The lluvia de peces is a phenomenon that has been occurring yearly for more than a century in Yoro, Honduras, in which fish are said to fall from the sky. It occurs up to four times in a year. The explanation generally offered for the rain of fish is meteorological, often speculated to be strong winds or waterspouts, as is commonly proposed when attempting to explain similar occurrences of raining animals.
Fiery Cross Reef is a submerged feature in the South China Sea, situated within the Spratly Islands archipelago. The reef is located approximately 375 kilometers west of Palawan, Philippines, and is claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Over the years, Fiery Cross Reef has been the subject of significant attention due to its strategic location and the contentious territorial disputes surrounding it. China, in particular, has undertaken extensive land reclamation and construction activities on the reef, transforming it into an artificial island.
The Blue Java is a hardy, cold-tolerant banana cultivar known for its sweet aromatic fruit, which is said to have an ice cream-like consistency and flavor reminiscent of vanilla.
Sarv-e Abarkuh stands as a testament to the enduring beauty and resilience of nature in the arid landscapes of Iran. Located in the Yazd Province, near the town of Abarkuh, this majestic cypress tree is revered as one of the oldest living organisms on Earth, with an estimated age of over 4,000 years.
Iceberg towing, a concept proposed in the mid-20th century, involves harnessing massive icebergs from polar regions and towing them to regions facing water shortages. The idea aims to utilize the abundant freshwater reserves locked within icebergs to alleviate drought conditions and provide freshwater resources to areas in need. While theoretically promising, iceberg towing has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, leading to skepticism about its feasibility and effectiveness. Proponents of iceberg towing argue that it offers a potential solution to water scarcity issues by tapping into a vast and renewable freshwater source. The process involves identifying suitable icebergs, towing them using specialized vessels, and allowing them to melt gradually, releasing freshwater into the surrounding environment. However, the practical implementation of iceberg towing has proven to be far more complex and challenging than initially envisioned. One of the main challenges of iceberg towing is the sheer scale and weight of the icebergs involved, which can weigh millions of tons and span several kilometers in length. Towing such massive structures across vast stretches of open ocean requires significant investments in equipment, manpower, and infrastructure. Additionally, there are risks of accidents, collisions, and environmental damage associated with towing icebergs through sensitive marine ecosystems.
Sable Island is a small Canadian island situated 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and about 175 km (109 mi) southeast of the closest point of mainland Nova Scotia in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is staffed year round by three federal government staff, rising during summer months when research projects and tourism increase. Notable for its role in early Canadian history and the Sable Island horse, the island is protected and managed by Parks Canada, which must grant permission prior to any visit.
Once a year, on cues from the lunar cycle and the water temperature, entire colonies of coral reefs simultaneously release their tiny eggs and sperm, called gametes, into the ocean.
The Sandhof Lily Pan is a clay plain in the southern region of Namibia near the town of Maltehohe, 300 kilometers from the capital Windhoek. Miracles happen whenever rainfall reaches 15-30 cm. Thousands of lilies bloom at the same time, turning the entire area into a sea of flowers.
In meteorology, virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation falling from a cloud that evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground.
Shilin is one of the world’s most spectacular examples of karst landscapes. It is characterized by giant sinkholes and caves.