Planet Earth offers us the basic survival needs. We have water, sun, food, and a place to live. But, we must not forget the fact that it can be very hostile. There are so many extreme places that would make your anxiety go up. How about an unconventional trip to the most extreme and hostile places that our planet offers? You don’t even have to put on your shoes or leave the comfort of your own home. Together, we will explore the ten most extreme places on Earth!
1. Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the ultimate goal for the ones that take mountain climbing very seriously. Located between Nepal and Tibet, it is the highest peak in the world, measuring more than 29,000 feet high. That’s all most 20 times taller than the Empire State Building! Reaching the top of the world may sound like the ultimate achievement, but it can have a deadly outcome. The extreme height makes it difficult for people to breathe, as it has only one-third of the air pressure at sea level. This isn’t the only danger that awaits, as there is a risk of avalanches and falls. About 295 mountaineers have lost their lives in the attempt to conquer the world’s highest peak. Their corpses remain on the mountain.
2. Mariana’s Trench
In contrast to the highest peak on Earth, we have the deepest oceanic trench. Located miles off the coast of the Philippines, Mariana’s Trench has a depth of 35,756 feet. That’s more than 6 miles deep! The water pressure is so high that no living being would be able to thrive. If a human would go for a swim there, the extreme water pressure will make the lungs collapse. And let’s not forget about the scorching temperature of the water down there. There are hydrothermal vents on the bottom, so the water heats up to 842 degrees. If you expected to find mythical creatures or monsters on the bottom, you would be disappointed. As of yet only crushed seashells and mud have been found down there.
3. Lut Desert, Iran
The Lut Desert is a vast salt desert located in Iran. We know that desserts can get scorching hot, but this one breaks the world’s records. With the highest temperature of 159 degrees recorded in 2005, it is considered the hottest spot on the Earth. Compare that to Death Valley in California which recorded the US’s highest recorded temperature of 134 degrees. The extreme heat is due to the lack of water. The sunlight absorbs into the ground, which raises the temperature. During the night, the temperatures will drastically fall. The center of the desert is empty and doesn’t have any plants.
4. Lloro, Colombia
Lloro is a small town in Colombia, located in the region of Choro. You might be thinking about what can be extraordinary about a little place like this. However, you will be surprised to find out that this place is considered the wettest spot on Earth. The average rainfall per year is 523.6 inches, which takes Lloro on the top. The annual precipitation is ten times higher than any rainy city in the US. The name of the city is translated to “I cry.” Well, anyone would cry, knowing that they would have to use an umbrella every day.
5. Gansbaai, South Africa
Gansbaai’s waters hide a notorious secret that will terrify you. The great white shark lives in the crystal clear waters of South Africa. It is their natural habitat, where the dangerous white sharks lurk in the waters. This has made Shark Alley a famous touristic spot. The canal is known for having a dense population of these water beasts. It might not sound like the perfect tourist destination because you can easily encounter yourself with a white shark. If you feel brave enough to meet with the beasts in person, you have the option to hop on board and go for a cage diving tour in the Shark Alley.
6. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea’s shore is known as the deepest point on land. It can’t compete with the Mariana’s Trench, but it allows you to go 1,350 feet deep below sea level while still staying on the ground. But, there is another something even more extreme about the Dead Sea. It is famous for its highly concentrated salt waters. The water has very high salt amounts so that no creature can survive there. This makes it the ultimate tourist attraction. Imagine enjoying yourself in the mineral-rich waters without having to worry about any sea creatures lurking around. Another great advantage is that the water is so dense due to the high salt content, that you don’t have to be a good swimmer because you can easily float without much effort.
7. Angel Falls, Venezuela
If you were impressed by Niagara falls, wait until you see these. The Angel Falls are the highest waterfalls in the world, located in the Canaima National Park. With a height of 3,212 feet, the Falls are among the most famous tourist attractions in Venezuela. Impressively, that is 19 times the height of Niagara Falls. Whoa that’s that’s pretty high…
They are located in the middle of the jungle, so getting there is an adventure by itself. You need to hop on a plane and fly over the forest before joining a boat ride. This trip will allow you to enjoy nature and prepare you for the beauty that awaits you. The effort is worth it.
8. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni has many things that make it a part of the extreme list. It is known as the world’s largest salt flat, expanding to 4,086 square miles. Also, it has the world record for the flattest place on Earth. Over the years, it has become a famous tourist attraction in Bolivia due to its unique ability. After raining the flat nature of the terrain turns it into the world’s largest mirror. The crystal clear waters reflect the blue skies and allow you to enjoy this fantastic sight.
9. Coober Pedy, South Austraila
Coober Pedy is a town located in South Australia. At first glance, it might look like a small and inhabited town. But, there is a hidden secret that lies underneath the surface. The residents live underground! It sounds surprising, but there is an actual reason behind it. And no, the residents aren’t preparing for an apocalypse. They find this way of living as an excellent way to escape the heat from the desert. That is a pretty smart move, as the desert temperatures can go to extremes during the day.
But this isn’t the most extreme thing about this town. You will be amazed to find out that this is the largest producer of opal in the world. About 70% of the total world production of this precious gem happens here. Opal is a rare and expensive gemstone that comes in different colors. Red is a unique color to find, and therefore the most expensive one. Some colors are scarce to find and can be more costly than diamonds.
10. Rjukan, Norway
Rjukan is a town located west of Oslo in Norway. It is considered to be the darkest place on Earth. While this sounds very creepy, there is a scientific reason behind it. The high mountains block most if not all of the sun rays and prevent them from casting light on the town. Rjukan residents used to live in darkness for six months per year until someone got a great idea in 2013. They implemented a smart mirror system that directs the sun rays to the town. Finally, Rjukan gets a ray of sunshine.
After checking all of these extreme places hidden by Planet Earth, you are certainly blown away. Each one will either amaze or terrify you. Whether you are afraid of height, sharks, or deep waters, these places are enough to increase your anxiety levels. What do you think? Which place would like to explore one day?
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