Nestled next to the Atlantic Ocean, theGiant’s Causeway in Ireland is easily oneof the most incredible, bizarre naturalwonders in the world. The Causeway ishome to more than 40,000 columns, mostof which have six sides and form ahoneycomb-like pattern.

Giant’s Causeway wasn’t always thespectacular tourist hotspot it is today,though. Created from cooled magma, ittook nearly 60 million years of erosion forthe columns to be visible. Scientists believethat they were finally revealed after thelast Ice Age, around 15,000 years ago.

The scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen waterfalls decorate the area’s cliffside. Here, the spring water is hot and high in calcium, magnesium sulfrate and bicarbonate. The Pamukkale hot springs flow at a rate of 400 liters per second, with their mineral-saturated flows forming its hollow, circular basins all the while

While some claim that it’s a monster,others are sure it looks most like a dragon.Either way, the natural Hvitserkur rockformation evokes all sorts of humaninterest. Located at the northern tip of theVatnsnes Peninsula in Iceland, thousandsof people travel to see the rock each year.The rock already has three holes in itsfoundation, and the structure has beenreinforced with concrete to prevent furthererosion. Even in pictures, viewers can seestreaks of white bird droppings that dripdown the edges, giving the formation thename Hvitserkur, which means white

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Named after the hero of an 18th centuryepic poem, Fingal’s Cave boasts numerousgeometric columns reminiscent of Ireland’sGiant’s Causeway. Fingal’s Cave is formedfrom hexagonally jointed basalt columnscreated by solidified lava. The sea cave islocated on Staffa, an uninhabited islandthat’s part of Scotland. Fingal’s cavecontains high, arched roofs that magnifythe sound of the ocean. Although boatscannot enter the cave, many localcompanies offer sightseeing tours of thesurrounding area.

The Red Beach is probably the furthest thing from any traditional understanding of a beach. Instead of vast expanses of sand, a species of red seaweed called suedadominates the Red Beach. This seaweed stays green for most of the year, then transforms into a dark, cherry-red color once autumn rolls around.

Aside from its bizarre coloring, the Red Beach is home to more than 260 bird species and 399 kinds of wild animals, making it one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. The Red Beach is also the world’s biggest wetland and reed marsh.

Situated in Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay comprises over 1,600 islands and limestone pillars, making it one of the most surreal places in the world. Geologically-savvy visitors can find an enormous array of caves, peaks and other landforms here. The bay is an extraordinary example of erosion’s effect on limestone.

One of the most notable features is the well-developed notches, many of which extend into caves or arches. Because of the islands’ vertical natures, few are inhabited. While some are incredibly small—only 50 to 100 km high–the bay’s larger, more developed limestone islands contain their own lakes and other water sources.

The Antelope Canyon is both the mostvisited and most photographed slotcanyon in the American Southwest. Oneglance at the smooth, orange-red walls andit’s easy to see why. This canyon wasformed by flash flooding and othersubaerial processes that eroded thesandstone. As the rains continue (in 2006, aflood lasted for more than 36 hours) thecanyon’s landscape slowly forges on in itstopical transformation. While scientists areunsure of when people discovered thecave, local Navajos claim that the surrealcanyon has been part of their culturalheritage for ages.

Founded in 1949, Plitvice Lakes NationalPark is the oldest national park insoutheast Europe, as well as Croatia’slargest national park. Like other surrealplaces, the site has been declared aUNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.These days, more than one million visitorsflock to the gorgeous park, drawn by itsspectacular waterfalls, caves and lakes. Thearea is home to more than 100 bird speciesthat live in the beech and fir tree-filledforest. As if the area couldn’t get any morebeautiful, the entire landscape transformsduring winter, when the waters freeze andturn winter white.

Found in Nanping County just north ofChengdu City, the Jiuhaigou Valley istouted as a holy mountain andwatercourse by local Tibetan people.Within its 230 square mile area, JiuzhaigouValley contains an impressive array offantastical forests, serene lakes andbreathtaking waterfalls. The land is hometo over 2,576 higher plant species.

The caves at the edge of Iceland’s Svinafellsjokull glacier were formed by highly pressurized glacier ice that contains few air bubbles. Without air, the cave’s ice absorbs all colors but blue, which is refracted and visible to onlookers after rain removes the ice’s surface layer. People can access the cave through a 22-foot entrance that funnels down to a limited, 4-foot opening. Since glaciers are highly active, one can hear loud cracks and groans created by the shifting ice.