Tag: geology
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Is Sodalite a rock or mineral? Unveiling its true nature
Sodalite is a mineral famous for its rich royal blue color. It is classified as a tectosilicate and belongs to the cubic crystal system, commonly occurring in massive granular form. While it is sometimes mistaken for a rock due to its common presence in rock-forming environments, it is indeed a mineral with a well-defined chemical…
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Fly Geyser in Nevada USA: Facts and location
Located in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada is a small Geothermal geyser that looks like an alien form bursting with life: The Fly Geyser. The Fly Geyser resulted from a human-made drilling accident in 1916 when someone went drilling for a water source. Instead, they penetrated a pool that spewed 200°F of scalding hot…
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Is Mammoth Cave in Kentucky the biggest cave in the world?
Nestled within the heart of Kentucky, USA, lies Mammoth Cave, an underground sensation that has captured the interest of explorers, geologists, and tourists alike. The question often arises: Is Mammoth Cave the largest cave in the world? Let’s delve into the facts to uncover the truth. Mammoth Cave Overview Mammoth Cave boasts a staggering length…
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Lechuguilla Caves Reveal Astonishing Virgin Cave Pool
An awe-inspiring discovery at New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park revealed a network of “virgin” cave passages and an untouched pool 700 feet below the surface. This finding adds to the mystique of Lechuguilla Cave, one of the ten longest caves in the world. Lechuguilla Caves’ Special Discovery In May 2000, geoscientist Max Wisshak led an expedition…
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National Park Odyssey: Unraveling Carlsbad’s Caverns Hidden Depths
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, sometimes referred to as “The Road to Hell,” is a subterranean gem in New Mexico. Far from infernal, this captivating expanse of natural beauty offers visitors a unique journey into Earth’s ancient past. Subterranean Splendor: The Majesty of Carlsbad Caverns Formed from a sea around 250 million years ago, the Carlsbad…
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Meet Mexico’s hidden beach, Playa del Amor of the Marieta Islands
There’s a hidden beach deep in the Marieta Islands of Mexico known as Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach). Like Portugals’ stunning Benagil Sea Cave, the beach is concealed inside a hinged cave and can only be reached by swimming or kayaking through an extensive water tunnel during low tides. But first, to get to Playa del…
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Climbing the majestic Rock Of Guatapé, Colombia
The Rock of Guatapé or La Piedra del Peñol in Colombia’s Antioquia region is a geological marvel. This towering landmark attracts thousands of adventurers yearly, who come to admire the colossal formation and climb to the top for panoramic views. It takes 740 hard-earned steps to reach the peak. The history of the Rock Of…
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Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater, the ‘door to hell’
The Darvaza gas crater, commonly known as the Gates of Hell or Door to Hell, is an extraordinary geological formation. Located in Turkmenistan, this natural gas field collapsed into an underground cavern due to a drilling mishap. Soviet engineers set the 230-foot hole on fire while exploring for gas in 1971. The ground beneath the…
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The edge of the Earth: Australia’s Nullarbor Cliffs
What looks like the end of the Earth is really just the end of Australia: what’s known as Nullarbor Cliffs. The Bunda Cliffs, as the Nullarbor Cliffs are also called, are located in Southern Australia on the Nullarbor Plain. The terrain of the Nullarbor Plain is so flat that the Trans Australian Railway spans a…