Search Results for Category: National Parks

Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia. It is the most active volcano in Ethiopia. Erta Ale is 613 metres (2,011 ft) high, with one or sometimes two active lava lakes, one of only five in the world, at the summit. These lava lakes occasionally overflow on the south side of Erta Ale.[1] It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century (1906). It is located in the Afar Depression, a badlandish desert area spanning the border with Eritrea, and the volcano itself is surrounded completely by an area below sea level, making it one of the lowest volcanoes in the world.

Erta Ale’s last major eruption was on September 25, 2005, which killed 250 head of livestock and forced thousands of nearby residents to flee. Additional lava flow activity took place in August 2007, forcing the evacuation of hundreds and leaving two missing. Not much is known about Erta Ale, as the surrounding terrain is some of the worst on earth and the native Danakils are not friendly.

The name of the volcano means “smoking mountain” in the local Afar language and its southerly pit is known locally as “the gateway to hell”. It has recently been mapped by a team from the BBC using three dimensional laser techniques. These types of volcanoes are very rare and have searingly hot temperatures. For that reason the laser was used, as it has the capability to map any surface. Read more at wikipedia and sverop .

Photos source : volcanosdiscovery

Roopkund is one of the most enticing and fascinating places of the world. Situated in the isolated corners of the greatest mountains of Himalayas at a height of about 5029 meters equalizing at about 16500 feet, it is a creation that nature has brought about in quite an interesting manner. People tend to locate it in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Roopkund has an inscrutability and vagueness that has decepted multiple generations of fortune tellers.

Roopkund is better off known as “The skeleton lake” due to the presence of an enormous grave that holds about 300 to 600 skeletons. This discovery has revolutionized the world of ancient history ever since 1942, when a park ranger came across this mass deposition of bones. It probably is an in-accessible frozen lake that requires about four day travel to reach from the nearest locality. Recently, it has become an important spot for the visitors as they learn and conjecture this advent of science.

Frozen Roopkund

Through carbon dating tests, it has been experimentally estimated that these skeletons belong to anytime between 12^th and 15^th century. It is primarily believed that the deaths were caused by some kind of natural disaster like a blizzard, landslide or any bacterial disease. However, this topic still remains controversial among the residents, anthropologists and paleontologists of modern times.

Some went ahead to mystify the deaths with fictional possibilities and creating folklores out of it. Others suggested multiple causalities of the skeletons being those of wandering Tibetan traders who had lost their way, royal pilgrims, people committing ritualistic suicides, vanquished army etc.

More recently in 2004, a team of European and Indian scientists sent by The National Geographic Channel visited Roopkund to carry on with the probe. Their research has unearthed interesting hints and information. Part of their findings includes anthropological treasures like well-preserved corpses, jewelry, bones and skulls belonging to the dead.

Skeletons at Roopkund Lake

By conducting DNA tests on these bodies the experts have found that the dead belonged to two different teams. One team is marked by the shorter stature of the skeletons while the other is significantly taller. The first group is thought to be of local artisans while those belonging to the second group were possibly members of the same clan, like porters.

A fresh set of radio carbon dating was carried out on the bodies to reveal that the previous dating had come up with incorrect chronological data. The dead are ascribed a new 9th century date. The scientists of London and Hyderabad examined the skulls closely to find out fractures, which they deem to be the result of an abrupt hailstorm. The hails were unusually large in volume – about the size of a tennis ball each!

Shivling (6540m) view from Tapovan plateau, Himalaya, India.

No wonder that anyone exposed to such a calamity in a mercilessly open Garhwal Himalayan plain were doomed to be perished. The raw air and icy hail blasts contributed to their holocaust. It is speculated that more than one landslide has struck Roopkund ever since the massacre. This has served in burying some of the bodies inside the lake – the ones that are still found intact, preserved under ice.

Sadhu doing Aarti with Lamp at Roopkund

Even if the dating and possible causes behind such tragic death have been hinted at, the mystery continues about a different aspect of the Skeleton Lake. It still puzzles experts to think about where these people were going. Roopkund was never a historically significant region and no traces of any trade routes have been found to Tibet nor could it possibly be a site for pilgrimage to attract large groups of people.

However, the documentary ‘Skeleton Lake’ made by the National Geographic Channel has countered this assumption. The film claimed that Roopkund was the venue for the Garhwali religious festival called ‘Nanda Jaat yatra’ held in every 12 years. A procession consisting of a newborn four-horned ram considered the familiar of a Goddess starts from the nearest village and heads towards Roopkund.

Coming back to the Skeleton Lake riddle, probably the skeletons were those of the devotees participating in such a mass procession centuries ago. The folklores say that a certain king had participated in this religious ‘yatra’ with his company of female dancers. This had offended the Goddess Nanda and she vented her rage by bringing down the snowstorm at the hapless revelers.

Such accounts might sound mere fairytales, but it is quite possible that at least the taller bodies were of royalty and the short statured bodies scattered everywhere along Roopkund were of local porters – all killed by a destructive hailstorm. Whatever may be the reason of their death – no one still knows what lead so many people to take such an arduous journey so many years ago.

Mother Nature has provided us so many gifts which are simply outstanding and praising. Out of so money outstanding gifts we can easily highlight one among all, the waterfall. Huge size, beautiful site and pure natural beauty keep people attracted towards them year after year. No matter from which direction you are viewing the waterfall you will only witness a panoramic effect from all dimensions. Listed below are 9 waterfalls which are loved by the people from all across the globe because of their beauty, glorious outlook and unforgettable histories.

Kaieteur Falls in South America

Located in the Guyana Highlands, a surface that is nearly 2 billion years old, Kaieteur Falls is one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. Amazon river–bound, the 371-foot wide waterfall starts with a 741-foot sheer plunge, followed by a short series of steep cascades. It owes its extraordinary beauty to monstrous height and impressive water volume. Accessible by land and water, visitors can also enjoy the unique plants and wildlife of the surrounding rain forest.

Iguazú Falls in South America

Located between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption and consist of 275 cascades of water along the 1.67-mile-long Iguazu River. Though not very high—the tallest drop is at 269 feet—the falls are often referred to as “The Devil’s Throat” due to its U shape and powerful plunges. Divided by various mini-islands, the waterfall was recently nominated as a finalist in the “New7Wonders of Nature” initiative.

Yosemite Falls in North America

At a total height of 2,425 feet, the Yosemite Falls, located in Yosemite National Park within California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is the highest waterfall in the United States. Made up of three sections—the upper, middle and lower—the highest fall is 1,430 feet high and spews water aggressively from a rocky ledge. Legend has it that the Native American Ahwahneechee tribe, who originally inhabited Yosemite Valley, believed the pool at the base of the waterfall was inhabited by evil spirits.

Ribbon Fall in North America

Ribbon Fall, also located in Yosemite National Park, is thought to be the highest single-drop waterfall in North America, but water only runs through it from April to June. By July, there isn’t a drop of water to be seen until snow melts in the following spring. At 1,612 feet high, visitors can catch water falling in a line as thin as a ribbon while set against a backdrop of gorgeous cliffs. Situated on the west side of the rock formation dubbed “El Capitan,” the waterfall remains only a sight to be seen from afar since there are no trails to the top.

Rhine Falls in Europe

The largest waterfall in Europe, Rhine Falls—located on the High Rhine where the Rhine River runs through Northern Switzerland—is thought to have been formed approximately 15,000 years ago by erosion-resistant rocks, which narrowed the riverbed to form a water alley. At 492 feet wide (including the rapids) and 75 feet high, its three sections are divided by islands of piled jagged limestone.

Dudhsagar Falls in Asia

The tiered, whitewater Dudhsagar Falls—which means “Sea of Milk”—is a popular tourist destination located along the Mandovi River in Goa, India. Carved steps provide easy access to the top, which soars 1,017 feet above the ground, though visitors are just as likely to be seen taking a dip in one of the many pools that form at the base of the waterfall.

Waihilau Falls in North America

Located in Hawaii’s Waimanu Valley, the Waihilau Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world and has an estimated drop of 2,600 feet. Situated on the northeast shore of the Big Island, this area of Hawaii remains largely uninhabited and is known for its unspoiled beauty. Many visitors hike to the falls from the close-by Waip’o Valley taking in the gorgeous flora and fauna along the way.

Niagara Falls in North America

This massive waterfall, which partially resides in Ontario, Canada, is located in America’s oldest state park—the Niagara Reservation State Park. Classified as a segmented waterfall because the water flow splits into two side-by-side falls, Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. Four of the five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie) drain into the Niagara River before spewing into Lake Ontario—which makes up one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply.

Angel Falls in South America

Located in an isolated jungle region in Venezuela, Salto Ángel—as it is referred to by locals—is the highest waterfall in the world. Standing 3,212 feet tall, it has an uninterrupted drop of 2,647 feet. In fact, the force of its crashing water is so powerful that it produces a mist that can be felt miles away. Named after American aviator Jimmie Angel, who flew over them in 1933 while searching for an ore bed, the creators of the Disney/Pixar film Up used the waterfall as inspiration for the film’s fictional “Paradise Falls.”