The Mysteries of Nature
Delving into the oddities of nature is like peeling back the layers of a never-ending onion. Each layer reveals something more surreal and strange than the previous one.
Living Rocks
Pyura chilensis, mostly found along the coast of Chile and Peru, looks like a rock with a gooey red center which seems similar to a living internal organ. Fascinatingly, these creatures are filter feeders, using the incoming seawater to gather food particles.
Self-Replication
These ‘living rocks’ also have the ability to reproduce on their own, a process known as selfing. They’re hermaphrodites—which means they have both male and female reproductive organs—and can release sperm and eggs into the surrounding water to create offspring.
Moving Stones of Death Valley
Nicknamed as ‘sailing stones’, these ordinary-looking rocks found in the dry, arid terrains of Death Valley, apparently move on their own, leaving long trails behind them. Scientists puzzled over this for years, until weather conditions helped solve the mystery. Water from rare rainfalls, along with strong winds, create conditions that push these rocks across the valley floor at slow but steady speeds.
The Underwater Lakes and Rivers
Seen mostly in the Black Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, underwater river systems complete with trees and leaves exist under the surface of the ocean. These are created from extremely heavy salt concentrations that seep out from the seafloor, creating a ‘river’ dense enough to not mix with the surrounding seawater and to even carve out banks and valleys.
Unique Ecosystem
Astonishingly, an entirely different ecosystem exists within these underwater rivers with certain species that cannot survive anywhere else in the ocean.
The Exploding Lakes of Africa
Eight in the world, three are found in Africa – Lakes Nyos and Monoun in Cameroon, and Lake Kivu in Rwanda. These lakes occasionally release huge amounts of carbon dioxide, capable of wiping out surrounding wildlife and humans. This ‘lake overturn’ happens due to the buildup of volcanic CO2 in the depths, which periodically discharges in a deadly explosion.
Efforts for Reduction of Gas
Since 2001, degassing tubes have been installed in Lake Nyos to release the gas slowly and to decrease the odds of another catastrophic explosion.
The Bristlecone Pines – Oldest Living Trees on Earth
Found in the White Mountains of California, Bristlecone Pines are strange not because of how they look or act but because of their incredible ages. Some are over 5000 years old, making them the oldest known living trees on the planet.
Testimony of Harsh Conditions
These twisted and gnarled trees are a testament to resilience, surviving in harsh conditions with high altitude, stout winds, and rocky soil.
Bioluminescent Forests
Certain places on earth, such as the forests of Japan and Australia, host bioluminescent fungi and creatures. The Australian ghost mushrooms emit an eerie green light and the forests in Japan where bioluminescent mushrooms grow are ethereal.
Unique Talent of Creatures
Various animals and plants have developed the incredible ability to produce light. From fireflies to deep-sea fishes, almost 90% of all deep-sea creatures are bioluminescent, illuminating the dark spaces of the earth with their own private light shows.
Each of these intricately detailed examples once again demonstrate the limitless and wonderous oddities of Mother Nature. From living stones to sailing rocks and bioluminescent forests, stepping into the world of nature’s mysteries leaves us lost in a journey so profoundly intriguing, it deepens our fascination and respect for our incredible world.