Extraterrestrial landscape. Alien landscapes on Earth - Dallol volcano. Wave Gallery, USA

At the beginning of the era of space exploration, it seemed that very soon it would be possible to pack up and move to Pluto or fly to the Moon for a couple of weeks on vacation. Science fiction writers predicted villages on Venus, trees on Mars and contacts with extraterrestrial civilizations. Half a century later, it became clear that the forecasts were wrong: instead of the star world, humanity began to master the virtual one. It already seems that you don’t even have to leave the house - everything is at your fingertips. But no, no, and there will be a desire to find out what it is like to be in a completely alien environment, in another world. Forbes has chosen ten unique places, where once you find yourself, it is impossible to believe that all this is on the familiar planet Earth.

Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

About 6 million years ago, a small piece of land broke off from Africa and moved towards the Arabian Peninsula. The piece that fell apart on the way to four islands managed to escape only a couple of hundred kilometers from its parent. But the 6 million years that took place were enough for a unique ecosystem to emerge here: more than a third of plant species, 90% of reptile species and almost all species of mollusks are not found anywhere else in the world. Here, of course, there are no eight-armed, five-eyed people communicating in the language of clicks. But there is a dragon tree, similar to a nuclear mushroom, from which “blood” flows every year, a cucumber tree - a shapeless smooth white trunk, on the top of which “cucumbers” are cheerfully green, or the Socotrans desert rose is also a tree, and in appearance both funny and disgusting.

Despite its isolation, the archipelago was recently discovered to have been inhabited as far back as 1.5 million years ago. In 2008, Russian archaeologist Valery Zhukov discovered stone tools of the Olduvai culture (2.7-1 million years ago) here. The sensational nature of the find lies in the fact that it is not entirely clear how the representative of this era - homo habilis, "skillful man" - got here. But for a modern person it will not be difficult to visit Socotra - either by plane or by sea. It is better to go in February and March: the rest of the time, especially from May to September, the weather in Socotra is quite harsh and unpleasant with endless rains and knocking down winds.

Mount Roraima, Venezuela

In 1839, the expedition of the German traveler and explorer Robert Schomburgk in British Guiana literally hit a wall that went beyond the clouds. It was a mountain, but an unusual mountain - as if someone had cut off its top with a huge knife, leaving a giant, flat platform. Schomburgk's report on the journey caught the eye of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose imagination immediately placed the “Lost World”, miraculously preserved from prehistoric times, on the plateau.

What actually happens on top of Mount Roraima - one of the tepuis, the South American mesas, a remnant of a huge sandstone plateau that existed when South America and Africa were one continent - is more like 1950s science fiction writers' visions of Venus: Eternal Rain , watering a completely unearthly landscape. "Tepui" in the language of the local Indians means "house of the gods." But this house is rather uncomfortable: rains wash away nutrients from the soil, leaving no chance for normal life. And those representatives of flora and fauna that have taken root here are completely unique. It is no coincidence that the creators of the cartoon “Up” (also about a journey to a lost world) went to Roraima in search of inspiration. And director Pete Docter later admitted that they used what they saw only in general terms: “It’s so far from reality that the viewer simply wouldn’t believe it.”

Salt Flat of Uyuni, Bolivia

Some call this place “the border of heaven and earth,” but this expression is not entirely true. Rather, it is a place where the sky is both above and below, and you can walk on it: this is the largest mirror on Earth, so large that it goes beyond the horizon.

The Salar de Uyuni is the largest in the world. In the depths of a dried-up salt lake there is stored a supply of natural substances and minerals for many thousands of years to come. Such a specific composition and natural conditions turned this place into a unique point on the planet. Firstly, the difference in elevation over an area of ​​more than ten thousand square kilometers does not exceed one meter. Secondly, during the dry season it is a brilliant white plain, and when it rains it is an impeccably detailed reflection of the sky. At the same time, the depth of the lake in most places does not exceed a few centimeters, so you can walk freely around it, observing the clouds under your feet. In addition, every November, hordes of flamingos of rare species and colors fly here. But those wishing to visit the Uyuni salt marsh should take into account that it is located at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level, so it will take some time to acclimatize.

Wave Gallery, USA

A striking formation of sand and rock called “The Wave” is located on the border of the US states of Utah and Arizona. For 200 million years, powerful winds have carved these wave-like formations into an unexpected and pleasing geometry. Once these were sand dunes, which under the pressure of time and natural conditions turned into ribbed multi-colored hills; now it is one of the main attractions for landscape photographers from all over the world. Interest in the Arizona sandstone gallery is so high that local authorities are forced to limit the flow of those wishing to get a glimpse of this natural wonder. Therefore, only twenty vouchers are issued per day. Moreover, ten of them are played in a lottery four months before the expected visit, and the other ten - the day before the trip. And if in the low season there are high chances of winning a permit in two or three days, then in the high season - from March to November - the probability drops below 50%. But if you can’t get a permit in Arizona, you can look at similar formations in Utah as a consolation: they are not as popular as the “Wave”, and less impressive, but more accessible.

Dry Valleys, Antarctica

The driest place on Earth is not the Sahara or the Gobi, as one might assume, but a place in Antarctica with the telling name Dry Valleys: in some places there has been no water in them for 2 million years! This piece of land is surrounded by mountains, from which, under the influence of gravity, cold dense air descends at great speed (about 300 km/h), taking with it everything that comes along the way, including water, snow and ice. If we compare these conditions with what happens on the planets of the solar system, then they will be closest to those on Mars. Imagine the joy of scientists when, even in such harsh conditions, life was discovered - a bacterium, which, in order to exist, only needs those droplets of moisture that manage to hide from the winds in the uneven surfaces of the rocks.

Even more interesting is another bacterium, a neighbor living under the Taylor Glacier, which also belongs to the Dry Valleys. This anaerobic bacterium processes sulfur and iron, and the result of such vital activity flows to the surface along with water - this is how the Bloody Waterfall is formed. The water, colored with iron oxide, against the white background of the glacier looks eerie, as if blood is gushing from a huge, unhealing wound.

River Tinto, Spain

Even the ancient peoples of the Iberians and Tartessians began developing mineral resources in the Sierra Morena mountains - where the Tinto River originates. Iron, copper, silver, gold, manganese - what has not been mined here for 5000 years! All this inevitably ended up in the slowly flowing waters of the local river and spread throughout the surrounding area. It would seem that there could be nothing living here except people in overalls and helmets. But nature had its own way and settled here relatives of extremophile bacteria from Bloody Falls in Antarctica. They happily began to process substances that are toxic to any normal organism. As a result, Tinto and its surroundings turned all shades of red and yellow, and scientists received yet another hope for the existence of life beyond Earth.

Local conditions are similar to those on Mars and to what happens under the icy shell of Europa, a satellite of Jupiter. The best thing is that you can safely see it with your own eyes: although industrial development continues here to this day, most sections of the river are free to visit.

Kliluk Lake, Canada

Spotted Lake Kliluk is one of the strangest places on Earth - unlike any planet we know. Due to the high concentration of salts (the highest among terrestrial lakes) and the special climate, Kliluk in the hot season is a collection of small lakes, between which you can safely walk. It sounds pretty boring, but it looks unforgettable.

Thanks to the salts, the local waters have healing properties, and this feature at one time became the cause of a fierce confrontation between the local Indians and European colonists. For the aborigines, Kliluk is a sacred place; many legends and tales are associated with it; it is an integral part of the local culture. And when in 1979 Ernest Smith, the de jure owner of these lands, decided to establish a medical resort here, this caused a storm of indignation among the indigenous population. The Indians fought for the right to keep the protected land intact for more than twenty years, and only in 2001 they bought it for $720,000. Since then, access to the lake has been limited and you can visit it only by obtaining permission from the elders. Although this is not easy, it is possible, and in extreme cases you can admire the view of Kliluk from the highway nearby.

Valley of the Moon, Brazil

The Valley of the Moon is located in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in Brazil. The plateau on which the park stands was formed about 1.8 billion years ago. The local rocks are the oldest on Earth: they are only a little over two times younger than the Moon. Over many millennia, the waters of the San Miguel River have ground the natural quartz that makes up the local rocks into the most bizarre and unnatural shapes. The surroundings of the valley will also be remembered for a long time: in addition to the fossilized remains of ancient plants and animals, their thriving descendants are abundantly represented here: orchids, palm trees, pepper trees, anteaters, tapirs, capybaras, rheas, etc. In 2001, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And the only thing that may be confusing about this decision is why it was made only forty years after the discovery of the valley.

Tsingy du Bemarha, Madagascar

The difficult-to-pronounce name of this reserve comes from the even more difficult word mitsingitsignia, which means “to walk on tiptoe” in Malagasy. Indeed, when looking at the local landscape, the thought of any other type of transportation does not even come to mind.

The famous Stone Forest was formed as a result of erosion of limestone rocks: instead of ordinary mountains, a palisade of sharp stone peaks soars up here. Rare (in both senses of the word) trees make their way among them, equally rare animals - lemurs - rush about, and no less rare birds flash by. Below, at the foot, you won’t get bored either: there are forest canyons, mysterious caves and the dark waters of the Manambolo River.

The reserve here was organized in 1927 with the aim of preserving natural conditions, and some parts of it are still closed to the public. But even those that are available still seem to have been brought here from somewhere outside the Earth.

Dallol Volcano, Ethiopia

The crater of this volcano quite plausibly demonstrates what happens on Io, the moon of Jupiter: many gurgling geysers, fantastic colors and a persistent smell of sulfur. Located below all other volcanoes in the world - minus 48 m from sea level - Dallol is still active, causing the surrounding area to constantly seethe and boil. But the last major eruption occurred in 1926 - it was then that an “extraterrestrial” lake was formed, representing bizarre salt formations framed by puddles of green and purple liquid.

Dallol Crater is the hottest place on Earth: the average annual temperature here is 34 degrees Celsius. In such heat and such an aggressive environment, no life form except bacteria can exist. It is they who provide vivid color memories to every visitor to this inhospitable place.

Getting to Dallol is not so easy - despite the obvious abundance of natural resources, there are no roads there. This place is regularly visited only by caravans of camels, on whose humps they carry out the salt mined here.

To see alien landscapes, you don’t have to go into deep space. In the middle of the desert in Ethiopia is the lowest terrestrial volcano on our planet - Dallol, the peak of which is located at an altitude of 48 meters below sea level.

This place also holds the record for the highest average annual temperature on our planet - about 34°C.

The Dallol volcano was formed as a result of a deep intrusion of magma into the overlying Miocene salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity.

In 1926, during a ground eruption (an eruption without lava), the Dallol volcano was formed, as well as many other craters, which formed salt flats with their emissions.

Carefully! Numerous hot springs shoot acids upward!

As a result of the activity of geysers, salt cones and sulfur bubbles appear.

In addition to the salt flats, there are lakes colored with iron oxide, hot springs and a huge number of the most bizarre, alien formations.

A real mineral hell!

The Dallol volcano has two lava lakes, one of which is located in the crater of the volcano.

The Dallol volcano is known for its alien landscapes, strongly reminiscent of the satellite of the planet Jupiter - Io. Io is home to approximately 4,000 active volcanoes and is the most geologically active moon in the entire solar system. At some volcanoes, sulfur emissions rise 500 kilometers above the surface!

Thanks to excessive volcanic activity, lava flows and sulfur compounds, Io's surface is colored in various shades of yellow, white, red and green:

And on Earth we have a branch of the satellite Io - the Dallol volcano.

The area around the volcano is considered deserted due to difficult natural conditions, but in fact people live not far from the volcano.

Near the crater of the volcano there is the African village of the same name Dallol. Alien Local resident on the sulfur surface:

Dallol Volcano - alien landscapes on Earth.

One of the most beautiful and unusual places in the Middle Urals, which will delight any photographer. Unusual landscapes, reminiscent of Martian or lunar ones, arose on the site of clay quarries.

Officially, this place is called the Poldnevsky site of the Troitsko-Bainovsky refractory clay deposit. The deposit extends in a strip 20 kilometers south of Bogdanovich station and covers an area of ​​about 75 sq. km. In terms of reserves, it is the largest in the Middle Urals.

It began to be developed in small quantities even before the revolution. The Troitsko-Bainovskoye field consists of several areas. The most interesting is the Poldnevskaya deposit. This development is the largest in area.

The deposit became the main base for the Bogdanovichsky refractory plant, the construction of which began in 1930. Refractory bricks from here were used, among other things, for the construction of the domain of the Ural industrial giant - the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Plant.

Clays range in color from white and light gray to black-carbonaceous with spots and admixtures of iron oxides and humic matter. Fire resistance ranges from 1610 to 1760º C. Clays consist mainly of kaolinite and contain to a greater or lesser extent quartz sand, pyrite, spherosiderite, mica and plant remains. The following minerals are found: tourmaline, rutile, zircon, disthene, feldspars.

The clays of the deposit are very diverse. This also explains the significant differences in the appearance of local quarries.

The clay mounds appear as ridges of varying sizes. Water erodes clay, creating canyons and crevices. There are also internal dumps on the territory.

Walking here is like finding yourself on another planet. Residents of the Urals have the opportunity to just go to Mars on a day off.

In some places the landscape resembles that of Mars, in others it resembles that of the Moon. Perfect for filming science fiction films about other planets or about the post-apocalypse. The photographs will be impressive too.

In some places the dried clay has cracked and resembles an intricate mosaic.

There are several lakes with water of an eerie brown-red color. This color is explained by the presence of pyrite. Swimming in such lakes is dangerous to health.

One of the lakes was chosen by seagulls. There are dozens of them here. The chicks are hatched here. The most amazing thing is that they get their food from somewhere. Apparently there are fish here. This is evidenced by the impressively sized fish bones found along the shores. It is possible that they catch fish in neighboring flooded quarries located to the northeast. The water there is cleaner and bluish in color.

It is better to admire alien landscapes in dry weather, wearing closed shoes that protect against clay and sand getting inside. Be careful: wet clay is dangerous and unpredictable. A seemingly hard surface can suddenly engulf your feet and make it difficult to get out.

On October 11, 1951, near the Poldnevsky section of the field, a Li-2 aircraft of the Ural Civil Air Fleet Department crashed.

Near Bogdanovich it is also worth visiting the picturesque Seven-colored lakes, Baynovsky waterfall, Kashinsky settlement. You can drive to the caves near Sukhoi Log or turn off on the way to the Asbestovsky quarry.

How to get to the “Martian” landscapes near Bogdanovich

This place is located south of the city of Bogdanovich (Sverdlovsk region), near the village of Poldnevoy.

By car you need to go along the Tyumen highway to Bogdanovich, in the city (near the bus station) turn to the village of Troitskoye, drive along the main road and go to the neighboring village of Bayny. At the intersection near the railway you need to turn right and go to the village of Poldnevoy. After passing Poldnevoy, after about a couple of kilometers look towards the dirt road to the left. It is better to leave the car on the side of the road and walk.

GPS coordinates: N 56º37.421´; E 62º05.002´ (for smartphones: 56.623683º N 62.083367º E). The distance from Yekaterinburg is 115 kilometers.

Phantasmagoric views of salt marshes, deserts and islands... All these amazing photographs are not at all the scenery for science fiction films or photographs of the surface of other planets. All these are unearthly landscapes of our blue ball, planet Earth.

(Total 21 photos)

1. The expanses of the Salar de Yuni salt marsh in.

The largest in the world during the wet season, it reflects the sky like a huge mirror. And during the winter months, when the weather is dry, the surface of the salt marsh becomes like a mosaic. (Photographer: Sergio Pessolano)

2. “Fairy Fireplaces” in Cappadocia, Türkiye. These rock formations dominate the rest of the landscape in an area located between the villages of Cavusin and Zelve. (Photographer: Timothy Neesam)

3. Contrary to the common misconception that the desert is monotonous, in fact the desert can be either black or white. In the photo: White Desert in Egypt. (Photographer: tronics)

4. “Chocolate Hills” on the island of Bohol, Philippines. The central areas of Bohol Island are dotted with 1,700 natural mounds. The vegetation covering these hills takes on a "chocolate" color during the dry season. (Photographer: Lemuel Montejo)

5. Reflections of sunlight on the surface of the Salar de Yuni salt marsh, Bolivia. The Salar de Juni, the largest salt marsh in the world, is covered with a layer of water during the rainy season that reflects the sky. (Photographer: Luca Galuzzi)

6. Bird's eye view of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is an endorheic salt lake between Israel and Jordan. The lowest point on the surface of the planet, the deepest salt lake in the world, the waters of this lake are saltier than the ocean... The list of distinctive features of this reservoir can be continued for a long time. (Photographer:Pennina Neumann)

7. Four corners, English. Four Corners is a region of the United States covering southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah. The name is associated with the Four Corners Monument, located at the intersection of the borders of all 4 states (the only such border crossing in the United States). (Photographer:gregmote)

8. Black Desert in Egypt. (Photographer:Gekko82)

9. Sunset over the Alvord Playa desert in southeastern Oregon. It's quite unexpected to come across a desert in these parts, on the northwest Pacific coast. The Alvord Playa Desert, which is a dry lake bed, receives an average of only 180 mm of precipitation per year. (Photographer: rasone)

10. Stopover. Sahara Desert in Tunisia. (Photographer: andzer)

11. Windy shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya. This lake is located in the East African Rift Valley. Its salty waters form the world's largest lake located in the desert. (Photographer: Yannick Garcin)

12. “Twin Towers” ​​in Monument Valley, USA. (Photographer: Wolfgang Staudt)

13. Red sand dunes of the Namib Desert, Namibia. Sands of such an unusually red color as in the Namib Desert are rarely seen in nature. (Photographer: Brian Preen)

14. Richat structure, located near Ouadane, Mauritania. This photo was taken from space. The Richat structure is a ring formation 50 km in diameter and is located in the center of the featureless Sahara Desert. (Photographer: trodel_wiki/NASA)

15. Dragon tree (dragon's blood), growing on the island of Socotra. Due to its isolated position in the waters of the Indian Ocean, the island has formed a unique ecosystem that you will not find anywhere else in the world. (Photographer: Sotti)

16. Ledges formed by hardened lava are washed by ocean waves off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Coastal ledges formed by hardened lava give the landscapes of this Hawaiian island an otherworldly appearance. (Photographer:PatrickSmithPhotography)

17. Blue Lake and mountain peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. This is the most unusual place on the list of “8 Wonders of Chile”. The mountain peaks located on the territory of this park face the blue sky. (Photographer: winkyintheuk)

18. Fly Geyser in the Black Desert, Nevada, USA. The Black Desert is more widely known as the site of the Burning Man festival. (Photographer: Stephen Oachs)

21. Iceberg in the dark waters of the Southern Ocean, off the coast of Antarctica. (Photographer: winkyintheuk)