The Great Blue Hole, Belize

One of it kind, the Geat Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize. In this sea it appears as a pupil above the turquoise water. the hole is circular in shape measuring around 984 ft across and 410 ft deep. It is a result of the natural activity during the glacial period when the sea levels were very low. As the acean began to rise againdue to melting of ice, the roof flodded and collapsed consequently filling it with the sea water.

This is a popular site for scuba divers and ocean researchers who are attracted by no of species of fishes and various types of reef sharks like Caribbean Reef Shark and the Black Tip Shark.

Investigations by this expedition confirmed the hole's origin as typical karst. Stalactites were retrieved from submerged caves, confirming their previous formation above sea level. Some of these stalactites were also off-vertical by 10°-13° in a consistent orientation, thus indicating that there had also been some past geological shift and tilting of the underlying plateau, followed by a long period in the current plane.

CHAMPAGNE POOL, ROTORUA


Located about 30 km southeast of Rotorua and about 50 km northeast of Taupo is the magestic Champagne Pool which provides the gateway to New Zealand’s most colorful natural volcanic environment. The name Champagne Pool is derived from the abundant efflux of carbon dioxide (CO₂), similar to a glass of bubbling champagne.

The hot spring was formed 900 years ago by a hydrothermal eruption. Its crater is around 65 m (210 ft) in diameter with a maximum depth of approximately 62 m (200 ft). The deep geothermal water below Champagne Pool is of the order of 260 °C (500 °F) but water temperature within the pool is maintained at 73 °C (163 °F) to 75 °C (167 °F) by losing heat to the atmosphere. Minerals contained in the water are gold, silver, mercury, sulphur, arsenic, thallium, antimony etc and are presently depositing in the surrounding sinter ledge.  The various sinter ledges have been associated with tilting of the pool as a consequence of earthquake activity.

THE NATURE AT IT'S BEST

The 'Cliffs of Moher'

Situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren Area, the ‘Cliffs of Moher’ are one of Ireland's most spectacular views which happen to be the most outstanding coastal features and biggest Tourist Attraction. The cliffs rise 120 meters (394 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean and reach a maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, eight kilometers away. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. Nevertheless a walk along the cliffs is not to be missed.

It has being the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland and topped the list of attractions in 2006 by drawing almost one million visitors. As of June 2009 the Cliffs were in 5th place in the Seascapes section of the "New Seven Wonders" competition. The "New Seven Wonders" winners are expected to be announced in 2010. The Cliffs of Moher have been featured on film numerous times, including in The Princess Bride (1987), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), and in the Tentacles of Doom episode of Father Ted (1996).