Earth is a planet full of mysteries. There are so many strange but fascinating geological phenomena that simply seem impossible to achieve.

From fossilized forests to a gas crater that burned for 50 years and rocks that move on their own, these phenomena challenge what we thought we knew about how Earth works and offer clues (even small ones) about the incredible forces shaping our planet.

In this article, Interesting engineering (IE) will reveal eight of the most mysterious and intriguing geological phenomena on Earth that you may not have known existed. We list each natural wonder in no particular order.

1. Sailing Stones, Death Valley, USA

A strange geological phenomenon is the most famous sailing stones found at Death Valley’s Playa racetrack. These rocks, weighing up to hundreds of pounds, appear to slide – sometimes in a non-linear fashion – across the desert floor without animal intervention. Although it may seem strange at first, there are some explanations that make the phenomenon less mysterious.

For example, a scientist study in 2014, he claimed to have solved the mystery of these “slippery rocks”, linking their movement to the formation of a thin layer of ice on the beach overnight. Apparently, as the ice melts, the surface becomes slippery, so when a light wind occurs, the rocks slide across the ground.

2. Blue lava from Kawah Ijen, Indonesia

Kawah Ijen blue lava is second on our list of strange geological phenomena. Kawah Ijen is an active stratovolcano whose name derives from the Indonesian words “Kawah” meaning “crater” and “Ijen” meaning “volcano”.

Kawah Ijen is located on the island of Java in Indonesia. What is special about this volcano are its electric blue sulfur flames (it’s not really lava!) which are the result of the combustion of sulfuric gases.

These sulfuric gases are emitted by the volcano’s numerous fumaroles at temperatures of up to 600°C (about 1,100°F).

On contact with air, the hot gases produce an intense blue flame with temperatures exceeding 360°C (680°F).

For years, photographer based in Paris Olivier Grunewald captured the mesmerizing electric blue flames of Kawah Ijen, a spectacle that often lights up the volcano at night.

3. Brinicles: The icy fingers of death

Have you heard of Brinicles, or the “icy fingers of death,” a geological phenomenon that literally kills every living organism in its path? Brinicles are tube-shaped ice formations that form beneath sea ice only in Earth’s polar regions. They resemble stalactites found on the surface of caves.

Brinicles form when extremely cold, salty brine from sea ice seeps into the oceans, creating dense, cold, flowing streams. As rivers flow downhill, they freeze the surrounding seawater, forming descending ice formations.

It’s difficult to capture brinicles in real time, making the video above rare that shows one reaching the seafloor and devouring nearby sea urchins and starfish.

4. Fairy Circles of the Namib Desert, South Africa

Namibia’s mysterious “fairy circles” are circular plots, usually six to 40 feet in diameter, of barren soil lined with grass. They stretch more than 1,000 miles into southern Africa’s Namib Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth. Researchers have also spotted them in part of the Pilbara in Western Australia.

Although no theory fully explains the origins of “fairy circles”, a 2022 study study linking them to “ecohydrological feedback” proved convincing. Significantly, the study debunks previous theories that pest activity is responsible.

Simply put, scientists argued that the grass around the circles draws water away from the center, creating a vacuum effect that starves the interior grasses, which cannot survive. The circular shape makes sense because it maximizes water distribution to outside plants, leaving the middle bare.

5. The Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan

The Gates of Hell (or Gaz Darvaza Crater), Turkmenistan, is a 230-foot-wide crater that has been burning continuously since 1971. This geological phenomenon is an excellent example of how natural geological processes – in this case , the presence of natural gas deposits – combine with human intervention. The Gates of Hell was formed accidentally when geologists drilling for natural resources caused the ground to collapse, creating a massive hole filled with methane.

At the time, scientists thought it would die out within a few days. Instead, it’s still burning more than 50 years later.

6. Blood Falls, Antarctica

Another striking geological phenomenon is the Blood Falls in Antarctica, where shiny (bloody) iron-rich water seeps from the Taylor Glacier.

These bloodfalls form when ancient seawater trapped beneath the glacier flows to the surface. When the iron in this salt water is exposed to oxygen in the air, it oxidizes and turns red – think of how rust forms. Significantly, Blood Falls illustrates geochemical processes within a glacial environment, highlighting how they can occur beyond just rocks.

7. Petrified Forests

Finally, on our list of special geological phenomena are petrified (fossilized) forests, which are found all over the world. One of the most famous sites is located in Arizona, USA, where there are ancient, vibrantly colored trees that once thrived in the late Triassic period (about 225 million years ago).

Petrification simply occurs when ancient trees have their organic matter replaced by minerals, usually silica like quartz, over millions of years. The result is a stunning array of fossilized tree trunks, branches and even leaves, often revealing intricate details of the original wood.

8. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, United States

Devil’s Tower, which formed about 50 million years ago, rises about 1,267 feet (386 meters) above sea level and is known for its remarkable hexagonal basalt formations in columns.

According to one of many theories, Devil’s Tower was formed by a geological process known as igneous intrusion, where molten magma from deep within the Earth cooled and solidified underground, c i.e. did not erupt on the surface as lava.

Over time, this solidified magma became exposed, leaving behind the distinctive shape of the iconic tower as surrounding less resistant rocks such as sandstones eroded away.

Interestingly, although its name may sound sinister, the “Devils” in this geological monument’s name were actually the result of a misinterpretation of the local Native American language by early European settlers.

And there you have it, an overview (not at all exhaustive) of certain geological phenomena of which you probably did not know the existence.

From stunning petrified forests to deadly ice formations to a fiery crater that has burned for more than 50 years, these natural wonders are reminders of the dynamic processes that continue to shape our planet Earth.