These Natural Phenomena Are Like Glitch in the Matrix

Bright Side

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Transcript

00:00:00 In December 2014, an entire district in Budapest got covered with ice crystals.

00:00:06 The trees in the area couldn't handle the pressure from the ice and they started toppling

00:00:10 over.

00:00:11 It was a spooky occurrence called ice fog.

00:00:14 When it happens, the temperature drops significantly, freezing everything around, like Dementors

00:00:19 did in the Harry Potter movies.

00:00:22 All thanks to a temperature flip-flop.

00:00:25 It not only messes with what you can see, but also creates ghostly pillars and halos

00:00:30 that glow in the dark.

00:00:32 Ice fog is made up of tiny ice crystals.

00:00:35 When it's below 14 degrees Fahrenheit, water droplets in the air freeze and turn into ice

00:00:40 crystals.

00:00:41 Until then, they stay liquid unless they find something to freeze onto.

00:00:46 Ice fog usually forms in chilly parts of the world like the Arctic or Antarctic.

00:00:51 Budapest was a plot twist.

00:00:54 Hot moist gases from vehicles and planes can also create ice fog.

00:00:59 One plane takes off on a cold day and boom!

00:01:01 There's so much ice fog that the next plane can't see a thing.

00:01:05 That sometimes happens.

00:01:07 It's not the same as diamond dust which is when sparse ice crystals fall from a clear

00:01:12 sky.

00:01:13 It forms when the humidity is super high, nearly 100%, and the air temperature drops

00:01:18 way below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:01:22 This creates ice crystals in the air, and they end up settling on different surfaces.

00:01:26 Interestingly, early settlers thought these ice crystals could get into their lungs and

00:01:31 cause some trouble.

00:01:33 There are many other interesting ice formations, such as rabbit ice.

00:01:37 It occurs when the air is chilly but the ground is yet to embrace the frosty vibes.

00:01:42 The sap inside plant stems expands as it freezes, making the stems crack open.

00:01:48 Once it happens, liquid slips out, meets the frosty air, and turns into thin layers of

00:01:53 ice, creating beautiful petal or ribbon-like formations.

00:02:01 Earthquake lights are another weird and unique phenomenon.

00:02:04 When a powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake hit Mexico in 2017, images of strange green and

00:02:11 blue lights in the sky flooded social media.

00:02:14 These so-called Mexico earthquake lights added another layer of mystery.

00:02:20 Similar to ball lightning, earthquake lights are pretty rare.

00:02:23 Fascinating, but tough for scientists to figure out.

00:02:27 What makes it tricky is that the instances of luminosity around earthquakes don't all

00:02:32 look the same.

00:02:33 There are both theories and myths about this thing.

00:02:37 The lights can appear in many different shapes, forms, and colors.

00:02:41 Digging into history, researchers examined 65 accounts of these lights dating back to

00:02:46 1600 CE.

00:02:48 For instance, on November 12, 1988, people reported a bright purple-pink globe of light

00:02:54 along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, just 11 days before a powerful quake.

00:03:01 In Pisco, Peru, the lights took the form of bright flashes captured on security cameras

00:03:06 before an 8.0 magnitude earthquake in 2007.

00:03:11 And before a 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy, folks saw 4-inch flames of light flickering

00:03:17 above a stone street.

00:03:19 Yet, there are still debates about whether earthquake lights are real or not.

00:03:24 The U.S. Geological Survey is a bit cautious, not sure whether individual reports of unusual

00:03:30 lighting around the time and place of an earthquake truly represent earthquake lights.

00:03:38 In one study, scientists theorized that these lights were caused by electric charges activated

00:03:43 in specific types of rocks during seismic activity, like turning on a battery in Earth's

00:03:49 crust.

00:03:50 Some rocks, such as basalt and gabbro, have tiny crystal defects.

00:03:54 They might release electrical charges into the air.

00:03:58 Researchers estimated that the conditions needed for the creation of these lights existed

00:04:02 in less than 0.5% of earthquakes worldwide.

00:04:07 It could explain their rarity.

00:04:09 They also noted that the lights tend to show up more often before or during quakes than

00:04:15 afterward.

00:04:16 An earlier study suggested that tectonic stress could create a piezoelectric effect where

00:04:22 quartz-bearing rocks produce strong electric fields when compressed.

00:04:27 Yet, studying earthquake lights is tough because they're unpredictable and short-lived.

00:04:35 Time to talk about a sudden ring around the moon or sun.

00:04:39 You're walking with a friend and suddenly see this sun halo.

00:04:43 It's nature's warning.

00:04:45 A snow or rainstorm is coming.

00:04:48 These halos form when bazillions of tiny ice crystals and clouds refract sunlight.

00:04:54 Resist the temptation to stare at this wonder directly.

00:04:57 It can damage your eyes.

00:04:59 Grab sunglasses and then admire it for about 40 minutes.

00:05:04 Nature sends other early warnings too.

00:05:07 If the sea mysteriously recedes, showing coral and fish, a tsunami might be on the way.

00:05:13 Watch out for rip currents on the beach.

00:05:15 Sharks might be fleeing a storm if they come unusually close.

00:05:20 Feeling your hair stand on end and jewelry buzzing?

00:05:23 Lightning might strike nearby.

00:05:25 Seek shelter.

00:05:26 Avalanches, green storms, and lakes near volcanoes are all potential dangers.

00:05:32 Cross seas are extremely dangerous.

00:05:34 Cave exploration during a full moon might cost you your life.

00:05:38 If the ocean turns reddish-brown, avoid swimming.

00:05:41 There might be toxic algae in the water.

00:05:44 Animals sense disasters too.

00:05:46 If they act strangely, pay attention.

00:05:51 There's a fascinating blue glow around Matsu Islands on summer nights.

00:05:56 It's caused by tiny glowing creatures.

00:06:00 Tourists love watching this beautiful spectacle, but there's a downside.

00:06:04 It's toxic and getting bigger each year, as revealed by a study.

00:06:09 Despite its romantic appearance, this phenomenon is harmful.

00:06:13 A team of oceanographers used satellite data to track its growth over 19 years.

00:06:19 After analyzing almost a thousand satellite images, they concluded that it was expanding

00:06:24 into deeper waters.

00:06:26 Unfortunately, this expansion poses a threat to marine life.

00:06:30 The bloom of blue tears can poison fish and sea turtles and even affect human health.

00:06:37 While dinoflagellates themselves aren't toxic, their food, toxic algae, releases harmful

00:06:43 chemicals into the water.

00:06:44 This process depletes oxygen, endangering marine animals.

00:06:49 The main cause is unclear, but pollution from agriculture down the Yangtze River seems to

00:06:55 play a crucial role.

00:06:58 Agricultural runoff introduces nutrients that fuel the bloom.

00:07:02 During the construction of the Three Gorges Dam project, the bloom's size reduced when

00:07:06 the river's flow decreased.

00:07:09 After the dam was finished and the river started flowing strongly again, the bloom resumed

00:07:13 its growth.

00:07:14 The team predicts that blue tears will keep expanding, posing an ongoing threat to marine

00:07:19 life and creating more vividly glowing waters.

00:07:26 A katabatic wind or drainage wind happens when dense cold air descends from a higher

00:07:31 elevation down a slope due to gravity.

00:07:35 These winds can be powerful, sometimes reaching hurricane speeds, but rarely.

00:07:40 Unlike all downslope winds, katabatic winds like the bora in the Adriatic or Santa Ana

00:07:45 in California originate from cooling air on elevated surfaces like plateaus or mountains.

00:07:52 As the air descends, it warms up.

00:07:54 Its temperature depends on the source region.

00:07:57 In Antarctica, katabatic winds are crucial in shaping wind fields.

00:08:02 In regions such as Greenland and Antarctica, these winds can become extremely intense,

00:08:08 reaching hurricane force.

00:08:10 They contribute to unique phenomena, such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica,

00:08:15 and are associated with such dangers as willow walls in the Fugian Archipelago and Alaska.

00:08:24 St. Elmo's Fire is a natural phenomenon worth mentioning.

00:08:28 It happens during thunderstorms or volcanic eruptions when there's a strong electric

00:08:32 field around the area.

00:08:35 It creates a bluish or violet glow around such things as ship masts, airplane edges,

00:08:40 or sharp objects.

00:08:42 This glow is caused by ionized air molecules and is more noticeable in low-light conditions.

00:08:48 The glow is a form of plasma and it happens when the electric field around an object causes

00:08:52 the ionization of air molecules.

00:08:55 This can occur during thunderstorms because there are high voltage differences between

00:08:59 clouds and the ground.

00:09:01 Light points make it easier for St. Elmo's Fire to occur because the electric field is

00:09:06 more concentrated in those areas.

00:09:09 The colors you see, blue or violet, come from the fluorescence of nitrogen and oxygen in

00:09:14 Earth's atmosphere, similar to how neon lights work, but with different gases.

00:09:19 From ancient Greece to 15th century China, this phenomenon has been seen throughout history.

00:09:29 Moon-dirt is full of wondrous phenomena.

00:09:32 I mean, can you imagine going for a midnight swim and suddenly finding yourself surrounded

00:09:37 by a glowing blue haze?

00:09:39 As if there were huge pillars of light coming out of the seabed directly toward the surface.

00:09:44 This experience is rare, but it sure is magical.

00:09:48 This chemical reaction is known as bioluminescence, and it can happen in different situations.

00:09:53 One example is when tiny algae organisms migrate closer to the seashore.

00:09:58 When these algae are disturbed, they try to defend themselves by glowing, and it just

00:10:04 happens to create the most beautiful spectacle.

00:10:06 There's another place in the world where you can see a similar thing, but it's caused

00:10:10 by a different creature.

00:10:12 This place is in New Zealand.

00:10:14 Hidden deep within the country's caves live glowworms.

00:10:17 They're the larvae of medium-sized narrow beetles that happen to be luminescent.

00:10:23 If you're lucky enough to tour these caves, you'll feel like floating inside an underground

00:10:28 galaxy.

00:10:30 Recently a video of a super-rare phenomenon started circulating on the web.

00:10:35 Take a quick look at it and see if you can make out what it is.

00:10:38 Ok, it looks like a river, right?

00:10:40 But it doesn't look as if any water is flowing there.

00:10:44 When the Iraqis first saw this happening, they didn't know what it was, so they just

00:10:48 called it the Sand River.

00:10:50 It sure was a good guess, but a flowing river of sand would be something too out of this

00:10:55 world to be true.

00:10:56 It turns out that what these people saw was more or less an optical illusion.

00:11:01 It's not sand, but it's not exactly water either.

00:11:05 Here's what happened.

00:11:06 In arid environments, it's not so uncommon for hail to fall.

00:11:11 And in the case of Sand River, what we actually see is thousands and thousands of floating

00:11:16 hailstones.

00:11:17 Oh, and if you don't know what hail is, it's frozen rain that pours down in the

00:11:21 form of small pebbles of ice.

00:11:23 That would be something to see.

00:11:26 Say you're driving through the countryside and suddenly spot a mushroom-shaped cloud.

00:11:31 Or maybe it's a spaceship of another civilization.

00:11:34 You don't quite know what it is, but you do realize that it's huge.

00:11:38 Should you continue driving toward it, or should you turn around and drive in the other

00:11:43 direction?

00:11:44 Well, you should know that a cloud like this indicates a huge thunderstorm is happening

00:11:48 inside.

00:11:50 And not just a storm, but a mesocyclone.

00:11:53 A mesocyclone is a rotating updraft that can span several miles.

00:11:57 It's usually accompanied by torrential rains and strong winds.

00:12:00 So if I were you, I'd turn that car around and head in the opposite direction.

00:12:07 You know, Thor, I guess he might live inside this next natural phenomenon.

00:12:12 Sometimes when a volcano erupts, this process can be accompanied by huge thunderbolts.

00:12:18 Scientists often refer to it as volcanic lightning.

00:12:21 They're still debating why this thing occurs.

00:12:23 One of their guesses is that when a volcano erupts, it projects positively charged debris

00:12:28 into the atmosphere.

00:12:30 These charges then react with the already present negative charges, which can produce

00:12:34 a bolt of lightning.

00:12:35 Cool, huh?

00:12:37 The first time anyone witnessed something like this was during the eruption of Mount

00:12:40 Vesuvius in 79 CE.

00:12:42 Nah, it wasn't me.

00:12:45 But here I am wondering, were there or were there not any sightings of Thor?

00:12:50 Hey, sometimes when I work out too much, I get Thor.

00:12:55 Now all the way down in Senegal, Africa, we'll witness another unbelievable sight.

00:13:01 Some 18 miles north of Dakar, the country's capital, there is a unique lake.

00:13:06 Arriving there, you might imagine you're walking out of a spaceship and stepping on

00:13:09 an unknown planet.

00:13:11 After all, have you ever seen real-life pink water before?

00:13:16 Lake Retba, or Lac Rose as the locals call it, has become internationally famous for

00:13:21 being vivid pink.

00:13:23 And yes, you can swim there if you'd like to.

00:13:25 But you should know that the water there is extremely salty.

00:13:28 Lake Retba is known to be one of the world's saltiest lakes, with a saline level of over

00:13:33 40%.

00:13:34 And in case you're wondering why the water is pink, I assure you this has nothing to

00:13:39 do with otherworldly factors.

00:13:42 It's actually due to high levels of salt.

00:13:45 The algae, Dunaliella salina, is responsible for the pink hue.

00:13:49 These algae produce the red pigment that absorbs sunlight, giving the lake its striking pink

00:13:54 color.

00:13:55 But if you'd like to see the lake at its brightest, you should go there during the

00:13:59 dry season, between November and June.

00:14:02 During other months, rainwater dilutes the pigment, and the color of the lake becomes

00:14:06 less distinct.

00:14:08 Lake Retba has turned into a famous international attraction recently because who wouldn't

00:14:12 love a picture of them swimming in the pink water?

00:14:16 You might've heard of the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights.

00:14:21 This phenomenon has continued to mesmerize scientists and tourists alike ever since it

00:14:25 was witnessed for the first time.

00:14:27 Now to see it, you have to be pretty lucky.

00:14:29 You'll need to travel to the extreme north or south points of our planet.

00:14:34 And even then, you'll have to hunt this phenomenon down and hope the sky will put

00:14:38 on a show for you.

00:14:40 The Aurora Borealis is an extremely rare phenomenon, and although these greenish lights

00:14:45 look delicate, they're actually the fruit of a rather rough event.

00:14:49 This spectacular light show occurs when energized particles from the Sun slam into Earth's

00:14:54 upper atmosphere.

00:14:56 But it sure is a sight to behold, isn't it?

00:15:00 Can you imagine a hill that never stops burning?

00:15:03 Located in the Arctic region of Canada, the so-called "smoking hills" are an unmatched

00:15:08 sight on our planet.

00:15:10 And here, things get a little science-fiction-y, since some of the minerals found in these

00:15:14 hills have only been discovered outside Earth, on the surface of Mars.

00:15:20 The ground of the smoking hills has been releasing smoke for at least a couple hundred years,

00:15:25 non-stop.

00:15:26 Explorers thought the area was home to an active volcano, but that wasn't the case.

00:15:31 As science explains, the soil in the area is formed by sulfur and coal, and when these

00:15:37 elements get in contact with oxygen, they spontaneously ignite, releasing constant smoke.

00:15:43 I just want to warn you, don't get any touristy ideas.

00:15:46 The environment is extremely hostile to people, the smoke is toxic, and its temperatures are

00:15:51 dangerously high.

00:15:53 So let's move on before smoke gets in our eyes.

00:15:55 Hey, there's a song there!

00:15:59 Have you ever heard of something called a natural snowball?

00:16:02 This can be proof that nature is really perfect.

00:16:05 In 2016, the beaches of the Gulf of Abreu, a bay in the Arctic Ocean, filled up with

00:16:10 rows and rows of giant snowballs, think balls measuring up to 3 feet across.

00:16:16 This is a rare yet beautiful phenomenon that happens when smaller pieces of ice end up

00:16:21 getting rolled by strong winds and water.

00:16:23 The further they roll, the more ice they gather, and the more polished this ice becomes.

00:16:28 Such snowballs end up as giant, perfectly shaped spheres.

00:16:32 They look pretty amazing on their own, but hundreds of them together?

00:16:35 Wow, think of it, you could have a snowball fight between giants!

00:16:39 There are also some snowballs that turn into huge rolling donuts.

00:16:43 This shape occurs only in perfect temperature conditions, when the snow is both hard and

00:16:48 fluffy.

00:16:49 A snowball begins rolling down, gathering more and more snow until, suddenly, its middle

00:16:54 part collapses.

00:16:56 This way, the snowball acquires its donut shape.

00:16:59 Mmm, does it also taste as good as a donut?

00:17:01 No.

00:17:02 Now, let's say you go for a hike, but instead of blue skies, you see a huge cloud of fog.

00:17:10 This may ruin your photo ops, but there's one thing you can hope for.

00:17:14 Foggy days are perfect for a phenomenon known as the fog bow.

00:17:18 Its other name is the white rainbow.

00:17:21 It occurs because of the tiny size of water droplets that form the fog.

00:17:25 They're even smaller than 2 thousandths of an inch.

00:17:28 You know, teeny tiny.

00:17:29 So instead of a multicolored rainbow, you get a transparent one with red outer edges

00:17:34 and a bluish inner border.

00:17:37 Cool.

00:17:38 Floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, yikes!

00:17:43 All these natural disasters can get extremely dangerous, but we're kinda familiar with

00:17:48 them.

00:17:49 But how about a natural disaster that has never happened before, but could occur any

00:17:54 moment now?

00:17:57 It might be a super-eruption.

00:17:59 That's what happens when a super-volcano erupts.

00:18:02 You might know that Yellowstone Park is located on top of a super-volcano.

00:18:07 The last massive eruption there happened about 664,000 years ago, and the one before that

00:18:14 approximately 1.3 million years ago.

00:18:17 If we do the math, we'll understand that the next eruption might be due any time soon.

00:18:22 There's no strong evidence that the super-volcano is waking up or preparing for an eruption,

00:18:28 but what would it be like if it did happen?

00:18:32 Months before the eruption, small-scale earthquakes would become more frequent and more powerful

00:18:37 in the area.

00:18:38 Not long before the eruption, the growing pressure would push up the ground over the

00:18:43 volcano, creating a dome.

00:18:45 Narrow cracks would open along the edges of this dome.

00:18:49 The magma would then start rising toward the surface.

00:18:52 And then the eruption would kick off.

00:18:55 A massive column of lava and ash would shoot up into the air to a height of over 16 miles.

00:19:01 The volcano would keep pumping ash for days on end.

00:19:05 The air in that area would heat up to 570 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:19:09 For all living creatures, ash fallout would be one of the most dangerous consequences

00:19:14 of the eruption.

00:19:16 Buildings and trees would start collapsing under the weight of this dense substance.

00:19:20 It would only take a couple of days for a 10-foot layer of ash to cover the territory

00:19:25 of about 50 miles around the center of the eruption.

00:19:29 After the ash got into the stratosphere, the temperatures all over the world would start

00:19:33 to drop.

00:19:35 The eruption would also be rich in sulfur, and this element is an effective sunblocker.

00:19:40 That's why it would soon get so cold that there would be no summer in the whole world

00:19:45 for the next several years.

00:19:47 The monsoon seasons would change.

00:19:49 It would be hard for animals to find food and clean water.

00:19:54 Well now, how about a gamma-ray burst?

00:19:56 You don't stumble across this kind of radiation in your everyday life.

00:20:01 A gamma-ray burst occurs when two neutron stars collide.

00:20:05 The collapse of a massive star can produce it too.

00:20:09 Gamma-rays could present a serious danger to Earth.

00:20:12 If a gamma-ray burst happened close to our home planet, it could rip our ozone layer

00:20:17 away.

00:20:18 After that, we would be left unprotected from the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

00:20:23 Plus, gamma-rays could also produce ground ozone.

00:20:26 This kind of ozone could seep into the ocean since it's water-soluble, and that would

00:20:31 lead to a mass extinction of marine life.

00:20:35 Plants wouldn't survive this disaster either.

00:20:38 Now come to think of it, giant sinkholes could swallow entire communities.

00:20:44 One of such sinkholes opened up in the city of New York.

00:20:47 It pulled a parked van into the Earth.

00:20:50 That happened in the summer of 2022.

00:20:52 And it wasn't the only sinkhole to appear in that area.

00:20:56 Local inhabitants reported about 4,000 sinkholes all over the city.

00:21:01 This kind of problem is also very common in Florida, and it's much more serious than

00:21:05 it may sound.

00:21:07 Sinkholes open all of a sudden, pulling down everything and everyone that happens to be

00:21:12 nearby.

00:21:14 Sinkholes appear all over the world, which makes them a global problem.

00:21:17 They're totally unpredictable and form without warning.

00:21:21 Luckily, experts know what causes them.

00:21:24 In some areas, there are vast areas of groundwater.

00:21:28 But during droughts, this water dries up.

00:21:31 This creates large empty caverns.

00:21:34 And after heavy rains, the surface over such a cavern can collapse, creating a sinkhole

00:21:39 within minutes.

00:21:42 Now what if we came across a wandering black hole?

00:21:46 You might know that a black hole is a region in space where gravity is so powerful that

00:21:52 not even light can escape its clutches.

00:21:54 Luckily, the nearest one to us is 1,500 light-years away.

00:21:59 Nothing to worry about, right?

00:22:02 Until you find out about wandering black holes.

00:22:05 Now things get definitely way creepier.

00:22:08 If such a black hole entered the Solar System, Earth would be doomed.

00:22:13 We wouldn't stand a chance against this space monster.

00:22:16 In 2012, 13 wandering black holes were spotted not so far away from our planet.

00:22:22 But worry not, "not far away" in space terms means around 1 billion light-years away.

00:22:29 So we've got some time left.

00:22:30 Plus, the possibility of such a disaster is very, very low.

00:22:37 Another natural disaster we haven't experienced yet is a mega-flood.

00:22:41 It's never happened before, but the changes in climate do make for a risky potential.

00:22:47 It could start, let's say, in California.

00:22:50 This state experienced some really bad flooding in the past.

00:22:53 One of such floods stretched up to 60 miles across and 300 miles long.

00:22:59 If a similar disaster happened these days, it would cause $1 trillion worth of damage.

00:23:05 It would also uproot millions of people.

00:23:09 Now let's talk about a hypercane.

00:23:12 Judging from the name, this natural disaster might get extreme.

00:23:16 A hypercane is a theoretical hurricane of unsurpassed power.

00:23:21 It would occur if the ocean became overheated as a result of climate change, or because

00:23:27 of a massive volcanic eruption.

00:23:29 In any case, these conditions could create a hurricane that would stretch way beyond

00:23:34 the lower stratosphere.

00:23:36 And as you may guess, regular hurricanes don't do that.

00:23:40 The hypercane's speed would reach 500 miles per hour.

00:23:44 The pressure inside would be low enough not to let the hypercane to wear out as quickly

00:23:49 as other hurricanes.

00:23:50 The hypercane could last for weeks on end.

00:23:53 But the worst thing?

00:23:55 It could damage or even destroy part of Earth's ozone layer, and the hole could be the size

00:24:00 of the entire North American continent.

00:24:04 Now this disaster did happen before.

00:24:07 About 66 million years ago, I bet you know what I'm hinting at.

00:24:12 Yep, that very meteor that supposedly wiped out dinosaurs off the face of the Earth.

00:24:18 This 7-mile-wide space visitor was traveling at 67,000 miles per hour.

00:24:24 As a result of the collision, 75% of all life on the planet disappeared, and winter reigned

00:24:31 on Earth for 18 months.

00:24:33 Wanna know a secret?

00:24:35 Meteors strike Earth all the time.

00:24:37 Even more of them barely miss our planet.

00:24:40 But it's also very hard to predict meteor strikes.

00:24:44 Scientists miss a lot of them until they just nearly miss us.

00:24:47 That's why experts are working on an early warning system that could prevent disasters.

00:24:53 It could make meteor impacts less catastrophic or at least allow people time to evacuate.

00:25:00 It could also be our very own Sun that would be responsible for another natural disaster.

00:25:06 I'm talking about a massive solar flare.

00:25:10 On the scale of damage to society, few catastrophes can compare to this event.

00:25:15 It wouldn't destroy buildings like a tsunami or an earthquake.

00:25:19 Neither would it end lives in the same way a supervolcano or meteor would.

00:25:24 But it would cripple our entire way of life by destroying the whole electronic infrastructure

00:25:29 of Earth.

00:25:30 The cost of this disaster would reach trillions of dollars.

00:25:34 It'd cause other infrastructures to fail.

00:25:37 Communication, medicine, transportation, banking systems… those would tumble like dominoes.

00:25:44 And it would be incredibly hard to recover them.

00:25:47 Earth would be left without electricity for years.

00:25:50 There would be no electric light, no computers, no phones.

00:25:54 Water supply systems would be out of order.

00:25:57 There would be no food in supermarkets.

00:25:59 There would be no electricity, and people wouldn't be able to reboot the already broken

00:26:04 power grids.

00:26:06 In 1859, people all over the world woke up in the middle of the night.

00:26:11 It was as light as during the day.

00:26:14 The skies were illuminated with auroras – red, green, purple.

00:26:18 They appeared even in the regions where no one had seen them before, like the Bahamas,

00:26:23 Jamaica, or Hawaii.

00:26:25 Telegraphs got electrically charged, even though they were disconnected.

00:26:30 In many areas, fires started.

00:26:33 That was when technology barely existed.

00:26:36 But imagine the avalanche of problems a solar flare could cause today.

00:26:42 You're dozing off in your window seat on a plane.

00:26:48 It's getting dark since it's almost 11 pm.

00:26:51 Suddenly, something wakes you up.

00:26:53 You glance out of the window and see a really strange phenomenon – something that creeps

00:26:58 you out.

00:27:00 There are bright red huge flashes illuminating the sky at a distance.

00:27:04 They resemble some nightmarish jellyfish.

00:27:07 Those are sprites, also called red sprites due to their color.

00:27:11 They're also known as cloud-to-space lightning.

00:27:16 These varied visual shapes flickering in the night sky are large-scale electric discharges,

00:27:21 which is a clever word for a lightning strike.

00:27:23 They occur high above thunderstorm clouds at altitudes of 30 to 56 miles.

00:27:28 That's why you can see them so well from your plane window.

00:27:32 The coolest thing about sprites is that they're positively charged lightning.

00:27:36 This is a very rare type that makes up a mere 5% of all lightning strikes.

00:27:42 People first spotted this phenomenon in 1886, and it was first photographed in 1989.

00:27:49 In 2018, the legendary Niagara Falls located at the border between New York State and Ontario,

00:27:55 Canada, managed to surprise everyone.

00:27:58 Tourists who came to admire the roaring waters found the falls frozen.

00:28:03 Well the waterfalls weren't frozen per se.

00:28:06 This is impossible for a mass of flowing water that huge, but microscopic water droplets

00:28:11 as well as the mist formed a crust of ice over the rushing water.

00:28:16 It created an illusion that Niagara Falls was frozen all over.

00:28:20 In reality, the water kept flowing beneath the ice.

00:28:24 Imagine ponds filled with ice-cold water and covered with ice.

00:28:29 Easy, huh?

00:28:30 And now picture dozens of alligator snouts that are poking out of the ponds, still and

00:28:35 frozen in ice.

00:28:37 That's what you'd seen if you had visited the swamps of North Carolina at the beginning

00:28:41 of 2018.

00:28:43 Despite this terrifying picture, the animals were very much alive.

00:28:47 That was a very special crocodile way to survive abnormally cold weather.

00:28:52 Since their nostrils were above water, the animals could breathe.

00:28:55 Meanwhile, their bodies were in a hibernation-like state.

00:28:59 It allowed the animals to conserve energy and stay warm.

00:29:04 In the winter of 2018, the inhabitants of the Sahara Desert, one of the driest and hottest

00:29:09 places on the planet, woke up to discover a thick layer of snow covering the sand.

00:29:15 In some places, its depth reached a staggering 15 inches.

00:29:19 Meteorologists had an explanation for this exciting phenomenon.

00:29:23 They said that cold pools of air combined with the precipitation of the most recent

00:29:27 storm resulted in snowfall instead of rain.

00:29:31 It happened in June 2009.

00:29:34 People in some areas in Japan left their homes after a heavy downpour only to find fish,

00:29:39 frogs, and tadpoles everywhere.

00:29:42 Fields, roads, lawns, and house roofs were littered with these creatures.

00:29:48 One man even found 13 carp on and around his truck.

00:29:52 No one knows for sure where this bizarre rain came from, but the most popular theory is

00:29:56 that a powerful water spout picked up the animals.

00:30:01 Then it carried them through the upper atmosphere and dropped them on the unsuspecting people

00:30:05 below.

00:30:07 In Australia, it sometimes rains spiders.

00:30:10 That's because these creatures can balloon.

00:30:13 It's a highly unusual way of traveling.

00:30:16 A spider climbs to the very top of a tall tree or shrub, and then it spins several strands

00:30:22 of silk which then help the spider to be carried away by the wind.

00:30:26 It's not easy to spot ballooning spiders, but sometimes when the weather is especially

00:30:31 damp and unpleasant, mass ballooning occurs.

00:30:36 Dozens of spiders set off on a journey to find another place with better conditions.

00:30:40 It may look as if it's snowing outside, but no, those are spiders drifting down to

00:30:45 the ground.

00:30:48 The world's longest lightning storms happen in Venezuela and can last for 9 hours per

00:30:53 day.

00:30:54 The heart of the storm is over Lake Maracaibo, and the clouds tower way higher than your

00:30:59 regular thunderstorm clouds.

00:31:01 This natural phenomenon, also known as Catatumbo lightning, occurs during 140 to 160 nights

00:31:08 a year and can produce up to 28 lightning strikes per minute.

00:31:13 You've probably heard how they say that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place.

00:31:17 Well, Catatumbo lightning seems not to know about this rule.

00:31:22 At least, it doesn't prevent storm clouds from gathering in the very same place year

00:31:26 after year.

00:31:29 Volcanic tornadoes are possibly one of the most terrifying natural phenomenon.

00:31:33 When a volcano erupts, it spews red-hot rock and ash high into the atmosphere, and solid

00:31:39 lava pieces and hot gases travel down the volcano's slope.

00:31:44 When this flow is moving down, some of the trapped gases begin to rise and spin at the

00:31:49 same time.

00:31:51 They get squeezed by the surrounding air which makes them spin faster and faster.

00:31:56 That's how a volcanic tornado gets born.

00:31:59 Luckily, this phenomenon has a very short lifespan.

00:32:05 Even though the island of Newfoundland in Canada can't be called the warmest place on

00:32:08 Earth, it's still not that cold.

00:32:11 But imagine having to shovel snow in front of your house just several days before your

00:32:15 summer vacation.

00:32:17 Well, that's exactly what happened on the island in June 2018.

00:32:21 A cold storm that came from the coast of Newfoundland covered several regions of the islands with

00:32:26 a two-inch layer of snow.

00:32:28 On top of that, the temperature broke all the records as well.

00:32:32 During a Newfoundland summer, it's about 66 degrees on average, and 90 degrees on a very

00:32:37 hot day.

00:32:38 But that infamous June impressed people with only 37 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning.

00:32:47 Morning glory clouds are extremely rare.

00:32:50 They look like massive tubes stretching across the sky.

00:32:53 They can snake for more than 600 miles, sitting relatively low.

00:32:58 Most researchers agree that these clouds appear when an updraft squeezes through the cloud.

00:33:04 This creates the signature rolling appearance.

00:33:07 The cool air at the back of the cloud makes it sink downward.

00:33:11 The best but not the only place to see the morning glory is Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria.

00:33:18 If you decide to travel there to see these clouds, choose a period from late September

00:33:22 to early November.

00:33:26 On March 19, 2018, the inhabitants of Alabama saw huge chunks of ice falling from the sky.

00:33:33 It was the infamous hailstorm of Alabama which caused millions of dollars worth of damage.

00:33:38 After the hailstorm, the place looked ruined.

00:33:42 Broken shop windows, smashed car windshields, broken billboards, and holes in the roofs.

00:33:48 But what made researchers really excited was a hailstone found near the town of Cullman,

00:33:53 Alabama.

00:33:54 This softball-sized monster was more than 5 inches across, setting a new state record.

00:34:01 In 2012, the sky over Dorset, England turned first ominously dark, then yellow.

00:34:08 After that, blue gelatinous balls started to fall to the ground.

00:34:12 A local man was walking to his garage when he spotted something unusually bright among

00:34:16 whitish hailstones.

00:34:18 When researchers examined this jelly rain, they found out that the balls were made of

00:34:22 the substance used in diapers or potting soil.

00:34:26 It's used to absorb liquid.

00:34:28 It's still unclear whether the balls fell from the sky or maybe the melting ice made

00:34:32 a few already existing crystals expand in the blink of an eye.

00:34:37 In March 2018, people in northern Nevada could see the rarest and most bizarre cloud ever,

00:34:44 a horseshoe cloud.

00:34:46 It sure looks bizarre and kinda scary, but meteorologists know that this interestingly

00:34:51 shaped vortex happens when a flat cloud travels over a column of warm, rising air.

00:34:58 This air creates the shape and adds some spin to the cloud's movements.

00:35:02 Such clouds are very fleeting and usually last for only several minutes.

00:35:07 Cylindrical snow donuts occur when a wind gust decides to play snowballs.

00:35:12 It starts to roll some snow across a snowy area.

00:35:16 If it was a real snowball, it would eventually become too heavy for the wind to move.

00:35:21 But the center of a snow donut is hollowed out.

00:35:25 This happens because its inner layer is too thin and gets blown away when the donut is

00:35:30 formed.

00:35:31 This makes it lighter than a regular snowball, that's why it also rolls further.

00:35:35 Unfortunately, you can't just go and find snow donuts.

00:35:39 They're rare because they appear in very precise conditions.

00:35:44 Hey, ever heard of a fire rainbow?

00:35:48 Yeah, me neither.

00:35:49 How about a circumhorizontal arc?

00:35:52 Didn't think so, but just so you know, they're one and the same thing.

00:35:57 At first glance, it looks like a painting, or like a rainbow-colored splash in the sky.

00:36:02 Despite the name, they have nothing in common with either fire or rain.

00:36:07 This phenomenon happens on rare occasions when the sun shines through a particular type

00:36:12 of ice cloud formation.

00:36:14 The rainbow halos are just as unique.

00:36:17 Again, a specific type of ice crystals and clouds needs to be present for the surface

00:36:22 of the Earth to bend light from the sun into a perfect ring.

00:36:26 The same thing can happen with moonlight.

00:36:29 The only difference will be that moon halos are usually white, and sun halos can be rainbow-colored.

00:36:36 When visiting regions with high altitudes, you may be one of the lucky people to stumble

00:36:41 upon penitentes.

00:36:43 They're basically naturally formed ice spikes.

00:36:45 For them to be formed, they need a really cold and elevated environment where the air

00:36:50 is dry.

00:36:51 The sunlight turns ice directly into vapor, rather than melting it into water.

00:36:56 And that's why these blades of snow and ice start to pop up on the surface of the

00:37:00 Earth.

00:37:01 As cute as they may be, they can end up as tall as 15 feet!

00:37:07 What happens when small, individual droplets of lava meet the wind?

00:37:11 Pele's hair, basically.

00:37:14 Let me explain.

00:37:15 The word "pele" comes from an ancient Hawaiian symbol for volcanoes.

00:37:19 Whenever the wind picks up little drops of lava, it stretches them into hair-like strands,

00:37:25 similar to the process of glass wire creation.

00:37:28 These delicate strands can stretch as far as 6 feet!

00:37:33 On rare occasions, it can rain without any clouds.

00:37:37 But does it really?

00:37:38 Let's look at the science behind this rare phenomenon.

00:37:41 It's sometimes called a "sun shower" just because it looks like the rain is falling

00:37:46 straight from the sun.

00:37:47 Let's be clear, though.

00:37:49 There is no way rain can ever come down directly from a star.

00:37:54 Rain clouds are at a bit of a distance from that specific location.

00:37:58 With sun rays being angled, the clouds become out of sight.

00:38:02 Add a little wind to blow the rain in your direction, and ta-da!

00:38:06 You get sun showers!

00:38:09 Located in Bolivia is a place called Salar de Uyuni.

00:38:12 It's the largest salt flat in the world.

00:38:15 It's also the home of half of the world's lithium, which is a crucial component for

00:38:19 making batteries.

00:38:21 What else is so special about this place?

00:38:24 Whenever the rain season comes, it turns this piece of flat land into a perfectly reflective

00:38:30 mirror lake.

00:38:32 What comes to your mind when you hear about the "Blood Falls"?

00:38:35 A horror movie?

00:38:36 Mwah!

00:38:37 Well, they are merely a series of waterfalls located in one of the driest regions of Antarctica.

00:38:43 They emerge from an underground lake filled with a special kind of bacteria.

00:38:48 These little organisms use sulfates as fuel instead of sugars, which makes them very intriguing

00:38:53 for scientists.

00:38:54 The water contained in this lake is so full of iron that it basically just rusts when

00:38:59 it meets the air.

00:39:00 Hence, the reddish color of the waterfall, which also gives it its trademark name.

00:39:06 Okay, we all know the song, but it's not really made up.

00:39:10 There is actually such a thing called a desert rose.

00:39:13 It's not a plant, though, but a unique form of the mineral gypsum.

00:39:18 It develops in dry sandy places that can occasionally flood.

00:39:22 This constant switching between a wet and dry environment lets the gypsum crystals emerge

00:39:27 between grains of sand, trapping them and forming a rose-like shape.

00:39:32 Ever heard of the Eye of Sahara?

00:39:35 Scientists are still trying to figure out how it was formed.

00:39:39 You can only see it if you fly above it, but it's basically a naturally formed dome that

00:39:43 dates back to approximately 100 million years ago.

00:39:47 And no, I wasn't around then.

00:39:50 It has a rough diameter of 25 miles and consists of a bunch of concentric rings.

00:39:55 The biggest one, or the central area, measures about 19 miles in diameter.

00:40:01 Astronauts were some of the first people to notice it, and it's been studied ever since.

00:40:06 In fact, even to this day, when landing in Florida, they know they're almost home when

00:40:11 they see the Eye of Sahara.

00:40:14 One of the most beautifully colored trees in the world is located in the Philippines

00:40:18 and Indonesia.

00:40:19 It's called the Rainbow Eucalyptus.

00:40:23 It got its name because of its bark that switches colors and peels away as the tree ages.

00:40:29 The bright green bark is the youngest, as it contains a substance called chlorophyll,

00:40:33 usually found in leaves.

00:40:35 It then switches to purple and then to the color red.

00:40:39 And finally, it turns brown as it grows and loses the chlorophyll.

00:40:43 Now, don't be tricked into thinking that's a whole forest.

00:40:47 It's one single tree.

00:40:49 And no, it's not some sort of optical illusion either.

00:40:53 Let me explain.

00:40:54 Underneath that soil, there is a complex network of roots that connects around 47,000 tree-like

00:41:00 shapes you see above the ground.

00:41:03 It's called the quaking aspen.

00:41:06 Some of these trees are among the oldest and largest organisms in the world.

00:41:10 Now, here's a good destination for all travelers.

00:41:14 Or maybe not so good, after all.

00:41:16 The most lightning-stricken area in the world, according to recent data released by NASA,

00:41:21 is Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.

00:41:24 Out of all the days in a year, 300 of them feature thunderstorms in this location.

00:41:30 What makes this area so unique, though, that storms happen so often?

00:41:34 Well, it's because where cool mountain air meets the warm moist breeze and generates

00:41:39 electricity over the lake.

00:41:42 The Eternal Flame Falls are located in upstate New York, near the Canadian border.

00:41:48 In this region, there is a tiny waterfall with a big secret – a spark about 8 inches

00:41:54 tall.

00:41:55 Turns out there's a natural gas seep that provides fuel to the flame behind the waterfall.

00:42:00 The waterfall provides enough coverage so that it stays lit pretty much every time.

00:42:05 Hikers do enjoy to relight it if they see that it's been blown out.

00:42:10 This phenomenon is actually quite common, but this one gained more popularity because

00:42:14 it is younger than most.

00:42:16 And it looks very good in pictures, let's be honest!

00:42:20 I've heard of yellow sand, white sand, and even black sand here and there.

00:42:25 But I've never heard of green beaches until now.

00:42:28 Papakolea, also known as Green Sand Beach, is located in Hawaii and is one of the few

00:42:34 beaches in the world that features green sand.

00:42:37 The unique coloring comes from olivine rock that was formed when a nearby volcano erupted.

00:42:43 Actually in Hawaii, all the volcanoes are nearby.

00:42:47 Move over, green sands, because some of the other beaches around the world can even glow

00:42:52 at night, and it's completely natural.

00:42:55 The culprit?

00:42:56 A little thing called photoplankton, or microalgae as they're sometimes called.

00:43:01 They're basically little plants that contain chlorophyll and need sunlight in order to

00:43:06 live and grow.

00:43:08 Most photoplankton kinds are able to float in the upper part of the ocean, where the

00:43:12 sunlight can still reach them beneath the water.

00:43:15 When the photoplankton gets agitated by the movement of waves and currents, they emit

00:43:20 light, which looks like some glow during the night.

00:43:23 These special microorganisms are found on beaches in a lot of places around the world,

00:43:29 such as the Maldives, Puerto Rico, and the Everglades.

00:43:33 At the base of a mountain located just outside of Afton, Wyoming, is a little river called

00:43:39 the Intermittent Spring.

00:43:41 There are only 3 of this kind in the whole world, but what makes this little string of

00:43:45 water so mysterious?

00:43:47 Well, the fact that it starts and stops every few minutes.

00:43:51 Scientists have yet to pinpoint precisely why this happens.

00:43:54 They speculate that it's basically just a siphon effect that happens deep within the

00:43:59 ground that causes the river to just start and stop so often.

00:44:03 Should you ever be interested in checking it out, be sure to do so in the late summer,

00:44:08 as that's when the intermittent spring is most active.

00:44:12 Do you see the irony here?

00:44:14 You can only see the spring in the summer?

00:44:16 Okay, I'm done.

00:44:19 You're hiking in the wilderness, looking for a safe spot to set up camp.

00:44:23 All you can hear are leaves and branches crackling under your footsteps.

00:44:27 Some squirrels are running up a tree over there.

00:44:30 But suddenly, something unexpected happens.

00:44:33 You notice something weird in the distance in between the trees.

00:44:36 It kinda looks like a concrete structure of some kind.

00:44:40 Weird.

00:44:41 At this point, you're at least 20 miles deep into the woods, and there are no nearby towns

00:44:46 or villages, as far as you know.

00:44:49 So you decide to go off the trail with your friends to get a closer look.

00:44:53 But as you get nearer, you realize that it's leading to… nowhere.

00:44:57 Hmm, what's it doing here, in the middle of literally nowhere?

00:45:02 And it doesn't even lead to anything!

00:45:05 You put on your Sherlock Holmes cap and investigate.

00:45:08 So, maybe there used to be an old house or mansion here that collapsed over the years,

00:45:14 and the only thing left is a staircase?

00:45:17 But weirdly enough, after circling the bizarre structure, you realize there's no trace

00:45:23 of any ruins or even foundations.

00:45:25 It's like someone just sliced a staircase off their house, cake-style, and plopped it

00:45:31 here for no reason!

00:45:33 Okay?

00:45:34 You and your friends aren't really into getting a whole lot closer.

00:45:38 Something feels wrong.

00:45:40 The longer you look at this weird structure, the more you feel a super creepy presence.

00:45:46 Something tells you you should probably leave the area as fast as possible.

00:45:51 As weird as this sounds, discoveries of random staircases, illogically found in the woods,

00:45:56 are surprisingly common.

00:45:59 Some are made of wood, others of brick or stone.

00:46:02 Some look ancient, while others look like they were finished yesterday.

00:46:06 The one thing they all have in common – they all lead to absolutely nowhere, and they're

00:46:11 all found in super mysterious locations.

00:46:15 One of the most famous ones is in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.

00:46:18 A long medieval-looking staircase, made of stones with Roman arches in the middle of

00:46:23 the woods.

00:46:24 It's believed to have been part of Madame Antoinette Chéry's castle.

00:46:29 She was a big singer back in Paris.

00:46:31 The castle dates back about 100 years, and it was later discovered again in 1962.

00:46:37 This time, there was nothing but a staircase.

00:46:41 Another mysterious ancient staircase dates back to 9,000 years ago.

00:46:45 It's in a forest in Italy.

00:46:48 It looks like a series of stairs that lead to a tiny platform at the top.

00:46:53 Now why go through all the trouble of building the thing if it leads to… nowhere?

00:46:57 Well, some scientists think it could've been some sort of ritual tower, but your guess

00:47:03 is as good as theirs.

00:47:05 There's an anomaly in the Indian Ocean, known as the Indian Ocean Geoid Low, or IOGL.

00:47:13 It produces the largest distorting natural gravitational force in the world.

00:47:18 Heavy mineral deposits, many deep-sea trenches, and magma reservoirs disturb the magnetic

00:47:23 field in this area.

00:47:25 This gravity changes in different places around the planet.

00:47:29 It allows researchers to look for patterns and figure out what's happening beneath

00:47:33 the surface.

00:47:35 Higher gravity fields usually mean denser materials below, and vice versa.

00:47:40 Some scientists believe that the anomaly might be a dent in the planet's mantle that is

00:47:45 working its way up to the crust.

00:47:48 The Niihau Island actually rejects the fruits of today's advancements.

00:47:53 There are no cars in sight since the locals get around on foot or by bicycles.

00:47:59 No wonder their legs have great definition.

00:48:02 They thrive without running water, internet, or shops.

00:48:06 The only school on the entire island is powered by solar energy with a backup generator.

00:48:11 And what's awesome is that it's the only school in the state that's powered by the

00:48:16 sun.

00:48:17 Being a resident of the island, the local explains some ground rules the permanent residents

00:48:22 must abide by.

00:48:23 If they do break these rules, they can be evicted.

00:48:28 Not far from Bangkok, in northeastern Thailand, there's a 75-million-year-old rock formation.

00:48:35 These rocks look like three whales swimming together.

00:48:38 The beautiful design created by nature became known as "Three Whales Rock."

00:48:44 Millions of years ago, this area was just a desert, but the land was changing.

00:48:49 Gradually, sandstone got pulled apart by the movements of tectonic plates and erosion.

00:48:54 That's how these spectacular formations were created.

00:48:58 If you decide to explore this system of trails around Three Whales Rock, you'll find waterfalls

00:49:04 and an abundance of fauna and flora there.

00:49:08 Located on Gamal and Gaiden peninsulas, these expansive pit holes were discovered in 2014.

00:49:14 They seem to be still changing and evolving.

00:49:17 The pits grow wider, and people find them more often.

00:49:20 Of course, there's no shortage of theories about how they appeared.

00:49:25 Suggestions range from meteorite impacts to the activity of other civilizations.

00:49:30 But the most common explanation is that methane gas reacted to water molecules after the planet's

00:49:36 permafrost started to melt.

00:49:38 This resulted in bubbles of methane bursting through the ice.

00:49:42 The craters could be thousands of years old, but nobody knows for sure.

00:49:47 You're driving to the state of New Mexico, to the small town of Taos.

00:49:52 Two percent of the locals hear a strange buzzing in the air every day.

00:49:57 Some residents believe the sound is somehow connected with technologies used by guests

00:50:02 from other galaxies.

00:50:04 Also, there is a theory that something sinister lives in the town.

00:50:09 They say Taos is cursed.

00:50:11 An evil spirit or a phantom punishes people for something their ancestors did in the past.

00:50:18 Scientists still can't explain the nature of this sound.

00:50:21 Another theory says it's caused by unusual acoustics of the location, while others think

00:50:26 the buzzing is a hallucination.

00:50:29 Some can hear it because everybody talks about something, and our minds create an illusion

00:50:33 of the sound that doesn't really exist.

00:50:36 The sound isn't the same for everyone, either.

00:50:39 For some, it's a low hum.

00:50:41 For others, it's more of a buzzing sound.

00:50:44 But this is not the only place where you can hear the strange noises.

00:50:48 It's called the hum, and people worldwide claim to have heard it.

00:50:52 Some dwellers of a small village in Scotland describe it as a low, thick hum.

00:50:58 Well, some residents of Florida heard a similar sound too.

00:51:02 It's not exactly known where this phenomenon appeared, but the first time the media started

00:51:07 talking about it was in the 1970s in England.

00:51:10 Also, there are written records of a mysterious buzzing dating back almost 200 years.

00:51:17 According to some estimates, only about 2% of people on the planet can hear the hum.

00:51:22 Perhaps their ears pick up some low frequency waves, or the reason is something else entirely.

00:51:28 Maybe, just maybe, they hear humming because the person doing it doesn't know the words

00:51:34 to the song.

00:51:35 Yeah, that joke is also 200 years old.

00:51:39 A volcano in Indonesia spews bright blue lava and produces electric blue and purple flames.

00:51:47 This phenomenon occurs because the volcano has some of the highest levels of sulfur in

00:51:52 the world.

00:51:53 You can also know you're near it by its foul stench.

00:51:56 But I digress.

00:51:59 And when sulfuric gases interact with scorching hot air and get lit by the molten lava, they

00:52:04 turn blue.

00:52:06 You can also find the world's largest acid lake inside this crater.

00:52:10 Yep, it's a real stinker.

00:52:14 Underwater rivers and lakes are called brine pools for a reason.

00:52:18 High salinity makes the water in them denser than the seawater around.

00:52:22 That's why it sinks to the bottom, forming rivers and lakes.

00:52:26 Those have waves of their own, and these waves can sometimes lap up against the shorelines.

00:52:32 If you went down there in a submarine, it would easily float on the surface of a brine

00:52:36 pool.

00:52:37 But without a submarine, swimming in such a lake would be too risky.

00:52:41 They contain too much toxic methane and hydrogen sulfide.

00:52:44 Yeah, I'd pass on that too.

00:52:47 But hey, be my guest!

00:52:49 Cave of Crystals in Mexico is home to the world's most unique crystal formations.

00:52:55 Thanks to super-rare conditions in the cave, crystals there grow to unbelievable sizes.

00:53:00 The air inside is incredibly humid.

00:53:03 The water contains tons of minerals that boost the growth of the Milky Way giants.

00:53:08 Some of them are longer than telephone poles.

00:53:12 Cylindrical snow donuts occur when a wind gust starts to roll some snow across a snowy

00:53:17 area – as if making a snowball.

00:53:20 If it was a real thing, it would eventually become too heavy for the wind to move.

00:53:25 But a snow donut's center is hollowed out.

00:53:28 This happens because its inner layer is too thin and is blown away when the donut is formed.

00:53:34 This makes the thing lighter than a snowball.

00:53:36 That's also why it rolls further.

00:53:39 Unfortunately, snow donuts are rare because they need very precise conditions to appear.

00:53:45 The Danikil Depression in Ethiopia is probably one of the most bizarre-looking places you'll

00:53:51 ever see.

00:53:52 It's dotted with neon-colored hot springs, lava pools, and vast salt flats.

00:53:57 You've gotta be especially careful there.

00:54:00 Toxic gases are swirling over hydrothermal fields, and many pools are super acidic.

00:54:06 So don't go swimming.

00:54:08 Until at least 30 minutes after lunch.

00:54:10 Just kidding.

00:54:12 And finally, there's nothing mysterious about 28,000 rubber ducks found in the sea in 1992.

00:54:19 That's when a ship transporting bath toys got lost in the ocean while traveling from

00:54:24 Hong Kong to the US.

00:54:26 Some of these ducks are still floating in the ocean several decades later.

00:54:30 They've been spotted in South America, Alaska, Hawaii, and even Australia.

00:54:36 And they make bath time lots of fun.

00:54:39 Ooh, rubber ducky!

00:54:47 You feel some rumbling from below.

00:54:49 No, it's not your tummy.

00:54:51 It's low and ominous.

00:54:53 You look up and see strange lights hanging above the ground.

00:54:56 They look like shimmering balls of light hovering high up in the sky.

00:55:01 Your throat goes dry, and you gulp.

00:55:03 That's what they call the earthquake lights.

00:55:06 This phenomenon is poorly understood, but witnesses say they've seen it in different

00:55:11 shapes and sizes.

00:55:12 It could be in the form of light balls, sheet lightning, streamers, and a steady glow in

00:55:17 the sky.

00:55:18 Soon after, a strong earthquake follows.

00:55:22 Scientists can't explain why those lights appear, and they don't always do either.

00:55:26 Some believe that's a reaction of underground gases released into the atmosphere.

00:55:32 Sure enough, an earthquake begins.

00:55:34 But lucky you, it's not as strong as you expected.

00:55:38 The ground is shaking, but you even manage to keep your balance.

00:55:42 It stops as abruptly as it began, and you walk home.

00:55:46 On the way home, you see a flash and hear a whip crack.

00:55:50 Lightning has struck a lone tree near where you just stood.

00:55:53 It's caught on fire, and there's a column of flames rising to the sky.

00:55:58 Still no rain, and the pillar becomes taller and taller.

00:56:02 Have you heard of such a thing as a fire tornado?

00:56:05 These phenomena occur when the wind is caught in a circle close to the ground because of

00:56:10 the difference in air pressure.

00:56:12 Such mini-tornadoes are usually easy to notice.

00:56:15 Small rubble, dust, sand, and leaves rise into the air and start flying in rapid circles.

00:56:22 But then, if there's a source of fire nearby, the funnel can catch it and blow it stronger,

00:56:27 like bellows.

00:56:28 The flames go round and round, reaching ever higher and eventually creating a swirling,

00:56:34 blazing tower.

00:56:35 Luckily, fire tornadoes are short-lived and don't normally cause much damage.

00:56:41 But don't try to hide from the storm under that tree.

00:56:44 You can find this unusual plant in Florida and in some parts of the Caribbean coast.

00:56:49 Externally, it doesn't look special at all.

00:56:51 A gray trunk, green leaves, and fruit similar to small apples.

00:56:56 What you must remember is never to pluck these apples and never stand next to the tree, especially

00:57:02 if it's raining.

00:57:03 This is the Manchineel tree, which is considered the most dangerous in the world.

00:57:08 Its trunk, bark, branches, and fruit contain poisonous juice.

00:57:13 One drop of this corrosive acidic liquid can harm your skin…a lot.

00:57:18 The tree can secrete this juice, and if you accidentally touch it, you risk burning your

00:57:23 hand.

00:57:25 When it rains, water droplets fall on the tree and mix with the poison.

00:57:29 Water can also bounce off the bark and get on your skin.

00:57:33 That's why you shouldn't stand nearby either.

00:57:36 There are almost no other shrubs or mushrooms growing around.

00:57:39 Animals avoid these trees, and people don't chop them and don't pluck the fruit.

00:57:44 You can't make a bonfire from their branches.

00:57:47 Burning wood emits poisonous smoke that can damage your eyes.

00:57:52 Locals know this tree well, but tourists and travelers might accidentally get harmed.

00:57:56 That's why most Manchineel trees are marked with paint or have a warning sign.

00:58:03 In western Venezuela, locals living close to the Catatumbo River aren't afraid of

00:58:07 lightning because they see it almost every single night.

00:58:11 It starts at around 7 o'clock and doesn't stop until dawn.

00:58:16 The everlasting Catatumbo lightning did once stop for a few months, from January to March

00:58:21 2010.

00:58:22 It was probably due to drought, or maybe the charge ran out.

00:58:27 In 1991, a scientist suggested that the phenomenon happens because of cold and warm air currents

00:58:33 meeting in the area.

00:58:34 Another theory is that the lightning could be due to the presence of uranium in the bedrock.

00:58:40 Not all lightning happens inside clouds.

00:58:43 There's a rare phenomenon called a dirty thunderstorm.

00:58:46 The lightning happens above a volcano.

00:58:49 The most famous is in Japan.

00:58:51 It erupts almost every day and spits black clouds high into the air.

00:58:56 So it's super scary volcano clouds plus lightning!

00:59:01 Regular lightning happens during a storm when ice crystals bump into each other.

00:59:06 In a dirty thunderstorm, bits of volcanic ash collide, create friction, and spark up

00:59:11 the sky.

00:59:13 In the hottest and one of the driest places on Earth, Africa's Doniquil Desert, temperatures

00:59:18 often rise above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:59:22 The out-of-this-world landscape has many active volcanoes and geysers that spit out toxic

00:59:27 gases like chlorine and sulfur.

00:59:30 The vibrantly green, electric blue, and yellow waters are all rain and seawater warmed up

00:59:35 by magma.

00:59:37 One wrong step here and you'd be gone for good.

00:59:41 This happened in June 2009.

00:59:44 People in certain areas in Japan left their homes after a heavy downpour, only to find

00:59:49 fish, frogs, and tadpoles everywhere.

00:59:52 Fields, roads, lawns, and rooftops were littered with these aquatic creatures.

00:59:58 One man was shocked to see 13 carp on and around his truck.

01:00:02 Apparently he stopped to count them.

01:00:04 No one knows for sure where the bizarre rain came from, but the most popular theory claims

01:00:09 that a powerful water spout picked up all these creatures.

01:00:13 Then it carried them through the upper atmosphere and dropped the animals on the unsuspecting

01:00:17 people below.

01:00:19 And now, welcome to Abraham Lake in Canada.

01:00:23 It's completely frozen.

01:00:24 You step onto the transparent ice and look down at what lies beneath.

01:00:28 No fish, just some mysterious frozen bubbles.

01:00:32 They look like small clouds frozen in ice, or jellyfish who forgot to pack a winter jacket.

01:00:38 There are thousands of these little bubbles made up of methane.

01:00:41 But don't try to dig a hole in the ice to touch it.

01:00:45 Methane is highly flammable.

01:00:46 It's created by methane-producing bacteria that eats leaves, grass, insects, or any other

01:00:52 organic stuff that gets into the lake.

01:00:54 When the methane touches the frozen water, it turns into tens of thousands of frozen

01:00:59 little balls.

01:01:00 When the ice melts, they burst open and sizzle.

01:01:04 Similar lakes can be found near some shores of the Arctic Ocean.

01:01:07 There, the size of the bubbles can reach several times the size of hot air balloons.

01:01:12 Beautiful for sure, but not exactly safe.

01:01:16 The next shocking lake is in Indonesia, the island of Java.

01:01:21 You come to a majestic volcano, overgrown with grass and trees.

01:01:26 The volcano seems to be asleep, but smoke is pouring out of it.

01:01:30 You climb to the summit.

01:01:32 Exhausted, tired, sweaty, you're ready to cool off.

01:01:36 Nice work, you made it to the top.

01:01:38 You look into the mouth of the volcano.

01:01:41 No boiling lava, just a beautiful, bright, turquoise lake down there.

01:01:45 It looks like an oasis.

01:01:47 Perfect time for a refreshing dip.

01:01:49 You run down and get ready to jump in.

01:01:51 But that's not water, that's acid!

01:01:54 Sulfurous gases get into the lake from under the volcano.

01:01:58 The lake itself is full of metals.

01:02:00 When the gases touch them, they form that beautiful turquoise water.

01:02:04 I mean, acid.

01:02:06 Better head back to the nearest village, rest, and come back at night when it's cooler.

01:02:11 In the dark, the lake seems to glow.

01:02:14 Right above it, you see light-filled, exploding little clouds.

01:02:18 The sulfurous gases rise out of the lake, combine with the air, and flash bright blue.

01:02:23 Still, don't get too close.

01:02:26 The sea turns sinister red, and no living being can survive in it.

01:02:31 Must be some dark magic.

01:02:33 In fact, it's tiny algae that spread uncontrollably, giving the water this specific tint called

01:02:39 the red tide.

01:02:41 They have toxins that destroy sea mammals, birds, and turtles, as well as creatures that

01:02:46 feed on them.

01:02:47 For humans, contact with it ends in breathing problems or seafood poisoning.

01:02:53 Sometimes even huge ships sink in the open seas for no visible reason.

01:02:58 That reason is often the pockets of bubbles that underwater volcanoes produce even while

01:03:03 they're sleeping.

01:03:04 Those productive magma factories are hidden under 8,500 feet of water.

01:03:09 When they wake up, they act just like land volcanoes, and they can cause destructive

01:03:14 tsunamis.

01:03:16 This tree looks like a bottle.

01:03:17 No wonder it's called the bottle tree.

01:03:20 It grows in Namibia and attracts many tourists.

01:03:23 But don't get too close to the tree because it's one of the most dangerous on Earth.

01:03:28 Milky juice flows inside the trunk.

01:03:31 It's highly toxic to the human body.

01:03:33 On the bright side, though, the trees have beautiful pink-white leaves with a red core.

01:03:38 There's a tree growing in Western Australia that was once used as a prison.

01:03:43 A cell for criminals existed inside the Boab Prison Tree for a long time.

01:03:48 People were usually kept there temporarily just for one night.

01:03:51 After that, they were taken to their final destination.

01:03:55 The "prison" was built more than 1,500 years ago and has been perfectly preserved

01:04:00 to this day.

01:04:01 Tourists visiting this place can sneak a peek inside.

01:04:06 In Russia, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, there's an enigmatic national park.

01:04:12 The Dancing Forest is a place that no scientist has managed to explain so far.

01:04:17 The pine trees of the forest are all crooked and twisted into loops and spirals.

01:04:22 The forest didn't appear until the early 60s when the pines were planted in order to

01:04:26 make the sand dune in that area more stable.

01:04:29 One theory is that it's the unstable sand that made the trees twist in such a way.

01:04:34 Other theories for the crooked trees are strong winds or even supernatural powers.

01:04:40 Some people say the forest is a place where positive and negative energies meet, twisting

01:04:44 the trees.

01:04:45 Local legend says that if a person climbs through one of the rings of a tree, it'll

01:04:50 add an extra year to this person's life or they'll be granted a wish.

01:04:54 I like that one.

01:04:56 Speaking of bizarre trees (and I was), one grows in the region of Piedmont, Italy.

01:05:01 There, a cherry tree grows on the top of a mulberry tree.

01:05:06 The strange thing is that both trees are perfectly healthy.

01:05:11 A continuous storm at Saturn's North Pole has an odd shape – a hexagon.

01:05:17 This is probably because of the gradient of the winds.

01:05:20 The total length of this cloud pattern is 9,000 miles, which is about 1,200 miles longer

01:05:26 than the Earth's diameter.

01:05:28 The hexagon has been observed for many years, but it gets even more mysterious because it

01:05:33 changes color too.

01:05:35 It used to be turquoise, but it has recently shifted to a golden color.

01:05:39 The reason for the color change is that the pole gets exposed to sunlight as the seasons

01:05:45 change.

01:05:47 Rain isn't unusual for Oakville, Washington.

01:05:50 However, this one still doesn't have any solid scientific explanation.

01:05:55 Instead of common raindrops, people watch translucent jelly-like blobs fall from the

01:06:00 skies.

01:06:01 These blobs covered about 20 square miles.

01:06:04 Those who got really close to the rain experienced flu-like symptoms.

01:06:09 What were the blobs?

01:06:11 Researchers claim that the blobs contain human white blood cells.

01:06:15 Later tests showed no presence of nuclei.

01:06:18 Some people claim the blobs might've been evaporated jellyfish resulting in rain.

01:06:23 Or maybe even waste from a commercial plane.

01:06:27 Walking rocks, also known as sailing rocks, move across the Death Valley National Park

01:06:32 in California without any external intervention, leaving long trails in the dirt and sand along

01:06:39 their way.

01:06:40 Various time-lapse footages of the moving rocks have been taken.

01:06:44 Scientists even installed GPS navigators on some of the rocks, and it showed that the

01:06:49 rocks move at a considerable speed.

01:06:52 Some researchers believe that the movement is due to thin sheets of ice that form overnight

01:06:57 at freezing temperatures in the valley, letting the rocks move until it melts during the day.

01:07:02 Or there was a Rolling Stones concert.

01:07:06 Nah.

01:07:08 The Batageka Crater in Siberia looks like a doorway to the underworld.

01:07:13 It's about a half-mile long and over 280 feet deep, but it never stops growing.

01:07:19 As it gets deeper, it exposes more underground layers.

01:07:22 The layers show what our planet looked like thousands of years ago, as the slumps reveal

01:07:27 the used-to-be climates.

01:07:29 The crater appeared back in the 60s, and it all started with rapid deforestation.

01:07:34 Trees no longer cast shade on the ground, and it got hotter.

01:07:38 The permafrost melted, resulting in the crater formation.

01:07:43 The throbbing hum in Taos, New Mexico, has driven locals wild since the 1990s.

01:07:55 The low-frequency hum deprives people of sleep and depletes their energy.

01:08:00 Even though scientists have tried to find the source of the hum, they still haven't

01:08:03 pinpointed its origin.

01:08:06 Different variations of the hum have also been heard in the UK, Australia, Canada, and

01:08:10 other areas of the US.

01:08:12 Luckily, only about 2% of the world's population can hear it.

01:08:17 The hums have been blamed on mechanical devices, multiple disturbances of auditory systems,

01:08:22 and even animals.

01:08:23 The West Seattle hum, for example, was blamed on toadfish.

01:08:29 Fairy rings, also known as elf rings or pixie rings, are mysterious rings of mushrooms that

01:08:35 appear in grasslands and forested areas.

01:08:38 There's a lot of debate about why these fungi form a nearly perfect circle.

01:08:43 Some superstitions claim that fairy dances would burn the ground, causing mushrooms to

01:08:48 rapidly grow.

01:08:51 In Costa Rica, there's an assortment of about 300 spherical stone balls.

01:08:56 Locals call them "las bolas", which is simply "the balls" in English.

01:09:01 These stones have an almost perfect round shape.

01:09:04 Some of them are huge, weighing up to 16 tons each.

01:09:07 They're also made of different materials – gabbro, limestone, and sandstone.

01:09:12 They're considered to have been put in straight lines in front of the chief's houses, but

01:09:16 there's no precise information of their origin.

01:09:19 Some myths claim that these stones originated in Atlantis.

01:09:26 If you ever travel to the Mekong River in late October, you have a chance of seeing

01:09:30 glowing balls rising from the water and beelining up into the air.

01:09:36 Locals call these glowing balls the "Naga Fireballs".

01:09:39 The size of the lights vary.

01:09:41 The reddish balls can be as tiny as a spark and as large as a basketball.

01:09:46 There can be dozens to thousands of balls a night.

01:09:49 Just don't have any solid explanation for why it happens, but it could be due to flammable

01:09:54 gases released by the marshy environment.

01:09:57 Some superstitious locals are sure it's all because of a giant serpent living in the

01:10:02 Mekong.

01:10:03 Great balls of fire!

01:10:07 In Minnesota, on the north shore of Lake Superior, there's a park known for the Devil's Kettle.

01:10:13 This is a waterfall that splits in two.

01:10:16 One part of the river continues, while the other part disappears into a hole in the ground.

01:10:21 Whatever object you throw into the Devil's Kettle won't reappear.

01:10:25 Scientists still haven't fully explained where the water that drops into the hole goes.

01:10:29 Devil's Kettle is considered to be unsafe for people because it's nearly impossible

01:10:34 to trace the flow.

01:10:36 Yeah, not a place to go tubing.

01:10:40 Grunions are fish known for their bizarre mating ritual.

01:10:43 The females climb out of the water and onto the shore.

01:10:46 They dig their tails into the sand in order to lay eggs.

01:10:50 The legs stay hidden in the sand, waiting.

01:10:53 Ten days later, the high tide comes, washing the newly hatched young to the sea.

01:10:58 Scientists still can't give any solid explanation for this way of breeding.

01:11:04 People who live in rural central Norway, over the Hestalen Valley, can often witness floating

01:11:10 lights of white, yellow, and red cross the sky.

01:11:14 The lights appear both at day and night, and once back in the 80s, they were spotted 15-20

01:11:20 times in a single week.

01:11:21 The Hestalen lights can last just a few seconds, but sometimes they can last more than an hour.

01:11:27 The lights move, seeming to float or even sway around.

01:11:31 Some scientists believe that the reason for these lights is due to ionized iron dust.

01:11:37 Others say it's combustion that includes sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen.

01:11:41 Many people claim they're just misidentified aircrafts.

01:11:46 Yellowstone Park has a famous boiling lake, but it's not the world's only place of boiling

01:11:52 water.

01:11:53 Deep in the Amazon, there's the 4-mile Chania-Timpishka River that's always hot.

01:11:59 The name means "boiled by the sun."

01:12:01 Well, it's not exactly boiling, but it can reach 196°F – enough to cook pasta!

01:12:08 Ooh, let's try that!

01:12:10 The lowest temperature in these waters is about 113°F.

01:12:14 This river still can't be scientifically explained because it would require close proximity

01:12:19 to a volcano for the water to reach such temperatures.

01:12:22 However, the closest volcano is 400 miles away.

01:12:26 But there could be a fault between the Earth that could explain this phenomenon.

01:12:33 In western Venezuela, locals living close to the Catatumbo River aren't afraid of

01:12:37 lightning because they see it almost every single night.

01:12:41 It starts at around 7 o'clock and doesn't stop until dawn.

01:12:45 The everlasting Catatumbo lightning did once stop for a few months, from January to March

01:12:51 2010.

01:12:52 It was probably due to drought.

01:12:54 Or maybe the charge ran out.

01:12:56 In 1991, a scientist suggested that the phenomenon happens because of cold and warm air currents

01:13:02 meeting in the area.

01:13:04 Another theory is that the lightning could be due to the presence of uranium in the bedrock.

01:13:09 Speaking of lightning, I gotta bolt!

01:13:12 Bye!

01:13:13 Rekhat's structure is a giant formation in the Sahara that looks exactly like a giant

01:13:18 bullseye.

01:13:19 It's so wide that you can see it from space.

01:13:22 Even the CIA got interested in it.

01:13:24 In 1965, they planned a flyover looking for geomagnetic anomalies.

01:13:29 The findings are still classified.

01:13:31 Perhaps the theories are true, and this place is truly the lost city of Atlantis.

01:13:36 Now Atlantis supposedly sank beneath the waves.

01:13:39 But recent discoveries are pointing us in a different direction.

01:13:43 This is an ancient story that goes far back in time, and Plato was the first to mention

01:13:47 it.

01:13:48 The place had loads of greenery and a curious structure.

01:13:51 Three concentric circles of land surrounding two circles of water.

01:13:56 Two key quotes from Plato's writing suggest that Atlantis might not have been a typical

01:14:00 island in the middle of the ocean.

01:14:02 Plus, Atlantis had a major influence from Africa and Europe, challenging the idea of

01:14:08 it being in the Atlantic.

01:14:10 It turns out that the Eye of the Sahara and Atlantis look alike.

01:14:14 When astronauts saw the Eye of Sahara from above, they initially suspected a meteorite

01:14:19 impact crater.

01:14:20 But the rings of the structure matched the layout described of Atlantis.

01:14:24 More importantly, the Sahara wasn't always a desert.

01:14:28 It turned from a tropical region into a desert around 11,000 years ago.

01:14:33 Researchers found evidence of a massive river called the Tamarasset that could've sustained

01:14:37 a community.

01:14:38 This river flowed toward the Rickhats structure, aligning with Plato's description.

01:14:45 The Trans-Saharan Seaway ran through the Sahara 50 to 100 million years ago.

01:14:50 The sea allegedly destroyed Atlantis around 11,500 years ago, likely due to a rapid rise

01:14:56 in sea level caused by the end of the Ice Age.

01:15:00 NASA's world view imagery shows patterns consistent with this theory.

01:15:04 Those concentric rings might be a key to unlocking the secrets of our planet's evolution over

01:15:09 millions of years.

01:15:11 They're shaped by erosion on resilient rock layers, creating a spooky pattern of ridges

01:15:16 and troughs.

01:15:17 The central peak stands proud at 1,300 feet.

01:15:21 The central part has undergone a significant erosion makeover, revealing a circular structure

01:15:26 with a raised peak.

01:15:28 Unlike impact craters, the Eye of the Sahara flaunts a striking balance and symmetry.

01:15:34 Some say it results from rock uplift, sculpted by wind and water.

01:15:38 Others think it's an ancient anticline, eroded to reveal its concentric glory.

01:15:43 Then there's the salt diapyr theory, suggesting that salt's buoyancy sculpted this beauty.

01:15:48 Dating techniques have proved that it formed 541 to 252 million years ago.

01:15:54 Give or take a million or two.

01:15:57 Ancient tools are scattered around the outer rings of the structure near riverbeds.

01:16:01 Some older stone tools have also been spotted in the same areas.

01:16:05 And still, even though some spear points from the Neolithic period have been found, there

01:16:09 aren't many signs that people were living there back then.

01:16:13 The area seems to have been used for short-term activities like hunting and making tools.

01:16:20 There are other unearthly mysteries that haunt our world.

01:16:23 One such enigma is in Norway.

01:16:26 The ominous Hessdalen Light Phenomenon, also known as the Valley of Lights, leaves scientists

01:16:31 confused.

01:16:33 This valley is 10 miles wide.

01:16:34 It's quite isolated, but a peculiar blue box sits high on the hillside, equipped with

01:16:40 cameras scanning the valley.

01:16:42 The unsettling saga began in the 1980s, when the night sky over Hessdalen erupted with

01:16:48 burning fireballs, a recurring spectacle that sent shivers down the spines of those who

01:16:52 witnessed it.

01:16:54 This wasn't a fleeting occurrence.

01:16:55 Rather, it became a regular thing.

01:16:58 Terrified locals reported encounters with these unexplained luminous phenomena, some

01:17:03 of which happened near their homes.

01:17:05 Unease spread like wildfire.

01:17:07 At its peak, there were about 20 sightings every week.

01:17:11 The phenomenon made its way into newspapers, magazines, and media worldwide.

01:17:15 Soon, people flocked to the valley, hoping to see the lights themselves.

01:17:20 In 1984, experts joined the fray, armed with sophisticated instruments like magnetometers,

01:17:26 radiometers, and other-ometers.

01:17:28 What they encountered was mind-bending.

01:17:31 Lights that defied explanation.

01:17:33 Some moved at a leisurely pace, while others raced through the sky at an astonishing 19,000

01:17:39 miles per hour.

01:17:40 People tried to explain these lights – airplanes, distant reflections, ball lightning, satellites,

01:17:46 planets, meteors.

01:17:47 But the speed and how these lights danced ruled out all those theories.

01:17:52 We're slowly approaching another mysterious place.

01:17:57 This is the greatest subglacial lake among Antarctica's 675 known lakes.

01:18:03 It can easily hide unknown lifeforms.

01:18:06 This lake is beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

01:18:09 Dive about 2.5 miles under the ice, and there you'll see Lake Bajdak, located at 1,600

01:18:16 feet below sea level.

01:18:18 This lake is 155 miles long and 31 miles wide at its broadest point.

01:18:24 With an average depth of 1,400 feet, it's also the world's 6th largest by volume.

01:18:29 It's like an underwater city with lofty pillars and deep bases.

01:18:34 The secret lake was discovered in 1993.

01:18:37 Yet it had been waiting to be found down there for over 2,000 years, collecting ancient secrets.

01:18:43 In 2012, scientists drilled through the ice, creating the longest ice core ever.

01:18:48 They pierced the ice all the way to the lake's surface.

01:18:51 The year 2013 brought an unexpected twist when the tranquil waters erupted during the

01:18:57 extraction of an ice core, mixing with drilling fluids.

01:19:01 Then they got a pristine water sample in 2015.

01:19:04 Some believe there might be previously unknown lifeforms down there, since it's a fossil

01:19:09 water reserve that's been untouched for millions of years.

01:19:13 It could be a lot like those speculated ice-covered oceans on moons like Europa and Enceladus.

01:19:19 It all started with a theory in the 19th century, suggesting fresh water lurking under Antarctic

01:19:24 ice sheets.

01:19:25 Then, in 1955, seismic soundings hinted at a subglacial lake.

01:19:31 And by the 90s, satellite data confirmed Lake Bajdak's existence.

01:19:35 Lake Bajdak isn't alone.

01:19:37 In 2005, they found an island in the middle of the lake.

01:19:41 Then two smaller lakes joined the party.

01:19:43 They suspect that a secret network of subglacial rivers might link these lakes.

01:19:49 Now, very far away from Antarctica, in Venezuela, Catatumbo lightning presents a sinister light

01:19:57 show at the junction of the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo.

01:20:01 This unsettling lightning phenomenon happens at about 140 to 160 nights a year, going on

01:20:08 for 10 hours a day, and can flash up to 280 times in a single hour.

01:20:13 The frequency of this "lightning show" changes with the seasons and from year to

01:20:18 year.

01:20:19 There was a break between January to March in 2010, causing a bit of worry that it might

01:20:24 vanish forever.

01:20:25 As the sun sets, winds from the east start picking up speed.

01:20:29 This strong wind is called a nocturnal low-level jet, like what you see in the Great Plains

01:20:34 of North America.

01:20:35 These winds bring moisture, mostly from the Caribbean and the lake itself.

01:20:40 This humid air hits high mountain ridges, causing thunderstorms to form over the mountains.

01:20:45 Thanks to the ongoing wind situation, more thunderstorms appear as the night goes on.

01:20:50 This pattern repeats itself, and is why this area has the highest annual lightning rate

01:20:55 globally.

01:20:59 The next place scientists cannot explain is in China, that is, the Longyou Caves.

01:21:04 They have lofty slanted roofs and sturdy pillars.

01:21:08 The spot remained hidden for centuries.

01:21:10 These human-made caverns, built around 2,000 years ago, decided to reveal themselves only

01:21:16 in the 90s.

01:21:17 Local farmers drained some ponds and unveiled five massive caverns.

01:21:22 Further digging exposed an additional 19 smaller caves.

01:21:25 They ranged from 60 to 110 feet in width and 26 to 50 feet in height.

01:21:32 Scientists found historical relics from the reign of Emperor Zhuan of Han, dating back

01:21:37 to over 2,000 years ago.

01:21:39 Now how did these caves survive for more than two millennia without falling apart?

01:21:44 No ancient records explain the way they were crafted either.

01:21:47 The walls show chisel marks, hinting at some layer-by-layer chiseling action, but the exact

01:21:53 construction process is still a head-scratcher.

01:21:58 Are you a pro swimmer?

01:22:00 Brave enough to take a dip in any ocean or sea?

01:22:03 Bad news.

01:22:04 There are some places you should avoid no matter how well you swim or dive.

01:22:08 Some of these places have dangerous underwater rocks, strong currents and tides.

01:22:13 Others are famous for legends about monsters and mysterious creatures.

01:22:17 So let's dive into this aquatic horror show.

01:22:20 Have you ever heard the word "The Strid"?

01:22:23 It's a variation of the word "The Stride" that is used in Yorkshire, and it refers to

01:22:28 a narrow section of the River Wharf that's so small you could jump over it.

01:22:33 But don't be fooled by its size, it's one of the most dangerous spots around.

01:22:37 Even taking a step into the water can have dire consequences.

01:22:40 The River Wharf has a forceful current, and since the strid is so narrow, it's even stronger

01:22:45 in that area.

01:22:47 The intense water flow has eroded the limestone around the strid, which created hollow spaces

01:22:52 much deeper than the rest of the riverbed.

01:22:57 Here's the secret, the current has also weakened the banks of the strid from below.

01:23:02 So the ground you're standing on, admiring the rapid flow, is probably just a fragile

01:23:06 ledge hanging over treacherous waters.

01:23:10 There's no record of anyone who found themselves in the water of the strid and found their

01:23:14 way out of it.

01:23:15 And the worst part?

01:23:17 You wouldn't even guess that this innocent looking stream could be such a danger.

01:23:21 So my advice to you, my friend, is to stick to a safer body of water for your aquatic

01:23:26 adventures.

01:23:29 If you're looking for a weekend getaway in California, Horseshoe Lake is the spot for

01:23:33 you.

01:23:34 It's got everything, sandy beaches, hiking trails, and picnic areas, but wait, there's

01:23:39 more to it than meets the eye.

01:23:41 This lake has a dark side, namely around 100 acres of dead trees that surround it.

01:23:46 And it's not just the trees that have been claimed by this lake.

01:23:49 The earthquakes that hit in 1989 and 1990 unleashed carbon dioxide from under the hot

01:23:54 magma.

01:23:55 The gas seeped out into the air, damaging all the life around the lake.

01:24:01 Even now, Horseshoe Lake is just as dangerous as it was 30 years ago.

01:24:06 What makes it so scary is that the levels of this toxic gas change randomly.

01:24:12 Warning signs that are posted everywhere certainly could give a horror film touch to a fun hike

01:24:17 in the woods.

01:24:20 In Kauai, Hawaii, there's a group of stunning waterfalls that used to be a popular destination

01:24:25 for tourists.

01:24:26 Kipu Falls, as they're called, were once the go-to spot for swimming and diving.

01:24:32 To get to them, you had to take a long walk along a dirt path until you finally arrived

01:24:37 at a breathtaking view of a 20-foot waterfall pouring into a crystal clear pool below.

01:24:43 But since 2011, this area has been off-limits to the public.

01:24:47 "Why?" you ask?

01:24:49 Well, there have been a lot of accidents at Kipu Falls.

01:24:53 Obviously, jumping off the top of the waterfall would be an obvious reason for that, but in

01:24:58 addition there were much more mysterious cases.

01:25:02 Witnesses tell tales of swimmers peacefully enjoying the pool at the bottom of the falls,

01:25:07 only to be suddenly dragged under the surface.

01:25:10 No definite explanation was found to these accidents.

01:25:15 The locals believe that the water spirit Mo'o is to blame because it doesn't appreciate

01:25:19 being disturbed by loud tourists.

01:25:22 There's also a theory of a powerful whirlpool at the bottom of the pool.

01:25:26 In any case, guide publishers do not mention Kipu Falls anymore, and trespassing is severely

01:25:31 punished.

01:25:35 The Samisen Hole, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is the ultimate spot for thrill-seeking divers,

01:25:41 but it's also the most dangerous one.

01:25:43 With a drop of 280 feet, it's the deepest diving site in the region.

01:25:48 But its depth is not the only reason it is considered a place to avoid.

01:25:53 The area is a major shipping zone for giant oil tankers.

01:25:57 The strong currents around the hole make diving even more treacherous.

01:26:01 And if that's not enough, the Samisen Hole is also home to deadly barracudas that could

01:26:06 easily attack unsuspecting divers.

01:26:09 The water is so murky that visibility is nearly zero, making it challenging to spot these

01:26:14 aggressive sea creatures.

01:26:17 All in all, the Samisen Hole is a breathtaking but extremely hazardous spot that should only

01:26:22 be explored by experienced divers with nerves of steel.

01:26:27 Let me tell you about New Smyrna Beach, the shark attack capital of the world.

01:26:33 If you're looking for a relaxing vacation spot in Volusia County, Florida, you may want

01:26:37 to reconsider this beach.

01:26:40 The waters around New Smyrna Beach are teeming with fish, which attracts a lot of sharks.

01:26:46 In fact, there have been so many shark attacks reported in this area that it's earned the

01:26:51 title of the "Shark Attack Capital of the World."

01:26:55 Even scientists have warned that if you go for a swim there, you're bound to get up close

01:26:59 and personal with at least one of these creatures.

01:27:02 We are talking about a distance of 10 feet, and in many cases you wouldn't even notice

01:27:07 it.

01:27:08 To make matters worse, the bull shark, one of the most dangerous and aggressive types

01:27:13 of sharks, has been spotted in these waters.

01:27:18 Once again, Kauai is on our list.

01:27:21 The beach on Nepali coast called Hanakapiai Beach might look like heaven on earth, but

01:27:26 don't be fooled.

01:27:28 To get there, you have to trek through a super steep, rocky two-mile trail.

01:27:34 There are no lifeguards on this remote beach, so even if you decide to take a dip in the

01:27:38 water, you're on your own.

01:27:42 The biggest threat to your safety is the incredibly strong rip currents.

01:27:46 They are almost always present because there are no reefs to shield the shore, and if someone

01:27:51 gets caught in one, there's no safe place to swim to for miles.

01:27:55 The nearest safe beach is 6 miles away.

01:27:59 Trust me, this beach doesn't have the best track record in terms of safety, so it's highly

01:28:03 advised that you stay out of the water if you end up at this beach.

01:28:09 Let me tell you about a place that looks like it's straight out of a horror movie.

01:28:14 We're talking about Berkeley Pit, which is an artificial lake situated in Butte, Montana.

01:28:21 The first thing you'll notice about this place is that it has an eerie blood red color that

01:28:25 can only be described as unsettling.

01:28:28 You might be tempted to take a dip, but that would be a grave mistake.

01:28:32 Don't even touch it.

01:28:35 The water is extremely dangerous due to the heavy metals present in it, such as cadmium,

01:28:40 arsenic, zinc, lead, and copper.

01:28:43 They come from the rocks that surround the lake and make the water super acidic.

01:28:49 In fact, this place used to be an open pit copper mine, hence its color.

01:28:54 So if you want my advice, avoid this place like the plague.

01:29:00 There are three lakes in Africa that maybe are the most dangerous places of all that

01:29:04 I have mentioned so far.

01:29:05 They're all located in Africa.

01:29:07 Lake Monoun and Lake Nyos in Cameroon and Lake Kivu in Rwanda are all like ticking timers

01:29:13 ready to go off.

01:29:16 They were formed over underground pools of molten rock, and sometimes this molten rock

01:29:20 releases toxic gases like methane and carbon dioxide right into the water.

01:29:26 When this happens, the gases can build up until they suddenly burst out of the water,

01:29:31 creating massive waves that can wipe out everything in their path.

01:29:35 This type of outburst is called a limnic eruption, and it can release a cloud of poisonous gas

01:29:41 that can be harmful to everything in the vicinity.

01:29:45 The most terrifying part?

01:29:46 These explosions can happen at any moment with no warning.

01:29:50 So if you ever find yourself near one of these lakes, you'd better be on high alert, because

01:29:55 you never know when the next accident might happen.

01:29:59 Do you know other places you wouldn't recommend for a fun swim?

01:30:02 Share your anti-recommendations in the comments below.

01:30:07 The Baltic Sea Anomaly In 2011, a diving team came down to the bottom

01:30:13 of the northern part of the Baltic Sea.

01:30:15 They went on a treasure hunt, but what they came upon was a pretty weird object.

01:30:20 When they took photos and showed them to others, many believed it was a sunken spaceship of

01:30:26 another civilization.

01:30:29 Other people thought that some natural causes formed the object, but the metals inside the

01:30:34 structure definitely couldn't have been formed naturally.

01:30:37 Now, some scientists even believe it was something that appeared way back in the Ice Age.

01:30:44 Maybe it was even a meteorite that ended up trapped under ice back then.

01:30:50 A maelstrom is a whirlpool, some sort of a powerful rotational current that forms when

01:30:55 two currents collide and create a circular vortex.

01:31:00 Even fearless Vikings were afraid of maelstroms because those were forces so powerful that

01:31:05 they could sink large ships.

01:31:07 These whirlpools remain dangerous even today, but luckily not for big modern ships that

01:31:13 are large enough to withstand the power of maelstroms.

01:31:17 But a cruise ship that gets into a maelstrom usually faces massive waves that can rock

01:31:22 even big vessels from side to side pretty intensely.

01:31:27 A maelstrom can be so strong it can turn into some sort of an underwater black hole.

01:31:33 Yep, black holes are not only present in the cold expanse of space, you can find them here

01:31:38 on our home planet too, swirling in the oceans.

01:31:42 They're similar to those in space since they're compacted so tightly that nothing they trap

01:31:47 can escape.

01:31:50 Underwater black holes often span up to 93 miles in diameter, and if you got into one

01:31:56 of those, you probably wouldn't even know it.

01:31:59 These black holes act like vortices, but because of their size, even professionals can hardly

01:32:05 see their boundaries.

01:32:08 Here's something relaxing.

01:32:10 Next time you go to the beach, pay attention, and maybe you'll see an optical phenomenon

01:32:15 called the green flash.

01:32:17 You can see it shortly after sunset or right before sunrise.

01:32:21 It occurs when the sun is almost completely below the horizon, while its rim, the upper

01:32:26 one, is still visible.

01:32:30 For just a second or two, that upper edge of the sun will appear green.

01:32:35 It's because you're looking at the sun through thicker parts of the atmosphere as it's moving

01:32:39 down in the sky.

01:32:41 As it's dipping below the horizon, light refracts, or bends, in the atmosphere and

01:32:46 gets dispersed.

01:32:50 Wait for a clear day with no clouds or haze on the horizon to see this phenomenon better.

01:32:57 You've been looking forward to a nice swim, only to realize that the water in the ocean

01:33:01 is red?

01:33:03 Better avoid going in.

01:33:05 Florida is known for its red tides.

01:33:08 It occurs when the concentration of specific microscopic algae is higher than normal.

01:33:15 Thousands of species of algae in marine and fresh waters are mostly harmless to animals

01:33:20 and humans.

01:33:21 They even help us, since they're an important source of oxygen.

01:33:25 But some, like the algae that makes the ocean red, can be extremely dangerous for marine

01:33:31 animals like sea turtles, fish, and seabirds.

01:33:36 This kind can grow out of control and produce neurotoxins harmful to humans, especially

01:33:42 those who have some respiratory issues.

01:33:44 Such people should avoid red tide areas, especially when winds are strong enough to push the algae

01:33:49 toward the shore.

01:33:53 Volcanoes can spew poisonous gas, ash, and red-hot lava.

01:33:57 Those are the most obvious dangers most of us already know about.

01:34:01 But submarine volcanoes can be very tricky in their own way.

01:34:05 Sometimes when they're located in shallow waters, they reveal their presence by blasting

01:34:10 debris of rock and steam high above the surface.

01:34:15 Since submarine volcanoes are surrounded by an unlimited supply of water, they can behave

01:34:20 differently from those on land.

01:34:22 When they erupt, seawater gets into active submarine vents.

01:34:28 Lava can be spreading across a shallow sea floor, or sometimes even flowing into the

01:34:33 sea from land volcanoes.

01:34:35 When in water, it may cool down so quickly that it shatters into rubble and sand.

01:34:41 So, there are large amounts of volcanic debris left there.

01:34:44 You know those popular black sand beaches in Hawaii?

01:34:48 That's how they formed.

01:34:51 Hot lava and powerful eruptions certainly don't sound safe.

01:34:55 But submarine volcanoes in deeper waters are equally dangerous, even though they're not

01:35:00 necessarily erupting.

01:35:02 They produce pockets of bubbles.

01:35:04 These bubbles reduce the density of the surrounding waters, which can even sink ships.

01:35:11 The worst thing is that when you look at the surface of the ocean, you can't understand

01:35:15 something's wrong.

01:35:16 But at the same time, tiny bubbles are there, causing ships to lose buoyancy and with very

01:35:23 little warning.

01:35:26 Across sea is a rare phenomenon, beautiful to observe, but also very dangerous.

01:35:32 That's when you see square waves, which are more common in shallow parts of the ocean.

01:35:37 That's something you can often see in France or on certain beaches of Tel Aviv.

01:35:42 But it can also happen in many coastal areas across the world.

01:35:47 A cross sea occurs when two wave patterns travel at oblique angles.

01:35:52 They form this checkerboard-like pattern.

01:35:55 It mostly happens when two swells meet, or when a swell pushes waves in one direction

01:36:00 while a strong wind pushes them in another.

01:36:05 These square waves can be dangerous for swimmers and boaters.

01:36:08 The waves produced by strong ocean currents can be pretty unpredictable and tall, sometimes

01:36:13 up to almost 10 feet.

01:36:15 This phenomenon is sometimes called "white walls."

01:36:19 These waves can be so powerful that they can turn over even big boats.

01:36:24 If you fill a clear glass with some ocean water and take a closer look, you'll see

01:36:30 it's full of very small particles.

01:36:33 Seawater contains dissolved salts, fats, algae, proteins, detergents, and other bits of artificial

01:36:40 and organic matter.

01:36:42 If you shake that glass, you'll see tiny bubbles forming on its surface.

01:36:47 That's how sea foam forms when waves and winds agitate the ocean.

01:36:52 When you see thick sea foam, algal blooms might have caused it.

01:36:56 When big blooms of algae fall apart in the sea, large amounts of that matter move in

01:37:00 the direction of dry land.

01:37:04 Most kinds of sea foam aren't dangerous to humans.

01:37:07 But when blooms of algae fall apart, it can have a negative impact on both the environment

01:37:13 and people.

01:37:14 For example, when sea foam bubbles pop, the toxins they contain get released into the

01:37:19 air, and they can irritate your eyes or cause some other health issues.

01:37:26 You can see a tidal bore in the areas where a river empties into a sea or an ocean.

01:37:31 It's a powerful tide that goes against the current and pushes up the river.

01:37:36 A tidal bore falls into a category of something called the surge, which is a sudden change

01:37:42 in depth.

01:37:43 A tidal bore is a positive surge, which means it pushes up a river, making it much deeper.

01:37:49 A negative surge is when the river suddenly becomes very shallow.

01:37:55 You won't see tidal bores everywhere.

01:37:57 The river must be fairly shallow with a narrow outlet to the sea.

01:38:01 The place where the sea and the river meet must be flat and wide.

01:38:05 Also, the area between low and high tide must be at least 20 feet across.

01:38:12 Of course, there are some exceptions, like the Amazon River, the world's largest one.

01:38:18 The mouth of the Amazon is not narrow, but the river experiences tidal bores.

01:38:23 That's because its mouth is shallow and has many sandbars and low-lying islands.

01:38:28 The tidal bore is so strong there that the river doesn't even have a delta.

01:38:33 Its sediment goes directly into the Atlantic Ocean, where fast-moving currents take it

01:38:38 away.

01:38:39 A tidal bore is often unpredictable and can be extremely rough.

01:38:44 In many cases, it changes the color of the river from greenish or blue to brown.

01:38:50 It can damage vegetation or even tear trees out of the ground.

01:38:54 So recreation sports like kayaking and river surfing can be hazardous in these areas.

01:39:01 Even if you just want to take a look at a tidal bore, be careful.

01:39:05 Tidal waves can sweep over lookout points and drag whatever or whoever is there into

01:39:11 the churning river.

01:39:13 Something interesting has recently happened in South Dakota.

01:39:16 It was all over the internet, so perhaps you already know about it.

01:39:20 In July of 2022, the sky in this state suddenly turned green.

01:39:26 So what happened there?

01:39:28 Was it caused by a human or by nature?

01:39:31 Let's find out.

01:39:34 Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

01:39:37 Shortly after a heavy storm, the sky over South Dakota in the US was still overcast.

01:39:43 Locals finally went outside and saw that the sky had an intense dark green hue, and they'd

01:39:49 never seen anything like that before.

01:39:52 People said that it looked like something straight up from science fiction or even a

01:39:56 horror movie.

01:39:58 Unsurprisingly, South Dakotans immediately started spreading the news all over social

01:40:04 media.

01:40:05 People shared their beautiful yet very eerie pictures on Twitter.

01:40:09 They showed the sky over the city of Sioux Falls and a few other towns.

01:40:15 Even though it may look like something supernatural, in reality, this is not a terrifying phenomenon

01:40:20 at all.

01:40:22 It's a simple play of the light and the atmosphere.

01:40:25 Something like this happens quite rarely and usually means that really bad weather is approaching.

01:40:32 And that's also true to what happened in South Dakota.

01:40:35 Just before people started sharing photos, a thunderstorm swept through the town of Sioux

01:40:39 Falls.

01:40:41 This was confirmed by the US Weather Service.

01:40:43 This hurricane was terrible.

01:40:45 The wind speed was about 100 mph.

01:40:48 According to the Buford Scale on wind speeds, this is the fastest and most destructive storm.

01:40:54 There are only 12 numbers on this scale and the maximum wind strength starts at 73 mph.

01:41:01 But why isn't this all over the news then?

01:41:04 Well, because it's kind of a usual thing for the residents.

01:41:10 Thunderstorms occur very often in the United States, especially in the warmer months.

01:41:15 And 1 out of 10 such thunderstorms can become something serious, like a tornado.

01:41:20 This one wasn't an exception.

01:41:23 It was the so-called "Derecho Storm".

01:41:26 Derecho is very widespread and long-lived.

01:41:30 It's actually a combination of a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms and downpours.

01:41:37 People often say that a derecho is as strong as a tornado.

01:41:41 Still, there's a difference between them.

01:41:43 A tornado is a vortex, a rotating column of air.

01:41:47 It's usually about 500 feet in diameter.

01:41:50 Although sometimes its width can reach up to 2.5 miles.

01:41:54 I don't envy those who would stumble upon that.

01:41:57 But the main point is that they rotate.

01:42:00 The wind moves very fast in a circle near some invisible center.

01:42:06 A derecho is a strong thunderstorm, or a system of strong thunderstorms with straight-line

01:42:12 winds.

01:42:13 In other words, it doesn't spin.

01:42:15 Instead, the derecho chooses a point somewhere and simply runs to it, like a very motivated

01:42:22 marathon runner.

01:42:25 If we compare a derecho to an ordinary tornado, the latter has 6 levels of strength, from

01:42:31 40 to 380 miles per hour.

01:42:34 So a derecho is kind of like a small, average-level 1-2 tornado.

01:42:40 Usually its speed is within the range of 73 to 113 miles per hour.

01:42:46 And in both cases, they can be accompanied by severe thunderstorms, lightning, and rain.

01:42:52 But still, these are different things.

01:42:56 A storm becomes a derecho if the damaged trail left by it exceeds 240 miles, and if the wind

01:43:03 speed is at least 58 miles per hour.

01:43:08 It's quite difficult to predict.

01:43:10 It can form even on a clear day when meteorologists don't even anticipate any storms.

01:43:15 And then, the winds appear suddenly.

01:43:18 It's so surprising that they may even feel explosive.

01:43:22 But the National Weather Service tries to warn people at least half an hour or an hour

01:43:27 before this happens so that residents have time to prepare and hide.

01:43:32 It wasn't any different this time.

01:43:35 The storm swept through almost all of South Dakota, as well as the states of Minnesota

01:43:40 and Iowa.

01:43:41 The consequences were quite serious.

01:43:44 More than 30,000 people were left without electricity.

01:43:47 Fortunately, people were fine.

01:43:51 That's because the locals are pretty used to derechos.

01:43:54 However, the green sky is something different.

01:43:59 It became a very unusual sight for the locals.

01:44:02 Everyone was wondering why it happened.

01:44:04 Was it a bad sign or a normal weather phenomenon?

01:44:08 Well, to be honest, scientists don't have an exact explanation.

01:44:14 But although there are only assumptions, they sound pretty convincing.

01:44:20 A green sky is a very rare phenomenon.

01:44:23 Most scientists think that this happens when a powerful storm approaches the area before

01:44:28 sunset or sunrise.

01:44:30 Then the sky will turn green in this area.

01:44:34 NBC meteorologist Bill Karens, who once faced a similar event himself, suggests that the

01:44:40 green sky appeared because of the huge hail before the storm.

01:44:45 First, let's talk about why the sky looks blue, or any other shade, depending on its

01:44:51 mood.

01:44:52 In short, the sun simultaneously carries all the rays of the color spectrum.

01:44:57 It may seem white to us in total, but it actually has all the colors at the same time.

01:45:04 However, these color waves all have different lengths.

01:45:08 For example, blue rays are shorter than the other ones.

01:45:12 They jump away from the air molecules better than the red waves, so they reach us faster.

01:45:19 Because of this, on a regular clear day, the sky seems blue.

01:45:24 At the same time, red and orange color waves are very long and move slower, so they're

01:45:31 usually left behind.

01:45:33 But when the sun goes below the horizon or rises, the rays' directions change, and

01:45:38 these waves reach us better.

01:45:42 It all means that even if the sunrises and sunsets seem red and orange to us, in fact,

01:45:48 there are still blue and green waves among them.

01:45:52 But they have to bounce off something to reach us faster and become stronger than the red

01:45:56 rays.

01:45:58 Have you guessed what I'm getting at?

01:46:02 This is where the water comes into play.

01:46:05 Clouds are made up of water droplets.

01:46:07 When they become large enough, but don't fall yet, for example, due to strong winds,

01:46:12 they affect how the light behaves in the sky.

01:46:17 Large heavy storms mostly consist of water and hail, and water reflects blue and green

01:46:23 rays best of all.

01:46:25 That's exactly the reason why the water in rivers and lakes seems bluish green to us,

01:46:30 although in reality, it's transparent.

01:46:33 And yeah, algae matter too.

01:46:37 So there are a couple of key factors why the sky may turn green.

01:46:42 First off, the sun should be at the horizon level.

01:46:46 Another factor is that while the storm clouds are approaching, they shouldn't cover the

01:46:50 sky completely.

01:46:52 There still must be a little room for the sun rays.

01:46:54 Then, barely noticeable blue rays jump up to storm clouds.

01:46:59 They're repelled by water droplets and hail.

01:47:02 Mixing with the red sunset, they turn into a bright green light.

01:47:07 And this green light is spreading all over the sky.

01:47:12 That's why in most of these cases, when the sky turns green, people can only see it in

01:47:17 the evenings.

01:47:18 Yeah, it can also happen in the middle of the day.

01:47:21 But since the conditions are already quite specific, seeing something like that during

01:47:25 the day is even rarer.

01:47:28 Still, if you see a green sky, you don't need to panic.

01:47:33 It doesn't necessarily mean that a terrible storm is approaching.

01:47:37 The chances are high though, but still, it's not a rule.

01:47:41 It can be just heavy rain or a heavy hail.

01:47:45 In other words, if you see a green sky, then you'd better hide.

01:47:50 And hide your car.

01:47:51 However, if you were lucky enough to see the stunning sky from the comfort of your own

01:47:56 home, it's indeed very exciting.

01:47:59 If you get a glimpse of something like that, just know that you had a chance to experience

01:48:03 something very rare and special.

01:48:06 Some people said it was the most incredible thing they had ever seen.

01:48:11 You're relaxing at the beach when suddenly you notice a huge flock of birds.

01:48:17 They're excited about something near the water.

01:48:20 You get the urge to go and investigate what's going on there.

01:48:24 Here's some advice.

01:48:25 Sit back down and stay away from the water.

01:48:28 I get it, you think you're tough enough to handle a few pecks from a seagull.

01:48:33 But it's not the birds that have me worried.

01:48:35 It's what's lurking beneath the water.

01:48:39 Fish are a staple of many diets across the animal kingdom, both above and below the ocean.

01:48:44 Tuna, squid, and octopus, as well as marine mammals like seals, all prey on a wide variety

01:48:51 of smaller fish.

01:48:53 Species such as bluefish and striped bass are their favorite dinner time meal.

01:48:59 They're also the favorite of another ultra predator, which is why you shouldn't join

01:49:03 those birds by the water.

01:49:05 If you do, you're risking an encounter with a creature that can measure up to 20 feet

01:49:09 long.

01:49:10 That's three times the size of an average human.

01:49:14 These are the size credentials of a great white shark.

01:49:17 If there are fish around, they may come up near the ocean's surface to feed.

01:49:24 A great white shark has the strongest bite force among animals.

01:49:29 The only other animal species that comes close to them is the saltwater crocodile.

01:49:34 But boy is their ability to catch whiffs strong.

01:49:38 Scientists believe it to be more than 100 times stronger than a human's.

01:49:42 They don't even use the nostrils located beneath their snouts to breathe.

01:49:46 It simply serves as a specialized sniffer.

01:49:51 Thankfully though, we're not the favorite meal of a shark, and the creature isn't going

01:49:55 out of its way to hunt us.

01:49:58 Researchers claim that the odds of being attacked by a shark are as low as 1 in 3.7 million.

01:50:04 When unfortunate meetings between sharks and humans do happen, a shark may mistake a human

01:50:10 for a seal or an extremely large striped bass.

01:50:14 This is why you should stay away from those birds and fishes, and just let the other animals

01:50:19 animal.

01:50:21 You just focus on catching a tan in that sun chair.

01:50:25 So I guess this means that sharks have poor vision?

01:50:28 Not quite.

01:50:29 Their vision in clear water is up to 10 times better than that of humans swimming in the

01:50:33 same environment.

01:50:35 The structure of a shark's eye is quite similar to that of our own.

01:50:39 It consists of a cornea, lens, retina, deep blue iris, and the pupil.

01:50:45 Their eyes have two types of photoreceptors, rods and cones.

01:50:50 Just like humans.

01:50:52 Although we're not too sure how well rods and cones perform for sharks, research has

01:50:56 shown that they possess only one type of cone.

01:50:59 It means they most likely don't have full color vision like a human.

01:51:04 This might explain why they can sometimes mix humans up with other creatures.

01:51:08 But hey, who's ever really fully focused when they're about to devour their dinner?

01:51:13 Shark eyes also have tapetum lucidum.

01:51:16 This is a layer of mirrored crystals located behind the shark's retina.

01:51:21 These crystals allow the shark to see quite well in extremely dim light and murky water.

01:51:27 The crystals reflect incoming light, which gives the rods inside the retina a second

01:51:32 chance at detecting light that they might have missed the first time around.

01:51:37 Fun fact, cats also have tapetum lucidum.

01:51:41 This is why your cat's eyes glow in the dark when you shine a light on them.

01:51:46 Another telltale sign that sharks may be hovering around in nearby waters is the presence of

01:51:51 whales.

01:51:53 Sharks have been known to stalk the creatures for over 100 miles.

01:51:57 They'll follow pods waiting for one of the members to become vulnerable before expertly

01:52:01 striking.

01:52:02 So, lesson learned?

01:52:05 If you now see birds by the water, it's probably not a good thing, unlike when you see thousands

01:52:10 of birds flying together through the sky.

01:52:13 This is known as murmuration.

01:52:15 You can see thousands of starlings unite together in the sky, moving in unison, dipping and

01:52:20 swerving at the same time.

01:52:23 It's like they're competing in some sort of synchronization event at the Bird Olympics.

01:52:28 This happens when the birds begin to roost.

01:52:31 It can be as early as September in some places and as late as the end of November elsewhere,

01:52:36 with more birds joining the nightly displays during this time.

01:52:41 Are they doing it for our entertainment?

01:52:43 Well, not really.

01:52:45 Grouping together in the sky offers protection for predators, like falcons.

01:52:50 It can also get cold when you're flying that high up.

01:52:53 So, the birds gather in their thousands to keep warm and exchange information on potential

01:52:58 feeding sites.

01:52:59 Ok, so in this case, a huge group of birds doesn't mean anything evil.

01:53:03 But if you ever see some flying towards you whilst in a wooded area, it's probably time

01:53:08 to leave the area.

01:53:11 Birds and other animals flee wildfire areas.

01:53:14 Certain mammals like amphibians may actually stay in the fire.

01:53:18 Instead of fleeing for their lives, they will dig underground to escape it.

01:53:23 But nearly all other animals will try their best to leave.

01:53:26 Oh, and don't forget to jump out of the way whilst all those animals are running towards

01:53:31 you.

01:53:32 Why don't we switch back from birds to sharks?

01:53:34 Yes, we now know if there are birds near the ocean surface, then sharks will probably be

01:53:39 quite close as well.

01:53:41 But what if there are no sharks anywhere near at all?

01:53:44 If you ever happen to be in the ocean and notice some sharks heading deep towards the

01:53:48 bottom of the ocean, this may be a sign that a hurricane or tropical storm is on the way.

01:53:55 Sharks can sense the drop in barometric pressure that accompanies the storm, so they could

01:53:59 be trying to get out of the hectic zone.

01:54:03 Sharks don't quite care for humans, so they don't view our sandy beaches and inland towns

01:54:08 and cities as safety zones.

01:54:10 They're quite intelligent creatures and know the deeper they go in the ocean, the safer

01:54:14 it gets.

01:54:16 But the ocean's not always the best place to go in an emergency.

01:54:20 Case in point, if you come across sea creatures who usually live in water randomly resting

01:54:25 on the sand, don't get inside the water.

01:54:29 This is a sign that the water is potentially toxic.

01:54:32 It's possible that a red tide is congregating in the water near the beach.

01:54:36 Red tides happen all over the world, but one algae species causes them in the Gulf of Mexico.

01:54:43 A red tide occurs when the water is full of more toxic algae than normal.

01:54:48 It can make the water reddish or brown, but sometimes the water's color is normal.

01:54:54 If you go in the water, you might experience respiratory irritation like coughing or an

01:54:58 itchy throat.

01:55:00 If this happens to you, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth with fresh water.

01:55:06 Speaking of water, frogs are famous for their croaking, but if you've ever heard them do

01:55:10 it a lot more than usual, it might be because it's about to rain.

01:55:15 One theory says that this might have to do with their mating.

01:55:18 They first do it, then lay eggs in bodies of fresh water.

01:55:23 A good rain means more watery real estate for the frogs.

01:55:27 That's why male frogs invite the ladies for a date before the showers with a croaking

01:55:32 symphony.

01:55:35 If you hear a lot of buzzing around, meaning the bees are more active than usual, a storm

01:55:40 could be on the way.

01:55:43 When they feel like it's approaching, bees start working even harder and faster to collect

01:55:47 more nectar before the storm.

01:55:50 And once they're done with it, they'll always come back to the hive 10 to 15 minutes before

01:55:55 the heavy rain, even when there are no obvious signs of it.

01:56:00 Their secret is super sensitive hairs on their back that can pick up electrostatic build-ups

01:56:06 from storm clouds.

01:56:14 The moon, our little companion, our only friend in the big dark cold space.

01:56:20 It's not surprising that any event related to it, like solar or lunar eclipses, excites

01:56:25 us.

01:56:26 But how about the black moon, the blue moon, a super moon?

01:56:31 Have you ever heard of them?

01:56:33 Well, let me tell you about it and how you can observe them.

01:56:36 Let's get your calendars ready.

01:56:38 The distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,900 miles, I've measured.

01:56:44 Feels not so far, doesn't it?

01:56:46 But trust me, most people greatly underestimate this difference.

01:56:50 Did you know that every planet in the solar system, including Jupiter and Saturn, would

01:56:54 fit between the moon and us?

01:56:56 I couldn't believe it myself.

01:56:58 The moon is tidally locked to the Earth.

01:57:00 That's why it's always turned to us with only one side.

01:57:04 There are a few phases in a lunar cycle.

01:57:07 The new moon is the first phase.

01:57:09 The sun illuminates the unseen side of our satellite, so we can't see the moon.

01:57:13 It's almost invisible in the sky.

01:57:16 The rising moon is the gradual growth of the light part.

01:57:19 The full moon is the phase during which the sun completely illuminates the visible side.

01:57:24 The descending moon is a gradual waning of the light part.

01:57:28 And finally, another new moon.

01:57:30 And the whole cycle starts again.

01:57:33 There are 29 and a half days in a lunar cycle, so it takes around a month if we're not

01:57:38 talking about February.

01:57:39 But why am I telling you all this?

01:57:42 So you can better understand Black Moon, a rare astronomical event that happens once

01:57:47 every 29 months or 2 and a half years.

01:57:50 This term doesn't exist in astronomy, as it was made up by astrologers.

01:57:55 It's unofficial and has several meanings.

01:57:57 Black Moon may mean the second new moon in a month.

01:58:01 Usually there's only one new moon per month, so having two is a rare phenomenon.

01:58:06 It's caused by a slight discrepancy between the lunar cycle and the Earth's annual one.

01:58:11 Something like leap years.

01:58:12 Black Moon can also mean something else.

01:58:15 For example, usually there are only 3 new moons per one season.

01:58:19 Basically, one new moon every 30 days.

01:58:22 However, if there are 4, the Black Moon means the third one.

01:58:27 There are also some less popular meanings.

01:58:29 For example, that's what people call February without a new or full moon.

01:58:34 This happens about once every 19 years.

01:58:37 But what's so special about it?

01:58:39 The satellite is wholly hidden in the sky during a regular new moon.

01:58:43 But during a Black Moon, you'll be able to see its dark silhouette.

01:58:47 You'll have to choose a good place without city lights.

01:58:50 If you live in a big city, you'll hardly be able to see it without a telescope.

01:58:55 Also since the sky turns black during this phenomenon, you'll be able to see different

01:59:00 constellations that were hidden before, as well as Jupiter and Venus.

01:59:05 The last time this happened was on April 30, 2022.

01:59:08 You could observe it in most parts of the United States, except for areas in the Pacific,

01:59:13 Alaska, or Hawaiian time.

01:59:15 Aloha!

01:59:16 Unfortunately, if this is the first time you hear about the Black Moon, you've already

01:59:21 missed it.

01:59:22 Now, you'll have to wait another 2 and a half years.

01:59:25 The next Black Moon will happen in September 2024 by standard definition, and May 19, 2023

01:59:32 by seasonal definition.

01:59:34 But hey, don't worry!

01:59:36 You can always see another astronomical event once upon a blue moon.

01:59:40 Now, I'm not mocking you, I'm being serious.

01:59:43 You can still see the blue moon.

01:59:45 Well, not literally, of course.

01:59:47 The moon won't turn blue.

01:59:48 It's just what astrologers call the second full moon in a month.

01:59:53 The Black and Blue Moons are similar by definition, but they're actually the opposites.

01:59:57 If the Black Moon is a rare second new moon in a month, the Blue Moon is a rare second

02:00:02 full moon.

02:00:03 They also both happen every 29 months.

02:00:07 Not so rare, right?

02:00:08 Kind of ironic that this event was called the Blue Moon.

02:00:11 Folklorist Philip Hitchcock assumed that the calendrical meaning of the term "blue moon"

02:00:17 was first invented by the Maine Farmer's Almanac in 1937.

02:00:20 Now, another interesting astronomical event is called the Supermoon.

02:00:25 Stock up on telescopes and look for some hills, because you'll see an exceptionally bright

02:00:30 and large moon like the one we only see in movies.

02:00:34 What exactly does a supermoon mean?

02:00:36 You see, the moon doesn't revolve around the Earth in a circular orbit.

02:00:40 Its orbit is elliptical, and the place where it's closest to the Earth is called perigee.

02:00:46 A supermoon is a phenomenon that occurs when the full moon coincides with the perigee.

02:00:52 Because of this, it seems to us especially large and bright.

02:00:56 It looks 14% larger in diameter and 30% brighter than usual.

02:01:01 By the way, this phenomenon is often confused with the so-called "moon illusion."

02:01:06 During the moon illusion, the moon is low above the horizon and visually appears larger

02:01:11 in size.

02:01:12 Of the 12 or 13 full moons in a year, 3 or 4 are supermoons.

02:01:17 But most of them are not very significant.

02:01:20 You probably won't see a difference at all.

02:01:22 The most interesting ones are the rare large supermoons.

02:01:26 During them, the moon actually becomes big.

02:01:28 The last major supermoon occurred in 2016.

02:01:32 Unfortunately, large-scale supermoons are rare and occur about once every 18 years.

02:01:38 The next one will happen only in 2034.

02:01:41 But we can observe smaller supermoons quite often.

02:01:44 In 2022, they'll take place on June 14 and July 16.

02:01:49 There is also an opposite phenomenon called the "micro-moon."

02:01:54 You've probably already guessed what that means.

02:01:56 It happens when the full moon is at its farthest point from the Earth.

02:02:00 This point is called "apogee."

02:02:02 The next micro-moon in 2022 will take place on June 29.

02:02:06 In 2023, we'll be able to observe it on January 7, February 5, and August 16.

02:02:13 Of course, you don't have to follow each of these events.

02:02:16 Most people are more interested in lunar and solar eclipses.

02:02:20 By the way, are you one of the people who confuses these two events with each other?

02:02:24 Test yourself!

02:02:25 Pause this video, describe what these two eclipses mean, and let's compare your answer

02:02:30 with the correct definition.

02:02:32 Are you back?

02:02:33 Ok.

02:02:34 So, a solar eclipse is a phenomenon where the moon entirely or partially covers the

02:02:39 Sun.

02:02:40 A solar eclipse is possible only during the new moon, when the moon itself is not visible.

02:02:45 Many people believe that this event is incredibly rare, but this is not quite true.

02:02:50 A lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the moon is entirely or partially in the shadow

02:02:55 cast by the Earth.

02:02:57 The lunar eclipse can only happen during the full moon when the proximity of the moon is

02:03:01 on the node of its orbit.

02:03:03 If you guessed right, well done!

02:03:05 If not, hey, don't worry, many people confuse them.

02:03:09 In 2022, a partial solar eclipse will occur on October 25.

02:03:13 It'll be visible in Europe, South and West Asia, North and East Africa, and the Atlantic.

02:03:19 As I mentioned, a total solar eclipse is not as rare as many people think, but the problem

02:03:24 is that it's not always visible from any part of the planet.

02:03:27 So, if you want to see this event, be sure to look for their calendar and see from which

02:03:32 parts of the Earth you'll be able to see it.

02:03:34 And don't forget the special glasses!

02:03:37 Lunar eclipses occur much more often, though.

02:03:40 Partial lunar eclipses happen almost every month.

02:03:43 But the total lunar eclipse in 2022 will take place on the night of November 7 to 8.

02:03:48 You'll be able to see it in almost all parts of the world except Africa.

02:03:53 I hear that the zebras are not happy about this.

02:03:56 The Moon is a genuinely fascinating satellite.

02:03:59 You think whatever, it's just a small rock ball.

02:04:02 But in reality, there are so many interesting things connected to it.

02:04:06 What rare lunar events have you seen or want to see in your life?

02:04:10 Have you observed any rare and interesting astronomical events?

02:04:13 Be sure to share in the comments!

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