Hail And Hailstones: A Cold Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
July 20, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steve in Geography & Travel, History & Trivia, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
Bob Dylan wasn’t referencing hail when he wrote “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” back in ‘62 but as innumerable dimpled cars, flattened fields and fractured skulls can attest, hail is as hard as rain can get.
(images via: Brian Abbott and Flipped Out)
When the New York City General Post Office was being designed back in the 1890s, someone at the architectural firm McKim, Mead and White thought that the motto “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” would make a great motto for the building’s exterior facade.
(image via: Arty Smokes)
Originally attributed to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the motto does NOT mention one of the most frightening and dangerous weather conditions postmen – or anyone else required to perform their duties outdoors – must deal with: hail.
(images via: NOAA and Weatherfreaks)
Hail, in its mildest form, superficially resembles sleet (a mix of snow and rain) but both the conception and the consequences of the former can be much more severe. That’s because hail is associated with thunderstorms and their massive, spectacularly high anvil-shaped clouds. Inside these supercells, updrafts roaring at up to 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) take water droplets and ice crystals on a rollercoaster ride spanning tens of thousands of feet.
(images via: Weathersavvy, NOAA and FindTarget)
During the course of repeated trips up and down through these ominous cumulonimbus clouds, a barely visible ice crystal can grow to astonishing sizes and often strange shapes. The process can be compared to the making of homemade candles: with each dip in hot wax, the candle adds another layer. Hailstones continue to grow until their sheer weight overcomes the strength of the storm’s updrafts.
(images via: Wikipedia, Sky-Chaser and UNL)
Hail can fall with little warning, especially when storm clouds are close and rain is already falling heavily. When visibility permits, however, it’s possible to discern certain features that are distinct to hailstorms. One of these is the so-called “hail shaft”, which indicates hail falling at a distance in a sharply defined swath. Another is more curious: hail clouds sometimes take on an odd, greenish shade.
(images via: WAOW and Ohio Storms)
A wide variety of terms are used to describe the size of hailstones, including pea-sized, dime-sized, golfball-sized and baseball-sized. While the size of hailstones is one factor in estimating the damage they may cause to objects on the ground, another is their speed, or terminal velocity. In general, as hailstones get bigger their speed increases – to over 100 miles per hour (160 k/ph) in some cases.
(images via: Strange Dangers, UCAR and TheWeatherPrediction.com)
How big can a hailstone get? The current champion hailed from (actually, on) Aurora, Nebraska, USA. This monster, which fell during a storm in 2003, was measured at 7 inches (17.78 cm) in diameter. “I looked outside, and it was raining volleyballs,” said Dale Obermeier, an Aurora farmer and National Weather Service spotter. Imagine what that bad boy and its brothers could do to your cornfield, not to mention your cabeza. Just below the Aurora hailstone is a cross-section of the previous record-holder, a 1.67 pound (0.75 kg) and 5.5 inch (13.75 cm) wide monster that fell (very loudly, most likely) near Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1970.
(images via: FEMA, Pangea and Weather New Mexico)
Thunderstorms, even those accompanied by huge supercells that unleash blistering downpours and swarms of tornadoes, don’t always include hail in their arsenal. Some regions of the world appear to be more prone to hail and hailstorms, with common contributing factors being nearby mountain ranges that can accentuate updrafts. In the United States, the area where the states of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming meet is known colloquially as “Hail Alley.” Residents in this area may expect hail to fall 7 to 9 days each year.
(images via: Iowa Farmer Today, ISU, WSU and Notaviva Vineyards)
Hail has always been the bane of farmers, whose crops can be severely damaged by hail of even a modest size. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually by American farmers on hail insurance – it may be said that hailstones are the locusts of the modern age.
(images via: Traditional Roofing Magazine and NOAA)
Property damage caused by hail is not a new issue but one growing in importance as cities and their infrastructure continue to expand. Hail is problematic for homeowners, corporations and governmental authorities because although damaging hailstorms are rather rare, when they do strike the effects can be severe. The above images show hail damage on different types of roofing materials. Even slate roofs can suffer a shocking amount of damage after being bombarded by large hailstones traveling at speed. Greenhouses have no chance at all.
(images via: Saqibsns, Laurie Kendrick and KLBJ-590)
Automobiles and aircraft are also extremely susceptible to hail damage, manifested in two main ways: dimpling of sheet metal and, in the case of larger hailstones, cracked or shattered windshields and sunroofs.
(images via: Rosebery Classics and Sydney Morning Herald)
The devastation above occurred in Sydney, Australia, during the course of an exceptionally vicious hailstorm that left cars, roofs, even patio furniture in tatters. The April 14th, 1999 hailstorm dropped approximately half a million tons of hail and was Australia’s most costly natural disaster.
(images via: Geoscience Australia, ASTHC and New South Wales SES)
The blue covers on the roofs above indicate were significant damage from hailstones occurred during the 1999 Sydney hailstorm. Considering the scope and cost of the damage it’s a wonder only a single person lost their life: a man who was struck by lightning while in his boat.
(image via: Wikimedia)
Sydney has seen severe hailstorms before – the above image was taken during a storm that struck the city and its environs in 1947. The image may remind some of a recent very popular (nearly 4 million views) YouTube video that recorded hundreds of large hailstones slamming into a swimming pool… here it is, if you haven’t seen it yet:
Hail Storm Oklahoma City, via Beatlesfanxxl
(images via: More Cool Pictures)
Damage to property is one thing, injuries to people, pets and livestock caught outdoors during a hailstorm can be horrific. Often no shelter is available when hailstones suddenly begin to fall: sheep or cattle grazing in meadows and joggers on open trails are prime examples – and easy targets.
(images via: Millennium Ark, ABC.net, BBC and Pundita)
The unfortunate person above was one of a group of 4 college students jogging in Grinnell (near Des Moines), Iowa. Golfball-sized hail driven by winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kp/h) left the boys with dozens of painful raised welts, suspected broken ribs and a quick trip to the hospital. In July of 1990, 47 people in Denver, Colorado suffered a variety of serious injuries when a power outage trapped them on an amusement park Ferris wheel, where they were bombarded by hailstones the size of softballs!
(images via: Bill Qualls, Geelong Advertiser and Guardian UK)
Hail can indeed be deadly – although records in the United States list only 5 fatalities (the most recent in the year 2000) that can be definitely ascribed to hail, other nations have been much more seriously affected. India, in particular, has a long history of deadly hailstorms with the most notable occurring in 1888 when 246 people lost their lives. It has recently been determined, however, that an even greater hail-caused tragedy occurred centuries earlier at Skeleton Lake in Roopkund, India.
(images via: Ashish Garg, Junglelure and Nick Fleming)
Roopkund is located 16,499 feet (5,029 meters) above sea level in northern India’s Uttarakhand state. The area is exceedingly barren and completely treeless. Sometime in the 9th century, a large religious procession was traversing the area when it was overtaken by a sudden, severe hailstorm.
(images via: Gyandotcom and GIO Adventures)
It’s not known how many of the pilgrims survived the terrifying icy onslaught but today the remains of as many as 600 people can be found scattered in and around Skeleton Lake – a glacial lake so named after park rangers stumbled upon the macabre scene while on patrol in 1942.
(image via: Passing Parade)
Judging by the injuries seen on human skulls found at Skeleton Lake, scientists determined that the deaths of the pilgrims could only have been caused by the deadly impact of large hailstones the size of cricket balls.
(image via: More Cool Pictures)
Hail’s effect on human history, society and culture is incalculable. Imagine being a Neanderthal swept up in a hailstorm while hunting mammoths, one of the poor pilgrims at Roopkund who trusted in the mercy of a capricious God, or a 21st century college kid out for a carefree weekend jog… look up and look out, ’cause you never know when The Iceman Cometh.
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12 (More) Volatile Volcanoes That Are Ready to Blow
June 28, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steph in Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
When Indonesia’s Mount Tambora erupted in 1815, the world got an all too vivid glimpse at just how far-reaching the damage can be. The largest volcanic eruption in the earth’s history killed 100,000 people and caused ‘The Year Without a Summer‘, crop-killing summer snow and freezing temperatures in the United States and Europe. Today, Iceland’s Mount Eyjafjallajökull is far from the only one to worry about.There’s an unusual amount of seismic activity happening everywhere from Washington State to North Korea, with 12 deadly volcanoes nearing potential eruption.
Katla Volcano, Iceland
(image via: earth magazine)
If you thought Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull eruption was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet. Think of the Katla volcano as Eyjafjallajökull’s fiercer, angrier, more violent sister. A Katla volcano eruption would be ten times stronger and would shoot larger plumes of ash much higher in the air. Though experts feared that Katla might be set off by the eruption back in April, it hasn’t happened yet – but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
Mount Baekdu, North Korea
(image via: wikimedia commons)
Mount Baekdu is sacred to Koreans, deeply connected to their history – the legend goes that this volcanic mountain on the border between North Korea and China is the ancestral origin of their people. But it may soon be connected to a new, less positive legend; experts believe it’s going to erupt for the first time since 947 A.D. sometime between 2014 and 2015. Last time, the amount of ash created is estimated to have been 1,000 times that of the recent Iceland eruption.
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
(image via: wikimedia commons)
In December of 2009, residents of the central province in the Philippines got the warning: evacuate, because Mayon is going to blow any time now. Tens of thousands of people fled the area as Mount Mayon began to hiss steam and spew ash into the air and lava began to pour down the mountainside. Ultimately, the volcano didn’t erupt – not yet, at least. The warning level has been lowered since then, but experts say the danger is far from past, especially as volcanic earthquakes and rockfall events continue to occur.
Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA
(image via: wikimedia commons)
30 years ago, Mount St. Helens caused utter chaos in Washington State, killing dozens of people and decimating more than 200 square miles of forest. It erupted again in 2004 – much more mildly – but another eruption is just a matter of time, and there would be very little warning once it began. Scientists estimate that Mount St. Helens would send a plume of ash 30,000 feet into the sky within five minutes.
Yellowstone Volcano, Wyoming, USA
(images via: wikimedia commons)
When Iceland’s volcano erupted in April 2010, the most damage it did was to the airline industry as billions of dollars were lost to grounded flights. But, as CBS News puts it, “If the Yellowstone volcano has a major eruption, you won’t be thinking much about flying.” That’s because this gigantic little-known volcano, which lies under the surface of one of America’s most popular national parks, would level nearby towns and cover a huge portion of the central US with dozens of feet of ash if it erupted. Right now, the rock is about 5% molten, and it needs to reach 15% before an eruption – which could happen in a matter of days, but would have to be triggered by a major event about as likely as a mile-wide asteroid hitting the earth. The Yellowstone volcano is being carefully monitored by scientists, so we’ll likely know far ahead of time if this baby gets ready to blow.
Marsili Volcano, Italy
(image via: cnn.com)
As if Southern Italy didn’t have enough volcanic threats, there’s also the possibility of a nearby undersea volcano collapsing and causing a catastrophic tsunami. In that sense, the Marsili Volcano isn’t technically “about to blow” – but it could cause just as much damage. In fact, experts at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology say that the volcano’s walls could crumble at any time, producing shock waves that could theoretically sink the whole of Southern Italy into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s not a matter of if, but when – however, that ‘when’ may not occur for hundreds of years.
Glacier Peak, Washington, USA
(image via: herald net)
Compared to the majesty of nearby Mount Rainier and Mount Baker, Washington State’s Glacier Peak seems like a mole hill. But buy a home in Snohomish County, and you’ll be forced to sign a document acknowledging your awareness of the fact that you’ll be living within the volcano’s reach. Glacier Peak is one of 18 U.S. Volcanoes listed as “very high threat”, but it has only three siesmometers and no GPS monitoring stations. Its last major eruption was about 1800 years ago, and when it erupts again, it will be far more violent than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Mount Vesuvius, Italy
(image via: wikimedia commons)
The 1 million people who live at the base of Mt. Vesuvius don’t need to be reminded of the horrors that another eruption of that infamous volcano would bring – they know all too well. Pompeii, completely annihilated in the year 79 B.C.E., is just minutes from the bustling metropolis of Naples, Italy. Yet another eruption killed 4,000 people in 1631, while a 1944 eruption took the lives of 26. Vesuvius is now considered Italy’s “biggest public safety problem”, though no one can predict when it will next awaken. Luckily, the chance of another Pompeii-sized eruption is only around 1 percent.
Ischia Volcano, Italy
(image via: wikimedia commons)
Not far from Mount Vesuvius, just a few miles away off the coast of Southern Italy, lies yet another volcano that could potentially erupt at any time – and while it’s far less known than Vesuvius, it may be even more dangerous. Ischia last erupted 700 years ago, and scientists say that it’s experiencing a build-up of magma that may be a disturbing hint at coming events.
Mount Merapi, Indonesia
(image via: wikimedia commons)
It’s a beautiful sight, towering over the surrounding flat lands with their jumbles of bright-roofed buildings. But Mount Merapi is also deadly, and capable of meting out an incredible amount of destruction. It has earned its place among the world’s most active volcanoes, with mild eruptions occurring every 2-3 years, larger ones every 10-15 years and exceptionally lethal eruptions happening every 40-60 years. In 1930, 1400 people lost their lives and 13 villages were destroyed; in 2006, the volcano threatened to blow but seismic activity calmed down within a couple weeks.
Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
(image via: xinhuanet)
Just like its similarly volatile neighbor Nyamuragira, the volcano Nyiragongo – located in the Democratic Republic of Congo – is extremely active, having erupted at least 34 times since 1882. A major eruption in 2002 sent lava pouring into the streets of nearby towns. Another one is likely forthcoming: in June 2010, a massive plume of molten rock associated with volcanic activity was discovered heading toward the East African Rift upon which Nyiragongo sits.
Taal Volcano, Philippines
(image via: wikimedia commons)
In the Philippines, residents are on alert for a possible eruption of the Taal Volcano, which could blow for the first time since 1997. Located just 30 miles south of the densely populated capital city of Manila, Taal could cause significant upheaval in the region including fatalities. The volcano began hissing steam last year and many high-frequency volcanic earthquakes were detected in the third week of June 2010, with magma currently moving toward the surface.
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9 More Most Extreme Places on the Planet
June 22, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steve in 7 Wonders Series, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
In The 9 Most Extreme Places on the Planet, WebEcoist sought out the most superlative locations on the Earth in nine nifty categories. This renewed look at our exceptional planet uncovers nine more extreme locations that rate their own place in the sun… rain, wind, snow, etcetera.
The Oldest
(images via: Daily Mail UK and Mahjoob)
There are several candidates for the Earth’s oldest rocks located in Greenland, South Africa and Australia but the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt in northern Canada seems to be the reigning age champion.
(image via: The Pirate’s Cove)
These rocks date back approximately 4.28 billion years to the Hadean Eon, a hellish time when our planet’s crust was just beginning to cool, and meteorites and comets rained from the skies. It’s estimated that the impact of a Mars-sized proto-planet called Theia occurred several hundred million years earlier, adding to the earth’s mass and forming the Moon.
(images via: PopAstro and GalaxyWire)
The “oldest rock on Earth” may actually be a moon rock! The so-called Genesis Rock, picked up off the lunar surface by astronauts during the Apollo 15 mission, is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old and may have once been part of the Moon’s original crust.
The Rainiest
(images via: Tutunendo, Patatastraigo and Travelvista)
You might expect the rainiest place on Earth to be in a rainforest and you’d be right: the Colombian Department (province) of Chocó, bordering Panama, is widely recognized as being the wettest place in the world. How wet is Chocó? In 1974, the town of Tutunendo was drenched with an astounding 26,303 mm (86 ft, 3.5 inches) of rain! On average, Tutunendo receives 11,770 cm (463.4 inches, or 38 ft, 6 inches) of rain per year and 2/3 of the time the rain falls at night.
(images via: Plan Your Adventure and Hanaleikauai Activities)
Mount Wai-’ale’ale on the island of Kauai, Hawaii has the most rainy days per year: up to 350 rainy days annually. Keep that in mind before you book your next vacation to “sunny Hawaii”.
The Snowiest
(images via: Wikipedia, Dgrin and WS/DOTblog)
Extremely heavy snowfalls occur in parts of the world where tall mountains divert moisture-laden air masses upward, bringing them past their condensation points. Exceptionally heavy snowfalls can occur in some surprising places: on February 14, 1927, researchers measured the depth of the annual snowpack on Japan’s Mount Ibuki at 38.8 feet (11.82 m). The Cascade Mountains of America’s Pacific Northwest are the recorded snowfall champions, however.
(image via: Stone Creek Lodge)
Snow on Washington state’s Mount Rainier was measured at a record 93.5 feet (2,850 cm) in the winter of 1971–72. Mount Ranier’s record was broken over the winter of 1998-99 when 95 feet (2,896 cm) of snow fell on the nearby Mt. Baker Ski Area. We’ll assume the snow-making machines got a rest that winter.
(images via: Dark Roasted Blend, English Russia and France24)
While snowfall in upper mountain elevations rarely inconveniences anyone except skiers, heavy snowfalls can paralyze urban centers for days, sometimes weeks. The above images of towns in Russia and the Ukraine digging out from massive snowstorms show what a visit from General Winter can be like… foreign invaders, take heed (and snowshoes).
The Driest
(images via: Nunuk Photos, Up Overland and Run Further)
Chile’s Atacama Desert doesn’t get much rain at the best of times, and at the worst of times which is, actually, most of the time) it gets barely any. It’s been noted that at the town of Arica, no rain at all fell between October 1903 to January 1918 – longest recorded rainless period in the world! Some parts of the Atacama strongly resemble photos of the planet Mars, which is not really a surprise as it doesn’t rain there either.
(images via: GhostTowns, Petzlaff and Historic 66)
America’s Death Valley often makes lists of the hottest, lowest and driest places but the Mojave Desert can be just as hot and dry. Indeed, the longest recorded dry spell in the USA was at Bagdad, California (appropriate name, that) – 767 days, from October 3rd, 1912 to November 8th, 1914. I doubt they had a white Christmas then, and they won’t now: Bagdad’s been a ghost town since 1991.
The Windiest
(images via: 180782’s Blog, New Zealand Travel and State Library of NSW)
Commonwealth Bay is officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and the Eighth Edition of the National Geographic Atlas as being the windiest place on Earth – and to make matters even worse, it’s located in Antarctica. Forget about the occasional gust, the winds at Commonwealth Bay are strong, steady, and blow at 150 mph (240 km/h) – or more.
(image via: AAD)
Australian antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson established the main base of the 1912 Australasian Antarctic Expedition expedition at Cape Denison, at the mouth of Commonwealth Bay. Presumably he did this on a rare windless day; otherwise he must have been insane.
(images via: Home By The Sea and Brian A Small)
One of the windiest places on Earth’s northern hemisphere is Cape Blanco in southwestern Oregon, USA. Jutting into the Pacific Ocean near Coos Bay, Cape Blanco is both the westernmost point of Oregon and the contiguous United States. Severe winter storms often rake Cape Blanco with shrieking winds that gust up to 125 mph (200 km/h).
The Flattest
(images via: Rajie Manders, WikiTravel, Home of POI and Horolezec)
Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni was formed from several prehistoric lakes that converged and dried, leaving a salt pan several feet thick or more over a 4,086 sq mi (10,582 sq km) expanse. Think of Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats multiplied by 25 and you’ll get an idea of how large the Salar de Uyuni is.
(image via: Seaway Blog)
Certain rare elements are concentrated in the various salts that make up the Salar, especially the strategic metal Lithium – up to 70 percent of the world’s lithium reserves are locked in the Salar’s salts!
(images via: Gone For A Wander and Travel Bolivia)
Normally dry and virtually lifeless, the Salar de Uyuni comes alive each November when summer rains attract flocks of pink flamingos, who feed on red algae and brine shrimp. At these times, the Salar becomes even flatter – in effect, it becomes a virtual mirror orbiting satellites use to calibrate their distance measurements.
The Deepest Cave
(images via: Gilyn, The Horse and Rider and Karavi)
Located in the politically ambiguous Republic of Abkhazia, the Voronya Cave (Crows’ Cave, in Russian) plunges 7,188 feet (2,191 m) into the depths of the Arabika Massif, a limestone formation dating back to the Age of Dinosaurs. Also known as the Krubera cave (after Russian geographer Alexander Kruber), the cave was discovered in 1960 and has surpassed Austria’s Lamprechtsofen as the world’s deepest cave and the only known cave deeper than 2,000 meters (6,561.5 ft).
(image via: Avibo)
Credit must be given to the the Ukrainian Speleological Association for establishing a series of depth records in the Voronya Cave and its many subsidiary caves. Beginning in the early 1980s, the Ukr.S.A. began deliberately clearing blockages and expanding squeeze points so that cave explorers could penetrate ever deeper into the interconnected caves. The current record depth of 7,188 feet (2,191 m) was set in the autumn of 2007 but as the Ukr.S.A. mounts annual expeditions to the Voronya Cave system, it’s possible those figures could change.
The Most Remote Land
(images via: Stuff, Explorapoles and PolarIce)
A “pole of inaccessibility” is that point on a continent that is the greatest distance from any ocean in any direction – the North American PofA is in South Dakota. There’s a hierarchy among poles of inaccessibility, however, and the most inaccessible of all lies in the frigid wastelands of Antarctica.
(images via: N/US Traverse and Break Media)
In 1958 the Soviet Union established a base at the Antarctic Pole of Inaccessibility which they quickly abandoned. Before leaving the base, the Soviet team installed a golden bust (OK, it’s plastic) of Lenin to oversee the icy landscape and mark the USSR’s global reach. Lenin’s eyes gaze back wistfully in the direction of Moscow – on the bright side, he won’t be troubled by pigeons. Below the bust, nearly inundated by years of snow, is a small hut that contains a guest book for visitors to sign. I’m guessing it’s a very thin periodical.
The Most Remote Island
(images via: Wikimedia, Lo Incognito, Mappery and Hotel Club)
Our previous Extreme Places on the Planet article featured the Most Remote Inhabited Island, Tristan de Cunha. Though certainly remote, another uninhabited island holds the distinction of being the most remote, period. Bouvet Island is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean that, oddly enough, is under Norwegian sovereignty. The nearest land is Antarctica’s Queen Maud Land nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the south. The nearest inhabited island is Tristan da Cunha, 1,404 miles (2,260 km) away and the nearest inhabited land is South Africa, which is 1,600 miles (2,580 km) to the northeast. Fun facts about Bouvet island: it served as the setting for the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator. Bouvet Island also has its own (unused) Internet country code top-level domain: bv.
(image via: Robin Muench)
Bouvet Island is 93 percent ice-covered with glaciers calving into the chill Southern Ocean. The island is only 19 square miles (49 sq km) in area and has no vegetation except for small outcrops of moss and lichen. Bouvet Island’s only claim to fame occurred in 1979 when an orbiting American spy satellite detected a double-flash of light near the island. Though never officially confirmed, the flash is believed by many to be the signature of a joint Israel-South Africa nuclear test.
(image via: Borders.com)
Extremes of weather, distance, geology and geography make our planet exceptional in many ways. Nothing interesting in your world today? Step out of your comfort zone sometime, going to extremes can have its own reward!
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World’s Trashiest Hotel: Rome Hotel Built of Beach Garbage
June 18, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Delana in Art & Design, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
Rome is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with unforgettable architecture and an atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else. Lately, though, it’s become a real dump. German artist Ha Schult constructed a temporary hotel in the city to highlight the sad state of Europe’s beaches. The hotel, part of Corona’s Save the Beach campaign, is constructed of garbage collected from the shoreline.
The five-room hotel contains roughly 12 tons of garbage, including fishing nets, plastic bags, skateboards, clothing, old tires, and even a mannequin’s leg. The guest rooms are very simple and basic, with leaking roofs and torn sheets acting as curtains, but they do boast real furniture. The toilets are eco-friendly chemical commodes, and forget about washing off the day’s grime in this hotel: there are no showers.
The project is meant to show that, unless we make some major changes to the way we treat the world’s beaches, we will one day be surrounded by garbage wherever we go. In the words of Schult, “we create rubbish and we become rubbish. We must change the world before the world changes us.”
(image via: Daily Mail)
One of the first guests in the unusual hotel was supermodel-turned-environmental activist Helena Christensen. She is probably more used to spending her nights in luxurious surroundings, but decided to spend the night in the garbage hotel to raise awareness of the sad state of European beaches. She reportedly had a pleasant night conversing with the other guests…despite being surrounded by refuse.
The Corona Save the Beach hotel was displayed in Rome until June 7, and is expected to be recreated in various other cities throughout the summer. The campaign promises to clean up at least one European beach per year, with the winning beaches being chosen by internet votes.
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Worshiping Nature: Breathtaking Seed Cathedral in Shanghai
June 11, 2010 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments
[ By Delana in Art & Design, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai is well underway with some of the most wondrous sights ever seen at any World’s Fair. It’s the largest and most expensive World’s Fair ever, with over 190 countries participating. Although each pavilion holds amazing sights and sounds, one has stood out to nature lovers around the world: the UK Pavilion, otherwise known as the Seed Cathedral, designed by superstar British designer Thomas Heatherwick. The huge structure is almost like a living thing, with its undulating “hairs” and the promise of life encapsulated in each.
The Seed Cathedral is among the most striking sights at the Expo. It stands at 66 feet high and features 60,000 transparent fiber optic rods, each 25 feet long and containing one or more seeds embedded in one end. The outside of the structure resembles a puffy dandelion about to disperse its seeds to the world on the wind. The rods sway and move gracefully with every breeze, giving the impression that the entire monument is alive. But the inside is even more breathtaking.
The interior of the huge structure is illuminated with exterior light that trickles down the rods. At the end of each rod you will find real seeds donated by China’s Kunming Institute of Botany in cooperation with the UK’s Kew Royal Botanic Gardens’ Millennium Seed Bank Project. The potential for life and the future of the planet is encased in each of these tiny seeds, a fact that becomes strikingly potent when you are surrounded by thousands of them in this mesmerizing place.
Heatherwick’s inspiration when designing the pavilion was to create an structure that was a direct reflection of its contents and purpose. The pavilion is a testament to the power and beauty of life, and it grandly echoes the grace of nature and the beauty of plants. It also stands out among the other pavilions at the Expo, most of which are technology-based and filled with flickering images and booming sounds. The Seed Cathedral, by contrast, is a peaceful and almost meditative space where one can quietly enjoy the diversity of nature’s promise.
At night, the structure glows from within: light sources in each rod allow light to travel outward, creating an ethereal sight for passers-by. Inside, the seeds are all illuminated individually to highlight their form and structure. The fiber optic rods were designed to be sensitive to fluctuating exterior light changes, so even clouds passing overhead are experienced within the Seed Cathedral as subtle flickers of light and shadow. The overall effect is one of tranquility and a fundamental connection with nature.
(all images via: PopSci)
Once the Expo is over in October 2010, the seeds will continue life in a new role. The fiber optic “hairs” will be distributed to hundreds of schools in China and the UK – much like dandelion seeds dispersing in the wind. Each one will be a special piece of history marking the collaboration between China and the UK to create this truly unforgettable display.
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Kickin’ Ash: 10 Amazing Active Volcanoes
May 18, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steve in 7 Wonders Series, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
Volcanoes are in the news and not in a good way, but Iceland’s tongue-twistingly named, travel-disrupting Eyjafjallajökull volcano is just doing what volcanoes do: erupt. It’s not alone, either. Around the world at any given moment, dozens of volcanoes are smoking, shaking and stirring up their neighborhoods. Here are 10 of the most active.
Kilauea, Hawaii, USA
(images via: Plan59, SlowTrav and WillGoTo)
Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii (the Big Island) is widely considered to be the most active volcano on Earth. Over the course of its most recent eruption which began in January of 1983, the volcano has expelled enough lava to pave a road around the planet three times over.
(image via: NaturalPhotos)
If not for its brilliant orange lava fountains and slow-flowing rivers of molten rock, Kilauea wouldn’t be much to look at: though the summit is 4,091 feet (1,247m) above sea level, the gently sloping shield volcano is dwarfed by neighboring 13,677 ft (4,169m) high Mauna Loa… for the present, at least.
(image via: Kilauea Adventure)
Kilauea’s name means “spewing” in the Hawaiian language; an indication that the volcano has been erupting long before England’s Captain Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th century. One relic of those days are the “1790 Footprints” preserved in hardened lava from an explosive eruption of Kilauea. The footprints are said to have been left by up to 80 warriors from a dissident Hawaiian faction who died in a pyroclastic flow from Kilauea.
Etna, Italy
(images via: TripAdvisor, Discovery and Wikimedia)
Mount Etna, on the Italian island of Sicily, has been erupting more or less continuously for the past 2,000 years though its overall history stretches back approximately 300,000 years. Though somewhat less famous (or infamous) than neighboring Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna greatly outclasses the latter peak as it rises 2.5 times its height. In addition, most of Etna’s more spectacular eruptions and associated geological events occurred in prehistory. The volcano erupted in every year from 200 through 2008 and its recent eruption occurred in April of 2010.
(images via: Wohba)
Volcanoes occasionally belch giant smoke rings into the sky, a rare and curious phenomenon that can last up to 15 minutes and range in size up to 600 feet across! Mount Etna has blown volcanic smoke rings on a number of occasions; some of those that occurred during the 2000 eruption have been documented photographically.
Nyamuragira, Democratic Republic of Congo
(images via: VolcanoDiscovery, PHSchool, WorldPOI and FreeRepublic)
Mount Nyamuragira is an active volcano located in the Virunga Mountains of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although it has erupted more than 30 times since explorers of European origin began documenting the mountain in the 1880s, recent eruptions have caused ever greater concern as the surrounding area has become heavily populated. As well, the Virunga range is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for threatened great apes including majestic Mountain Gorillas.
(image via: My Joy Online)
Mount Nyamuragira brought in the new year with an eruption: On January 2, 2010, lava began to flow from the main crater eventually reaching a distance of 1,640 feet (500m) downslope to the south and southwest. Mount Nyamuragira often exudes a particularly thin and fast-moving type of lava that makes any necessary evacuations hurried and often disorganized affairs.
Sakurajima, Japan
(images via: Tags-Search, Geology-SDSU and The Land of Fire, Satsuma)
The Sakurajima volcano is located on what was formerly an island in southern Japan’s Kagoshima Bay. The island is now connected to the mainland via a low-lying peninsula created by lava flows during the mountain’s immense eruption of 1914. Sakurajima stands 3,665 feet (1,117m) above sea level and has been erupting more or less continuously since 1955.
(image via: Pink Tentacle)
Sakurajima is a successor volcano that exudes and erupts magma from the huge subterranean chamber beneath the Aira Caldera. This 12 mile (20 km) wide caldera was created approximately 22,000 years ago in a massive eruption that sent ash and tephra hundreds of miles in every direction. Should Sakurajima follow the same path to destruction, millions of people will find themselves at extreme risk.
Erebus, Antarctica
(images via: James Caird Society and Rutgers)
The world’s most southerly active volcano, Mount Erebus has been erupting since 1972 though the eruptions have varied greatly in intensity. The 12,448 ft (3,794m) snow-covered stratovolcano is covered with snow but harbors in its crater a red hot, long-lasting lava lake that can be seen from space.
(image via: Neatorama)
Mount Erebus regularly subjects its frigid environs to a blast of geothermal activity, resulting in ethereal ice caves and horn-like fumaroles carved out of its icy coat by scalding steam. Though considered to be in a state of eruption, Mount Erebus behaves rather calmly (as volcanoes go) and has been extensively studied by volcanologists based at nearby McMurdo Station (USA) and Scott Base (NZ).
Chaitén, Chile
(images via: UPI, Xinhuanet and FEWW)
The Chaitén volcano in southern Chile began erupting on May 2 of 2008, an event that caught scientists by surprise as the mountain’s last eruption was estimated to have occurred about 9,500 years ago. Though the mountain is still in an eruptive state, the initial stages were marked by the expulsion of voluminous ash clouds shot through by incandescent bolts of lightning.
(image via: Brisbane Times)
Within 24 hours of the eruption’s inception, a huge plume of ash had risen tens of thousands of feet into the sky, there to be blown to the southeast by upper level winds. The ash plume was photographed from orbiting satellites and can be seen above, stretching completely across the width of Argentina and far into the South Atlantic Ocean.
Anak Krakatau, Indonesia
(images via: Kaskus, Jorge Santos and Joe Meintjes Travel)
Anak Krakatau (“child of Krakatoa”) may not be especially large but note the name – it carries within it the seeds of future disaster. Though the famed 1883 explosive eruption of its parent peak (Krakatoa, east of Java) caused the deaths of roughly 36,000 people, a similar event today would be unfathomably worse due to exceptional population growth over the past century.
(image via: Mornby)
As Anak Krakatau grows larger – it’s been adding approximately 5 inches (13cm) per week to its height since 1955 – it also grows more dangerous. The volcano’s current eruptive phase began in April of 2008 and is ongoing.
(image via: Dennis Dimick)
Anak Krakatau first poked its summit above the surface of the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra in August of 1930 and by 2005 had reached a height of 985 feet (300m)… when Krakatoa exploded with the force of a 200 megaton atomic bomb in 1883 it was 2,667 ft (813m) high.
Tungurahua, Ecuador
(images via: ScienceBlogs and Essential Amazon Adventure)
Tungurahua is one of the world’s tallest volcanoes, soaring 16,480 ft (5,023 m) into the thin Andean air above the South American nation of Ecuador. Those figures will likely need to be revised… Tungurahua has been actively erupting since 1999 with major eruptions occurring in 2006 and 2008.
(image via: NASA)
As with most high volcanoes in the Andes, Tungurahua’s upper slopes are snow-covered and the summit is capped by a small glacier… well, they were until 1999 when the volcano’s eruption quickly melted them away. The greatest danger from such volcanoes is not so much the ash, lava and superheated pyroclastic flows, but flooding and mudslides sweeping into populated areas on the volcano’s lower slopes. The evacuation of 25,000 people from the hot springs resort town of Banos was mainly to safeguard them from that possibility.
Yasur, Vanuatu
(images via: RedBubble, VivaProject and TravelPod)
Mount Yasur, on Tanna Island in the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu, not only has been erupting for many centuries, but perks up several times per hour! Though just 1,184 feet (361m) in height, Mount Yasur is crowned by an almost perfectly circular summit crater over 1,300 feet (400m) wide.
(image via: Volcano Discovery)
Much like Hawaii’s Kilauea, Mount Yasur erupts in a very predictable manner and at a steady level of activity, allowing tourists to approach to very close distances. An example of this was seen during the broadcast of “Survivor: Vanuatu – Islands of Fire”, when players who won a reward challenge enjoyed a picnic of hotdogs and beer while Mount Yasur’s lava fountains provided a unique sound and light show.
Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland
(images via: Stromboli Online)
Last but not least, the noisy newsmaker itself – Eyjafjallajökull. The volcano’s current eruptive phase may have only just begun: its previous eruption which began in December of 1821 lasted well into 1823. Volcanologists have determined that Eyjafjallajökull also erupted in the year 1612, and before that in 920.
(images via: Stromboli Online and The Great Beyond)
Ominously, each of the three previous eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull were followed by the eruption of Katla, a much larger subglacial volcano just 15 miles (25km) away. In a BBC interview broadcast on April 20, Icelandic President Ólafur Grímsson described the current chaos caused by Eyjafjallajökull as “a small rehearsal”, and warned that “the time for Katla to erupt is coming close… we [Iceland] have prepared… it is high time for European governments and airline authorities all over the world to start planning for the eventual Katla eruption.” C’mon Ólafur, don’t sugarcoat it, give it to us straight, OK?
Just to show that Ólafur isn’t kidding, here’s a video showing what active Icelandic volcanoes like Eyjafjallajökull are all about:
Volcano Eyjafjallajoekull at Iceland, via Marcszeglat
(images via: PC WIN and Daily Mail UK)
Some wonder as to the reasons for the increasing appearances of volcanic eruptions in the news media (global warming? The End Times?), but in actuality it’s WE who are appearing more – in closer proximity to active volcanoes than ever before. Population pressure will do that and there’s nothing like an infusion of volcanic ash and minerals to boost the fertility of soil and attract opportunistic farmers. One might say, don’t blame science fiction, instead blame human friction.
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Virtual Exploration: 14 Amazing Google Earth Finds
April 26, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steph in Animals & Habitats, Geography & Travel, Science & Research, Technology & Gadgets. ]
Illicit pot plantations, floating cars, bloody lakes and possible clues to the location of Atlantis – all of these things and more have been spotted on Google Earth, that mesmerizing satellite imagery software that allows you to explore every corner of the globe without ever leaving your seat. Some people may find Google’s ubiquitous cameras invasive, but there’s no doubt that it plays an important role not just in voyeurism and entertainment but in science, as well – and it has even led a man to what may be billions in buried treasure.
Bloody Lake in Iraq
(image via: google maps)
Is it the site of some stomach-turning atrocity? A dumping site for slaughterhouse blood, as suggested by a BoingBoing commenter? Nay, the extremely vivid red hue of this lake outside Sadr City in Iraq is most likely due to something much less exciting – like chemical pollution or a wastewater treatment process.
Ancient Fish Trap in Wales
(image via: the daily mail)
Swimming or boating in the waters of Teifi Estuary in Wales, you’d never guess that the rocks beneath the surface were anything other than a natural reef. But archaeologists using Google Earth to study geological features instantly recognized it as something else entirely – a vast man-made fish trap built some 1,000 years ago. Back then, fish would have been trapped in the V-shape during low tide, but the stones have since sunken into the sand.
Pot Plantation in Switzerland
(image via: gearthblog)
When marijuana farmers planted their illicit crop in an open field in Switzerland as if it were corn or broccoli, they apparently weren’t counting on a Google Earth satellite spying on their land. Aerial images of the site caught the attention of police in 2007, but earlier photos seem to indicate that the farmers got away with it for at least a decade.
Heart-Shaped Island in Croatia
(image via: google sightseeing)
What exotic locale could be better for a romantic vacation than a heart-shaped island off the coast of Croatia, complete with a border of sandy beaches? It’s now known as “Lover’s Island”, but even its owner didn’t realize how perfectly heart-shaped it really is until he was inundated with requests by sentimental folks who saw it online.
Airplane Graveyard in Arizona
(image via: google maps)
What happens to old airplanes when they’re no longer safe to fly? Apparently, they get dumped into a vast aircraft graveyard in the middle of Arizona. These planes sit until their useful parts are fully exploited, and desert conditions keep them from corroding in the meantime.
Flying Car in Australia
(image via: the register)
Glance at this Google Earth image, and you’ll likely do a double-take – yes, that white car parked all by its lonesome in the grass certainly does appear to be floating at least ten feet in the air. It’s still not clear exactly what was happening here, as the flat black shape lacks the reflections that a dark-colored vehicle might have sported and is perfectly situated to be the white car’s shadow.
Conflict Zone Scale Model in China
(image via: google maps)
It looks ordinary enough to those unfamiliar with China’s landscape, but this little plot of earth is actually a roughly 1:500 scale model of a disputed border region between China and India. Located near what seems to be a military complex, the model likely serves as an important visualization tool for officials planning action.
Gravity-Defying Parking Job in The Netherlands
(image via: google maps)
Many odd sights found in Google Earth have been proven mere computer anomalies, but there’s no denying that this car is actually parked on the side of a building. However, there’s also a perfectly reasonable (but still amazing) explanation: it’s a piece of public art by Theo van Laar.
Buried Treasure in Texas
(image via: google maps)
Could a Google Earth geek really have located billions of dollars in buried treasure, all through aerial imagery? Musician Nathan Smith believes that he did, investigating an unusual shape and deciding that it must be the wreck of a Spanish barquentine from 1822 that sunk in the area of Aransas Pass. Legally, the treasure is Smith’s if it’s located in a waterway and he gets to it first. Unfortunately for him, that formerly underwater area is now dry land and belongs to a family that isn’t keen on a bulldozer invasion.
Hidden Fighter Jet in France
(image via: google maps)
Why, oh why would a fighter jet be tucked away in what appears to be a residential parking lot? It seems like an odd place to rest. Perhaps it’s a model of some sort, given that it’s located next to the Paris Institute of Technology.
Tantalizing Underwater Structure in Turkey
(image via: google maps)
When eagle-eyed Google Earth explorers spotted a strange pattern in the water off the coast of Turkey, they couldn’t help but see a tantalizing glimpse at what could be the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization – Atlantis, perhaps? But alas, Google quickly rained on their parade, saying “What users are seeing is an artifact of the data collection process. Bathymetric (or sea floor terrain) data is often collected from boats using sonar to take measurements of the sea floor. The lines reflect the path of the boat as it gathers the data.”
Underwater Explosion in Mexico
(image via: google sightseeing)
Did Google Earth’s cameras just happen to catch an underwater earthquake at the very moment it occurred? A gas eruption, perhaps, or a meteorite at the moment of impact? Not quite. The harsh, frigid water of reality was thrown upon speculators when a commenter at Google Sightseeing pointed out what appears to be a jet ski in the center of the ripples.
Undiscovered Species Unmasked in Mozambique
(image via: google maps)
It has never been easy to get to the mountainous region of Mozambique in Africa, thanks to difficult terrain and civil war – so it has remained mostly untouched and undiscovered. But the virtual sightseeing capabilities of Google Earth piqued the curiosity of a group of British scientists who were amazed to find an unexpected patch of green. They decided to set out on foot, and discovered hundreds of new species in just three weeks.
Ancient Human Ancestor in South Africa
(image via: google maps)
Another scientist found that using Google Earth to keep track of various known caves and fossil deposits in South Africa paid off in a big way: namely, helping him identify an ancient human ancestor. Professor Lee Berger from Witswatersrand University in Johannesburg found a correlation between the site locations and then, using Google Earth’s aerial imagery, identified 50 previously unidentified caves and fossil sites – one of which contained the bones of a new hominid.
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Play Tarzan & Jane? 12 Exotic Treehouse Eco-Vacations
April 8, 2010 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments
[ By Angie in Art & Design, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
Treehouses appeal to the kid in us. How would you like to combine that urge to play in the trees with a vacation? Some treehouse vacations are rustic while others are more like plush resorts. Most are labeled as an eco-vacation. Whether you want to take it easy on the environment or want to play Tarzan and Jane, step off the grid and climb a tree. These 12 treehouse eco-vacations are fun yet exotic, some of the best in the world.
Green Magic Nature Resort
(image credits: palmlandtours)
If you are interested in a remote “jungle” eco-vacation, where you stay in a treehouse, then Vythiri, India, might have what you want. Green Magic Nature Resort is a dedicated eco-lodge built in the trees and located on 500 acres of private secondary forest. The first treehouse is at 100 feet with its second double bedroom directly above it. Access to this treehouse is by wooden steps and hanging bridges. The second treehouse is 90 feet up, accessed by an indigenous crane lift that hoists you with a unique water counterweight. Food comes from an organic farm and energy is solar-powered. Great bio-diversity can been seen when trekking rainforest trails or cooling off in a natural swimming pool. The treehouses offer panoramic views and attached bathroom facilities.
Post Ranch Inn
(image credits: postranchinn)
Along the ruggedly beautiful Big Sur Coast, the Post Ranch Inn has triangular treehouses. They are single standing structures on stilts, built nine feet off the forest floor. Besides a big bed, each has a fireplace and windows which offer spectacular views on all sides. If this ritzy treehouse is too much roughing it for you, then the Post Ranch Inn has a luxurious spa.
River of Life Farm Treehouse
(image credits: riveroflifefarm)
The River of Life Farm is 350 acres located in the Missouri Ozarks. The secluded treehouse overlooks the North Fork River from a private deck. The Mark Twain National Forest is next door, making this a great getaway for hiking, trout fishing, canoeing, or escaping your busy life to commune with nature. The romantic treehouse cabin can sleep up to six, with a master bedroom and a loft bedroom, but is often rented out by honeymooners.
Out ‘n’ About
(image credits: treehouses)
Out ‘n’ About Treesort is located in Cave Junction, Oregon. This place is all about treehouses, claiming to have lots of activitrees, but requiring a treeposit to hold your treeservation. If there is no bathroom in your treehouse, you are welcome to use the main facilitrees. While you are out ‘n’ about, tree fairies clean your perch. They have a wide array of treehouses, varying in sizes, prices, and amenities. These include: The Suite, Swiss Family, Peacock Perch, Cavaltree Fort, Treeloon, Treepee Yurtree, Serendipitree, Treezebo, Forestree, Pleasantree, Elementree, and Majestree.
The Bamboo Treehouse
(image credits: tropical-treehouse)
The Bamboo Treehouse is located on 12 acres of bamboo and tropical hardwood forest in Rincon, Puerto Rico. It offers three types of treehouses, all having 12 volt power provided by solar panels. The Master bedroom Hooch is a separate bamboo treehouse with bridge access to a full bathroom. The Sunset Hooch has a kitchenette on the lower level and a separate hoochette serves as the bathroom. The Luna Hooch is a self-sufficient separate residence, bathroom included, located on a private ridge with spectacular views of the valley and the Caribbean beyond. The Bamboo Treehouse is a tremendous place to be one with nature.
Camp Twin Lakes Treehouse
(image credits: inhabitots)
This eco-friendly treehouse is located on a secluded part of Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia. It’s not for adults, but for special kids. It “provides places and paths for children with serious illnesses and life challenges to experience the joys of childhood and grow in their confidence and capabilities.” Inside this wheelchair accessible treehouse, kids can learn about green living and sustainability. It also has twisty slides, a zip line, trap doors, and climbing nets in a rustic nature setting.
Treehouse Village Resort
(image credits: treehouse)
The TreeHouse Village EcoResort in Papua New Guinea is suited to experienced island travelers, divers, environmentalists, and adventure sporting enthusiasts. The first floor of the Treehouse is 6 meters up, held securely within large knurled limbs of a 200 year old native hardwood tree. There is a large balcony, dining area and a bar. Sleeping accommodations, however, are in beach-front bungalows with private bathrooms. Activities include scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, surfing, canoeing, jungle walks, rainforest treks, cycling, bird watching, culture tours, and exclusive expeditions.
Parrot Nest
(image credits: Parrot Nest Lodge)
Parrot Nest in San Ignacio, Belize, consists of two treehouses, four cabins, and two bathhouses. The thatched treehouses are on stilts under a 100 foot guanacaste tree. As its name suggests, there are plenty of pretty parrots which, thankfully, also eat the mosquitoes. Parrot Nest has many types of explorations: river, waterfalls, cascades, caves, archeological sites, jungle walks, medicine trails, butterfly farms, and more eco-adventures. Breakfast and dinner are served on the veranda of the main house.
Nahiku Treehouse
(image credits: nahiku)
Welcome to Maui and the Nahiku. The treehouse deck is 750 square feet, located 30 feet about the ground in a 75-foot Mango tree. However, the treehouse is for relaxing, staring at the ocean, or whatever appeals to you, but it is not where you sleep at night. Sleeping takes place in the Banana Cabana. The treehouse has a resident house cat to keep varmints at bay. The owners also advise, “Make no mistake, this is camping. Rainforest camping to be exact. Do not expect a ‘mint on your pillow’ at night.” Sounds fun to have a treehouse involved in camping.
Ngong Treehouses
(image credits: ngonghouse)
When you think of a treehouse vacation, you may not necessarily think it will be a posh place offering a cushy stay. Ngong House in Nairobi, Kenya, manages to offer luxury and a getaway treehouse vacation. Of the six very different styled treehouses, the rooms offer four poster beds, great comfort, and gourmet food. Some of the units have two levels with a bedroom upstairs. Living areas are raised 15 feet off the ground to offer unspoiled views of the Ngong Hills. At night there is a campfire, but during the day there is access to a swimming pool. A stay at Ngong House is an “experience in extreme comfort.”
Cedar Creek Treehouse
(image credits: Cedar Creek Treehouse)
Cedar Creek Treehouse in Ashford, Washington, is only ten miles from Mount Ranier National Park. Unlike most private bed and breakfast establishments, this cabin is 50 feet up in a giant cedar tree. From the treehouse, there are views of Mt. Rainier, the Rainbow Bridge, and the Treehouse Observatory which is 100 feet above the forest floor. The wild spiral “Stairway to Heaven” should be put on your to-do list. Inside the treehouse, there is a skylight for sun or stars as well as a mammoth tree trunk growing straight up through the kitchen floor and disappearing through the ceiling.
Ariau Amazon Towers
(image credits: ariautowers,ariautowers,ariauamazontowers,brazilnuts)
The Ariau Amazon Towers in Brazil are located in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. It is the largest treetop hotel in the world and this eco-resort is considered a must-see before you die. The treetop accommodations are connected by over 5 miles of wooden catwalks, meandering through the thick Amazon rainforest canopy. Eco-adventures are widely varied, ranging from swimming with rare pink dolphins, walking on rope bridges, to relaxing at treetop swimming pools. Private balconies offer breathtaking natural wonders, from the Amazon River to the lush tropical forest. Be prepared for little monkeys to visit with you.
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Warthog Anus, Goat Fetus and 11 More Gross Delicacies
April 5, 2010 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments
[ By Steph in Animals & Habitats, Food & Health, Geography & Travel, History & Trivia. ]
Imaging breaking open an egg to reveal a partially-formed duck fetus and licking your lips with anticipation. Most of us can’t, but that just goes to show how wildly tastes can vary – and the fact that one man’s vomit-inducing nightmare is another’s tasty treat. And even when they don’t involve feces, rotting flesh or animal fetuses, some obscure delicacies are taboo because they’re just plain awful for the environment, threatening endangered species with extinction.
Hákarl – Rotten Shark
It smells like a neglected public men’s room and looks something like diced cheese, but the horrible truth of hakarl is much worse than these attributes imply. In Iceland, the putrefied flesh of a basking shark is traditionally served during a midwinter festival and associated with hardiness and strength. That might be due to the fact that you need an iron stomach to avoid gagging while eating it. But wait – it gets ever so much worse.
Kiviak – Seagull-Stuffed Seal
(image via: sfgate)
Recipe for one super-delicious traditional Christmas meal from Greenland: take one beheaded seal carcass and stuff it with a dead, de-feathered seagull. Bury it under the permafrost and allow the flavors of fermenting bird to mingle with those of the seal’s intestines for seven months. Dig it up, bite off the bird’s head, suck out all those pungent juices and have a very happy holiday.
Balut – Duck Fetus Boiled Alive
(images via: deep end dining)
What is it about balut – a hard-boiled duck egg with a fetus inside – that inspires people not just to consume it, but to do so with lip-smacking relish? Is it the broth/amniotic fluid? The shiny, vein-covered outer membrane, or perhaps the gnarly shape of the fetus itself, with its bones and beak somehow mysteriously maintaining a soft, egg-like texture? It’s hard to imagine, but this delicacy is a beloved street snack in the Phillipines.
Endangered Bushmeat
(image via: national geographic)
Most of us wouldn’t dream of putting endangered chimp on the barbie. But illegal types of bushmeat – wild animal meat such as monkey, ape, leopard and elephant – are a thriving underground trade in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Demand for the meat of such animals is considered the top immediate threat to the future of wildlife in many areas around the world and has already resulted in widespread local extinctions.
Warthog Anus
(image via: wikimedia commons)
What’s the grossest thing you could possibly eat on a trip to Namibia? Traveling celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain found out when he got up close and personal with a feast of warthog anus. It was prepared by gutting the warthog, pulling out the anus and a foot of intestine, squeezing out the feces and throwing the whole thing on some hot coals. Said Bourdain, “This is one time when well done is eminently desirable, but no, this Hershey highway is served al dente.”
Baby Mice Wine
(image via: junch)
Contrary to some portrayals in the West, not all Chinese people regularly consume things that we consider bizarre and disgusting. However, things like ‘Baby Mice Wine’ do exist. This Chinese health tonic consists of newborn mice, their tiny eyes still closed, drowned alive in a bottle of rice wine and allowed to ferment for a year.
Monkey Brains
(image via: blog.ratestogo.com)
It’s not just an urban myth or a scene out of Indiana Jones: some people really do eat raw monkey brains, though the oft-told story of scooping them out of a live monkey’s head is hard to verify. A traveler in Cambodia got a photo of brains for sale at a public market, and tales abound on the internet of gross monkey brain-eating experiences.
Casu Marzu – Maggoty Cheese
If a food inspires most of the population to moan, “Oh, God, why?” and is disgusting enough to actually be banned, perhaps it’s best left uneaten. But Sardinians aren’t keen on giving up their national treasure Casu Marzu – rotting, maggot-infested pecorino cheese. If that doesn’t sound bad enough on its own, consider this: wearing protective eyewear is recommended, because the “cheese fly” larvae that have been intentionally allowed to hatch inside the cheese can jump up to six inches right into your face. Tasty.
Shark Fin Soup
(image via: wikimedia commons)
After maggot cheese and monkey brains, shark fin soup may not sound so bad. But though it may not be physically disgusting, this Chinese delicacy is a huge strain on international shark populations – not to mention cruel. Once finned, shark bodies – which aren’t valued – are often dumped back into the ocean to die painfully. Over 64% of the world’s known shark species are considered threatened or vulnerable, and some species are nearly extinct. Worse yet, the shark fin doesn’t even add much flavor or nutritional value – it’s little more than a garnish.
Kopi Luwak – Cat Poop Coffee
(images via: wikipedia)
Cream, sugar or cat crap? In Indonesia, coffee beans that have been eaten and defecated by civet cats are in high demand for their supposedly superior flavor – in fact, it’s the most expensive coffee in the world at $100-$600 per pound. The benefit of a less-bitter taste comes from the effect that a civet cat’s digestive enzymes have on the beans, which pass whole through the cat’s system.
Whale Meat Sashimi
(image via: fuyuhiko)
Why are Japanese whalers so intent on killing these graceful creatures, despite international (and sometimes violent) opposition to the practice? The blubbery, bland, gamey-tasting meat may not be palatable to most Westerners, but many Japanese love it and demand is high despite the threats to endangered species. Not that it only happens in Japan – a Santa Monica, California restaurant was recently shut down for serving endangered whale meat to customers.
Kutti Pi – Goat Fetus
The pronunciation of this delicacy – “cutie pie” – may have applied to these animals if they had been born alive, but it’s hard to describe cooked fetuses as cute. Kutti Pi is an Anglo-Indian delicacy that’s only eaten on the rare occasion of a pregnant animal (usually goat) being slaughtered, and is considered to have medicinal value, especially for pregnant women.
Bull Penis
(image via: winejuice.blogspot.com)
In some parts of the world, bull penis is considered an aphrodisiac, but you don’t even have to travel to China to get some. California restaurant Pho Nguyen Hue serves it in a dish called “pho ngau pin xe lua.” LA Mag says “The name translates to “noodle soup cow testicles train,” and it delivers what it promises and more. The “more” is the meat from a cow penis, which is rubbery like a tendon and comes drifting in a savory beef bone broth.” Yeah, there’s a reason that package is priced $6.66.
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3, 2, 1 Fly! Extreme Thrills, Chills & Badass BASE Jumps
March 18, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Angie in Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems, Technology & Gadgets. ]
Some people are simply extreme. There is a special brand of thrillseekers who take in views of nature at deadly high speeds, becoming truly free. They share that sweet rush with us, filming as they fly, bringing us intense videos of enjoying nature and their controlled fall. We look at BASE jumping from breathtaking natural formations, wingsuit flying, speed flying, and ski-BASE jumping. These extreme sportsmen awaken their senses and live life to the fullest!
We’ve covered rugged hikes, caving, and rock climbing, so please keep an open mind for these extreme adventures. We’re not endorsing these sports, but if you “catch” it, too, and take it up, please have fun! Be safe. Thank you kindly.
3, 2, 1, Fly!
(image credits: ggpht,ggpht,ggpht,ggpht,ggpht)
B.A.S.E. stand for the categories of fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), and earth. We focus on earth, majestic cliffs and, later, gorgeous snowy mountaintops. The scenery is stunning. For the adrenaline junkies, it forever imprints memories of both the adventure and the amazing natural views. That first jump, sometimes more, is a real head game. Your rational mind will not want you to step off the safety of the ledge and into thin air. But it’s super addicting as well. Yes, BASE jumping is one of the world’s more dangerous recreational activities. It is also a sport where the participants leave nothing to chance, requiring skill, planning every detail with good margins, and executing the jump in the right conditions.
Kjerag Kickoff Weekend 2009 – Wingsuit BASE jumping
When a philosophical blogger stated, “To risk your life for the sake of pleasure is something I cannot understand,” BASE jumper extraordinaire Halvor Angvik wrote a reply. “Every person has to take calculated risks at some points in life to get or do something they really want, something that makes life worth living. It does not have to be physical consequences; it might be an economical compromise, related to someone you love or other things you really value in life. Some risks might be bigger than others, but once you’ve found out what you really want to do in life I bet you would think it’s worth taking some risks for. What’s left of life if you won’t risk doing what you really want to do? Are you truly living then? I would not be.”
The video is some of Halvor Angvik’s jumps from the season kickoff in Kjerag, Norway, including exits 4, 5, 8 and Smellveggen. (For a rush, it’s best viewed full screen, baby!)
Wingsuit BASE Jumping
Some BASE jumpers must have truly dreamed of flying since they were young, since they wear a wingsuit which enables the human body to fly through the air. There’s a fine line between the extreme sports of BASE jumping and wingsuit flying; BASE jumpers often later wear a wingsuit. Proximity flying in a wingsuit can carry the flier so he or she can trace the contour of the wall. Wingsuit-only landings are not possible, not yet.
In the video, Loic Jean Albert, a well known BASE jumper said: “At the beginning of wingsuit BASE jumping, we try to fly as far away from the wall as possible. Now it’s getting boring, so we play around.”
(image credits: anadaopegao,anadaopegao)
Again quoting Halvor Angvik, “The most dangerous thing you can do with a wingsuit is to fly close proximity OVER the terrain. That requires a lot more planning and skills. You need to know that the angle of the terrain is well within your glide ratio limits and you need to know which parts of the flight you are in the clear to break off or pull, and where you have dedicated yourself to a line you will have to finish.”
BASE Jumping is BIG & Legal in Many Places
Although many countries allow BASE jumping, some would just as gladly arrest you. Other places require permission from both the area where you intend to land as well as from where you intend to jump. It’s legal though at Kjerag Mountain in Lysefjord, Norway. BASE jumpers are actually welcome! If the extravagant beauty of the cliffs, canyons, waterfalls, and spectacular fjords don’t take your breath away, perhaps that first step into thin air will?
(image credits: wetasschronicles,Angel Falls B.A.S.E. 09,seekextreme,nrksport,thegoat.backcountry,lysegard,ggpht)
New Zealand and Switzerland are also highly recommended areas, but there are many great places to BASE jump. These jumpers are not insane, they love life! They take calculated risks, but their love for nature is as extreme as their adventures. Do you see the treasure to be had in these stunning natural surroundings?
(image credits: wayfaring,getwonder)
Although he is far from the only wonderfully talented BASE-jumping flier, Halvor Angvik stated all of this quite eloquently, “When it comes to jumping mountains, you get to travel and experience untouched nature and places you would never go to if it had not been for the jumping, and you meet a lot of people with the same interests on the way. The feeling of freedom I get from hiking and climbing around in the mountain, out of reach of cell coverage and civilization, knowing that I am going to fly off a mountain when I get to the top, gives me an inner peace unmatched by anything else.”
BASE jumping in Lauterbrunnen 2009
This is an excellent video, from Angvik’s youtube channel, showcasing 10 days of jumping in the area of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. From Angvik’s reply to Healing Philosophy, “These facts probably won’t change your mind about base jumping being a very high-risk activity, and it shouldn’t. It is a high-risk activity because any single mistake – whether it’s misjudgment of wind and weather, your skills for a specific object, or simply a mistake during flight or deployment, or equipment maintenance and packing – will most likely kill you. It might however help you to understand that I don’t do this for the risk itself, and the kick I get from handing my life over to faith and see how I manage. Every jump is planned to every last detail, and with good margins. I never doubt that my packing or rigging is good, because I will check it again until I am 110% sure it’s good, and I never fly off a mountain unless I am sure I can make the flight. It still doesn’t make it safe, but maybe it makes you see that it’s not that irresponsible either.”
Speed Flying & Speed Riding
(image credits: freerepublic,neatorama,,Daily Mail,skinet)
Speedflying evolved from speedriding, flying fast downhill on skis. It infuses off-piste skiing with paragliding, creating more niche extreme sports. If being out in nature helps you to find balance, and you can ski competently, then perhaps you would like to ski a little and basically glide or fly down the mountain? And if you run off the edge of the mountain? No problem, just fly down and land in the snow.
Speedriding, Speedflying and Wingsuit-Flying
If you have never really heard much about speedflying, then this video may help you. This combines speedriding, speedflying and wingsuit-flying in the area of Wengen, Switzerland. The person with the camera is Halvor Angvik with his co-pilot is Jokke Sommer. If you follow BASE jumping much at all, then you might recognize Jokke from when he was wearing and testing out his Vampire 3 wingsuit.
Shane McConkey – Ski & BASE Jump
Shane McConkey was a professional skier who, among many things, was famous for skiing into a double back-flip BASE jump off Eiger, a 13,025 foot mountain in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. On March 26th, 2009, while ski-BASE jumping in Italy, one ski did not come off. This sent him into a spin at terminal velocity. The ski community suffered a great loss that day. (See tribute video)
Extreme BASE Jumping with Smoke
(image credits: NRKekstremsport)
Halvor Angvik stated, “Why do I jump? It is not because I’m fearless or braver than anyone else. I think I am as scared as any person and I certainly think a lot about the consequences of my actions. Neither is it for the adrenaline rush exclusively, though it is a good side effect. : )”
World BASE Race 2009
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