Some of Nature’s Amazing Phenomena
- Teju Vishwamitra
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Updated: May 26
Nature is full of fascinating occurrences that often leave us in awe. We read about them, admire them, and wonder how they happen. But do we try to understand them? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, let’s explore some of these intriguing natural phenomena.
Rainbow Clouds
Also known as mother-of-pearl clouds, polar stratospheric clouds are a rare atmospheric phenomenon that appear with an iridescent rainbow-like sheen. These clouds form under extremely cold conditions—below -108ºF (-77.78ºC)—at altitudes between 49,000 feet (14.9 km) and 82,000 feet (24.99 km).
How Do They Form?
When the right altitude and temperature align, the following occurs:
Sunlight refracts through tiny ice crystals or water droplets in a cloud.
The light scatters into a spectrum of colors around the droplets.
The colors may appear in waves or be spread randomly.
The colors are often soft and pastel rather than vivid.
When Do They Appear?
They typically form in high-altitude clouds but can sometimes be seen in lower-level clouds.
They are more likely in semi-transparent clouds or those in the early stages of formation.
They are often observed during the monsoon season when moisture levels are high.
Sailing Stones, USA
Sailing stones—also called sliding, walking, rolling, or moving rocks—are part of a geological mystery where rocks move across the smooth surface of a dry lakebed without any human or animal involvement.
Racetrack Playa in Death Valley is famous for this phenomenon. Hundreds of rocks, some weighing up to 700 pounds (320 kg), appear to have been dragged across the ground, leaving synchronized trails that stretch for hundreds of feet. For years, people were mystified by these moving stones.
Scientists James and Richard Norris finally solved the mystery in December 2013. They discovered that the stones move under very specific conditions:
The playa must be covered with a thin layer of water, deep enough to allow ice to form but shallow enough to leave rocks exposed.
At night, temperatures drop, and the water freezes into thin sheets of ice.
During the day, the ice melts and breaks into large floating panels.
Gentle winds push the ice sheets, which in turn move the rocks, leaving trails in the soft mud beneath.
Mystery solved!
Taylor Glacier or Blood Falls, Antarctica
Blood Falls is a striking natural feature where deep red water sporadically flows from cracks in Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney, creating a stark contrast against the white ice. The eerie red color comes from iron-rich water, which reacts with oxygen upon emerging, forming rust-colored streams.
Why Does It Happen?
Around two million years ago, a hyper-saline body of water became trapped beneath Taylor Glacier, completely isolated from light, oxygen, and heat.
As the salty water seeps through fissures in the glacier, it oxidizes upon contact with air, creating the striking crimson color.
When Do They Appear?
Blood Falls occurs when iron-rich water, trapped under the glacier for millions of years, finds a way to the surface.
The water only emerges sporadically, making it a rare sight.
Amazing, isn’t it?
The Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan: The Darvaza Gas Crater
Deep in the Karakum Desert, a fiery crater glows brightly, illuminating the night sky. This crater, known as the "Gates of Hell" or the Darvaza Gas Crater, is a burning pit of methane gas.
How Did It Form?
The crater was created when a natural gas field collapsed into an underground cavern.
To prevent the spread of methane gas, geologists set the crater on fire in 1971, expecting it to burn out within a few weeks.
More than 50 years later, it’s still burning!
Why Does It Burn?
The crater continues to burn due to an underground natural gas field that constantly feeds the flames.
Kawah Ijen Lake, Indonesia
On the Indonesian island of Java, the Kawah Ijen volcano is home to a spectacular turquoise crater lake. Surrounding the 1-km-wide (3,281 feet) lake are bright yellow sulfur deposits and white gas plumes.
Why Is It So Colorful?
The lake’s striking blue color comes from high concentrations of dissolved metals and sulfuric gases released by the volcano’s magma chamber.
With a pH of 0.5, it is the world’s largest highly acidic lake.
Fumaroles (volcanic gas vents) around the lake emit hydrogen chloride and sulfuric gases, which turn into brilliant yellow sulfur deposits upon cooling.
At night, the sulfuric gases ignite upon contact with air, creating a mesmerizing blue flame effect.
When Does It Appear?
The blue flames are most visible at night when sulfuric gases ignite upon contact with air.
The striking blue lake is a permanent feature, maintained by continuous volcanic activity releasing gases and minerals into the water.
Nature never ceases to amaze us!
Did You Know?
"Strange" or "mysterious" natural phenomena often occur because we may not fully understand the complex interactions between various environmental factors, including weather patterns, geological formations, unique ecosystems. And sometimes even rare cosmic events, which can lead to seemingly unusual sights or behaviors in nature that we might not have a complete explanation for at first glance.
Whatever the real reason maybe, happily, such natural occurrences will continue to occur in nature. That is the beauty of nature - the unpredictability!
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