Ancient life in a Strange Cave
Scientists have discovered a new range in Naica, Mexico in which life itself can subsist. Unlike the habitats of many other caves and subterranean areas, where bacterial colonies grow on mossy walls and soil with little or no sunlight at all, scientists discovered that the microbes in Naica have been embedded within giant crystals. By and large, what they found here were single-celled bacteria.
They estimate that life has been flourishing here, in these strange conditions, for around 50,000 years. What’s more, this form of bacteria feeds itself by digesting minerals like iron and magnesium, which are abundant within the crystal formations. Now, the scientists have moved their focus to figure out just how life is able to thrive in such an extreme habitat.
You'll Think it's Photoshopped
The Antelope Canyon of Arizona formed out of the erosion of sandstone from rainwater and flash flooding, is truly awe-inspiring and if you don't see it for yourself you'll be fooled that it's photoshopped . The Antelope Canyon includes two different, but equally amazing slot canyon sections referred to as "Upper Antelope Canyon" and "Lower Antelope Canyon" or "The Crack" and "The Corkscrew" respectively.
Both are in the LeChee Chapter of the native Navajo Nation. The canyons aren't open to the public and are accessible by guided tours only.
The Blue Gym of Capri
This Blue Grotto is a sea cave located off the coast of the island of Capri, in southern Italy. As its name implies, it's famous for its brilliant shades of blue. As sunlight, passes through the huge underwater cavity, shining through the water, it creates a beautiful turquoise reflection that illuminates the cave. So it's not surprising that it attracts millions of visitors from the area and from around the globe alike.
Hopefully you know how to float if you get visit this treasure island, as you'll need to lie on your back in order to cross through the cave's opening, which is no more than a meter tall.
Not Your Average Cavern
Another famous sea cave on our list. but not less impressive is the Fingal's Cave in Staffa, Scotland. It's very distinctive cubic structure is formed from hexagonal basalt pillars that formed together. in a Paleocene lava flow. What's even more interesting about this cave it that its size, shape, and naturally-arched roof combine with the waves to make mystic sounds that enhance its already cathedral-like atmosphere.
The origin of the Cave's name surrounds around Finn MacCumhaill, or Fingal (250 AD) - a Celtic parallel to King Arthur. The legend say that Fingal was the father of Ossian, the traditional bard of the Gaels. When Gaels migrated from Ireland into Scotland the stories of Fingal came across too, thus he soon became revered in Scotland as well.
The Cave of the Shrine
The Batu Caves in Malaysia is home to one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside of India. It was built in honor of Lord Murugan (a Tamil God), which makes it also a focal point of Hindu festivals.
The Batu Caves have been used by both English and Chinese settlers, and the indigenous Temuan people. This historic cave is filled with statues and is always open for visitors.