Culture Explorer Profile picture
Apr 2 13 tweets 6 min read Read on X
Art or Reality?

Let us explore Earth's most extraordinary secrets of nature's marvels, where the surreal landscapes defy not only the imagination but science itself! 🧵⤵️ The Door to Hell, a burning natural gas field in Derweze, Turkmenistan. By Tormod Sandtorv - Flickr: Darvasa gas crater panorama, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18209432
Thor's Well in USA

Often referred to as the "drainpipe of the Pacific," Thor's Well is a seemingly bottomless sinkhole that swallows the seawater around it. The sheer force with which the water is drawn in and expelled creates a dramatic spectacle, especially during high tide or stormy conditions. This natural wonder is actually a sea cave that has collapsed, with its roof now gone, allowing water to fill it from the bottom.Credit: Nigel Ten Fleming @TenFleming on X
Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

Known for being one of the hottest places on Earth with temperatures that often soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), the Danakil Depression is also one of the lowest points on the planet, dipping more than 100 meters below sea level. This desolate landscape is dotted with acid pools, lava lakes, and mineral deposits in neon colors, a result of volcanic activity and salt mining.Credit: @beyzhive on X
Vinicunca in Peru

Also called the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca is famous for its multi-colored strata, which are the result of various mineral deposits that have been exposed by erosion. The stunning hues of red, yellow, purple, and green make it seem as if the mountain was painted. This visual phenomenon becomes particularly vibrant after a rainfall.Image
Zhangye Danxia in China

These are the Rainbow Mountains of China, known for their otherworldly colors that mimic a marbled painting. Layers of different colored sandstone and minerals pressed together over 24 million years and then buckled up by tectonic plates have created this natural masterpiece.Credit: Weird Science - @weird_sci on X
Lake Hillier in Australia

This pink-colored lake on Middle Island is one of the most striking natural phenomena. The distinctive color of the lake is due to the presence of the organism Dunaliella salina, which produces a pink pigment as part of its photosynthesis process, and possibly in combination with the presence of halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts.Credit: Nature Is Weird - @NaturelsWeird on X
Pamukkale in Turkey

Known as "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, Pamukkale's terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by mineral water from the hot springs. The cascading white pools with warm waters are not just a visual delight but also a popular spot for therapeutic bathing.Image
Darvaze Gas Crater in Turkmenistan

Nicknamed the "Door to Hell," this burning natural gas field collapsed into a large cavern, which geologists set on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it has been burning continuously since 1971. The fiery pit is a surreal sight, especially at night.Image
Rainbow River in Colombia

The Caño Cristales, often called the "Liquid Rainbow," gets its multicolored appearance from the unique plant species that line its floor. Different colors, including red, yellow, green, and blue, are visible at different times of the year, thanks to the reproductive process of the plants.Image
Chocolate Hills in Philippines

Over 1,200 uniformly cone-shaped hills dot the landscape of Bohol. During the dry season, the grass-covered hills dry up and turn chocolate brown, giving them their name. Their formation is still a subject of debate, with theories including oceanic volcano eruptions, uplift of coral deposits, and a combination of erosion and weathering.Credit: https://www.matteocolombo.com/media/b696b84e-ae59-4555-82da-20f6612b3c3a-dramatic-light-over-chocolate-hills-bohol-philippines
Sand Pyramids in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Formed through the natural phenomena of erosion, the Sand Pyramids are spire-shaped formations that resemble a landscape straight out of a science fiction novel. They are created as the softer material around the pyramids is washed away by rain, leaving only the harder stone spires.Wikimedia Commons
Red Beach in China

Located in Panjin, this beach is covered with a type of seaweed called Suaeda salsa, which turns bright red in autumn. It's a vibrant and unusual sight, differing from the typical sandy beach, and also serves as a nature reserve for hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife.Image
Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia

The world’s largest salt flat, it was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It's covered by a few meters of salt crust, which is exceptionally flat. The flatness and the bright white of the salt make it a surreal landscape, and when covered with a thin layer of water, it becomes the largest natural mirror on Earth.Image

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Culture Explorer

Culture Explorer Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @CultureExploreX

Jun 26
"Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her."
- G. K. Chesterton

Here are 18 must-see landmarks to discover if you find yourself in this magnificent city this summer. 🧵 Colonna Palace, Rome Credit: Architecture and Tradition @archi_tradition
1. Colosseum (79-80 AD)

The Colosseum could hold up to 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles. Photo by @pioandreaperi
2. Vatican City (1929 as an independent state)

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, both in terms of area and population, and it is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Hall of Maps in the Vatican Museums Credit: Architectolder
Read 20 tweets
Jun 25
Throughout history, women have defied societal norms and left indelible marks on the world.

Here are twenty of the most renowned women from ancient times who challenged conventions, led empires, and reshaped the course of history. 🧵 Image
1. Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE) - The Last Pharaoh of Egypt

The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, which played a crucial role in the Roman political landscape.Cleopatra by John William Waterhouse (1888)
2. Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BCE): The Female Pharaoh

One of the most successful pharaohs of ancient Egypt, Hatshepsut expanded trade networks and commissioned numerous building projects, leaving a lasting legacy on Egyptian architecture and economy. Credit: 100tou.blogspot.com/2011/04/about-queen-hatshepsut-and-achievements.html
Read 21 tweets
Jun 24
“Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art.”
- Leonardo da Vinci

Here are 20 of the greatest and most beautiful sculptures ever crafted. Image
1. Pietà by Michelangelo (1498-1499)

A Renaissance sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus. Michelangelo carved his name across the sash of the Virgin Mary after overhearing someone attribute the work to another sculptor. Credit: By Stanislav Traykov - Edited version of (cloned object out of background) Image: Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned.jpg), CC BY 2.5 - Wikimedia
2. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (190 BC)

An ancient Greek statue of Nike, the goddess of victory. It was discovered in pieces and meticulously reassembled, with the head and arms still missing. Image
Read 22 tweets
Jun 23
In 1911, Italian film theoretician Ricciotto Canudo perhaps accurately defined cinema as "the seventh art."

We will explore 20 films that use their visual artistry to create scenes reminiscent of paintings, blending cinematic techniques with the beauty of fine art. 🧵 Image
1. “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (2003)

As a film about the creation of the eponymous painting by Johannes Vermeer, Peter Webber adopts a visual style that emulates Vermeer’s use of light and color, effectively bringing his paintings to life. Image
2. "Blade Runner 2049" (2017)

Cinematography by Roger Deakins, featuring highly stylized, painterly scenes. Image
Read 22 tweets
Jun 22
Orphaned at 11, Raphael created his first masterpiece at 21 and died at 37, producing around 184 artworks, leaving us to wonder what more he could have achieved.

Let us explore 20 of his masterpieces. 🧵 The Parnassus
1. The School of Athens (1511) - Depicts great philosophers and scientists. Image
2. The Sistine Madonna (1512) - Features the serene Madonna and cherubs. Image
Read 22 tweets
Jun 22
The Summer Solstice is here, kicking off beach season! 🌞

Imagine yourself on the 20 most stunning beaches in the world, each a slice of pure paradise. 🧵 Credit: Amazingly Beautiful | Nature & Travel Photography @amazinglybeaut on X
1. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Famous for its pure white silica sand and turquoise waters in the Whitsunday Islands. Credit: @CaptivatingVibe
2. Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

Renowned for its granite boulders, clear waters, and pink-hued sands on La Digue Island. Photo by Emmett Sparling
Read 21 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us!

:(