Week 09: Oh What a Wonder Nature Is
Seeing as this week’s blog prompt is about how amazing nature is, what could be more amazing than the 7 natural wonders of the world?! Nature has some of its own amazing features and in 1997, the Cable News Network (CNN) constructed a list of the most amazing creations of nature (Andrews, 2020). I myself have yet to experience any of these natural wonders but someday I am hoping to cross them off my bucket list! Have you experienced any of these places? If so, where? Alright, now let’s get to it!
1) The Aurora Borealis – Northern Hemisphere
Did you know that the aurora borealis (also known as northern lights) is named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for the north wind, boreas (Andrews, 2020). This captivating display of dancing colours paints the sky in ripples of blues, greens, pinks, violets, and yellows (Andrews, 2020). These mystifying lights have various meanings to different groups. In medieval times, these lights were perceived as an indication of famine or war, however, the Inuit believed them to be spirits of the beluga whales, deer, salmon and seals they hunted for survival (Andrews, 2020).
The Northern Lights. Image retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/09/northern-lights-aurora-borealis-visible-across-northern-us/3866912001/
2) The Grand Canyon – Arizona, United States
This stunning natural wonder was formed by the natural erosion of rock and soil from the Colorado River over billions of years (Dodd,2021). The Colorado Plateau was once the floor of a shallow sea and fossilized corals, shellfish, and snails from 20 million years ago can still be found today (Andrews, 2020). Known for its deep red rust, visible rock stratification, and most notably its size and depth (roughly 446 kilometers long, 29 kilometers wide, and 1.8 kilometers deep), this is truly a breath-taking wonder (Dodd,2021).
The Grand Canyon. Image retrieved from: https://www.smartertravel.com/planning-a-trip-to-the-grand-canyon/
3) Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe and Zambia
Despite not being the tallest or the widest fall on earth, with a combined height and width of 1,708 meters wide by 108 meters high, it does make it the largest (Dodd,2021). This fall spills about 625 million liters of water every minute - how incredible is that (Andrews, 2020)?!
Victoria Falls. Image Retrieved from: https://www.traveller.com.au/victoria-falls-zimbabwe-travel-guide-the-mustdo-highlights-h1kc5m
4) The Harbour of Rio De Janeiro - Brazil
This bay Is considered the world’s largest natural bay based on volume (Dodd,2021). This gorgeous harbour is encased by granite mountains and monoliths, which creates a striking visual appearance to all visitors (Law, 2020; Dodd,2021).
Harbour of RIo de Janeiro. Image retrieved from: https://www.worldatlas.com/bays/guanabara-bay.html
5) Great Barrier Reef – Queensland Australia
This spectacular feature includes over 900 islands, spanning over 344,400 square kilometers of the ocean (Law, 2020; Dodd,2021). This makes it the largest coral reef system in the world and as a result, supports a plethora of life including 215 species of birds, 133 species of rays and sharks, and 30 species of dolphins (Dodd,2021; Andrews, 2020). However, this natural wonder contains many endangered and endemic species and is currently being threatened by factors such as climate change and mass coral bleaching (Andrews, 2020)
Great Barrier Reef. Image retrieved from: https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-21/the-great-barrier-reef-is-dying-says-new-report
6) Paricutin Volcano – Michoacan, Mexico
Paricutin is a cinder cone shaped volcano which last erupted in 1952 (over a 9-year period) (Law, 2020). It was deemed as a natural wonder given that mankind was able to witness its birth and rapidly growing formation (Law, 2022). This volcano has only existed as it has since 1943 when it first appeared from a relatively flat corn field, making it the youngest volcano in the Northern Hemisphere (Dodd,2021).
Paricutin Volcano. Image retrieved from: https://www.worldatlas.com/volcanoes/paricutin-volcano.html
7) Mount Everest – China and Nepal
Debatably the most famous mountain on planet earth – Mount Everest. This massive formation has an approximate elevation of 29,029 feet (Law, 2020). Did you know that this actually isn’t the tallest mountain in the world? That title belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, however, most of it is underwater and so it does not have the tallest peak ‘above sea level’ (Dodd,2021).
Mount Everest. Image retrieved from: https://explorerspassage.com/chronicles/facts-mount-everest/
In the textbook reading from Beck et al. (2018), it mentions the emotional state of being in ‘awe’, where “fleeting and rare experiences of awe can change the course of a life in profound and permanent ways”. I believe that being able to experience the totality of these natural wonders would definitely elicit this ‘awe’ feeling. Being in this state has the ability to elicit curiosity, purpose, creativity, improve mood, and reduce stress (Beck et al. 2018). Although I provided some facts and information on these places, being physically present in nature and soaking in the surrounding can be more than enough to understand the beauty of nature and no interpretation is required (Beck et al. 2018). This can also increase the use of citizen science as by experiencing these places first hand, this will provide the visitor with an authentic experience and hopefully encourage them to participate in the evolving community science that serves to benefit these natural places (Beck et al. 2018).
I realize this post was a bit of a long one but I hope you got to learn something and feel inspired along the way!
Andrews, C. (2020). See the Natural Wonders of the World in 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.nathab.com/blog/see-the-natural-wonders-of-the-world-in-2021/
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.
Dodd, C. (2021). The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.worldatlas.com/places/the-7-natural-wonders-of-the-world.html#h_51335814238881631701075573
Law, L. (2020). A Guide to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World | PlanetWare. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.planetware.com/magic-travel-a-guide-to-the-seven-natural-wonders-of-the-world.htm