Namak Lake of Iran

Namak Lake also called Salt Lake is located about 100 km east of the City of Qom in Iran at an elevation of 2,590 feet above sea level. The Namak Lake has a dry surface only water covers out of about 1800 km² area. The lake depth is only between 45 centimeters to 1 meter and major source of water supply is river Qom. The Namak Lake is actually a remainder of the Paratethys Sea, which underway to dry from the Pleistocene epoch, leaving Lake Urmia and the Caspian Sea and other bodies of water. The climate condition is semi-arid and arid, and more moderate in nearby mountains. Therefore, the mean annual temperature is 13.5 ºC, with mean minima averaging -6 ºC and mean maxima averaging 35 ºC.

Moreover Namak Lake holds 240 million metric tons of minerals and it is believed, that Iran’s Namak Lake contains rich lithium deposit, extracting 40 grams of lithium per ton is considered as economically justified worldwide. Moreover, massive volume of sodium sulfate deposit, 144 million tons has discovered in the lake. Therefore, three minerals, namely Magnesia, Halite, and Sylvite have been identified so far in the lake, with estimated reserves of 32 million tons, 200 million tons, and 4.5 million tons, respectively these minerals are used in the agriculture, steel, and aluminum industries.

Namak Lake is accessible by sandy road and bit far from civilization and city. This place is specific for its minimal light smog and it is grotesque to watch stars here and even perspective photographs or skateboarding on silk salty surface is possible. The surrounding area of Lake is semi desert mainly rock with sand. Moreover vegetation cover is sparse, and foothills and wide valleys are characterized by forest steppe. Hence, higher areas well covered with snow in winter along with some permanent ice fields and alpine vegetation. The main fishes comprise of three families Balitoridae, Cyprinidae, and Salmonidae. Thus, native populations of trout (Salmo trutta) occur in the basin and some basins and other water bodies have been stocked with exotics, or exotic species have been acquainting with fortuitously. This ecoregion contains a high degree of endemism in a species-poor endorheic basin.

The Fossil Falls, California U.S.

The Fossil Falls is a marvelous geological formation, located in the Coso Range of California U.S. The actual truth is that, Fossil Falls is a bit of misleading place, because neither fossils nor a waterfall here. This is an amazing place developed with rocks made out of lava, because volcanic activity in the mountain ranges, along with meltwater of glaciers in the nearby Sierra Nevada. The glaciers melting cause the creation of fall in summer.  This is a fantastic place for hiking and crazing rocks activities. Therefore a natural walk through polished lava formations consists of 36 miles formed by the interaction of rushing water from the Owens River. The Fossil Fall flowed at a much higher rate in prehistoric times, when lave poured from adjacent volcanoes somewhere 20,000 years ago. Therefore result in surreal, convoluted gorge of shiny, sculpted black lava and a little trail leads to the falls, which you can witness from above or, for a nearer look; follow a trail to prudently descend the falls (hold onto children’s hands as footing can be very tricky.

The Sierra Nevada glaciers melted during last ice age, created large lakes, including Owen Lake & River, which travelled to Indian Wells Valley. However, volcanic activity diverted several times and falls were formed upon river forced to divert its course over a basalt flow, reshaping and furnishing the rock into a unique shapes. Moreover, the entire lava flows at Fossil Falls are basaltic occurred between 4,000 to 10,000 years ago. The erosional features generally called potholes and it is speculated that Red Hill cast out granitic detritus, fell into Fossil Falls and water accelerates as it moves past the rocks. The high velocity was enough to catch the granitic rocks from Red Hill and spiral them downwards in multiple vortices, drilling them into the basalt and sediments would get trapped and continue to circularly erode the holes.

Therefore, Fossil falls actually being downstream from where it position today, and moved upstream as waterfalls classically do. Native American lived in the camping along the dry river, and their harvested resources and hunted large animals forced to leave with arid conditions. But as the time passes, the conditions comes back to normal climate, they started to return back to area. Flakes of obsidian can be found in the area, for the Native Americans would camp near Fossil Falls and chip obsidian from the Coso Mountains to form their tools. The Fossil Falls archeological District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fossil Falls is protected as an area of Critical Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land Management. Native American artifacts may not be removed from the area.

Badab-e Surt Iran

Badab-e Surt (translated gassed water) is located in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran, is considered one of the most incredible sights of its region approximately 95 KM’s south of the city of Sari and 7 KM’s west of Orost village. Badab-e-Surt comprises a range of stepped travertine terrace & rock formations that have been generated more than thousands of years as flowing water from two mineral hot springs cooled and deposited carbonate minerals on the mountainside. The red color of travertine terraces are due to iron carbonate minerals dissolved in water flowing from mineral hot springs. It is thought that the spring pool was created during the Paleocene Era and at the same time as the latest folds in the Alborz mountain range. Badab-e-Surt terraces are natural wonder made with two distinct mineral springs with different natural characteristics.

Badab-e-Surt is located 1,840 meters above sea level just west of the village or Orost. The first spring contains very salty water that gathers in a small natural pool; its water is considered to have medicinal properties, especially as a cure for rheumatism and some types of skin diseases and skin conditions. The second spring has a sour taste and is predominately orange mainly due to the large iron oxide sediments at its outlet. In one part of a floor of the pond, there is a deep hole is called the Bermuda Erost.

Moreover, stepped travertine terraces are so popular on planet earth. Such famous examples includes Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, The White Water Terraces and Huanglong Scenic in China, Italy’s Bagni San Filippo, Mexico’s Hierve el Agua and most famous of them all Pamukkale in Turkey. The travertine terraces of Badab-e-Surt are bright orange, yellow and red as compare to others shades of white and blue, due to large amount of iron oxide sediments. Therefore, the water from two springs emanating from the mountain range have combined and resulted pools shaped as a naturally formed staircase. However, the surrounding vegetation to the north contains of pine forests while to the east it mainly comprises of short trees and shrubs; and rock quarries can be seen to the west of the site. Indeed, Badab-e-Surt is fantastic place to see, widespread due to usage of water treatment for many disease.

The site has been registered as 2^nd natural heritage of Iran in UNESCO’s list. Therefore, the Orost village and Badab-e-Surt Spring are easily accessible via Semnan as most of way is being paved and vehicles are leaving dirt in the air leading up to the spring. It is suggested to visit the place during either sunrise or sunset when the sun’s light offers the orange reflection blends in perfectly colored spring. Although Badab-e-Surt is beautiful in all seasons, But the best time to visit is early April. The Badab-e-Surt is in danger of gradul erosion and eventual demise same like other natural landmarks in Iran however, the environmentalists and nature lovers have repeatedly expressed concern regarding protection of this natural wonder, citing that despite being registered as a natural site. So, it’s a must visit destination for all natural lovers.

Cave of Uhud

Medina has several important places in Islam, in which “Mount Uhud” is one of great site for Muslims. It is also known as “Battle of Uhud”. It is located 5km from Masjid-al-Nabawi an important place in the battle of early history of Islam. Mount Uhud comprises of group of mountains has rich history in Islam. Although there is still possible to climb the small hill and see the surrounding area as well as the graveyard of the martyrs. 

The Uhud Mountain is on short drive from Outskirts of Medina and very interesting story to share the knowledge. Well, related to the Battle of Uhud is “Cave of Uhud” which is quite far from the battle site. The cave located on the side of Mount Uhud is the place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took refuge after being wounded in the battle to receive treatment. The site is not encourage by Saudi government, as you’ve to be physically very fit to climb up and tried to get in. However, not many could do that, but those who’re fit tried to follow the path that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) climbed. From Cave, you can have rare stunning view of another part of Madinah. 

In the cave, a sweet smelling scent all round, and some say’s it is the smell of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) still here. While sceptics would say, it could be perfumes the peoples use as a sign of respect for the place.  Therefore, the fragrance, along with the awe of lying here bursts the heart, intoxicates the mind, releasing floods of blissful tears.

The Twin Sails Bridge

The Twin Sails Bridge is a double leaved bascule bridge that spans the Backwater Channel in Holes Bay linking the town center of Poole, in Dorset, England, to Hamworthy. In the closed position, the bridge lays flat over its supporting pillars, nonetheless when the two spans of the bridge are lifted to permit boats to pass, the two triangular lifting leaves look like the sails of a yacht. However, the triangular shape is caused by the fact that the bridge isn’t dissected perpendicularly across its width, but at an angle, making two long, opposing triangles that lie side by side. Therefore, when the bridge is opened, they rise skyward, like a pair of masts opening their sails.

The two triangular leaves measure 23 meters each, and when lifted, they provide a clear channel 19 meters wide for boats to pass through. The lift spans are powered by two hydraulic rams which operate up to 15 times per day, and take two minutes to fully open. The bridge was built and opened to traffic in April 2012, after nearly three decades of deliberation, approvals and cancellations. The plan for the construction of a new bridge was initiated in the 1980s. The current bridge, which was built in 1927, was facing heavy congestion due to increasing traffic levels. Thus, at first a fixed bridge crossing Holes Bay and linking with the A31 was proposed but it got cancelled in 1998. Moreover the idea of the second lifting bridge was put forward in 2004, and got approval in 2006, however instantly went into hold due to issues between the council and the land owners. So, when everything was cleared and parties had agreed, construction of the bridge commenced in 2010.

The bridge was designed by architect Wilkinson Eyre and constructed by Hochtief (United Kingdom) Construction, at an expense of £18.5 million. Furthermore, the project acknowledged the outstanding achievement award for exterior lighting at the Architecture Lighting Design Awards 2012. Moreover it was also nominated among the top four final bridges selected at International Institute of Structural Engineers Awards 2012, as well as being nominated under the commendation category for its structural authenticity.