The classic wonders of nature are huge, famous and hard to miss. Vast canyons, gigantic mountains, huge waterfalls, and such. However, many of the most fantastic natural phenomena are at the same time some of the least noticeable, either by their rare occurrence conditions or by their remote location.
*Today I am going to list some of these PHENOMENA
- Sliding Rocks
The mysterious wandering stones of the muddy desert of Death Valley, California, have been the subject of scientific controversy for decades. They are rocks of varying sizes and shapes, some weighing hundreds of pounds, that can move for miles and miles for no apparent reason, leaving a trail behind them.
Some scientists have even proposed that a combination of strong winds and surface ice could be responsible for the phenomenon, but that does not explain the cases of rocks that start side by side and move in different speeds and directions. Moreover, the accounts of the physicists also do not beat, since it would require winds of hundreds of miles per hour to move some of the rocks.
- Parelians
These points of light around the sun have a process of formation similar to that of the pillars of light, based on light rays passing through crystals. The shape and direction of translucent solids can cause a dramatic change in visual impact for observers, producing larger tails and changing the colors that can be seen.
The relative height in the sky of our main star makes the parélios appear closer or more distant from the star. Variable climatic conditions on other planets in the Solar System can lead to the emergence of haloes with up to four of these points from the perspective of these worlds. The phenomenon has been discussed and evaluated since ancient times, with written records dating back to the time of the Egyptians and Greeks.
- Pillars of light
These almost solid-looking light columns protrude through the sky when light reflects off ice crystals from a precise angle, either from the sun (as we see in the first two pictures below) or from artificial sources, such as street or park lamps. Despite its massive appearance, the effect of the pillars of light is entirely created by the relative viewpoint of the observers.
- Fire Tornadoes
They appear in the middle or in the vicinity of uncontrolled fires when there is a convergence of favorable conditions, and may be caused by other natural events such as earthquakes and lightning storms.
Tornadoes of fire can be extremely dangerous, often advancing to great distances and causing destruction and death in areas that would otherwise not be touched by the flames. The phenomenon is usually about 1.5 kilometers high, generate winds of more than 160 kilometers per hour and lasts 20 minutes or more.
- Lenticular clouds
No, these formations are not UFOs - nor artificially created covers to camouflage them. Lenticular clouds are phenomena avoided by traditional aviators, but loved by glider pilots. They are masses with a strong upward air current that can take unleashed airplanes to great heights, usually formed when fast winds are diverted upwards as they pass through a large land object such as a mountain.
- Penitentes
Named for monks in the American state of New Mexico who wore extremely pointed hoods, the penitents are incredible natural-formed ice sheets that grow from the ground toward the sun. Most commonly found at high altitudes, they can become taller than humans and take extensive fields, which are filled with icy spikes.
As the ice melts, small initial gradients are formed between distinct parts of the ice blocks. Over time, these height differences modify the wind's defrosting action and create shadows that diminish the effect of the sun, creating sharp points.
Did you know these PHENOMENA?