Have you ever wondered what nature was up to while humans were busy building pyramids, temples, and castles? Well, it turns out that nature was not just sitting idly by, but was also creating some amazing structures of its own.
Here are some examples of natural buildings that will make you wonder how nature did it without any architects, engineers, or contractors.
The Wave:
If you are looking for a place to surf, you might want to avoid this wave. This is not a water wave, but a sandstone rock formation in Arizona, USA. It was formed by millions of years of erosion from wind and water, creating a stunning pattern of colors and curves. The Wave is so popular that you need to apply for a permit to visit it, and only 20 people are allowed per day. So, if you want to catch this wave, you better be quick.
The Giant’s Causeway:
This is not a Lego set, but a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. It consists of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. The columns have different shapes and sizes, some reaching up to 12 meters high. According to legend, the causeway was built by a giant named Finn MacCool, who wanted to cross the sea to fight another giant in Scotland. However, when he saw the size of his opponent, he ran back and destroyed the causeway behind him. Maybe he should have used some bricks instead.
The Great Sphinx of Giza:
This is the largest and oldest monolithic statue in the world, carved out of a single piece of limestone around 2500 BC. It depicts a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. The Sphinx is located in Egypt, near the pyramids of Giza. It is believed that the Sphinx was built as a guardian of the ancient tombs. However, no one knows for sure who the human face represents, or why the nose and beard are missing. Some say that it was damaged by Napoleon’s soldiers, who used it as a target practice. Others say that it was eroded by wind and sand. Maybe it just had a bad cold.
The Stone Forest:
This is not a forest of trees, but a forest of rocks. It is a karst landscape in Yunnan, China, that features thousands of limestone pillars, some reaching up to 30 meters high. The formations resemble a forest of stone trees, hence the name. The Stone Forest was formed by the dissolution of limestone by rainwater over millions of years. It is also home to many plants and animals, such as monkeys, birds, and orchids. The Stone Forest is considered a natural wonder and a cultural heritage by the local people, who call it the “First Wonder of the World”. However, some visitors might find it hard to navigate through the maze of rocks without getting lost.
The Twelve Apostles:
This is not a religious group, but a collection of limestone stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean, along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. They were formed by erosion from waves and wind over millions of years. The Twelve Apostles are one of the most iconic landmarks in Australia, attracting millions of tourists every year. However, there are actually only eight stacks left, as four have collapsed since 2005. The name “Twelve Apostles” was given by tourism promoters in the 1920s, even though there were never twelve stacks to begin with. Maybe they should have called them something else.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China:
This park is home to a number of towering sandstone pillars, including the famous Avatar Mountains. The pillars are up to 3,000 feet tall and were formed by millions of years of erosion.
Wave Rock, Western Australia: Wave Rock is a natural rock formation located in Hyden, Western Australia. The rock is known for its undulating waves, which were formed by millions of years of wind erosion.
These are just some examples of natural buildings that show how nature can create amazing structures without any human intervention. They are also reminders of how fragile and precious these natural wonders are, and how we should protect them from destruction and pollution. So next time you visit one of these places, don’t forget to admire nature’s work and thank it for its creativity.
