Step into the awe-inspiring beauty of the planet through an exploration of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. These geographical wonders, breathtaking and majestic in their unique ways, showcase the Earth’s raw, untamed splendor. From towering waterfalls to coral masterpieces, from gigantic canyons to wondrous caves, this article offers a journey through these unparalleled spectacles. Ready to marvel at Earth’s extraordinary gifts? Let’s unravel the fascinating stories, captivating myths, and profound science behind these magnificent gifts of nature that continually astound and inspire people across the globe!
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The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
The Northern lights are an example of one natural wonder that appears regularly, though not predictably. Aurora is Latin for ‘sun rise’ and Borealis is the term used to describe something that occurs near or comes from the north. This phenomenon can occur anywhere in polar regions (the northern lights tend to be more visible at higher latitudes). The greenish glow comes about due to collisions between energetic electrons with atoms and molecules in our upper atmosphere. The collisions excite the atoms and make them give off light.
Auroras can last from a few minutes to several hours. They often take on distinctive forms, such as patches or scattered clouds of light. The lights usually appear in “quiet time,” when very little human activity is going on: in these times you can also see stars and even other planets! [Article Ends]
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River. It is located on the border of the USA states of Arizona and Nevada and measures 280 miles (450km) in length and more than 1 mile (1.6km) deep. It is five times longer than its width, making it one of the world’s largest canyons. This natural wonder was formed due to erosion occurring at different rates on slightly different rock layers, causing some hard layers to stand out as cliffs from the rest of the rocky slope. The history of humans settling near this place holds stories that involve spirit quests: it has strong cultural values for many North American indigenous peoples including the Hopi people and Navajo Nation.
The Great Barrier Reef
The great barrier reef is a world-famous site that can be found in Queensland off the coast of Australia. The reef supports one-third of all marine species and provides protection for 1,625 islands along with coastal mangrove forests. Although it has been around since before humans existed, the coral polyps have grown back with time after being destroyed frequently by natural disasters. Scientists are still uncertain as to how long individual sections of this site have been around. The reef has reached such ecological significance that it is thought of as a world heritage site and must be preserved so that the following generations can continue to be in amazement at its existence!
Paricutin
Paricutin is an example of a site that wasn’t found until it was right in front of us. In 1943, the farmer Dionisio Pulido was working his cornfield one day when he saw small explosions erupting from the earth. He soon realized that they were breaking through to the surface of the Earth! The new volcano grew each day for nine years and eventually attained a height of 820 feet (250 meters). Today it is still considered dormant, but some activity has continued since 1952. It continues to be active today with geothermal springs on its flanks and sulphuric gases rising from vents on its summit.
Harbor Of Rio De Janeiro
The harbor of Rio de Janeiro is shaped like a triangle and is located at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It was built for defense against enemy ships trying to attack the city but has since become one of the world’s largest commercial ports (the other being that of Shanghai). The water in this bay is often very calm due to its sheltered nature; however, two fountains were installed on either side of Niteroi specifically to hinder water traffic should it be necessary! By the year 2020, the government aims to make this harbor completely eco-friendly.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls are the world’s largest sheet of falling water, measuring 5,604ft (1608m)! It is 1.7 miles (2.7km) wide during the rainy season and derives its name from Queen Victoria of England. The bridge above it is both scenic and functional since it provides access to this natural wonder for both people on foot as well as those looking to visit by boat! The Falls straddle the Zambezi River which divides Zambia in half, allowing for two waterfalls on either side of the border. The original native name was Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The smoke that thunders.”
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth at 8,848m (29,028ft)! It has three peaks: the southern summit of which is named Everest and was discovered by British mountaineer Andrew Irvine in 1856. The two other tops were later also found to be the same height as the main peak. Everest’s international border with Nepal runs across its summit point. This site is so famous that entire books have been written about it and hundreds of people each year attempt to climb its dangerous face! As more and more people set out to conquer Mount Everest, competition for permits has become more fierce and this has raised quite a lot of controversy in recent years.
Conclusion
The seven natural wonders of the world captivate and amaze our imaginations. They are a testament to what we can do as humans when we work together for one goal with everything we have, even if it means overcoming impossible odds. The original list was compiled by a panel in 2007 and included some well-known landmarks. But now there are many more places that have been declared as wonders because they offer something unique or beautiful for people to experience. We hope this article has given you an idea about each place on the list and why it is worthy of its reputation.