Fairy Circles: A Lingering Mystery

The strange and mysterious patches in the grasslands of Namib Desert is called “Fairy Circles” in Southern African have challenged explanation with hypotheses ranging from ants to termites to grass-killing gas that seeps out of the soil. Thus, the bird-eye shows, the Namibian desert looks like it has a bad case of chicken pox, well spread across 1,100 miles of a narrow strip sit a smattering of barren polka dots. However, from several decades, a number of theories, from alien invasion to poisonous gasses have been put forth to explain the phenomenon. In fact “Fairy circles” have been a long mystery to scientists and it is discovered that small fairy circles last for an average of 24 years, whereas larger circles can stick around for up to 75 years. It is not sure, why the circles form in the first place, or why they disappear. The mysterious fairy rings have many theories for what lies behind the patches of bare earth. One of them is dragon’s breath, burn marks and dragons living beneath the ground, UFOs, radioactive soil, termites and competition between the plants for scarce resources of nutrients and water. The Fairy Circles transform the landscape into something more like the surface of moon. 

The Fairy Circles can be 6 to 40 feet in diameter can found in the region’s arid grassland on sandy soils. There is ring vegetation around the edge of the ring is taller than the surrounding grassland. They are one of nature's greatest mysteries, prompting local legends they are created by Gods and making wild theories about visits by UFOs. The vast areas are well covered by the mysterious fairy circles that pock the gray desert of Namibia captivated the imaginations of visitors in this region. But now scientists are getting on a series of projects intended at lastly unravelling what causes these strange circles of bare earth to form in their millions.

AS the scientists had done several theories for the explanation of Fairy Circles, but not conclude on definite reasons yet. Perhaps Termites seems to be the most popular authentic theory. The sand termite species “Psammotermes allocerus” was the most likely suspect for creating the fairy circles. The insect was the only species constantly present across the 1,200 miles of desert which included the circles. The local peoples are also having different thoughts of fungi, spirits and even dragon theories. However, it is difficult to form an opinion about something which is still a mystery, and investigated for years. Another activity of termites building nests beneath the ground causes the release of poisonous gas that causes the plants above to die. The pathogenic fungi may be responsible of patches where highly toxic euphorbia bushes grew. 

Moreover, a latest theory suggested the circles follow patterns of rainfall and may be caused by competition between plants themselves, with circles of stronger more vibrant grasses sucking nutrients and moisture from the deprived soil in the center and rainfall is an imperative predictor of fairy circles. However, there are many competing theories which have generated fervent factions within the scientific community. The fairy circles appear in a surprisingly regular hexagonal pattern, almost like a honeycomb. This seems to disregard the idea that belches of poisonous gas from below ground are killing the plants and the role of social insects. Only self-organization is recognized to cause patterns like this at such a large scale.

The vegetation gap expands as the competition ensues, and the grass-free zone becomes a reservoir for nutrients and water. With the additional resources, larger grass species are then able to take root at the periphery of the gap, and a stable fairy circle develops. Scientists have also previously proposed that fairy circles are an example of a "self-organizing vegetation pattern," which arises from plant interactions. In 2008, researchers developed a mathematical model showing the vegetation patterning of fairy circles could depend on water availability. Mr Dressler, 58, from Marbella, Spain, visits three times to this area between 2010 and 2014. He said: I came across this marvel by chance during one of my very first visits. Indeed it was very exciting to fly over the area for the first time. Source: Charismatic Planet

The Great Blue Hole, Belize

In Belize, a small country has a natural wonder of giant sinkhole named “The Great Blue”. Off the coast of Belize, it lies close to center of lighthouse Reef, 70 KM from the Belize City. The Great Blue Hole is in circular shape, 300 meter across and 124 meter deep which is the most often cited depth up to this day. The name “The Great Blue Hole” was devised by British diver and author Ned Middleton in the book “Ten Years Underwater”. So, this name is so popular nowadays. In 2012 Discovery Channel ranked the “Great Blue Hole” as number one on its list of "The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth". Many different fossils have been discovered that indicate the type of life forms that existed in Great Blue Holes. Other life forms such as marine life and marine fossils have also been noticed Crocodile and tortoise fossils have been found in blue holes.

The Great Blue Hole formation took place more than 150,000 years ago, when it was formed during several episodes of quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. However, with the passage of time, the sea level began to rise, the cave was flooded. The Great Blue Hole is considering one of TOP 10 scuba diving place in the world. Moreover, The Great Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Normally a day trip to the Great Blue Hole is full-day trips from the coastal tourist communities in Belize. Stalactites were retrieved from submerged caves, off-vertical by 5˚ in a consistent orientation, signifying that there had also been some past geological shift and tilting of the underlying plateau.

This is one of favorite site among the recreational scuba divers. They’re enticing by the great opportunity to dive in crystal clear water. This is a popular spot among recreational scuba divers who are lured by the opportunity to dive in sometimes crystal-clear water and meet several species of fish, including Midnight Parrotfish, Caribbean reef shark, and other juvenile fish species. There’re many types of sharks species reported here, like bull shark, hammerheads shark are among popular here, though not regularly sighted. Moreover, on-shore caves of related formation, as large collapsed sinkholes, are well recognized in Belize and in the Yucatán Peninsula, where they are identified as cenotes. Contrasting the mainland cenotes which frequently link to underwater cave systems, there is little evidence of horizontal development in the Blue Hole. The Great Blue Hole is not for all divers, you must be very perfect of having all types of diving skills, enables you to witness a dark cave with impressive stalactites.  Source: Charismatic Planet

The Jaisalmer Fort of Rajasthan

The Jaisalmer Fort is built in 1156AD by the Ruler Rawal Jaisal. The fort name is derives from Rajpur ruler, is one of largest fortifications in the world. Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer’s is an exclusive fort is a living urban center, with more than four thousand people residing within its walls. It’s honeycombed with narrow, winding lanes, lined with houses and temples along with a large number of handicraft shops, guesthouses and restaurants. The Jaisalmer Fort is 1500 feet long, 750 feet wide actually built on a hill that raises above a height of 250 feet. The basement of the fort has 15 feet tall wall forming a double line of defense has four entrances to the town side, one of which used to be guarded by cannon.

The Fort is one of Rajasthan's most popular tourist attractions with as many as 500,000 to 600,000 tourists visiting it annually abuzz with commercial activities and has seen a phenomenal growth in both human and vehicular traffic. In fact, this is oldest and massive fort of remote Thar Desert of Rajasthan. In the medieval times, the ancient Jaisalmer fort came to be celebrated for the chivalry and bravery of its rulers and also for the aesthetic sense represented by its palaces and Havelis. There are five palaces inside the Jaisalmer fort and are known as Sarvottam Vilas, Akhai Vilas, Gaj Mahal, Rang Mahal and Moti Mahal. Therefore the most famous of all the palaces, the Rang Mahal also has mural paintings to attract the tourists. So, it is thought, the winter months between October and February are most definitely the best time to visit Jaisalmer Fort. 

In 2013 the massive fort is declared UNESCO World Heritage Site stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of various battles. The Fort walls changes the color by yellow sandstone are tawny lion color in the middle of day, however fading to honey gold close to the sun sets thereby camouflaging in the yellow desert. Therefore, for this particular reason, the fort is also famous as the “Sonar Quila” or “Golden Fort”.  The fort is known a formidable monument in this region as it is located in the middle of the city. The Fort contains three layers of wall, made out of solid stone blocks and strengthens with loose rubble of Trikuta hill. 

The Jaisalmer Fort has an ingenious drainage system called the “ghut nali” lets the easy drainage of rainwater away from the fort in all four directions of the fort. But in last fifty years or so, haphazard construction activities and building of new roads has greatly reduced its effectiveness. Moroever, 6 forts of Rajasthan, namely, Jaisalmer Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore Fort were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in June 2013. They were recognized as a serial cultural property and Rajput military hill architecture. The colorful art forms and royal heritage made it appear paler in comparison. Though, the craftsmen were generally Muslims who were induced on their journey to exhibit their skills. The results were architectural purity that cannot be seen elsewhere.

The Jaisalmer Fort began in 1196 and it took 7 years to complete, and subsequent rulers kept making additions and alterations to it. The Jaisalmer Fort was once home to the Rajputs a warriors and trader tribe for many centuries, prospered by levying taxes on the merchants who wound between Egypt, Persia and India built a network of intricate fortresses to defend themselves and their accumulated wealth. In 1276, the King Jetsi strengthened the fort against Sultan of Dehli, who was incessantly invading with his trained soldiers and destroyed the castle. 

However, in 1306 the brave Dodoo was taken control of Fort, and subsequently started building the fort. Moreover Muslim king Ala-ud-din Khilji attacked and captured the fort in the 13th century and managed to hold it for nine years.  In 1541, another Muslim Mughal Emperor Humayun attached the fort city and captured the fort. After that Muslim Mughal Emperor Babur and subsequently seeded Akbar in 1570 take the control of fort. So, Fort was under control of Muslims Mughals until 1762, when Maharawal Mulraj took control of the fort. After the death of Mulraj in 1820, his grandson Gaj Singh took reigns of the fort. 

The famed fort has withstood earthquakes and sandstorms for a millenia, but now shifts and crumbles. The ever increasing population is a major threat and putting pressure on fort existence. The water seepage, inadequate civic amenities, derelict houses, seismic activity around the Trikuta Hill is mainly impacting on fort. Jaisalmer Fort has been built with a weak sedimentary rock foothill, which makes its foundation particularly vulnerable to seepage. Due to seepage, the substantial proportion of the Fort like, Queen’s Palace or Rani Ka Mahal and others outer boundary wall and lower pitching walls has collapsed. 

The fort is deteriorating, and dire need of extensive water-management infrastructure could not have been foreseen by the builders of this desert city, and changing weather patterns increasingly frequent and severe monsoons are jeopardizing the fort. In 1996, the World Monuments Fund included the Fort in his report due to the threats posed to by ever increasing population and up surging number of tourists who visit every year.  Nowadays, the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Project, a joint government of Rajasthan and Asia Development Bank project, is now in the process of providing the needed upgrades to the fort’s drainage systems. And in 2010, WMF provided support for the emergency stabilization of the structure. So, it is a must-visit for history buffs and those keen on learning about the heritage of Rajasthan. Source: Charismatic Planet

The Blue Grotto in Malta

The Blue Grotto is a number of sea caverns on the South Coast of Malta, located within the Qrendi village, near "Wied iz-Zurrieq" and right side is alsoacross from the small uninhabited islet of Filfla except for a distinctive species of lizards that live there. There is a unique site every day from sunrise until about 1pm when cave combined with the sunlight lead to the water mirroring showing various shades of blue. There are so many caverns mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colors of the underwater flora; other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue. The Blue Grotto started to get its name in the early 1950’s, when the British army personnel located in Malta, to ask local fisherman to take them for a boat trip to the Blue Grotto sea caves. However, with the passage of time it became so famous that the fishermen started to offer this service to tourists and locals alike. Well, this site should not be confused with its namesake, the Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. 

Therefore, the Blue Grotto is popular tourists destination on the island of Malta with many boat trips visit the caves, scuba diving snorkeling and rock climbing being the most admired activities here. Moreover the local restaurants are offering delicious food with majestic sea views. This location is very popular between filmmakers, and promotional videos about Malta. The water is incredibly blue, which is attracting more than 100,000 tourists per year. Moreover, there is a massive arch more than 30m and six caves formed by centuries of constant erosion of waves reflects the white sandy beaches giving off a vivid cobalt colors. The natural arch is a unique byproduct of the local coralline limestone, which tends to fracture and erode from the continually pounding waves. This particular spectacle of colors can be seen daily which is presents exceptional photographic backgrounds to picture lovers. So, this wonderful natural Grotto and its neighboring system of caverns mirrors and scenery around are breathtaking. It is highly advised to visit Blue Grotto early in the morning to avoid summer rush. At that time, you can enjoy caves at their best; sea is calmer, sunrises, sufficient time to enjoy this natural wonder. 

Pando: The World’s Oldest Living Organisms

The Pando or “The Trembling Giant” is a massive grove of quaking aspens that takes the “forest as a single organism” metaphor and literalizes it. Although, the grove is a single organism, roughly 47,000 trees are genetically similar having single root system. However, various trees spread through flowering and sexual reproduction; quaking aspens normally reproduce asexually, by sprouting new trees from the expansive lateral root of the parent. So, with their smooth white bark, intense black markings, and tall, thin trunks, aspens are some of the most striking and graceful trees, special varieties possess a very surprising quality. Each separate tree standing above the ground is actually part of one single, enormous plant. Pando is located one mile southwest of Fish Lake on Utah's Route 25, in the Fremont River Ranger District of the Fish-lake National Forest. The Pando aspen clone in Utah is hard to guess age and long-term research would have had to begin when humans were starting to emigrate out of Africa. However, individual trees have a lifespan of somewhere between 200 to 220 years, but clones considered as a single entity can sprawl for acres, all descended from one original tree, and are able to reproduce indefinitely.

Actually, the individual trees aren’t individuals, but their stems of massive single clone. Pando was once believed the largest organism in the world spanning 107 acres and weighing 6,615 tons making it the heaviest known organism, now usurped by thousand acre fungal mats in Oregon. Furthermore experts are also not sure about organism’s age with the level of precision found in tree rings. However, some believes Pando is massive organism and its age is more than one millions years old, could be easily called world’s oldest living organisms. Moreover, the quaking aspen is named its leaves, usually stir without any trouble even in a gentle breeze enable to produce a fluttering sound with slightest provocation. This has impact on Pando’s, multiplied thousands of thousands trees prevalent in massive acres unnerving, giving a real sense of life to the ancient dying, trembling giant. Other things, which can be oldest living organisms, possibly larger fungal mats in Oregon, the ancient clonal Creosote bushes, and strands of the clonal marine plant Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to some ecologist, the future of Pando organisms is in danger due to mature stems is regularly dying from the eternal problems of pests, diseases, drought and regenerative roots of organism are under attacks. Although, The Western Aspen Alliance has been studying the tree in an effort to save it, and the U.S. Forest Service is doing experimenting with numerous five acre sections of it to make an effort to find a means to save it. The roots systems which are mainly responsible for Pando’s resilience are not nourishing. Therefore, ecologists are suggesting of juvenile and young stems to replace the older trunks, blaming overgrazing by animals. The Pando is slipping away due to lack of new growth to replace the old. In fact, the Trembling Giant is vulnerable to a catastrophic, abruptly withering and shrinking. The clone now recognized as Pando was actually discovered in 1968 by researcher “Burton V. Barnes”, who had described Pando as a single organism based on its morphological characteristics alone; molecular techniques and methods developed since that time have largely substantiated those conclusions.

Pando’s needs ideal circumstance of colonizing the area under wet climate into which Pando was born was markedly different from that of these days. Pando is thought to have grown for much of its lifetime under ideal circumstances: frequent forest fires have prevented its main competitor, conifers, from colonizing the area, and a climate shift from wet and humid to semi-arid has obstructed seedling establishment and the accompanying rivalry from younger aspens. Moreover, during intense fires, the organism survived underground, with its root system sending up new stems in the aftermath of each wildfire. If its postulated age is correct, then it may have been as many as 10,000 years since Pando's last successful flowering. The special properties of the quaking aspen, fascination with the beauty, complexity, and continuing mystery of this tree perhaps save clones like Pando from a destiny as firewood.