melaniesasser's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Johns Island, South Carolina

The Angel Oak

One of the oldest living oak trees in the Southeast.
Casma District, Peru

Huayllay National Sanctuary

A remarkable geological formation resembling a forest made of stone.
Lasbela District, Pakistan

Hingol National Park

Lunar landscape, a mud volcano and bizarre rock formations.
Shetpe, Kazakhstan

Valley of Balls

Mysterious spherical rocks in the semi-desert of western Kazakhstan.
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nyiragongo Volcano

Mount Nyiragongo has erupted at least 34 times since 1882 and is home to the world's largest lava lake.
La Paz, Bolivia

Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon)

A valley of unique erosion patterns lends to a view like nothing on Earth.
Realmonte, Italy

Scala dei Turchi

"Stairs of the Turks", a chalky white cliff eroded conveniently into stairs, allowing for easy pillaging.
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

The Cracks - Las Grietas

These mammoth-yet-narrow crevasses in the Earth are perfect for taking an otherworldly swim.
Pāhoa, Hawaii

Big Island Lava Flow

Watch the newest land on the planet form before your eyes.
Qesm Al Wahat Ad Dakhlah, Egypt

Great Sand Sea Glass of the Libyan Desert

Even King Tut was intrigued by the glass of the Great Sand Sea.
Pushkin, Russia

The Amber Room

An 18th century wonder of the world, lost in WWII, re-created at the Catherine Palace.
Kaputar, Australia

Giant Pink Slugs of Mount Kaputar

The unique ecosystem atop an Australian mountain is home to some colorful inhabitants.
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Old Fort Road Gravity Hill

This strange hill on Old Fort Road where gravity works in reverse has been fascinating locals for years.
Nördlingen, Germany

Nordlingen

A meteorite-bounded town in Bavaria.
Zhangjiajie, China

Tianmen Shan

A total of 999 stairs lead visitors through a massive hole in a mountain known as the Gateway to Heaven.
Haleyville, Alabama

Alabama's Natural Bridge

148 feet long and in the middle of a verdant forest.
Sullivan, Missouri

Meramec Caverns

400 million-year old limestone caverns nestled in the Ozarks served as shelter and a hideout for cultures throughout North American history.
Guilin, China

Yangshuo and Moon Hill

A natural arch offers panoramic views of Yangshuo's karst hills.
kłodzki, Poland

Błędne Skały

Naturally formed rock city in Poland.
Naalehu, Hawaii

Papakōlea Beach

A beach made of semi-precious green sand on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
Dripping Springs, Texas

Hamilton Pool

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.
Alamosa, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

When ecosystems collide in the arid Southwest.
Pasco, Peru

Huayllay Stone Forest

Extraordinary rock formations in open Peruvian fields.
Qujing, China

Luoxiagou

A canvas of crops grow from vibrant red soil in this terraced farmland.