24 of the planet’s strangest natural wonders | CNN

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Travel

24 of the planet’s strangest natural wonders

Updated 6:00 AM EDT, Mon April 6, 2020
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<strong>Kingley Vale, Sussex, United Kingdom: </strong>Some of the twisted and ancient yew trees on this 204.4-hectare site date back at least 2,000 years.
Kingley Vale, Sussex, United Kingdom: Some of the twisted and ancient yew trees on this 204.4-hectare site date back at least 2,000 years.
Benjamin Graham/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
<strong>Fairy Chimneys, Turkey: </strong>A geological marvel, these unusual  rock formations are the result of the surrounding, softer rock eroding over thousands of years.
Fairy Chimneys, Turkey: A geological marvel, these unusual rock formations are the result of the surrounding, softer rock eroding over thousands of years.
Courtney Bonnell/AP
<strong>Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland:</strong> Formed 50 to 60 million years ago, the Giant's Causeway became Northern Ireland's first World Heritage Site in 1986.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland: Formed 50 to 60 million years ago, the Giant's Causeway became Northern Ireland's first World Heritage Site in 1986.
Paul Faith/PA Wire/AP
<strong>Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand: </strong>Scattered along Koekohe Beach, these two-meter-high stones were created by mudstone hardening over five million years.
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand: Scattered along Koekohe Beach, these two-meter-high stones were created by mudstone hardening over five million years.
Kai Schworer/dpa/AP
<strong>Great Blue Hole, Belize: </strong>Measuring 300 meters wide and around 125 meters deep, this huge underwater sinkhole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System.
Great Blue Hole, Belize: Measuring 300 meters wide and around 125 meters deep, this huge underwater sinkhole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
<strong>Cano Cristales, Colombia: </strong>Often referred to as the "River of Five Colors," the waters of Cano Cristales become an explosion of bright colors between Colombia's wet and dry seasons.
Cano Cristales, Colombia: Often referred to as the "River of Five Colors," the waters of Cano Cristales become an explosion of bright colors between Colombia's wet and dry seasons.
Kike Calvo/AP
<strong>Dead Vlei, Namibia:</strong> One of the most intriguing places in Namibia,<strong> </strong>Dead Vlei sits among the tallest sand dunes in the world, with some as high as 400 meters.
Dead Vlei, Namibia: One of the most intriguing places in Namibia, Dead Vlei sits among the tallest sand dunes in the world, with some as high as 400 meters.
Matthias Toedt/dpa/AP
<strong>Chocolate Hills, Philippines: </strong>Legend has it these 1,268 hills in the Bohol province of the Philippines are the dried tears of a heartbroken giant.<br />
Chocolate Hills, Philippines: Legend has it these 1,268 hills in the Bohol province of the Philippines are the dried tears of a heartbroken giant.
Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kilauea, Hawaii: </strong>Not only is Kilauea the most active volcano on the island of Hawaii, it's also one of the most active in the world.
Kilauea, Hawaii: Not only is Kilauea the most active volcano on the island of Hawaii, it's also one of the most active in the world.
U.S. Geological Survey/AP
<strong>Lake Hillier, Australia: </strong>This saline lake on the edge of  the largest island in the Recherché Archipelago, is fame for its pink water, thought to be caused by the combination of algae and a high concentration of salt.
Lake Hillier, Australia: This saline lake on the edge of the largest island in the Recherché Archipelago, is famed for its pink water, thought to be caused by the combination of algae and a high concentration of salt.
Shutterstock
<strong>Devils Tower, Wyoming: </strong>Rising some 385 meters above the Belle Fourche River, this national monument is sacred to several Native American tribes.
Devils Tower, Wyoming: Rising some 385 meters above the Belle Fourche River, this national monument is sacred to several Native American tribes.
Mladen Antono/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Dallol, Ethiopia: </strong>With temperatures averaging at around 94 degrees Fahrenheit, Dallol is the hottest place on the planet.
Dallol, Ethiopia: With temperatures averaging at around 94 degrees Fahrenheit, Dallol is the hottest place on the planet.
Carl Court/Getty Images
<strong>The Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania:</strong> Also known as the Richat Structure, this 40-kilometer wide geological marvel is visible from space.
The Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania: Also known as the Richat Structure, this 40-kilometer-wide geological marvel is visible from space.
George Steinmetz/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
<strong>Snow Monsters, Mount Zao, Japan: </strong>Situated high in Japan's northern Tohoku region, these snow creatures, or "juhyu," are accessible by cable car.
Snow Monsters, Mount Zao, Japan: Situated high in Japan's northern Tohoku region, these snow creatures, or "juhyu," are accessible by cable car.
Kyodo/AP
<strong>Valley of the Moon, Argentina: </strong>This remote valley, also known as the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, is based in a protected area of the South American country.
Valley of the Moon, Argentina: This remote valley, also known as the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, is based in a protected area of the South American country.
Insights/UIG/Getty Images
<strong>Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona: </strong>Spanning the Utah-Arizona border, Vermilion Cliffs is one of the most visually stunning places in the United States.
Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona: Spanning the Utah-Arizona border, Vermilion Cliffs is one of the most visually stunning places in the United States.
Prisma by Dukas/UIG/Getty Images
<strong>Haukadalur geothermal field, Iceland: </strong>Situated 60 kilometers east of Reykjavik, <strong> t</strong>he oldest account of the geothermal fields here date back to 1294.
Haukadalur geothermal field, Iceland: Situated 60 kilometers east of Reykjavik, the oldest account of the geothermal fields here dates back to 1294.
Mikel Bilbao/VW PICS/UIG/Getty Images
<strong>Trollkirka Caves, Norway: </strong>One of Norway's longest limestone caves, the majestic Trollkirka has been carved out by the water over thousands of years.
Trollkirka Caves, Norway: One of Norway's longest limestone caves, the majestic Trollkirka has been carved out by the water over thousands of years.
Shutterstock
<strong>Bryce Canyon, Utah: </strong>While it's much less popular than nearby Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon is arguably just as impressive.
Bryce Canyon, Utah: While it's much less popular than nearby Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon is arguably just as impressive.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
<strong>Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan:  </strong>Positioned between Jordan (pictured here) and Israel, the Dead Sea is more than nine times saltier than the sea.
Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan: Positioned between Jordan (pictured here) and Israel, the Dead Sea is more than nine times saltier than the sea.
Ahmad Abdo/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Spotted Lake, Canada: </strong>This unusual lake is considered sacred by the natives of the Okanagan Valley.
Spotted Lake, Canada: This unusual lake is considered sacred by the natives of the Okanagan Valley.
Shutterstock
<strong>Blood Falls, Antarctica: </strong>This incredible natural phenomenon was discovered by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor in 1911.
Blood Falls, Antarctica: This incredible natural phenomenon was discovered by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor in 1911.
Cavan Images/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, China: </strong>Known as the "Rainbow Mountains," these colorful rock formations are the result of millions of years geological activity.
Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, China: Known as the "Rainbow Mountains," these colorful rock formations are the result of millions of years of geological activity.
Han jiajun/Imaginechina/AP
<strong>Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan: </strong>Dubbed the Door to Hell by locals, this natural phenomenon was brought about by man less than half a century ago.
Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan: Dubbed the Door to Hell by locals, this natural phenomenon was brought about by man less than half a century ago.
Giles Clarke/Getty Images

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