#Natural phenomena full#

Geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots result from the interaction between underground volcanic activity and groundwater. The attractions of Yellowstone Park have been in the making for over half a million years. You may also like: Most popular historic sites in America Susanne Pommer // Shutterstock Yellowstone’s geysers

Real or not, it seems like the only way to find out if there is a humming sound in the historic Taos area is to pay a visit and formulate your own hypothesis. The explanations for the mystery range from plain boring-such as tinnitus-to amusingly creative, like secret government mind control experiments. To this day, there is no agreement among the scientific community about why 2% of people hear a low-frequency hum in the small town of Taos, New Mexico, and its surroundings since the 1990s. The spectacle put on by millions of lightning bugs blinking simultaneously in the dark forest nights attracts hundreds of tourists who plan their visit several months in advance.

Male fireflies synchronize their flashing lights so females can recognize them. Sometime between the third week of May and the third week of June, the beetle species, officially known as Photinus carolinus, will enter its mating season in the Great Smoky Mountains. SIHASAKPRACHUM // Shutterstock Great Smoky Mountains’ lightning bugs As with rainbows, water droplets must be in the air-from waterfalls, rain, or breaking waves-on the opposite side of the light-reflecting celestial body for the iridescent visual phenomenon to happen.

#Natural phenomena full#

Much rarer than rainbows but just as marvelous, moonbows or lunar rainbows can appear when the moon is in or near its full phase and positioned low in the sky, most likely an hour before sunrise or after sunset. akphotography00 // Shutterstock Lunar rainbows The natural spectacle can appear in any swamp and any time of the year, but it is rather notorious under a cloudless sunny sky and when humidity is at its highest. The spots of oil slick reflect sunlight into trees and bushes, making them look multihued and vibrant. When oils released by decaying vegetation drift into the pooled water of the Sunshine State’s wetlands, a rainbow-colored phenomenon decorates the scenery: Florida’s colorful swamp. Kate Scott // Shutterstock Florida’s colorful swamp The ice melts and moves when exposed to warm morning sunlight, a process known as ice shove. The rocks, ranging from weighing a few ounces to over 700 pounds, move every winter without human or animal intervention when the wind blows strong enough to slide them over thin sheets of melting ice. In the early 2010s, time-lapse photographs and rigorous investigations uncovered the enigma. Its main attraction is the geological phenomenon known as the sailing stones-a mystery that kept scientists and explorers in awe for decades. Although its name could be more inviting, its beauty is undeniably unique. You may also like: 50 incredible photos of our oceans Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock Death Valley’s sailing stonesĭeath Valley National Park was established as a natural monument in 1933. So, revel in that which only nature can offer, buckle up for a jaw-dropping adventure, and enjoy the ride. Government and community organizations manage the grounds where many of these natural happenings occur-and are often available to guide visitors through their journey. Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of these phenomena must remain mindful of the risks they face in the wilderness and also of the damage they could inflict on the environment. Nonetheless, understandable or not, they do-unmistakably-indulge the senses.įrom features in national parks to regional quirks, Stacker compiled a list of 20 of the strangest natural phenomena in the U.S. Geological, physical, chemical, and biological phenomena have rational explanations, but some are so rare they seem to be a figment of a science fiction screenwriter’s imagination. From the Alaskan Tundra to the Gulf of Mexico, Niagara Falls to the Hawaiian Islands, the contrasts between the 50 American states and five territories are fascinating and sometimes enigmatic. As the fourth-largest country in the world, the United States has a vast assortment of picture-perfect natural scenery to flaunt.