1. Hormuz Island, Iran
“Art made from ochre on the islands beaches” by SM MIRHOSSEINI is licensed under CC BY 3.0
In the heart of the Persian Gulf lies Hormuz Island, nicknamed the Rainbow Island due to the Rainbow Mountains and Valley made of multi-hued earth and sand. Uneven cooling of molten rock led to shades of red, blue, purple, yellow, and green that, together, create a stunning geological wonderland. Hormuz Island’s red beach creates a stunning picture against the blue water, red waves crashing along the metal-rich sand. The red ochre soil, called “Gelack” is used for industrial purposes, and also as a spice in local cuisine.
2. Vinicunca Mountain, Peru
Photograph of Vinicunca Mountain by Tania Av from Pexels
Located deep in the Peruvian Andes is a stunningly beautiful mountain range lined with layers of turquoise, maroon, yellow, and lavender rock that lend it its nickname of Rainbow Mountain or Montaña de Colores. Different minerals and environmental conditions such as weathering and crustal shortening give the mountain its distinctly layered appearance. The colorful mountain is a site of daily worship and religious offerings for locals. The mountain deity, or “Apu” is in charge of protecting the locals’ livelihoods and their herds of animals.
3. Kawah Ijen Volcano, Indonesia
Photograph of Kawah Ijen Volcano by Candra Firmansyah is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Brilliant blue flames of the Kawah Ijen Volcano erupt at night. Photograph by Thomas Fuhrmann licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
During the day, the Kawah Ijen volcano looks like a relatively ordinary volcano, but late at night occurs a natural phenomenon that lends to the volcano’s colorful, and otherworldly, nature. Brilliant electric blue flames spew out of the volcano due to its dangerously high levels of sulfur (pictured below). When the volcano’s sulfuric gases come into contact with the air, they ignite and send blue flames into the air, some up to 16 feet high. Some of the sulfuric gases condense into liquid sulfur, which, as it burns and flows down the slopes, gives the appearance of blue lava. The same sulfur deposits give the volcanic lake (the world’s largest acidic volcano crater lake, its bright, turquoise color. Unfortunately, what creates a beautiful neon blue phenomenon is also very hazardous to the miners who sell the sulfur rocks they extract so they can supplement their family’s low incomes.
4. Las Coloradas, Mexico
Pink lagoon of Las Coloradas in Yucatan, Mexico by Walter Rodriguez is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Hidden away in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula lies a magical, natural phenomenon: a series of cotton-candy pink lakes. The pink lakes get their color from red algae, plankton, and brine shrimp that thrive in salt water. As the water in the shallow lagoons evaporates, the organisms become more concentrated, naturally creating the bubblegum pink color. This concentration of microorganisms causes the flamingos to appear much pinker than most other flamingos who do not eat as much brine shrimp.
5. Wǔhuā Hǎi Lake, China
Landscape of Five Flower Lake in Rize Valley by Chensiyuan is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to many natural marvels, but the Five Flower Lake is particularly stunning. While the water is usually a sapphire blue, its color varies from amber yellow, emerald green, dark jade, and a light turquoise. The colors lend the lake its nickname: Peacock Lake. Adding to the lake’s fairytale-like appearance are ancient fallen tree trunks that are visible through the clear, mirror-like water. The shallow, crystal clear lake, considered to be holy by local residents, does not freeze in winter because of an underwater hot spring that flows freely into the lake.
6. Kawachi Fujien, Japan
Wisteria garden tunnel in Kitakyushu, Japan by inazakira is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Set in the wooded hills south of Kitakyushu is a pastel hued garden straight out of a fairytale. The Kawachi Wisteria Garden is home to twenty-two different species of wisteria plants. Around one-hundred fifty blue, purple, violet-blue, white, and pink flowering trees cover the arched tunnels, creating an enormous roof of hanging flowers.
Asiya Haouchine
Asiya is an Algerian-American writer who graduated from the University of Connecticut in May 2016, earning a BA in journalism and English. She was an editorial intern and contributing writer for Warscapes magazine and the online/blog editor for Long River Review. She is currently studying for her Master’s in Library and Information Science. @AsiyaHaou