Discover 8 astonishing geological phenomena that defy explanation

Earth is a planet full of mysteries. There are so many strange yet fascinating geological phenomena that just seem impossible to be a reality.

From fossilized forests to a gas crater that has burned for 50 years and rocks that move on their own, these phenomena defy what we thought we knew about how Earth works and offer clues (albeit small ones) into the incredible forces that shape our planet.

One strange geological phenomenon is the sailing stones most famously found in Death Valley's Racetrack Playa. These rocks, weighing up to hundreds of pounds, appear to glide—sometimes non-linearly—across the desert floor without animal intervention. While this may seem strange at first, some explanations make the phenomenon less of a mystery.

For example, one scientific study in 2014 claimed to have solved the mystery behind these 'sliding rocks,' linking their movement to the formation of thin ice on the playa overnight. Apparently, as the ice melts, the surface becomes slippery, so when light wind occurs, the rocks slide across the ground.

Second on our list of strange geological phenomena is the Blue Lava of Kawah Ijen. Kawah Ijen is an active stratovolcano whose name derives from the Indonesian words "Kawah," meaning "crater," and "Ijen," meaning "volcano."

Kawah Ijen is on the island of Java in Indonesia. What's peculiar about this volcano is its electric blue sulfur flames (it's not actually lava!) which are the result of combusting sulfuric gases.

These sulfuric gases spew from the volcano's many fumaroles at temperatures of up to 600°C (around 1,100°F).

Upon contact with air, the hot gases produce an intense blue flame of temperatures exceeding 360°C (680°F).

For years, Paris-based photographer Olivier Grunewald has captured the mesmerizing electric-blue flames of Kawah Ijen, a sight that often illuminates the volcano at night.

Have you heard about Brinicles, or the "ice fingers of death," a geological phenomenon that literally kills any living organism in its path? Brinicles are ice, tube-looking formations that form underneath sea ice in only the polar regions of Earth. They look similar to stalactites that we find on the surface of caves.

Brinicles form when extremely cold, salty brine from sea ice seeps into the open oceans, creating dense, cold streams that sink. When the streams descend, they freeze the surrounding seawater, forming downward ice formations.

challenging capturing brinicles in real-time, which makes the above video showing one reaching the seafloor and devouring nearby sea urchins and starfish rare.

The mysterious "fairy circles" of Namibia are circular patches, typically six to 40 feet in diameter, of barren soil that are bordered by grass. They extend for over 1000 miles throughout the Namib Desert in Southern Africa — one of the driest regions on Earth. Researchers have also spotted them in a part of the Pilbara in Western Australia.

While no theory fully explains the origins of "fairy circles," a 2022 study linking them to "ecohydrological feedback" has proven convincing. Significantly, the study debunks previous theories claiming pest activity is responsible.

Simply put, scientists argued that the grass around the circles pulls water away from the center creating a vacuum effect that deprives inner grasses, which cannot survive. The circular shape makes sense as it maximizes water distribution to outer plants, leaving the middle bare.

The Door to Hell (or Darvaza Gas Crater), in Turkmenistan, is a 230-foot-wide crater that has burned continuously since 1971. This geological phenomenon is a great example of when natural geological processes— in this case, the presence of natural gas deposits— combine with human intervention. The Door to Hell was accidentally formed when geologists drilling for the natural resource caused the ground to collapse, creating a massive methane-filled hole.

At the time, the scientists believed that it would just burn out after days — instead, it's still burning over 50 years later.

Another striking geological phenomenon is the Blood Falls in Antarctica where bright (blood-looking) iron-rich water seeps from the Taylor Glacier.

This Blood Falls forms when ancient seawater trapped beneath the glacier flows to the surface. When the iron in this salty water is exposed to oxygen in the air it oxidizes, turning it red — think about how rust forms. Significantly, Blood Falls exemplifies geochemical processes within a glacial environment, highlighting how they can occur beyond just rocks.

Last but not least on our list of peculiar geological phenomena are petrified (fossilized) forests, which are found worldwide. One of the most famous sites is located in Arizona, USA, home to ancient trees of striking colors that once thrived in the Late Triassic period (around 225 million years ago).

Petrification is simply when ancient trees have their organic material replaced by minerals, typically silica such as quartz, over millions of years. The result is a stunning array of fossilized tree trunks, branches, and even leaves, often revealing intricate details of the original wood.

Devils Tower, which formed about 50 million years ago, stands at approximately 1,267 feet (386 meters) above sea level and is known for its striking columnar, hexagonal basalt formations.

According to one of many theories, Devils Tower formed through a geologic process known as an igneous intrusion, where molten magma from deep within the Earth cooled and solidified underground i.e. did not erupt at the surface as lava.

Over time, this solidified magma became exposed leaving behind the iconic tower's distinctive shape as surrounding, less resistant rock such as sandstones eroded.

Interestingly, though its name may appear sinister, the "Devils" in the name of this geological monument was actually the result of a misinterpretation of the local native American language by Early European settlers.

So there you have it, a roundup (not at all exhaustive) of some of the geological phenomena you probably never knew existed.

From striking petrified forests to deadly ice formations and a fiery crater that has burned for over 50 years, these natural wonders serve as a reminder of the dynamic processes that continue to shape our planet Earth.