Mama Earth is pretty amazeballs. The reasons are pretty obvious. Think: clean air, photosynthesis, seasons, a pink lake – yes, a pink lake. And let’s not forget the northern lights or 2,000 year-old trees.
Damn nature, you fierce! Want more? Check out this list of seven ways that nature is THE coolest.
1. The Pink Lake
This small lake, located on the western side of Australia, has a pink tint to it. Like, as in this lake is PINK. The lake is not always pink (boo) because the color varies depending on algae, bacteria and salinity, but it’s pretty cool when it is.
2. The Northern Lights
Are you ready for a science lesson? (No but seriously, please keep reading) These “lights” in the northern skies come from the collision of energetically charged particles, which come from solar wind, and atoms in the thermosphere. Scientists have discovered that the phenomenon occurs near the northern and southern poles, where lights tend to be mirror images of each other (Okay, so science is actually cool.) The best places to see them: Canada and Alaska.
3. Giant Redwood Trees
These trees are like something out of a storybook. They can grow up to 375 feet tall and live 2,000 years. Okay, everyone just stop and think about 2,000 years. Seriously. 2,000 years. These California trees can have bark up to 12 inches thick and branches up to 5 feet in diameter.
4. Sailing Stones
In Death Valley, a phenomenon known as “sailing stones” occurs, where the stones move long distances without help from humans or animals (cue Ghostbusters theme song). The stones create ridges in the rock surface they travel along, sometimes turning left or right, or appearing to race each other. Scientists think the eerie stone “races” may have to do with wind pushing the stones…. or so they say.
5. Preikestolen, Norway
If you have a fear of heights stop reading now. This massive cliff, also known as “Preacher’s Rock” or “Pulpit rock,” towers 1,982 feet above a river valley. There are no handrails or guards at the top, as to preserve the natural beauty. The top is almost flat and expands roughly 82 x 82 feet. Don’t. Look. Down.
Blue Grotto
This little sea cave glows blue on the island of Capri on the southern Italian coast. And we mean BLUE. Two particular openings allow just the right amount of light in to create such a significantly blue glow in the cave. Tourists can take boat tours and swim in it – that is….if you dare. Ancient Romans believed it to be a mystic place. Just, sayin’.
Dead Sea
This salt lake borders Israel and Jordan and is 1,388 feet below sea level. As its name implies, the Dead Sea is so salty that it cannot support life (womp, womp) but it does make for awesome swimming. Tourists flock to the sea for its health benefits. And the effortless swim – the water is so dense that swimming is really more of…floating. Look ma, no hands!
- Katherine Owen is a journalism student at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Her favorite causes are Education and Human Rights.
