The top 15 natural wonders shaped by water and how climate change is impacting them
Water is a precious resource and one of the fundamental parts of life of earth. Throughout history water has helped to shape some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes on the planet. High Tide Technologies has compiled a list of the top 15 natural wonders have been shaped by water and are in danger of being impacted by the effects of global warming and climate change.
Ha Long Bay- Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, made by more than 1,600 inlets and islands, is known for pillars, caves, and arches that formed over 500 million years. The signature look is attributed to karst formations, which occur when ocean waves dissolve limestone rocks. The area, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, is largely uninhabited and untouched by humans.
The Great Blue Hole- Belize
The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole. It began as a limestone cave formation, but collapsed when sea levels rose 150,000 years ago. In 1971, Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the top 10 diving spots in the world. It’s said the water becomes clearer the deeper a person dives. Sediment samples from the reef support theories that the downfall of the ancient Mayans was caused by climate change.
The Stone Forest- China
The Stone Forest is a remarkable landscape featuring karst formations, caves, waterfalls, and an underground river. The famous rocks that make up the “forest” are known to resemble people, lions, birds, and trees, among other shapes. The area was formed over 270 million years ago through a series of earthquakes and later by erosion from wind and water.
Wave Rock- Australia
Wave Rock is an uncanny natural granite rock formation that looks like a giant ocean wave about to break. Originally buried under soil, the rock developed its characteristics not from explicit water erosion, but from humic acid released in the wet soil around it. As it stands today, the rock is quite resistant to further erosion.
Bryce Canyon- Utah
Bryce Canyon is filled with spired, pillars, and mazes called hoodoos. The landscape is made of limestone, sandstone, and mudstone, and was shaped by ice and water 40 to 60 million years ago. The area surrounding the canyon became a national monument in 1923 and a national park in 1928.
Vermilion Cliffs- Arizona
The Vermillion Cliffs represent one layer in a sedimentary rock formation called the Grand Staircase, located in Arizona and Utah. Known for a red hue, the cliffs are made of quartz, and were shaped by water and wind over 190 million years ago.
Antelope Canyon- Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, which means it’s more deep than wide. The sandstorm formation is the result of flash flooding over 190 million years. The canyon is an enormously popularly tourist destination and widely publicized for its interaction with sunlight.
