10 landscapes on Earth that look like they came from another planet

Even as we search the stars for an exoplanet that might offer strange or idyllic landscapes and habitable conditions, it’s good to know this: There are sights right here on our beloved Earth that would surpass any special effects master. in science fiction movies.

They are unique and exotic places of beauty that we can visit without the need for a space trip. Below we present a selection 10 places with extraordinary nature that will make you feel like you are on the planet foreign. Check out!

Places on Earth that look like an alien planet

1. Geyser Fly, USA

Surprisingly, This geothermal geyser was created by chance, In Washoe County, Nevada, USA.

The Geyser Fly acquired its bright color due to the effect of thermophilic algae found in hot mineral waters, which gave the formation its vibrant red color as a result of mineral deposits accumulated over the years, following unsuccessful drilling in search of water in the 1960s. , green and yellow.

2. Grand Prismatic Fountain, USA

The Great Prismatic Fountain is the largest attraction in Yellowstone National Park in the United States and is 60 to 90 feet in diameter and 36 feet deep, according to the National Park Service.

The huge hot spring takes on dazzling colors ranging from dark blue to green, yellow to orange, under the influence of different heat-resistant bacteria that prefer a certain temperature range. What is dangerous is that the water coming out of the spring is extremely hot as it is heated directly by the magma in the Earth’s interior.

3. Rainbow Mountain, Peru

It is located in the Cusco region of Peru, at an altitude of approximately 5,200 meters above sea level. The iconic Rainbow Mountain (or Vinicunca in Quechua) was only discovered after the snowpack melted in 2015.

Minerals such as iron, sulfur and manganese found in the mountain are responsible for the production of red, green, yellow, blue and purple colors.

4. Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Result of the meeting Separation of three tectonic plates in a region of northern EthiopiaThe Danaki Depression is one of the most extreme geographical regions on the planet and perhaps the region most similar to an extraterrestrial environment.

The desert landscape combines sulfur springs, volcanoes, geysers, lakes and natural pools. In these places the temperature exceeds 50°C.

5. Lake Hillier, Australia

The probable place where Barbie will spend her holiday, Lake Hillier stands out in the landscape of Australia’s Central Island with its pink color. This hue remains constant throughout the year and is attributed to the subtle presence of algae, halobacteria, and microbes in waters whose salinity is equivalent to that of the Dead Sea.

Although it is a curious tourist attraction, this body of water is not recommended for swimming as little is known about the quality of its water..

6. Cave of Crystals, Mexico

The Cave of Crystals, located in the city of Naica in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, features impressive plaster compositions. A form of calcium sulfate that forms crystals reaching lengths of 12 meters and weighing several tons, In an environment with 100% humidity and temperatures up to 58°C.

These unique conditions, in addition to the high concentration of minerals in the region’s groundwater, mean that these crystals continue to grow hundreds of thousands of years later.

7. Sunken waterfall, Mauritius

Submerged waterfall on Mauritius, the island nation’s main island It is actually an optical illusion caused by the interaction of Indian Ocean currents With the drastic decline of the continental shelf.

This event, which does not involve an actual fall of water under the sea, shows the downward movement of a strong Indian Ocean current, which spills sand and sediment down the slope of a kind of underwater “rip” on the coral reef shelf.

8. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Popular tourist destination in Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Located on the Andean plateau, the ecosystem spans an area of ​​approximately 10,600 square kilometers, larger than countries such as El Salvador and Lebanon.

A white, flat landscape formed by a solid crust of salt turns into a mirror during the rainy season when water forms a thin layer that looks like infinity.

9. Socotra, Yemen (Dragon Blood Trees)

Socotra, the largest island of the archipelago of the same name, is often (with good reason) called “Alien Island”. Located in the Indian Ocean, 300 kilometers away from Yemen, the protected area has a unique flora and fauna with samples not found anywhere else in the world.

One of the highlights is famous dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) A tree that is 12 meters high and looks like it came from a movie set with its umbrella-shaped branches. avatar.

Wave 10, Coyote Buttes, USA

One of the world’s favorite destinations for adventure tourism practitioners, Access to “A Onda”, a unique geological formation in the world, was restricted by lottery.

Located in the Coyote Buttes North region between the US states of Arizona and Utah, the area features a sinuous relief of red-orange sandstones arranged in wave-shaped erosion patterns.

Did you like the content? Stay updated with more curiosities like this on TecMundo and share the article on your social networks!