Seven Natural Wonders » Seven Natural Wonders of Europe

White Cliffs of Dover

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:58:31 +0000

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Coastline composed of white chalk and limestone and black flint.
Reaching heights of 350 feet (170 m)

The White Cliffs of Dover represent the coastline of England that faces France and the Straight of Dover. The cliffs are composed of white limestone and chalk and black flint which give them their unique look. The cliffs are impressive as the reach 350 feet (170m) above the ocean. The presented a natural wall or barrier from invaders of England from Europe. On a clear day the cliffs are visible from the coast of France.

Best way to see the White Cliffs of Dover

More coming on the cliffs as they are declared one of the natural wonders.

Best way to experience the White Cliffs of Dover

More coming on the cliffs as they are declared a natural wonder.

Vatnajokull Glacier

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:58:12 +0000

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Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the world. Otherwise known as a composite volcano, it comprises numerous layers of lava, tephra and volcanic ash. Tephra is rhyolitic (an igneous, extrusive rock) in composition, and is formed by air-fall material of an eruption, which suggests the composite volcano was once active. However, at the moment it is dormant. According to experts there have been no eruptions in living memory, which suggests it has been dormant for millions of years.

Mount Kilimanjaro is in the shape of a conical volcano; it is formed by ejecta being thrown up by the volcano vent, which then piles around the vent in the shape of a cone. Due to the fact that Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of tephra, it has a cinder cone. This is because the mountains cone is made up of tephra cinders. They are made up of blobs of congealed lava and particles. When the mountain did erupt millions of years ago, the gas-charged lava would be blown violently into the air, then breaking the smaller fragments which would solidify and fall as cinders. This left Mount Kilimanjaro with a bowl-shaped crater. Moreover, as Mount Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcanoe then they can have explosive eruptions. The lava from the mountain is viscous (it’s a measure of the thickness of a fluid which is deformed by shear stress or extensional stress) which cools down before it spreads very far, which explains the mountains small crater. The rock on the mountain is felsic and has high levels of silica (in this case tephra). It is also in alternating sectors, with lava flows and ejecta in different formations. This is called stratum, which is usually formed by natural forces i.e. volcanic eruptions from Mount Kilimanjaro.

The volcano is the highest in Africa reaching 5,895m high. It also covers an area of 388, 500ha. Although the volcano stands alone, it is a part of an east-west belt of volcanoes stretching over Northern Tanzania. It has three main concentric cones to the southeast in the mountain, but also has smaller parasitic cones. Also known as a satellite cone, the main vent is blocked by cooled solidified lava, and the lava is then forced out through the sides of a volcano under immense pressure. To the west side of the mountain is the peak Shira (3,962m), of which only the southern and western rims remain.

Best way to see Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro has several official climbing routes. These are:

Machame
Marangu
Rongai
Londorossi Lemosho
Umbwe
Shira
Mweka (descent only)

Best way to experience Mount Kilimanjaro

The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame are less challenging and are often climbed by individuals with limited mountaineering experience. Many climbers employ altitude-sickness medication, including acetazolamide.

An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills.

Route travel times range from 5 to 9 days to summit and return to the base of the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route, and camps with less facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).

Summit attempts are generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Climbers on the Marangu route first encounter Gilman’s Point on the rim of the crater, which is roughly a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru. Another route is the Western Breach, much more technical in nature and attempted by serious mountaineers. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.
The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit.

At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads “Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa’s Highest Point. World’s Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World’s Largest Volcanos. Welcome.” The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.

Rock of Gibraltar

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:57:55 +0000

Quick Facts:

A monolith peaking at 1,396 feet (426 m)
Also called the Pillar of Hercules
Nature reserve for 250 Barbary Macaques, the only wild primates found in Europe

The Rock of Gibraltar is located on the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The summit peaks at 1,396 feet (426 m). The Rock of Gibraltar is also known as Calpe or the Pillar of Hercules.

The Rock of Gibraltar is covered by a nature conservatory that is home to approximately 250 Barbary Macaques. These are the only wild primates found in Europe.

Best way to see the Rock of Gibraltar

More will follow on the Rock of Gibraltar as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience the Rock of Gibraltar

More will follow on the Rock of Gibraltar as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Rock of Aphrodite

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:57:26 +0000

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Also known as Rock of the Greek or Petra Tou Romiou
Mythological birthplace of Aphrodite

The Rock of Aphrodite is a notable tourist destination for the scenic views it provides of the sea. It is also known as the Rock of the Greek or Petra Tou Romiou and is the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite.

Best way to see the Rock of Aphrodite

More will follow on the Rock of Aphrodite as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience the Rock of Aphrodite

More will follow on the Rock of Aphrodite as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Mount Olympus

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:57:09 +0000

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Highest mountain in Greece at 9,570 feet (2,919 m)
With a sea level base, it has one of the highest elevations in Europe

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and holds mythological significance as the home of the gods. The summit peaks at 9,570 feet (2,919 m), but with a sea level base it is one of the greatest elevations in Europe.

Best way to see Mount Olympus

More will follow on Mount Olympus as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience Mount Olympus

More will follow on Mount Olympus as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Mount Etna

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:56:56 +0000

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Largest active volcano in Europe
Summit peaking at 10,922 feet (3,329 m)
One of the most active volcanoes in the world

Mount Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily. It is the largest active volcano in Europe with the summit peaking at 10,922 feet (3,320 m). Etna encompasses a 460 square mile (1,190 sq km) area. It is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Best way to see Mount Etna

More will follow on Mount Etna as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience Mount Etna

More will follow on Mount Etna as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Dune of Pilat

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:56:38 +0000

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Largest sand dune in Europe
60,000,000 cubic meters
Measures 1,640 feet (500 m) wide and 1.86 miles (3 km long), with the height ranging from 328 to 383.8 feet (100 to 117 m) above sea level

The Dune of Pilat is also known as the Great Dune of Pyla. It is located in the La Teste-de-Buch of the Arcachon Bay area. The Dune of Pilat is the largest sand dune in Europe accounting for 60,000,000 cubic meters. The dune measures 1,640.4 feet (500 m) wide by 3 km long and the height ranges from 328 to 383.8 feet (100 to 117 m) above sea level.

Best way to see the Dune of Pilat

More will follow on the Dune of Pilat as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience the Dune of Pilat

More will follow on the Dune of Pilat as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Davolja Varos

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:56:03 +0000

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202 different rock towers that account for the formation
Located in southern Serbia in the Radan Mountains

Davolja Varos is an exotic rock formation located in the southern region of Serbia within the Radan mountains. The rock formation is comprised of 202 different rock pyramids or towers. These towers or pyramids have been created by erosion.

Davolja Varos is also accompanied by two different natural springs. The first, Djavolja voda which means “devil’s water,” is highly acidic and possesses a significant concentration of minerals. The second natural spring is called Crveno vrelo which means “red well.”

Best way to see the Davolja Varos

More will follow on the the Davolja Varos as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience the Davolja Varos

More will follow on Davolja Varos as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Blue Grotto

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:55:44 +0000

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A sea cave off the coast of the island of Capri, Italy

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave off the coast of Capri, Italy. The name is derived from the sunlight that passes through an underwater cavity that creates a blueish reflection that illuminates the cavern. Thus the sea cave gets the name – Blue Grotto.

Best way to see the Blue Grotto

More will follow on the Blue Grotto as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience the Blue Grotto

More will follow on the Blue Grotto as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Mont Blanc

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:55:02 +0000

Quick Facts:

Highest mountain in the Alps and western Europe
Mont Blanc, French for “white mountain,” Monte Bianco, Italian for “white mountain,” and La Dame Blanche, French for “the white lade.”
Summit peaks at 15,781 feet (4,810 m)

Mount Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and western Europe with the summit peaking at 15,781 feet (4,810 m). The mountain is also known as La Dame Blanche which is French meaning “the white lady.” As the highest mountain in western Europe, Mount Blanc ranks 11th in the world.

Mount Blanc is located on the French-Italian border between the Aosta Valley, Italy and Haute-Savoie, France.

Best way to see Mount Blanc

More will follow on Mount Blanc as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.

Best way to experience Mount Blanc

More will follow on Mount Blanc as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Europe.