We continue our journey through the alien places of our planet. These "unearthly" landscapes we find in different parts of the globe. We wish you a pleasant viewing!

 

Purnululu National Park, Australia

Purnululu National Park is spread over an area of ​​239723 hectares in the northeastern part of Western Australia. The main attraction of the park are the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, which, as a result of erosion over 20 million years, formed cones resembling beehives in shape. These formations have a banded structure: bright orange sandstone alternates with dark bands that reach a width of several meters and a thickness of several millimeters.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | shutterstock.com

Purnululu National Park is spread over an area of ​​239723 hectares in the northeastern part of Western Australia. The main attraction of the park are the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, which, as a result of erosion over 20 million years, formed cones resembling beehives in shape. These formations have a banded structure: bright orange sandstone alternates with dark bands that reach a width of several meters and a thickness of several millimeters.

Translated from one of the Australian Aboriginal languages, "Purnululu" means "sandstone". Mountain formations on the territory of the national park are of great scientific importance, as they are a vivid demonstration of the process of formation of cone-shaped karst formations from sandstone (a phenomenon still little studied by geomorphologists).

Image enlarges when clicking on it | shutterstock.com

Translated from one of the Australian Aboriginal languages, "Purnululu" means "sandstone". Mountain formations on the territory of the national park are of great scientific importance, as they are a vivid demonstration of the process of formation of cone-shaped karst formations from sandstone (a phenomenon still little studied by geomorphologists).

All these "hives" are formed from blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, which are the closest to the most ancient microorganisms of the Earth. The bright orange bands of sandstone, in contrast to the dark bands, have low water permeability during the rainy season and protect the formations from accelerated erosion. In addition, they contain iron and manganese oxides, which give these bands a brighter orange hue.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | shutterstock.com

All these "hives" are formed from blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, which are the closest to the most ancient microorganisms of the Earth. The bright orange bands of sandstone, in contrast to the dark bands, have low water permeability during the rainy season and protect the formations from accelerated erosion. In addition, they contain iron and manganese oxides, which give these bands a brighter orange hue.

Purnululu National Park was founded in 1987, and in 2003 it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The relief in the park is extremely diverse and is represented by 4 main ecosystems: 1) the Bungle-Bangle mountain range (area – about 45000 hectares), which is a highly dissected area with numerous formations formed from Devonian sandstone; 2) the vast sandy plains surrounding Bungle Bungle; 3) the grassy plain of the Ord River, located in the eastern and southern parts of the park; 4) limestone cliffs in the west and east of the national park.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | shutterstock.com

Purnululu National Park was founded in 1987, and in 2003 it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The relief in the park is extremely diverse and is represented by four main ecosystems:

  1. the Bungle-Bangle mountain range (area – about 45000 hectares), which is a highly dissected area with numerous formations formed from Devonian sandstone;
  2. the vast sandy plains surrounding Bungle Bungle;
  3. the grassy plain of the Ord River, located in the eastern and southern parts of the park;
  4. limestone cliffs in the west and east of the national park.

The flora and fauna of the Purnululu National Park has a number of its own characteristics. Species belonging to two different ecosystems grow and live here: the northern tropical savannahs and the continental arid deserts. The vegetation is dominated by woodlands and spinifex meadows with numerous eucalyptus, acacia and grevilleas. In addition, there are ferns, orchids, palm trees. In general, 653 plant species are registered in the park, 13 of which are relics. The fauna of the region is represented by 41 species of mammals, 149 species of birds, 81 species of reptiles, 12 species of frogs and 15 species of fish.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

The flora and fauna of the Purnululu National Park has a number of its own characteristics. Species belonging to two different ecosystems grow and live here: the northern tropical savannahs and the continental arid deserts. The vegetation is dominated by woodlands and spinifex meadows with numerous eucalyptus, acacia and grevilleas. In addition, there are ferns, orchids, palm trees. In general, 653 plant species are registered in the park, 13 of which are relics. The fauna of the region is represented by 41 species of mammals, 149 species of birds, 81 species of reptiles, 12 species of frogs and 15 species of fish.

For a very long time, the territory of the modern national park was little studied by Europeans, although for the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, it was of great economic and cultural importance (about 200 rock paintings and burials were found in the park). Largely due to the low interest of the European colonialists, it was possible to avoid the extermination of the indigenous people, who are represented by two groups of Australian Aborigine tribes. Although, in general, the natives subsequently suffered greatly from imported diseases, firearms and destruction of the ecosystem. The first pastoralists appeared in the area only in 1884. And the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, resembling beehives in shape, were discovered by the white population of Australia only in 1982, when an airplane with a group of filmmakers flew over them.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

For a very long time, the territory of the modern national park was little studied by Europeans, although for the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, it was of great economic and cultural importance (about 200 rock paintings and burials were found in the park). Largely due to the low interest of the European colonialists, it was possible to avoid the extermination of the indigenous people, who are represented by two groups of Australian Aborigine tribes. Although, in general, the natives subsequently suffered greatly from imported diseases, firearms and destruction of the ecosystem. The first pastoralists appeared in the area only in 1884. And the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, resembling beehives in shape, were discovered by the white population of Australia only in 1982, when an airplane with a group of filmmakers flew over them.

 

Devil's City, Serbia

The "City of the Devil" is a natural attraction on Mount Radan in southern Serbia. There are 202 "alien" stone pillars with a height of 2 to 15 meters with an average diameter of 1 meter, on top of which there are stone blocks weighing up to 100 kg.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikipedia.org

The "City of the Devil" is a natural attraction on Mount Radan in southern Serbia. There are 202 "alien" stone pillars with a height of 2 to 15 meters with an average diameter of 1 meter, on top of which there are stone blocks weighing up to 100 kg.

The pillars are of natural origin – they arose due to weathering. In this area there are two water sources with the corresponding names: "Devil's Water" and "Devil's Well", which have a high mineralization (up to 15 g/l), which is why the vegetation in the surrounding area is sparse, which contributed to weathering.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikipedia.org

The pillars are of natural origin – they arose due to weathering. In this area there are two water sources with the corresponding names: "Devil's Water" and "Devil's Well", which have a high mineralization (up to 15 g/l), which is why the vegetation in the surrounding area is sparse, which contributed to weathering.

In 1959, the territory of the "City of the Devil" received a protected status, in 1995 the Serbian government awarded it the status of a natural monument. In 2002, UNESCO included the "City of the Devil" in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

In 1959, the territory of the "City of the Devil" received a protected status, in 1995 the Serbian government awarded it the status of a natural monument. In 2002, UNESCO included the "City of the Devil" in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

The unusual formations of this place gave rise to many dark legends among the locals, after which it received the name "Devil's City". The surroundings of the place are used to attract tourists, most excursions are held at night.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

The unusual formations of this place gave rise to many dark legends among the locals, after which it received the name "Devil's City". The surroundings of the place are used to attract tourists, most excursions are held at night.

 

Saint Mary's Islands, India

St. Mary's Islands (also known as the Cocos Islands and Tonsepar) are four small islands in the Arabian Sea, Karnataka state of India. They are known for their unusual geological formations in the form of columnar rhyolite rows. The islands are covered with coconut palms, which gave the islands their other name – "Coconut Islands". All islands are uninhabited.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

St. Mary's Islands (also known as the Cocos Islands and Tonsepar) are four small islands in the Arabian Sea, Karnataka state of India. They are known for their unusual geological formations in the form of columnar rhyolite rows. The islands are covered with coconut palms, which gave the islands their other name – "Coconut Islands". All islands are uninhabited.

The columnar rhyolite rows of these islands represent one of the four geological landmarks of the state of Karnataka and are part of one of the 32 national geological monuments of India. Since 2016, this monument has been considered an important geotourist site.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

The columnar rhyolite rows of these islands represent one of the four geological landmarks of the state of Karnataka and are part of one of the 32 national geological monuments of India. Since 2016, this monument has been considered an important geotourist site.

The only way to get to the islands is by boat. Boats depart from Malpa beach, 6 km from the city of Udupi, and run every 20 minutes. There is also a regular ferry service between the islands and the fishing harbor of Malpa. There are no buildings or shops on the islands. There are no pets either. On the shore and in the depths of the islands there are only covered gazebos with park benches.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | flickr.com

The only way to get to the islands is by boat. Boats depart from Malpa beach, 6 km from the city of Udupi, and run every 20 minutes. There is also a regular ferry service between the islands and the fishing harbor of Malpa. There are no buildings or shops on the islands. There are no pets either. On the shore and in the depths of the islands there are only covered gazebos with park benches.

According to scientific research, the basalts of the islands of St. Mary were formed as a result of subaerial subvolcanic activity, even at a time when the island of Madagascar was one with the Indian subcontinent. And the split between Hindustan and Madagascar occurred about 88 million years ago.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

According to scientific research, the basalts of the islands of St. Mary were formed as a result of subaerial subvolcanic activity, even at a time when the island of Madagascar was one with the Indian subcontinent. And the split between Hindustan and Madagascar occurred about 88 million years ago.

We have already considered similar basalt formations earlier in other collections of alien places on our planet, these are:

 

Little Finland, USA

Little Finland (also known as Goblin Playground and Devil's Fire) is a red rock scenic area located in a remote area of ​​Clark County, Nevada, USA. It is known for its rocky landscapes and graceful oddly shaped rock formations.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | flickr.com

Little Finland (also known as Goblin Playground and Devil's Fire) is a red rock scenic area located in a remote area of ​​Clark County, Nevada, USA. It is known for its rocky landscapes and graceful oddly shaped rock formations.

Since December 2016, Little Finland and its environs have been under additional federal protection at the Gold Butte National Monument. The rock formations here are composed of red Aztec sandstone and fossil sand dunes. Minor names of this area are associated with goblins and the devil, as many of the rock formations look intimidating.

Image enlarges when clicking on it | pxhere.com

Since December 2016, Little Finland and its environs have been under additional federal protection at the Gold Butte National Monument. The rock formations here are composed of red Aztec sandstone and fossil sand dunes. Minor names of this area are associated with goblins and the devil, as many of the rock formations look intimidating.

Little Finland (also known as Goblin Playground and Devil's Fire)

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

Little Finland (also known as Goblin Playground and Devil's Fire)

Image enlarges when clicking on it | pxhere.com

Little Finland (also known as Goblin Playground and Devil's Fire)

Image enlarges when clicking on it | wikimedia.org

 

Purnululu National Park

 

City of the Devil (Đavolja Varoš)

 

Little Finland