Earth is a remarkable place, and the rare and beautiful natural phenomena will mesmerize you, leaving you marveling at the wonders of creation.
1. Nacreous Clouds – The Rainbow Sky
Nacreous clouds, also known as polar stratospheric clouds, are a stunning phenomenon that graces the sky with mesmerizing colors. These clouds form when ice crystals in the stratosphere scatter sunlight, creating a spectrum of hues.
Typically appearing in winter, especially in locations like the Antarctic, Canada, Alaska, or Scandinavian countries, these breathtaking clouds are unfortunately a sign of ozone layer depletion, despite their beauty.
2. UFO Clouds
Cloud formations taking the shape of triangles or vortexes are incredibly rare phenomena. They occur when strong moist winds blow over rugged terrain, often forming on mountain peaks. Winter or spring, when fast-moving cool air currents prevail, is the prime time to observe this phenomenon.
What’s most intriguing is that even amidst strong winds, these clouds remain intact and don’t dissipate or shift elsewhere.
3. The Catatumbo Lightning
While lightning strikes on a stormy day may be somewhat daunting, for Catatumbo, this sight might leave many fascinated. It’s the sentiment shared by many nature enthusiasts when witnessing the Catatumbo lightning at Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.
Originating from large storm clouds at altitudes over 5 km, Catatumbo occurs during 140 to 160 nights a year, for 10 hours a day, with up to 280 strikes per hour. With frequent intense lightning strikes over a small area, this location is considered the world’s largest ozone producer in the troposphere.
Typically, this lightning phenomenon occurs from May to November. Among these months, October sees the highest influx of tourists coming to marvel at this phenomenon.
4. Optical Light Pillars
Optical light pillars form when a beam of light appears to extend from the horizon into the sky. During the medieval times, this phenomenon was often regarded as an omen of ill fortune, but it actually originates from light reflecting off ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Gazing at this natural wonder, you’ll feel like you’re amidst colorful and mesmerizing waterfalls or in science fiction movies about planets beyond Earth.
5. Mammatus Clouds
These mysterious-looking clouds, also known as ‘mammatus,’ are a rare phenomenon formed when cooler air is enveloped by warmer air currents, creating circular patches of clouds resembling pouches in the sky.
Typically, this phenomenon occurs when a storm is brewing. However, meteorologists are still unsure if there are any other causes contributing to this phenomenon.
6. Moonbow
Moonbows occur when moonlight undergoes refraction from airborne water droplets, such as rain or waterfalls, and always appear on the opposite side of the sky from the Moon as observed by the viewer.
Though formed in a similar manner, moonbows are much fainter in light and color compared to rainbows due to the Moon’s weaker illumination.
7. Sapphire Ice Blocks
During winter, as temperatures drop, ice blocks begin to form. However, at Lake Baikal (Russia), these ice blocks are not just white like regular ice but exhibit a stunning sapphire hue.
It’s known that the water in Lake Baikal is exceptionally clean and pure. Therefore, when it freezes and is illuminated by sunlight, the ice blocks take on colors and clarity akin to precious gemstones.
Source: Opodo
