1. Karachay Lake, Russia
After being used as a dumping site for radioactive waste for decades, Lake Karachay, located in the southern Ural mountains in western Russia, has become one of the most polluted spot in the world. Spending just five minutes near the lake is enough to receive a deadly radioactive dosis, while spending an hour there will probably kill you within the next few hours. In 1968, during drought conditions, the wind carried radioactive dust away from the lake’s dried area, irradiating half a million people. The radiation was comparable to the effect of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Another 7,000 people who lived in the area were relocated.
2. Lake Rakshastal, Tibet
Lake Rakshastal is a saltwater lake in Tibet, lying close to the west of Lake Manasarovar. Named “lake of the demon”, Lake Rakshastal produces no waterweeds or fish and the locals consider it poisonous. It is considered to be the home of the ten-headed demon king of Lanka in Hindu myth. Lake Manasarovar, shaped like the sun, is regarded as ‘brightness’ in Buddhism, while Lake Rakshastal, shaped as a crescent, represents ‘darkness’. However, despite its notoriety, the lake bears no less beauty than other Tibetan lakes
3. Boiling lake, Dominica
Boiling lake in Dominica is actually a flooded fumarole (a crack through which gases from molten lava escape), filled with superheated bubbling water that is enveloped in a cloud of vapor. Since the lake is the second largest hot spring on Earth with the water temperature of 82-91.5 Celsius (180-197 Fahrenheit) measured just at the edges, not only it would be uncomfortable to swim in, it would kill you if you even got near it. So far, scientists haven’t measured the temperature in the center of the lake where the water actually boils.
4. Lake Monoun, Cameroon
Lake Monoun, that lies in the Oku Volcanic Field in Cameroon, is the first of only three known cases of lake overturn. In 1984, the lake exploded in a limnic eruption and released a cloud of deadly carbon dioxide gas that killed 37 people. A truck carrying twelve people was in the path of the gas and when the engine suddenly stopped working, the people got out of the truck to see what was wrong and were all killed. The only survivers in this accident were two persons riding on the top of the truck as they were above the gas and could still breathe. Two years later a similar event occurred at Lake Nyos, about 100 km away.
5. Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Situated on the borderline of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lake Kivu is one of the three known exploding lakes and is at serious risk of violent lake overturns. The lake is considered deadly because there are enormous quantities of dangerous gases dissolved in layers beneath its surface – carbon dioxide (which has bubbled up from the volcanic rock), and methane (about 55 billion cubic metres of it) produced by bacteria on the lake bed. If the volcanic activity triggered a methane explosion or release of suffocating carbon dioxide, this could cause a disaster of monstrous proportions, since approximately two million people live in the Lake Kivu’s basin.
6. Mount Rainier Crater Lake, Washington
Mount Rainier’s crater lake, the highest crater lake in North America, lies beneath the ice in the west summit crater and it can only be reached by following a network of ice caves in the craters. The water in the crater lake creates sulfuric acid (sulfur dioxide combined with the water) that is eating into the volcanic rock of Mount Rainier. Most volcanic rocks you find anywhere else in the world are strong, but in parts of this mountain it can easily crumble in your hand. If the rock were to collapse in any area, it would cause a slurry of mud, rock and ice, or so called “lahars,” that can be deadly because of their energy and speed, causing catastrophic destruction in their path. The collapse of the rock would also breach the crater lake, letting loose tons of water within it. Mount Rainier and it’s crater lake are considered a serious threat to people in Seattle, which is only 87 km away from the mountain.
7. Mono Lake, California, USA
Mono Lake, located in Mono County, California, is an ancient saline lake that supports a unique and productive ecosystem. There are no fish in the lake – it is home to trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies. Until the 1940′s, this stunning lake was healthy and strong, but during the period from 1941 to 1990, Los Angeles diverted excessive amounts of water from Mono Basin streams in order to provide water needs for the growing city. As a consequence, Mono Lake dropped, lost half its volume, doubled in salinity, and became a poisoned alkaline lake containing carbonates, chlorides and sulfates. The Mono Lake Committee formed in response, forced Los Angeles to partially restore the lake level but it is estimated that it will take about 20 years to restore the health.
8. Horseshoe Lake, California, USA
Horseshoe Lake, located near the City of Mammoth Lakes that is built on top of an active volcano, is considered to be a silent killer. About 20 years ago, the trees near the lake suddenly began to wither and die. At first, scientist believed the trees had some kind of disease but later they discovered the trees were getting too much carbon dioxide gas, seeping through the soil from cooling chambers of magma. Yes, trees “breathe” carbon dioxide, but high concentrations of carbon dioxide can be deadly even for them. In 2006, three people were killed by carbon dioxide build up in a cave close to Horseshoe Lake where they took shelter.
9. Yellowstone, USA
Researching fascinating Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, placed in the active volcanic region, scientists have found a new way that crater lakes can kill. When they mapped the floor of Yellowstone Lake, they discovered a dome (said to be the size of seven football fields) on the bottom of the lake. The dome is caused by water heated under the lake bed, which when expands, builds up pressure and creates the dome. The scientists fear there is a real hazard of what is known as “hydrothermal explosions.” Those explosions occur when water that feeds the geysers of Yellowstone is explosively flashed to steam, breaking rocks and throwing them into the air. In the history of Yellowstone few large hydrothermal explosions occurred, some leaving craters thousands of meters across the lake as well as in other areas of the park. Although such an explosion last time occurred several thousand years ago, it is said that even a small earthquake could be a trigger for the similar one.
10. Lake Nyos, Cameroon
As already said, there are only three exploding lakes on Earth and Lake Nyos in Cameroon is one of them. A pocket of magma that lies beneath Lake Nyos leaks carbon dioxide into the water, changing it into carbonic acid. In 1986, two years after Lake Monun exploded in a limnic eruption, Lake Nyos, possibly triggered by a landslide, suddenly emitted a huge cloud of carbon dioxide, which killed thousands of people and animals in the area and nearby towns and villages. It was the first known large-scale asphyxiation caused by a natural event. Today, the lake still poses a threat because its natural wall is weak. If a geological tremor were to cause this natural dike to give way, it would allow water to rush into downstream villages all the way into Nigeria and would allow much carbon dioxide to escape.
http://www.nicenfunny.com
Must See Earth Beautiful Views From Satellite
Earth Planet Full View
A sand storm leaves North Africa and the Canary Islands
Night arrives over Europe and Northern Africa
Straight of Gibraltar
Iceland Country
The Swiss Alps
The Red Sea
The Black Sea
Beautiful Night View of Earth
A sand storm leaves North Africa and the Canary Islands
Night arrives over Europe and Northern Africa
Straight of Gibraltar
Iceland Country
The Swiss Alps
The Red Sea
The Black Sea
Beautiful Night View of Earth
Lake Victoria - The Largest Tropical Lake In The World
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to visit this lake.
Crater Lake, Oregon
Thousands of years ago, the top of a 12,000-foot-high volcano in the Cascade Range exploded. The massive pit left behind became known as Crater Lake, the centerpiece of a national park in southern Oregon that displays nature at its rawest and most powerful. Forests of towering evergreens and 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround the lake, where extraordinarily deep waters — at 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the United States — yield an intense sapphire-blue hue. If winter hiking and cross-country skiing aren't your thing, wait until early July to visit, when the roads have been plowed and the trails cleared. Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, has picture-perfect views from all sides. For a closer look, follow the mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore. Brace yourself before diving in: The water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nearby: The laid-back mountain town of Bend, 112 miles away, makes a nice home base for a Crater Lake day trip.
Peyto Lake, Alberta
Alberta's Lake Louise is the famous one, on all the postcards and posters. But Louise's sister lake 29 miles north along Icefields Parkway, a two-laner that winds 142 miles through the Canadian Rockies, is even more picturesque. Thanks to glacial rock flour that flows in when the ice and snow melt every summer, the waters of Banff National Park's Peyto Lake are a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora. For the most dramatic views of the 1.7-mile-long stunner, encircled with dense forest and craggy mountain peaks, pull into the lot at Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point, and follow the steep hike to the overlook.
Nearby: The town of Banff, the heart of the park, is 62 miles south of Peyto Lake.
Lake Malawi, Malawi
Home to 1,000 species of fish — estimated to be more than any place on earth — Lake Malawi is Africa’s third largest lake at 363 miles long and up to about 50 miles wide in spots. Located in a depression 2,300 feet below sea level, it’s positioned at the crossroads of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, and supports hundreds of local villages with its rich underwater stock (which is, unfortunately, gradually being depleted due to over-fishing). The lake’s southern portion—as well as a bordering nub of wildlife-rich land, Cape Maclear—represents the world’s first freshwater national park; it was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A star of the waters here is the mbuna, a native freshwater fish known for eating directly from people’s hands. Bring your snorkel gear — as beautiful as the scenery is, the best part about Lake Malawi is what's swimming beneath you in the crystal clear water.
Nearby: Cape Maclear, located within Lake Malawi National Park, is a perfect base for exploring the area.
Taal Lake, the Philippines
This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world’s smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country’s Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder — in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.
Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala, Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes. Small Mayan villages line its shores, which are set off by steep hills draped with oak and pine trees and nearly 800 plant species. There's no single, must-see view of the lake, so try several vantage points: from up high on Highway 1; from the town of Panajachel, the buzzing market hub that juts out into the water; or aboard a lancha, one of the many small boats that ferry visitors from village to village. We're saddened to note that the lake has built up high levels of blue-green algae over the years (in October and November 2009, a film of green scum began periodically marring its surface; since then there have been ambitious efforts to solve the problem).
Nearby:Panajachel is about 2.5 hours by car from Guatemala City.
Loch Lomond, Scotland
With a backdrop of windswept rolling hills and medieval castles, Loch Lomond in Scotland feels like it's straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The 24-mile-long lake is dotted with islands, some so small that they disappear when the water levels are high, and others large enough to be (sparsely) inhabited. Most ferries stop at the largest island, Inchmurrin (population 11), so visitors can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle, used often as a hunting lodge for kings.
Nearby: The lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 west of Edinburgh.
Lake Garda, Italy
If the shape of Italy is a couture boot, think of the imprint of Lake Garda as a design from the funky sister line — long and skinny at the top, opening up toward the bottom. Garda is the country's largest lake and one of the most popular vacation spots among Italians. The southern shore is home to hot springs, resort towns with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels, and most of Garda's 28 miles of serene, pebbly beaches. To the north are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a magnet for hikers and bicyclists who want to test their endurance. In Malcesine, an adorable speck of a town with cobblestoned streets and a medieval castle, you can board a cable car up to Mount Baldo for one of the best aerial views of the lake.
Nearby:Lake Garda is about halfway between Milan (89 miles away) and Venice (109 miles away), but to get the full, relaxing effect, stay in one of the south shore's many small towns.
Lake Annecy, France
This alpine lake in the heart of the French Alps is a looker, but don't expect to spend your visit gazing over the water in quiet reflection. Lake Annecy is all about activity — particularly in August, when Paris shuts down and the French take extended holidays. Sailors, kayakers, and water-skiers crisscross the water; bikers and hikers hit surrounding nature trails; and refugees from the city fill the outdoor tables at the lakeside restaurants and bars. Repeat visitors know to plan their trip for the first Saturday of August, when a staggering, nearly two-hour-long fireworks display illuminates the water.
Nearby: The closest major city is Geneva, 30 miles north, in Switzerland, but most people stay right on the lake.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
These 16 blue-green lakes in Croatia, hidden by thick vegetation and connected by hundreds of waterfalls, could be the set for the next "Jurassic Park." For adventure as well as killer views, start at one of the lower lakes and work your way up following the sturdy wooden planks that turn what could be a treacherous trek into a fun hike. Take a detour along the 10-minute loop that leads to the region's tallest fall, 230-foot-high Veliki Slap ("Big Waterfall"), a breadth of streaming white water that collects in turquoise pools. While hiking, keep your eyes peeled for deer, wildcats, boars, wolves, and bears — a more likely sighting than a T. rex.
Nearby: There are four hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park, but most people drive in for the day from Zagreb, about 2 hours by car.
Lake Nakuru, Kenya
The water is blue enough, and the backdrop — grasslands and rocky hillsides — has the makings of a nice photo, but neither is what sets this lake in central Kenya apart. The real draw here is the mass of pink on Nakuru's edges. Flamingos are one of the few species that can withstand the lake's hostile conditions — the water has so much sodium carbonate that it burns nearly everything that touches it — and they flock to the lake en masse. There can be as many as a million birds feeding on algae in the shallows at one time, wading side by side.
Nearby: The lake is in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for black-and-white rhinos, three hours by car from Nairobi.
Lake Matheson, New Zealand
Alternately known as Mirror Lake, this South Island lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Visiting just after dawn is ideal, when the water is at its calmest and mirror images are impossibly perfect. The lake itself is well worth exploring, too. Park near the Clearwater River suspension bridge and follow the 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which have extra-tall trunks and fanciful bushy tops and look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
Nearby:Fox Glacier township, a village that serves as a base camp for trekkers, is three miles east of the lake.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction — the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range — and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower. Down on the lake's shore, board a pletna boat to the island. Be sure to ring the church bell and make a wish before returning to the mainland. Mountains shield the water from icy northern winds, so Lake Bled is warm, relatively speaking . If that's still too chilly, head to the lake's northern section, where three hotels have built pools around natural thermal springs.
Nearby: The capital city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is an easy 35 miles away.
2. Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman
This sinkhole was formed naturally when the ground over unstable layers collapsed on itself. There is an underwater tunnel leading to the sea 500 metres (1,650ft) away, leading to a mixing of fresh and sea water in the hole. It is possible to dive this, however due to possible extreme tidal conditions, caution is advised.
The Sinkhole is located about 6km (3.7mi) from Dibab along the coast graded road from Muscat to Sur. Right now a big motorway is under construction next to it. [link, map]
Ik Kil is a well known sinkhole outside Pisté in the Municipality of Tinúm, Yucatán, Mexico, It is located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula and is part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park near Chichen Itza. It is open to the public for swimming and is often included in bus tours.
This sinkhole is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres (85 ft) below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. Ik Kil is about 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter and about 40 metres (130 ft) deep. There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls. Also, there are black catfish which swim in the sinkhole. [link, map]
source Most Beautiful Natural Holes On Earth, Nice n Funny
This is one of the most prominent and prettiest thermal pools in the Yellowstone park. The depth of this pool ( natural hole) is 4 meters (13ft). The "Morning Glory Pool" was given its name in the 1880 for its resemblance to a morning glory flower.
The distinct color of the pool is due to bacteria which inhabit the water. However, this pool was once in danger of losing its colors when the Grand Loop Road used to pass close to it, which increased the likelihood of thoughtless visitors throwing coins into it - thus causing the pool to cool and jeopardize the existence of the color-causing bacteria that thrive within. Today, you'll have to do a little walking along the Upper Geyser Basin to get to the pool, and it's well worth the exercise. [link, map]
8. Neversink Pit, Alabama, USA
Bala'a sinkhole is located in northern Lebanon. It is approximately 250 m (820ft) deep sinkhole. The most amazing feature is waterfall which has percolated one side of sinkhole, creating three natural bridges one above the other. [link, map]
Bonus: Man-Made Hole - Kimberley Big Hole, South Africa
Kimberley is the home of De Beers Consolidated Diamond Mines, some of the world's richest diamond mines, and it is still considered to be the capital of the world's diamond industry. As the centre for the diamond fever of the late 19th century, its foundations began to be dug in 1871 when a diamond was found on a small hill called Colesberg Koppie. Digging began and only a few months later more than 30 000 men were frantically excavating for diamonds in an area covering 300m (980ft) by 200m (660ft). They made short work of the hill and soon plunged down into the earth to a depth of 1100 metres (3,600ft) to create what came to be known simply as the ‘Big Hole'.
28 million tons of dirt was removed, yielding 14.5 million carats of diamonds and resulting in the creation of the largest man made hole in the world. It was here that the famous Star of Africa was found, a magnificent 83.5 carat diamond. [link, map]
source http://www.nicenfunny.com/
12 Amazing and Beautiful Lakes
Thousands of years ago, the top of a 12,000-foot-high volcano in the Cascade Range exploded. The massive pit left behind became known as Crater Lake, the centerpiece of a national park in southern Oregon that displays nature at its rawest and most powerful. Forests of towering evergreens and 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround the lake, where extraordinarily deep waters — at 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the United States — yield an intense sapphire-blue hue. If winter hiking and cross-country skiing aren't your thing, wait until early July to visit, when the roads have been plowed and the trails cleared. Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, has picture-perfect views from all sides. For a closer look, follow the mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore. Brace yourself before diving in: The water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nearby: The laid-back mountain town of Bend, 112 miles away, makes a nice home base for a Crater Lake day trip.
Alberta's Lake Louise is the famous one, on all the postcards and posters. But Louise's sister lake 29 miles north along Icefields Parkway, a two-laner that winds 142 miles through the Canadian Rockies, is even more picturesque. Thanks to glacial rock flour that flows in when the ice and snow melt every summer, the waters of Banff National Park's Peyto Lake are a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora. For the most dramatic views of the 1.7-mile-long stunner, encircled with dense forest and craggy mountain peaks, pull into the lot at Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point, and follow the steep hike to the overlook.
Nearby: The town of Banff, the heart of the park, is 62 miles south of Peyto Lake.
Home to 1,000 species of fish — estimated to be more than any place on earth — Lake Malawi is Africa’s third largest lake at 363 miles long and up to about 50 miles wide in spots. Located in a depression 2,300 feet below sea level, it’s positioned at the crossroads of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, and supports hundreds of local villages with its rich underwater stock (which is, unfortunately, gradually being depleted due to over-fishing). The lake’s southern portion—as well as a bordering nub of wildlife-rich land, Cape Maclear—represents the world’s first freshwater national park; it was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A star of the waters here is the mbuna, a native freshwater fish known for eating directly from people’s hands. Bring your snorkel gear — as beautiful as the scenery is, the best part about Lake Malawi is what's swimming beneath you in the crystal clear water.
Nearby: Cape Maclear, located within Lake Malawi National Park, is a perfect base for exploring the area.
This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world’s smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country’s Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder — in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.
Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.
Nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala, Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes. Small Mayan villages line its shores, which are set off by steep hills draped with oak and pine trees and nearly 800 plant species. There's no single, must-see view of the lake, so try several vantage points: from up high on Highway 1; from the town of Panajachel, the buzzing market hub that juts out into the water; or aboard a lancha, one of the many small boats that ferry visitors from village to village. We're saddened to note that the lake has built up high levels of blue-green algae over the years (in October and November 2009, a film of green scum began periodically marring its surface; since then there have been ambitious efforts to solve the problem).
Nearby:Panajachel is about 2.5 hours by car from Guatemala City.
With a backdrop of windswept rolling hills and medieval castles, Loch Lomond in Scotland feels like it's straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The 24-mile-long lake is dotted with islands, some so small that they disappear when the water levels are high, and others large enough to be (sparsely) inhabited. Most ferries stop at the largest island, Inchmurrin (population 11), so visitors can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle, used often as a hunting lodge for kings.
Nearby: The lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 west of Edinburgh.
If the shape of Italy is a couture boot, think of the imprint of Lake Garda as a design from the funky sister line — long and skinny at the top, opening up toward the bottom. Garda is the country's largest lake and one of the most popular vacation spots among Italians. The southern shore is home to hot springs, resort towns with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels, and most of Garda's 28 miles of serene, pebbly beaches. To the north are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a magnet for hikers and bicyclists who want to test their endurance. In Malcesine, an adorable speck of a town with cobblestoned streets and a medieval castle, you can board a cable car up to Mount Baldo for one of the best aerial views of the lake.
Nearby:Lake Garda is about halfway between Milan (89 miles away) and Venice (109 miles away), but to get the full, relaxing effect, stay in one of the south shore's many small towns.
This alpine lake in the heart of the French Alps is a looker, but don't expect to spend your visit gazing over the water in quiet reflection. Lake Annecy is all about activity — particularly in August, when Paris shuts down and the French take extended holidays. Sailors, kayakers, and water-skiers crisscross the water; bikers and hikers hit surrounding nature trails; and refugees from the city fill the outdoor tables at the lakeside restaurants and bars. Repeat visitors know to plan their trip for the first Saturday of August, when a staggering, nearly two-hour-long fireworks display illuminates the water.
Nearby: The closest major city is Geneva, 30 miles north, in Switzerland, but most people stay right on the lake.
These 16 blue-green lakes in Croatia, hidden by thick vegetation and connected by hundreds of waterfalls, could be the set for the next "Jurassic Park." For adventure as well as killer views, start at one of the lower lakes and work your way up following the sturdy wooden planks that turn what could be a treacherous trek into a fun hike. Take a detour along the 10-minute loop that leads to the region's tallest fall, 230-foot-high Veliki Slap ("Big Waterfall"), a breadth of streaming white water that collects in turquoise pools. While hiking, keep your eyes peeled for deer, wildcats, boars, wolves, and bears — a more likely sighting than a T. rex.
Nearby: There are four hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park, but most people drive in for the day from Zagreb, about 2 hours by car.
The water is blue enough, and the backdrop — grasslands and rocky hillsides — has the makings of a nice photo, but neither is what sets this lake in central Kenya apart. The real draw here is the mass of pink on Nakuru's edges. Flamingos are one of the few species that can withstand the lake's hostile conditions — the water has so much sodium carbonate that it burns nearly everything that touches it — and they flock to the lake en masse. There can be as many as a million birds feeding on algae in the shallows at one time, wading side by side.
Nearby: The lake is in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for black-and-white rhinos, three hours by car from Nairobi.
Alternately known as Mirror Lake, this South Island lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Visiting just after dawn is ideal, when the water is at its calmest and mirror images are impossibly perfect. The lake itself is well worth exploring, too. Park near the Clearwater River suspension bridge and follow the 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which have extra-tall trunks and fanciful bushy tops and look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
Nearby:Fox Glacier township, a village that serves as a base camp for trekkers, is three miles east of the lake.
Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction — the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range — and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower. Down on the lake's shore, board a pletna boat to the island. Be sure to ring the church bell and make a wish before returning to the mainland. Mountains shield the water from icy northern winds, so Lake Bled is warm, relatively speaking . If that's still too chilly, head to the lake's northern section, where three hotels have built pools around natural thermal springs.
Nearby: The capital city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is an easy 35 miles away.
Lake Baikal - World`s Deepest and Oldest Lake
Lake Baikal is the world's oldest and deepest lake at 30 million years old and with an average depth of 744.4 metres. Located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast, it is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the world, containing roughly 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water.
Most Beautiful Natural Holes On Earth
1. Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas
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Dean's Blue Hole is the world's deepest known blue hole with seawater. It plunges 202 metres (663 ft) in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island, Bahamas.
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Dean's Blue Hole is named after the family name of local landowners. It is located in a small bay, divided from the open sea with small peninsula. Over the last few years this sinkhole has become a scene of world-class free-diving. [link1, link2, map]
2. Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman
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3. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
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The Great Blue Hole is a large submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km (43 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300 m (984 ft) across and 124 m (407 ft) deep. The Great Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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This is a popular spot amongst recreational scuba divers, who are lured by the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear water and meet several species of fish, including giant groupers, nurse sharks and several types of reef sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark. [link, map]
4. Ik Kil, Mexico
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5. Red Lake, Croatia
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Red Lake is a sinkhole containing a karst lake near the city of Imotski, Croatia. It is known for its numerous caves and remarkably high cliffs, reaching over 241 metres (790ft) above normal water level and continuing below the water level. The total explored depth of this sinkhole is approximately 530 metres (1,740ft) with a volume of roughly 25-30 million cubic meters, thus it is the third largest sinkhole in the world. Water drains out of the basin through underground waterways that descend below the level of the lake floor. [link, map]
6. Zacatón, Mexico
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Zacatón is a thermal water filled sinkhole belonging to the Zacatón system - a group of unusual karst features located in Aldama Municipality in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is the deepest known water-filled sinkhole in the world with a total depth of 339 metres
source Most Beautiful Natural Holes On Earth, Nice n Funny
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| Photo by Ann Kristovich link |
Zacatón is the only sinkhole of the five located in Rancho La Azufrosa to have any noticeable water flow. The name Zacatón comes from the free-floating islands of zacate grass which move around on the surface with the wind. [link, map]
7. Morning Glory Pool (Hole), Wyoming, USA
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8. Neversink Pit, Alabama, USA
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Neversink Pit is a limestone sinkhole in Alabama, and it’s one of the most-photographed sinkholes in the world because of its beautiful fern-covered ledges and waterfalls. The hole is about 40 feet (12m) wide at the top, but it expands to 100 feet (30m) at its bottom, which is 162 feet (50m) from the ground. Neversink is home to bats and several rare and endangered fern species. [link]
9. Giant's Kettle in Rovaniemi, Finland
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An interesting place to visit is the giant's kettles located in Rovaniemi, Finland. The largest giant's kettles have diameters of 5,7 - 8 metres (18-26ft) and a height of 15,4 metres (50ft). Giant's kettle from picture is one of the largest and most beautiful in the region. [map]
10. Balaa Sinkhole, Lebanon
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Bonus: Man-Made Hole - Kimberley Big Hole, South Africa
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source http://www.nicenfunny.com/
