Earth’s Strangest Wonders: 15 Places That Look Totally Alien
“The Earth has music for those who listen.” – William Shakespeare.
There are things on our planet so extraordinary that they give rise to landscapes that seem to rip themselves from our familiar world and head off into the otherworldly. Moving from shimmering salt flats that go on forever under the sun to surreal thermal springs whose color flows into technicolor, from sky blue to fire engine red, the haunting legacies of these places are proof of the Earth’s unfathomable breadth of diversity and ability to morph away.
Over 70% of Earth’s surface is still vast and unmapped, so mysteries remain uncovered. Among these are locations that look genuinely alien, with shimmering salt flats stretching to the horizon like mirrors or towering rock formations. Not only are these fantastic wonders awe-inspiring, but they also prove the incredible diversity of Earth’s nature.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Often called the “Gateway to Hell,” the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s hottest and most inhospitable places. The acid ponds, sulfur springs, and neon-hued mineral deposits create a Venus look.
It’s located thousands of feet below sea level where pull-apart tectonic activity, known as rifting, caused it to form. Visitors experience brightly colored, otherworldly terrain and brave scorching temperatures averaging 113°F (45°C).
Sossusvlei, Namibia
When you step foot in Sossusvlei, you’ll feel like you have landed on Mars. This Namib Desert wonder is a photographer’s dream thanks to the towering, red dunes that can rise nearly 1,300 feet in place. Pitted in relief against the swirling mess of the deep rust-hued sand and stark salt pans, the contrast is surreal, alien.
Lake Hillier, Australia
Imagine flying above a lake that looks Photoshop pink—meet Lake Hillier. Located on Middle Island in Western Australia, this bubblegum-colored lake is uniquely colored by the microalgae Dunaliella salina and halophilic bacteria. Against the blue of the surrounding Indian Ocean, Lake Hillier looks like it belongs to another dimension.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Hidden beneath New Zealand’s lush North Island is a sparkling underworld. There are bioluminescent glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with tiny lights in the dark caverns, making it look like you are in a starry sky.
This is a tranquil, magical experience in another world—a must-do for the nature enthusiast.
The Richat Structure, Mauritania
Known as the “Eye of the Sahara,” the Richat Structure is an enormous, circular geological formation visible from space. This feature spans about 25 miles in diameter and is a mystery.
They hypothesize that it could be the remains of an asteroid impact, or perhaps the uplifting and erosion of ancient rock layers have set them there. Either way, its rings are so strikingly concentric that they’re out of this world.
Socotra, Yemen
Often referred to as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra Island’s landscape feels alien in the best way possible.
Home to endemic species found nowhere else in the world, the island is a real-life sci-fi setting, with dragon’s blood trees, umbrella-like canopies, and bottle trees shaped like oversized shrubs.
The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
A fiery pit that began burning 50 years ago sits near the remote village of Derweze, Turkmenistan. Known as the “Door to Hell,” this natural gas crater was ignited during a drilling mishap in 1971.
The flames still burn brightly, and an eerie glow warms the cold, desolate Karakum Desert, almost like an apocalyptic movie.
Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA
In the Nevada desert, the Fly Geyser is an accidental technicolor marvel created in the ’60s when drilling opened up this spring in the Earth. The hot, rich mineral waters provide thermophilic algae, giving it vivid colors.
With its unearthly appearance (as seen in photos) and continuous steam vents, it is one of the most surreal places in the USA.
Mount Roraima, Venezuela
This mountain appears so flat-topped that it looks suspended in space between Earth and the heavens. Mount Roraima is one of South America’s tepui plateaus, rising to almost 9,200 feet and having unique ecosystems, rare plants, and dramatic cliffs.
Renowned for its mist-shrouded summit, it’s said to have inspired “The Lost World” by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar
Within Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park are jagged limestone pinnacles that look more like they’d be at home on another planet. These almost inaccessible spiky formations were formed over millions of years.
The park’s name, “Tsingy,” translates to “where one cannot walk barefoot,” a fitting description of its sharp, unforgiving terrain.
The Wave, Arizona, USA
The Wave, as it is called, is famous for its red, orange, and yellow swirling sandstone near the Arizona—Utah border. Wind and water erosion eroded this rare landscape, making it a bucket list for hikers and photographers.
Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach feels like steps onto another planet, and with good reason: this beach, made and shaped by black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, and dramatic sea stacks, makes you question where you are.
Icelandic legend states that the beach’s sea stacks were created when sunlight pulled trolls. Filmmakers and nature lovers both love this hauntingly beautiful place.
The Badlands, South Dakota, USA
The Badlands’ eroded formations and fossil beds are among America’s most unique landscapes. Its rugged, arid beauty should be extraterrestrial, and its colorful rock layers spell 75 million years of history.
Blood Falls, Antarctica
A crimson waterfall issuing from the side of Taylor Glacier in Antarctica pours out onto stark ice. The color comes from iron-rich brine oxidizing as it emerges from the glacier, creating a “blood-red” effect. Due to this rare phenomenon, it has become a popular destination for adventurous scientists and travelers.
Chocolate Hills, Philippines
The Chocolate Hills are a geological wonder spread over 50 square kilometers in the Philippines. Named from the brown hue they take on during the dry season, these 1,200+ symmetrical mounds look like huge ant beds.
The origin is unknown, but they make a fascinating stop for bold explorers because of their strange appearance.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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