrow canyon where the water plummets to a small pool.

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