Amazing Stone Forest in Shilin Yi Autonomous County

The Stone Forest or Shilin is a Notable Set of Limestone Formations about 500 km² located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, near Shilin approximately 90 km (56 mi) from the provincial capital Kunming.

The Tall Rocks seem to arise from the ground in a manner somewhat Reminiscent of Stalagmites or with many looking like Petrified Trees, thereby creating the illusion of a Forest made of Stone. Since 2007, Two Parts of the Site, the Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village, have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the South China Karst. The site is classified as a AAAAA-Class Tourist Site.

Shilin National Scenic Area covers an area of 400 km² (150 sq mi) and is divided into 7 Scenic Areas as follows:

* Greater & Lesser Stone Forests - also known as the Lizijing Stone Forest 

* Naigu Stone Forest 

* Zhiyun Cave 

* Lake Chang (literally Long Lake)

* Lake Yue (literally Moon Lake)

* Dadieshui Waterfall 

* Qifeng Cave 

These formations, caused by the weathering of Limestone, are believed to be over 270 million years old and are A Tourist Attraction for both Overseas and Domestic Tourists, with Bus Tours bringing Tourists from Kunming. There are also A Number of Hotels in the Area.

The Stone Forest Area was a Shallow Sea some 270 million years ago. Extensive deposits of Sandstone Overlain by Limestone accumulated in this Basin during the Permian Period of Geologic Time. 

Uplift of this Region occurred subsequent to deposition. Later, exposure to Wind and Running Water shaped these Limestone Pillars. These formations extend as far as the eye can see, looking like A Vast Forest of Stone, hence the name "The Stone Forest". The Major and Minor Stone Forests are developed in the nearly pure Limestone of the Permian Makou Formation. 

The Naigu Stone Forest, 9 km northeast of the Major Stone Forest, is developed in dolomite and dolomitic Limestone of the Permian Qixia Formation. Both formations are of Lower Permian Age. 

They aggregate 505m in thickness and consist of Shallow Water (Platform) massive Limestone and dolomite, bio-clastic Limestone, calcarenite and calcilutite.

 The Maokou Formation at Stone Forest appears to have been heavily altered diagenetically and macroscopic fossil remains are seldom seen. 

Under the microscope, single whole or fractured fusulinid foraminifera are seen, commonly in biomicrite, biopelmicrite to biopelmicrosparite Limestones. At least one zone of chert nodules occurs in the Limestone, Unlike in the dolomitic Qixia Formation, dolomite in the Maokou Formation seldom ranges above 3%.

Bled Lake - On A Fairytale Winter Morning

 Bled is one of The Most Beautiful Places in Slovenia that draws about 1 Million Visits each year. Most choose to visit Bled in Spring or Summer but, The Most Beautiful Time to visit is in Winter, on a Clear Day After The Snow.

Church in the Ist Morning Sun

Church on the Island in Soft Purple and Pink Tones

Early Morning at Lake Bled

Winter Panorama at Lake Bled

Winter Perfection

Beautiful Reflection

Perfect Winter Scene at Lake Bled

Hectic Conditions with Strong Wind

Swan Taking a Look of What It was Doing

Photographers Taking Images of the Church

Berca Mud Volcanoes in Romania

 

Berca Mud Volcanoes in Romania are a Rare and Impressive Geological Phenomenon. 

Gases that come from a depth of 3000 meters and move to the Surface, pass through the Underground Layers of Clay and Water and carry to the Surface Salt Water 

and Mud that overflows from the mouths of Volcanoes. 

Natural Gas is Emerging as Bubbles giving the Impression of a Boiling Mud.

The Mud dries on the Surface creating a Stable Conical Structure that looks like a Real Volcano. 

Mud Volcanoes create a Strange Lunar Landscape due to the absence of Vegetation around the Cones. 

Vegetation is Rare because the Emerging Water is Salty and in such conditions only a few Plants can Survive. 

However these conditions are ideal for Some Rare Plant Species, 

such as Nitraria Schoberi and Obione Verrucifera.

10 Most Beautiful Mountains In The World

The landscapes that can be found in the various lengths and breadths of the Earth are unique. Mountains, seas, oceans, lakes, rivers, valleys, ravines, mountain ranges. Whatever one chooses, the only sure thing is that our planet has a special beauty in every part of it.

Wild Junket Magazine has compiled a list of the most beautiful mountains from Antarctica to Alaska.

1. Ama Dablam, Nepal - Himalayas

The Himalayas include some of the most impressive mountain peaks in the world, nine of which are on the list of the 10 highest. The Ama Dablam peak may not be on the list of the 100 highest mountains, but it stands out for its wild beauty. Most mountains gradually rise into the sky, but Ama Dablam stands out sharply and demands the attention of anyone there.

2. Kirkjufell, Iceland

Kirkjufell is a masterpiece all year round. When the weather is hot, everything turns green and the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls create a fairy-tale setting. When it is cold the mountain turns white from the snow and the waterfall freezes. It is one of the most photographed places in Iceland.

3. Cerro Torre, Argentina and Chile

A very steep mountain, plagued by strong storms. Cerro Torre rises in Patagonia on the border of Argentina and Chile. Writer and climber Jon Krakauer described his experience with this mountain in his book "Into Thin Air": "I climbed a scary and very high, vertical, granite rock, which was" hit "by strong winds. "It used to be believed that it was the most difficult mountain in the world."

4. Huayna Picchu, Peru

The Incas were well aware of what they were doing when choosing the location for their famous city of Machu Picchu. Surrounded by lush mountains, Machu Picchu is a jewel of humanity in the majesty of Nature. The most impressive mountain in the area is Huayna Picchu, which "overlooks" the ancient city. Adventurous visitors to the area can climb to the top and enjoy the view of the famous Inca city from ... higher up.

5. The Specter, Antarctica

Few people have the opportunity to see up close the 1,500-mile-long mountains that cross Antarctica. Perhaps the most impressive peak is Specter, the central peak of a series of peaks called Organ Pipe Peaks. "I could not believe that a group of mountain peaks would be so impressive and perfect," wrote geologist Edmund Stump, who has visited Antarctica 13 times in 40 years.

6. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Mauna Loa is not kidding. It is the largest volcano on Earth, and covers half of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the 10th highest volcano in the solar system.

7. Matterhorn, Switzerland

The Matterhorn peak is located in the Swiss Alps. "For three days I could not see anything and suddenly through the blue sky I saw the most beautiful mountain I had ever seen in my life," said Andrew Evans of National Geographic.

8. Denali, Alaska

Mount Denali is the highest peak in the United States and North America at 6,194 meters. The nearby mountains show little ... The wildlife of the area is unique and includes glaciers, tundra and forests, while 39 mammals live there as well as grizzly bears.

9. Alpamayo, Peru

This icy pyramid is located in the Cordillera Blanca Mountains of Peru. Due to its unique shape and location it is a popular destination for climbers.

10. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy

The stunning Dolomites (Dolomites Alps) in northeastern Italy include three massive rocks that protrude from the Earth's surface. They stand in a row like bowling alleys and are a favorite destination for climbers, cyclists and nature lovers.

 

Er Wong Dong Cave China - A Natural Wonder

A Huge Cave with its Own Weather System was discovered by Photographers and Speleologists in China talking about one of the wonders of nature .

Surprised, they began to observe the interior of the Cave in Chongqing Province, where dense clouds gave a romantic style to the atmosphere, although they made the work of speleologists difficult. Tropical vegetation on rocks, frogs and waterfalls with turquoise waters left explorers speechless.

The weather conditions inside the cave have nothing to do with the external environment where there is drought. The "Er Wang Dong" cave was an enigma for experts who use ropes to go down to the cave and admire its unknown world up close.

Manchester photographer and speleologist Robbie Shawn is one of 15 explorers who spent an entire month observing the weather system.

"All the main passages of the cave are deep, underground and have never seen the light of day. In some openings of the cave, we had the opportunity to swim in the turquoise waters that resemble a pool," he told the British newspaper "Telegraph".